Get ready for some Santa sightings.
Even before the Thanksgiving leftovers were consumed, Anna Maria Island welcomed its first visit from jolly old St. Nicholas at the lighting of the Bridge Street Christmas tree Nov. 18.
But, by The Islander’s count, Santa will visit AMI another dozen times before Dec. 24-25, plus there are mainland stopovers.
The following is a collection of holiday-themed events:
- Mistletoe Market, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 1-2, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.
The market will include vendors selling art, crafts, food items and more.
Attendees are asked to bring a food donation for the Roser Food Pantry.
For more information, go online to daniellesblueribbonevents.com or call 231-350-8277.
- Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce tree-lighting, 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 1, at the office, 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
For more information, call the chamber at 941-778-1541.
- Holmes Beach Holiday Market, 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, in the Holmes Beach city center.
Businesses will host open houses, share holiday tunes, welcome Santa and also the Anna Maria Island Privateers.
- Center of Anna Maria Island’s Lester Family Fun Day, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.
The event at the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, promises old-fashioned fun at old-fashioned prices and will feature performances by the Manatee High School Drum Line, as well as poinsettia sales, pony rides, face-painting, crafting, raffles, lunch items and a celebration for the arrival at noon by Santa.
For more information, go to centerami.org or call the center at 941-778-1908.
- Christmas on Bridge Street, 3-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach.
The Bridge Street party will draw Santa Claus and feature caroling, business open houses, children’s activities, an outdoor movie and more.
For more information, go online to lovebradentonbeach.com.
- 5th annual Bradenton Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.
A parade of decorated boats will begin at Longboat Pass, continuing in the Intracoastal Waterway past the Historic Bridge Street Pier to the Bradenton Beach Marina.
For more information, including registration, go online to boat-parade.com or call 203-628-8843.
- Anna Maria Island Privateers’ Christmas at the Drift In, 6-10 p.m., Drift In, 120 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach.
The annual holiday tradition will include raffles, treats, visits with pirates and Santa.
For more information, amiprivateers.wildapricot.org.
- Thursdays in Paradise — Christmas Edition, 5 p.m. Thursdays in December on Bridge Street.
Attendees likely will encounter Santa and open houses at Bradenton Beach businesses.
For more information, lovebradentonbeach.com.
- City of Anna Maria’s Santa in the Park, 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, City Pier Park, Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria.
Santa will hand out goodie bags to kids and carolers will sing holiday tunes.
For more information, go online to www.cityofannamaria.com or call 941-708-6130.
- Holiday Walk of Treasures, 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, Pine Avenue and Gulf Drive, Anna Maria.
Businesses and the Anna Maria Island Historical Society, 402 Pine Ave., will host open houses, offer refreshments and welcome Santa.
For more information, 941-778-0492.
- Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas Parade, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9.
The motorized parade will travel from Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach to City Pier Park in Anna Maria, with Santa in his sleigh and pirates aboard the Skullywag.
For more information, amiprivateers.wildapricot.org.
- Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas Party, noonish, city field, 5800 block of Marina Drive Holmes Beach.
The Privateers will host Santa handing out Christmas presents and also serve a free lunch to kids.
For more information, amiprivateers.wildapricot.org.
- Christmas in Cortez, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez.
The event will include children’s activities, crafting and a meet-and-greet with Santa.
For more information, call the museum at 941-708-6120.
- Winter Night Under the Lights 6-9 p.m. Dec. 13-17, Palma Sola Botanical Gardens, 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton.
Visitors will find food trucks, crafting, a marketplace, musical performers, hay rides, refreshments and Santa on the grounds.
For more information, 941-761-2866.
- Sleigh Bell Social, 3:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, city field, 5800 block of Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
The city will host a holiday-themed affair featuring refreshments, raffles and children’s activities.