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Results for:

The moon shines between a pair of "Florida Reindeer."
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 4, 2025
Holiday display at Selby Gardens boasts over 2 million lights

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' "Lights in Bloom" illuminated extravaganza features a tree covered in dragonflies, train decorations and more to explore.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A pair of Crested Caracaras become roommates at Save Our Seabirds during ongoing renovations and, as keepers noted, seem to become fast friends.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • December 2, 2025
Learn how to safely handle wild birds with Save Our Seabirds

Save Our Seabirds invites anyone with a passion for helping injured animals to learn the techniques for keeping both birds and handlers safe at an upcoming workshop.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Zac Boone, 6, showcases his crystals.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 15, 2025
Children's Entrepreneur Market offers kids business experience

The organization has been active in Sarasota since April and gives kids space to host their business at community events.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Milan Vlaisavljevich Adrian (1945-2025)
  • In Memoriam |
  • December 1, 2025
Milan Vlaisavljevich Adrian

Beloved father of Amanda Adrian and devoted husband to Linda Adrian, passed away on 11/25 in his adopted hometown of Longboat Key, Florida, at the age of 80.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade

This year's Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade was the original organizers' "swan song," who hope new blood will take on the parade and keep the Christmas spirit alive.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sixth grader Stella Schechter holds up a finished craft for David Stone.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 16, 2025
Emanu-El students celebrate Hanukkah with Aviva Senior Living residents

Temple Emanu-El's religious school visits the senior living development each year, to allow kids the opportunity to celebrate the holiday together.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Justin Gomlak helps bring big city glamour to the Sarasota stage in "A Very Broadway Christmas," which plays Monday, Dec. 22, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • December 17, 2025
The Van Wezel wants you to have 'A Very Broadway Christmas'

Broadway veterans who now live in Sarasota and St. Petersburg are staging the holiday spectacular.

  • Arts + Culture
Artist JC Wayne hangs the ninth and final piece in her series "Atomic Universe," the latest installation at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church. The display will be up throughout the holiday season.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • December 19, 2025
Artist delves into ideas of existence at Longboat exhibition

JC Wayne, All Angels' latest featured gallery artist, merges themes of spirituality, science and art in her series of paintings.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Florida Power & Light (FPL) |
  • December 11, 2025
Florida Families Can Help Neighbors and Celebrate an Energy-Efficient Holiday

Tips to Save Energy All Season Long and a Chance to Win Holiday Energy-Efficiency Kits for 80 Floridians

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Kindergartener Santiago Perez checks out the crochet items.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 16, 2025
Holiday House SRQ now serves a fifth school, but holiday shopping costs rise

This year, the nonprofit provided its free holiday shopping experiences to five elementary schools, but rising prices for gifts pose a challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Greenbrook's David, Hannah and Jaime Marco all had a part in creating Jaime Marco's new book “Unfunkt: Quiet the Noise. Ignite the Light.”
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • December 12, 2025
Readers can shed the funk with Lakewood Ranch author's 'Unfunkt'

Greenbrook's Jaime Marco wrote the book to let others know they can make a positive impact on their lives.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Trevor Stalcup and Jessica Assef star in George Balanchine's "Mozartiana," in Sarasota Ballet's Program Three, "Masters of Movement," which runs Dec. 19-20 at the Sarasota Opera.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • December 16, 2025
Sarasota Ballet taps a Balanchine disciple to stage his final major work

Maria Calegari is staging "Mozartiana," which she danced when she was a principal at New York City Ballet.

  • Arts + Culture
Margot Eagleton (1930-2025)
  • In Memoriam |
  • November 5, 2025
Margot Eagleton

Margot Eagleton passed away peacefully on October 11 at the age of 95.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Ann Gwendolyn Sweet (1935-2025)
  • In Memoriam |
  • November 13, 2025
Ann Gwendolyn Sweet

Her Legacy… Ann Gwendolyn Sweet, aged 90 years, passed away on November 2, 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Cyclists utilize the bike lanes on Gulf of Mexico Drive along the newly completed Country Club Shores turn lane project portion of the street. The 0.84-mile segment marks the first example of the town’s Complete Streets vision.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • December 17, 2025
Longboat Key chips away at Complete Street(s) goal

The first project in the plan is done on the south end, and the second is planned on the north end, but making Gulf of Mexico Drive a "complete street" will require a lot more work.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
With a sparkle in his eye and a wave of the hand, jolly old St. Nick illuminated the lights on St. Armands Circle's 60-foot Christmas tree at a lighting festival on Dec. 5.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • December 7, 2025
St. Armands celebrates magical Christmas tree lighting

With an appearance from Santa Claus, music by the Sarasota Academy of Arts and festive treats, the Christmas kickoff delighted attendees of all ages.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Richard Thomas stars in "Mark Twain Tonight!" at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Dec. 19-20.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • December 16, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 18-24

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
A Kwanzaa display rests on the table during the event.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 11, 2025
Kwanzaa celebration prepares community for the holiday

The Kwanzaa Community Celebration will be followed by the 7-Day Candle Lighting Ceremony and Celebration from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Unit 1106 condominium at 1155 N. Gulfstream Ave. was built in 2017 and has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,701 square feet of living area.
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • December 11, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 24-28 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on North Shell Road tops the week’s sales at $3,542,800.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Kirt F. Bopp (1950-2025)
  • In Memoriam |
  • December 8, 2025
Kirt F. Bopp

Kirt F. Bopp, 75, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in an accident while cleaning his windows at home—a task so characteristic of the care and pride he took in everything he touched.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
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