Sarasota's spirit goes on display in the holiday parade

By Ian Swaby
| 10:20 a.m. December 7, 2025

Students from Sarasota High School's marching band walk in the parade.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Derek Newberry says he's attended holiday parades all over Florida.

However, he says he's never found one quite like the Sarasota Holiday Parade, which was held along Main Street on Dec. 6.

"It's like, real personal," Newberry said. "Everybody knows everybody, but it's still like a big city. Sarasota has got everything a big city has, but it's still homey. It's a nice city."

However, there were still big things to showcase in the community.

The parade brought together floats from throughout Sarasota which featured many local organizations, businesses, schools and clubs.

Performers young and old had the chance to showcase skills from water skiing to circus arts, and organizations shared missions like the welfare of the community's animals, before the parade concluded in the arrival of Santa Claus.

Braelyn Butts, 7, and Claire Douberly, 6, participated with Pork Roll Pete's.

Johnny awaits the start of the parade with Austin Lynch, an animal care enrichment specialist with Humane Society of Sarasota County.

Danny Bilyeu, president of Sarasota Holiday Celebration Inc., watches as the Pop-Up Library enters the parade.

Ashlen Brown and Naomi Nerlien of New College of Florida accept some treats from below.

Pork Roll Pete's offered up intricate festive displays.

Natalie Brannon, 16, Lauren Taylor Nock, 16, and Debra Brannon, 16, of the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show Team, showcase their moves.

Daniel Vasquez and Lyla Fischer walk with Dynasty Dance Clubs.

Cheerleaders from Sarasota High School wave to the crowds.

Dan Sidler of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce walks in the parade.

Humane Society of Sarasota County rides along Main Street.

Thomas Henning, 6, gets in some bubble action.

Precision Garage Door Service heads down Main Street.

Susan Spinella showcases the fun of the water with YMCA.

UnidosNow walks with Maximo Abreu, 7, in front.

Sarasota Military Academy students showcase the school's values.

Students at New College of Florida travel down Main Street.

Hazel Curie, 10, and Clara Garcia, 10, of Circus Arts Conservatory, wave to crowds.

Miss Jodi's School of Dance makes its way along Main Street.

The Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show Team forms their signature pyramid.

Vehicles from Sarasota County including Sarasota County Stormwater, make their way across the parade route.

Miss Sarasota Softball heads down Main Street.

The team of Saraosta Crew showcases sport of rowing.

Renowned circus performer Dolly Jacobs waves to viewers, riding with Tom and Linda McDonald.

Rachele Casasola takes a selfie with Santa Claus.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.