Siesta Key Lights Up The Village For 28th Year

Santa Claus, artificial snow and flip flops are the way to celebrate the kick-off to Christmas on Siesta Key.

For the 28th year, the Siesta Key Village Association will present Light Up the Village from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday.

Siesta Village will be decorated in its tropical holiday glory with the Christmas tree lighting taking place at the Gazebo, located at Ocean Boulevard and Canal Road, at approximately 6:15 p.m.

Santa Claus will be arriving on a float in the newly expanded holiday parade which will begin at Avenida del Mare and Beach Road at 5:40 p.m. traveling north on Beach Road onto Ocean Boulevard into the Village.

Many businesses and local groups will be participating in the parade and welcoming Santa to Siesta Village.

If you would like to participate in the parade, call the parade coordinator at 941 346-7401. 

After the lighting of the Christmas tree, Santa will take a seat on his holiday throne at the Siesta Center to greet all children.  The first 250 to see him will receive gift bags donated by Beach Bazaar.

Santa’s Village also includes a clown, face painting and games with prizes. Photos may be taken with Santa. Ocean Boulevard will be lined with luminaries and shops and restaurants will offer refreshments and special holiday bargains from 6 to 9 p.m.

There will also be live music at various venues plus carolers and demonstrations of gymnastics and martial arts. 

Free transportation will be provided courtesy of the Siesta Island Trolley from Siesta Public Beach to the Village from 5:30 to 10 p.m.