The holiday season on Anna Maria Island is a culmination of the sun, Christmas cheer, and community gatherings.
These Anna Maria Island events are locally-inspired and driven by the coastal lifestyle people travel far and wide to experience.
If you want to ring in the Christmas season without the crowds of Times Square, this is the perfect time to take a vacation on Anna Maria Island.
Wherever you are in the region, you’ll get to experience some of the longest-running Christmas events in the state of Florida right on Anna Maria Island. Here are a few of them:
Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas Parade
Location: 316 N Bay Blvd, Anna Maria, FL
The Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas Parade is just the kind of event to usher in the holidays, with Christmas treats and boats on the gulf. This Christmas parade is unique because it is not limited to a colorful procession of displays on foot and on wheels.
Some of the floats (literally, in this case) will parade on the water. Private boats, adorned with strings of twinkling lights and other surprises, will cruise along the Anna Maria Island coast.
The event begins at 10 a.m. on December 9, and the parade runs the length of the island, starting at Bay Front Park and ending at the southern end of Coquina Beach.
The parade is free for all ages, both to view and to participate in (in lieu of an entry fee for floats, donations are encouraged).
Santa will hop on Skullywag, the Privateers’ ship for kids to sit on Santa’s lap. Hotdogs, snacks, and soda will be available for kids from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. You can call (941) 900-4141 for further details.
Plan Your Visit
Take a moment to browse all of our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals and choose the one that feels like home. Book with Beach House today for an unforgettable stay.
Annual Winterfest Fine Arts and Crafts Festival
Location: 5901 Marina Dr., Bradenton Beach, FL
This December 9th and 10th bring you the Annual Winterfest Fine Arts and Crafts Festival, a 30-year-old festival that celebrates local arts.
Make Christmas a little more personal this year by shopping for a hand-crafted gift at the festival. The weekend event will undoubtedly be a great way to kick off the holiday season and check some names off your gift list.
The event will feature live music, vendors with gifts and crafts of all kinds, and a food court area. There are also volunteer groups present with information on the local history and environment of Anna Maria Island. This includes the support of rare wildlife, a nature preservation priority here on Anna Maria Island.
A raffle will close the event, offering ticket buyers a chance to win unique pieces that can’t be found anywhere else. Funds from the raffle go to helping support local history and cultural heritage of the island. The two-day event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
Christmas on Historic Bridge Street
Location: Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, FL
Bridge Street was once Anna Maria Island’s only entrance by car. Now, it’s been developed into a major mecca of shopping and dining. On December 17, locals and visitors alike will fill the street for the annual Christmas on Historic Bridge Street, one of the favorite Anna Maria Island events this time of year.
Bridge Street has only recently undergone a major facelift, and the development results are breathtaking. The many new vacation rentals on Anna Maria Island bring new life to the area.
Shops will remain open throughout the day and early evening, and visitors can stroll down Bridge Street and surrounding area searching for the right gift for friends and family.
The pier itself is worth a visit – a beautifully restored historical attraction that’s perfect for relaxing, fishing, or sipping a hot chocolate.
Soak up holiday cheer at Christmas on Historic Bridge Street. Dickens Carolers sing vibrant holiday favorites, while artisan vendors offer unique Christmas gifts. Hot chocolate will be given out, and Santa Claus might be found on the search for the nicest kids of the year. The event begins at 4 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m.
These are just a few of the many Christmas events this holiday season near our vacation rentals on Anna Maria Island. As if it’s a scene pulled right from It’s a Wonderful Life, Anna Maria Island is rich in the Christmas spirit.
