BRADENTON -- 'Tis the season and we've got a weekend choc full of holiday fun! The annual Parade of Lights will roll down the Manatee River, there will be a Winter Wonderland downtown and things get started with caroling at the Courthouse. Grab you sleigh bells, it's time for a Christmas Adventure in Bradenton!
On Friday afternoon, Manatee County Government invites the public to the first ever Carols in the Courtyard Friday, where there will be food, beverages and crafts for sale to benefit Untied Way of Manatee County.
The event will be held Friday from noon to 4 p.m. in the courtyard of the Historic Courthouse at 1115 Manatee Ave. West. Several local groups will perform for 30 minute intervals at the following times:
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”We’re hoping as many downtown employees and residents will join us to relax and enjoy the magic of holiday carols being sung, partake in food, drinks, and crafts,“ Neri said. ”They’ll have a good time and they’ll be making a difference in our community.“
Several groups will be on site selling hamburgers and hot dogs and popcorn, and others selling holiday crafts. Manatee County Animal Services will bring several animals available for adoption. There will also be a basket raffle.
Carols in the Courtyard
Friday noon – 4:00 p.m.
Historic Courthouse
1115 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton
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Saturday on the Manatee River, starting at 6:30 p.m., the boats will light up their holiday decorations for the annual Parade of Lights. The boats will stage in the River by Desoto Park and head toward the Bradenton Yacht Club and show off for the judges. Next they'll head toward Regatta Pointe Marina, and Restaurant before their last pass by the club. The Bradenton Yacht Club is located at 4307 Snead Island Road in Palmetto.
If you do not own a boat and want a great vantage point to see the lighted boats, you can go to the The Bradenton Yacht Club. The whole club is reservation only from 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. A special buffet of carved prime rib, roasted salmon, lemon pepper chicken, sliced pork loin with apple, raisin stuffing & port wine sauce, chef’s selection of sides, salad bar and dessert for only $25.95 tax and tip. Reserve ASAP for the best viewing!
Bradenton Yacht Club's Annual Parade of Lights
Saturday 6:30 – 8:30
Manatee River
Palmetto and Bradenton
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Children sliding down a snow mountain at last year's Winter Wonderland event. Photo: Realize Bradenton |
Snow mountains, a festive street party and Santa Claus return this weekend to downtown Bradenton for the 16th Annual Winter Wonderland festival. Winter Wonderland continues 5-9 p.m. Saturday with a party on Old Main Street - a family-friendly event with food, arts and crafts vendors, along with games for kids, hay rides and more. The event’s signature attraction, the snow sledding mountains, will be in the parking lot north of the Old Main Pub.
A parade departs from the south end of Old Main Street around 6 p.m. to escort Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus to the entrance of Westminster Courtyard, 222 Old Main St., where they will meet with visitors until about 8:30 p.m. Click herefor the entertainment schedule for the stage. Bradenton Yacht Club’s 14th Annual Holiday Boat Parade is expected to pass the downtown waterfront around 8:30 p.m.
There is one significant change this year. The Arthritis Foundation’s annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis, which usually kicks off the Winter Wonderland weekend on Friday night, has been moved to Dec. 16 at Lakewood Ranch this year because of construction in Rossi Park. Click here for info. Bradenton Councilwoman Marianne Barnebey founded Winter Wonderland and continues to organize the event to this day. For more information, contact her office at 932-9449.
Winter Wonderland
Saturday
5-9:00 p.m.
Old Main Street
Bradenton
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