In many locales, the holiday season brings a mad dash through the malls and a push-and-shove jostle in the stores. Islanders celebrate at an island pace, with a series of holiday walks through their shopping districts.
The first such walk took place Dec. 2 in Holmes Beach, where retailers, service providers and restaurateurs joined in a downtown open house.
Festivities began with a tree-lighting at the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, 5313 Gulf Drive, followed by the arrival of Santa Claus and the Anna Maria Island Privateers at The Islander office, 5404 Marina Drive.
A sudsy “snow” fell outside The Islander, where children played and visited with Santa in his sleigh.
At other stops on the walk, open house guests sampled snacks, sang carols and shopped.
Several galleries — Island Gallery West, the Artists’ Guild and the Anna Maria Island Art League — also hosted art receptions.
The next holiday walk is set for 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, in Anna Maria along Gulf Drive and Pine Avenue, where business owners will open their doors for extended hours to offer holiday cheer.
Bradenton Beach’s business community hosts a holiday walk from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, on Bridge Street.
The Bridge Street Merchants’ annual Christmas on Bridge Street celebration will feature visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, raffles, a children’s gift bazaar, carols and holiday specials in the stores and restaurants, and a lighted boat parade by members of the Cortez Yacht Club.
Other holiday events include:
• Dec. 10, 10 a.m., the Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas Parade takes place, traveling from Bayfront Park in Anna Maria to Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. All floats must be staged by 9:30 a.m. and all entries must be motorized — including Santa’s sleigh.
• Dec. 10, 11 a.m., the Anna Maria Island Privateers host a post-parade Christmas party at Coquina Beach, where Santa will visit with children and hand out presents. Also, the Privateers will provide a free lunch of hot dogs and soda pop for children.
• Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m., Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, holds the annual Bethlehem Walk, beginning and ending at the church. Guests are encouraged to wear period-style clothing.
• Dec. 13, 10:30 a.m., the Sandbar Restaurant, 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria, hosts the 17th annual Lawton Chiles Kids Christmas Party, featuring lunch and a visit from a Santa Claus bearing gifts — a holiday outfit and toys — for children.
• Dec. 17, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge No. 2188, 110 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, hosts a holiday party for children 10 and under. Santa will hand out presents and the Moose will deliver lunch courtesy of the Women of the Moose Chapter 1601. Pre-registration is required at the lodge by Dec. 10.
• Dec. 17, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Florida Maritime Museum and the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage host a Music on the Porch Christmas Celebration at the museum’s old Burton Store, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Instrumentalists are invited to join a jam session. And music enthusiasts are invited to applaud.
• Dec. 17, The Islander hosts the Where’s Woody Holiday Sidewalk Sale outside its office, 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Local artists offer their work, some at heavily discounted prices, for holiday shoppers and art-enthusiasts.
• Dec. 18, at 2 p.m., the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra presents “A Classical Holiday,” featuring holiday-themed music, including portions of “Messiah.” The concert takes place at Crosspointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
Joey Stewart and Chelsea Koch of the Sand Dollar boutique help visitors Luke and Abe Archer of Arkansas prepare decorated starfish for their family Christmas tree at the Sand Dollar open house in the Island Shopping Center Dec. 2. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy
Kids play, some barefoot, in the snow at The Islander open house in the Island Shopping Center in Holmes Beach Dec. 2. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy
Hansen Peck, 4, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., enjoys a moment with Santa Claus at Ye Old Holmes Beach Downtown Holiday Open House. The Dec. 2 event traditionally kicks off the Anna Maria Island Christmas season. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy