Sarasota neighborhoods light up for the holidays

When Brady Johnson and his wife Beata Johnson ride the Holiday Tour of Lights with friends on the SRQ Trolley, they have some knowledge of their own to offer. 

As they pass through the Three Oaks neighborhood, they will point out the home of Brady's parents Bill and Connie Johnson, who brought Bill's numerous decorations with them from Boston three years ago. 

"The second year is when the trolley started coming through, and once he found out, I think he kicked it in even higher, because he was like, 'Oh, cool, we're on the trolley route. He loves that," Brady Johnson said.

He says each year, his father will add a couple of elements, also purchasing new lights to fit the growth of the palm trees. 

Bill Johnson joins the many Sarasota residents passionate about decorating for the holidays. While the displays in Three Oaks continue to grow, two neighborhoods are most widely known for their displays. 

Those are Cedar Hollow, located west of Honore Avenue just south of the intersection with Fruitville Road, and Colonial Oaks, located east of Honore Avenue north of the intersection with Bee Ridge Road.

Meanwhile, you can find some impressive stand-alone displays, like 2834 Browning St., which has a wide array of decorations, including many animated characters. 

Whether you're looking to take a trolley or a self-guided tour, here are some of the sites Sarasota offers during the holidays.