Christmas parade, tree-lighting kick off holiday season

The holiday season officially begins this weekend in Sarasota, starting with the lighting of the new holiday tree at St. Armands Circle at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. This year, the tree lighting is set against the backdrop of the first — and for the time being the last — six-week Holiday Spectacular in Circle Park. 

On Saturday, the annual Christmas parade hosted by Sarasota Holiday Celebrations will be held downtown from 7-9 p.m. The parade route is Main Street starting at U.S. 301 and ending at J.D. Hamel Park at Gulfstream Avenue.

Street closures for the parade are scheduled as following:

• 9 a.m. Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: Main Street between Orange Avenue and U.S. 301. Osprey to US 301.
• 11 a.m. Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: Main Street between U.S. 41 and Orange Avenue.
• Noon Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: 
• Main Street between U.S. 301 and School Avenue.
• Fletcher Avenue between Main Street and Fruitville Road.
• Wallace Avenue between Main Street and Fruitville Road.
• East Avenue between Fruitville Road and Ringling Boulevard.
• School Avenue between Main Street and Fruitville Road.
• Audubon Place between Main Street and Fruitville Road.
• First Street  between Audubon Place and East Avenue.
• 2:30 p.m. Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: Lemon Avenue between First Street and Main Street.
• 3 p.m. Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday: Gulfstream Avenue between U.S. 41 and McAnsh Square.