• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • 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
  • Things to Do
  • 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
  • Things to Do
  • 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
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

St. Armands Circle Holiday Night of Lights fills the Circle with good cheer

People flooded the Circle for caroling, Christmas lights, dancing and pictures with Santa.


  • By Nat Kaemmerer
  • | 7:28 a.m. December 5, 2021
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • Share

St. Armands Circle Holiday Night of Lights ignited the holiday spirit on Friday night.

Within the inner park at the Circle was a party. A section of road in front of the massive tree was blocked off, and hundreds of visitors stopped for photos and selfies throughout the evening.

New Sarasota dance school Future of Dance put on several performances of wintry dances, Rise Above performed dances, Sarasota Academy of the Arts students caroled the night away and Santa and Mrs. Clause sat waiting for photos. The Boys and Girls Club was also accepting unwrapped gifts. 

Debi Nettlow, Glenda Gunter and Debbie White
Debi Nettlow, Glenda Gunter and Debbie White
A tiny angel points out the wise men at the St. Armands Key Lutheran Church live nativity.
A tiny angel points out the wise men at the St. Armands Key Lutheran Church live nativity.
Four angels peer down from the scaffolding at the St. Armands Key Lutheran Church live nativity.
Four angels peer down from the scaffolding at the St. Armands Key Lutheran Church live nativity.
Anna Dancigers, Xiao-Xuan Yang and Roger Arnholt
Anna Dancigers, Xiao-Xuan Yang and Roger Arnholt
Henry, Chris, Abby and Nora Hincker
Henry, Chris, Abby and Nora Hincker
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church volunteers handed out goodies to passers-by.
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church volunteers handed out goodies to passers-by.
The tree wasn't lit until the Holiday Night of Lights.
The tree wasn't lit until the Holiday Night of Lights.
Lyle and Jamie Schulte with Kay and George Hein
Lyle and Jamie Schulte with Kay and George Hein
Sarasota Academy of the Arts students sang Silver Bells.
Sarasota Academy of the Arts students sang Silver Bells.
The Clogging Clovers tapped the pavement around the Circle.
The Clogging Clovers tapped the pavement around the Circle.
Jessica, Sawyer, Oliver, Harlow and Steve Moore
Jessica, Sawyer, Oliver, Harlow and Steve Moore
Linda Thorne, Laurie Pugh, Gina Orouke, Pam Machugh and Susan Caine
Linda Thorne, Laurie Pugh, Gina Orouke, Pam Machugh and Susan Caine
Isabelle Sprouse and Baylee
Isabelle Sprouse and Baylee "Paris" Martin
As the sixth night of Hanukkah fell, the corresponding candle on the menorah was lit.
As the sixth night of Hanukkah fell, the corresponding candle on the menorah was lit.
Logan, Everleigh and Kaitlyn Cano
Logan, Everleigh and Kaitlyn Cano
Brooke Thompson, Chloe Wainkein, Ava Osborne, Abigail McNulty and Courtney Cripes from Future of Dance
Brooke Thompson, Chloe Wainkein, Ava Osborne, Abigail McNulty and Courtney Cripes from Future of Dance
Santa and Mrs. Clause were available for photos all evening.
Santa and Mrs. Clause were available for photos all evening.
Terry, Alex, PJ and Barbara Culkin
Terry, Alex, PJ and Barbara Culkin

 

Latest News

A conceptual rendering of the planned expansion of Plymouth Harbor. The new residential tower is at the right.
  • March 25, 2026
Rezoning clears the way for Plymouth Harbor expansion
Saks' parent company, Saks Global, filed for bankruptcy in January.
  • March 25, 2026
Saks changes its mind: UTC store will remain open
Ellenton's Rennee Lux, who will serve as the director for KLA Schools of Lakewood Ranch, is eager to welcome children and families into the new space.
  • March 25, 2026
KLA Schools prepares to open new early learning center in Lakewood Ranch
Co-owner Chris Carter works with a barista behind the counter of the second location of Sips, which opened at 3172 Gulf of Mexico Drive this month.
  • March 25, 2026
Second Sips debuts on Longboat Key

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

Five youth sailing teams raced against one another in the first Next Tack regatta on March 21 at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron headquarters. The program is a more advanced offshoot of the partnership between Spectrum Sailing and the Sarasota Youth Sailing Squadron that fosters inclusive, peer-based sailing instruction.
  • March 25, 2026
New inclusive sailing program brings big smiles
Wearing her mother's favorite color, Abby Ferreira, one of Cathy Ann "Cam" Maddox's children, raises a glass in memory of her mother on March 21 at Harry's Continental Kitchens with Brian Maddox. He said his late wife wanted a celebration of life that brought together loved ones and friends to smile, share fond memories and show their support for the Longboat Key Turtle Watch, a conservation program she passionately championed.
  • March 24, 2026
Longboat volunteer supports conservation through celebration of life
Deborah DiCarlo and approximately 150 fellow celebrants raise a glass to toast Longboat Island Chapel's 70th anniversary. Attendees shared memories and cake at the festivities March 22 at Shook Hall.
  • March 23, 2026
Longboat Island Chapel celebrates 70 years
Tasha Robinson has played the harp for 35 years. On St. Patrick's Day, she performed with two of her instruments at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church before attendees enjoyed an Irish-themed holiday dinner.
  • March 23, 2026
Tunes of the highlands come to Longboat Key
Mary Schultz shows off the latest Lilly Pulitzer style on the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Women's Guild spring fashion show March 16 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
  • March 20, 2026
Spring fashion comes to life on Women's Guild runway
  • March 20, 2026
Longboat Key's Cops, Cars & Coffee rescheduled

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 © 2026 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