Anna Maria Island’s merrymakers continue to celebrate the season with Santa visits, open houses, markets and an annual Christmas parade.
A look at holiday-themed events:
- 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.
The ship, sleigh and all will then move to city field, in the 5800 block of Marina Drive in Holmes Beach for the Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas Party, which starts around noonish.
The Privateers will host Santa handing out Christmas presents to children and also serve a free lunch to kids. Adults can pay a nominal fee for lunch and sodas.
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 free holiday-themed affair featuring refreshments, raffles and prizes, including bicycles for kids and children’s activities.
For more information, call the city at 941-708-5800.