• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Sarasota says 'Mele Kalikimaka' with annual holiday parade

Thousands of Sarasota residents packed Main Street for a "Holidays by the Sea" themed holiday parade on Dec. 7.


  • By Whitney Elfstrom
  • | 12:20 p.m. December 8, 2019
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

The Christmas season tends to look a little different for Floridians. Palm trees donned with lights and ornaments, yard flamingos wearing Santa hats and trips to the beach during winter break are just a few of the holiday  traditions that set the Sunshine State apart from most of the country.

On Dec. 7 Sarasota leaned into Florida's tropical culture with its annual holiday parade through the theme of "Holidays by the Sea." After a slew of ocean-themed floats, Santa ended the parade in a flurry of snow that the crowd joyfully played in. 

Linda Botens and Gary Peters
Linda Botens and Gary Peters
Santa Claus is the star of the show as he bring up the back of the parade.
Santa Claus is the star of the show as he bring up the back of the parade.
Ella Diamond, 11, and Emma Roseneloon, 11
Ella Diamond, 11, and Emma Roseneloon, 11
Trenton Bellan, 4, watches as the parade goes by.
Trenton Bellan, 4, watches as the parade goes by.
The crowd plays in the snow projected from the floats.
The crowd plays in the snow projected from the floats.
Lillanani, 6, and Zamiay, 6, Peterson
Lillanani, 6, and Zamiay, 6, Peterson
Tyler and Aidan Rasmussen, 2
Tyler and Aidan Rasmussen, 2
The crowd watches as the parade goes by.
The crowd watches as the parade goes by.
Emma, 5, and Debbie Strahs
Emma, 5, and Debbie Strahs
Keegan Goings, 3, Harmony Haynes, 2, and Cherish Smith, 5
Keegan Goings, 3, Harmony Haynes, 2, and Cherish Smith, 5
Dancers from ReFlex Arts Dance prepare to walk in the parade.
Dancers from ReFlex Arts Dance prepare to walk in the parade.
Quintin, 2, and Vincent Jenkins
Quintin, 2, and Vincent Jenkins
ALSO Youth poses before the walk in the parade.
ALSO Youth poses before the walk in the parade.
Keir, 1, and Maren Simmons.
Keir, 1, and Maren Simmons.
Dave Taylor, Kim Galway, Mia Martin, Jay McDermott and Justin Morrison
Dave Taylor, Kim Galway, Mia Martin, Jay McDermott and Justin Morrison
Dolly Jacobs, circus aerialist and co-founder of The Circus Arts Conservatory.
Dolly Jacobs, circus aerialist and co-founder of The Circus Arts Conservatory.
Cormac Phillippi, 7, Sawyer Mohrnacher, 5, Jakub Mohrnacher, 8, and Connor Murray, 10
Cormac Phillippi, 7, Sawyer Mohrnacher, 5, Jakub Mohrnacher, 8, and Connor Murray, 10
Janie Linscott with her children Jacob, 6, and Ember, 4.
Janie Linscott with her children Jacob, 6, and Ember, 4.
Corben Segward, 8, Jackson Watson, 8, and Ashton Stiegler, 8
Corben Segward, 8, Jackson Watson, 8, and Ashton Stiegler, 8
Ashton Randall, 3, reaches for the snow.
Ashton Randall, 3, reaches for the snow.

 

Latest News

Sarasota Police on Monday recovered a sunken, capsized boat from Hudson Bayou that had been swamped for more than three years.
  • December 6, 2025
Long-abandoned boat removed by Sarasota Police
Sarasota City Attorney Joe Polzak and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs during a meeting of the Sarasota City Commission.
  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota charter official evaluations begin this month
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
  • December 4, 2025
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

A rendering of Florida Studio Theatre's McGillicuddy Arts Plaza.
  • December 6, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre receives anonymous $1 million gift
The moon shines between a pair of "Florida Reindeer."
  • December 4, 2025
Holiday display at Selby Gardens boasts over 2 million lights
Shane Rawley poses for a photo on Dec. 2 at Shaner's Pizzeria with his three published books. From left: "A February Thaw: A Peter Cobb Adventure," "January Freeze: A Peter Cobb Adventure" and "Peter Cobb: Three Strikes You're Out."
  • December 4, 2025
Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author
Laura Oliff-Maxey and Barbara Braun
  • December 4, 2025
Mothers Helping Mothers strengthens its toy drive effort
Eighth grader Mikayla Ross works with teacher Joseph Conner.
  • December 4, 2025
Tutoring nonprofit helps raise students' success rates
Sarasota City Y is a Vital Part of the Community
  • December 4, 2025
Sarasota City Y is a Vital Part of the Community

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now