Folks, if you’re looking for some great things to do on Anna Maria Island on your Christmas vacation, then look no further, as this is the page for you! This Christmas season, guests in our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals will find plenty to see and do, meaning that they don’t have to give up their family traditions just because they aren’t home for the holidays this year. You’ll have the opportunity to make even more unique memories with the ones you love most! Read on to learn more about the holiday fun you can experience this year.
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Silver & Gold Beach Minis
You have likely heard the saying before: “What’s more Florida than Christmas on the beach?!” And the answer to that, of course, is “nothing.” Indeed, nothing’s better than spending your Christmas season on the soft, white sand of Anna Maria Island. If you want something amusing and memorable for singles, couples, or even families alike, then this would be the event for you. Erica Smith Photography is hosting this event And making all the Christmas magic happen.
It’s not Christmas in Florida, after all, until you’ve truly sampled a day at the beach with the one and only Silver & Gold Christmas Beach Minis event. During this event, you and your family will be able to come together and take some incredible Christmas photos right on the beach! What better way to remember the year that you spent enjoying the holiday season on the sands of Anna Maria Island? Mini photography sessions typically last about 15 minutes and produce eight images. You’ll be provided with a cozy area to sit to make your background, and since the colors tend to be neutral, you can wear whatever you please. In the past, these mini photography sessions have cost $199 each. best of all, once you’re done taking your photos, you can stick around and enjoy the beach!
Holiday Craft Fair
An entire–day event taking place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Holiday Craft Fair is here to save the day and bring on the fun! It’s loaded with crafts to do (and even to buy, if you’re not up for making your own or don’t consider yourself to be very creative!), as well as baked goodies that you can purchase to help support the cause. Try to make it with your significant other, at least, for some peaceful and fun craft-making time. Maybe you can even get inspired for some fun crafts to make when you get back home!
Those kids need a good cookie to keep them happy and jumping for joy, too, do they not? Plus, you could sip on a cup (or two…. or three….) of their best homemade hot apple cider or hot cocoa with marshmallows. Yum! Nothing beats a nice, warm beverage during the winter months (even though it’s already pretty warm on Anna Maria Island at the time!), but of course, you do need to “feel” like it’s winter to help make the moment just a bit more “magical.” Contact Roser Church to find out more, as that’s who is hosting this event.
Annual Christmas Parade
Don’t miss it; this is a big one. It happens on December 4th and will start at around 6:30 p.m. It happens at DeSoto Square Mall, found at 301 301 Blvd W, Bradenton, FL. Keep in mind that this event actually starts on the mainland and not on Anna Maria Island itself, but we promise it’s worth the short drive if you want to be directly where the parade starts! (If you don’t feel like driving, consider taking the trolley for about a dollar per person!) If you don’t want to leave the island, don’t fret! The parade comes from Bradenton onto Anna Maria Island before heading to Longboat Key, St. Armands Circle, and Siesta Key.
This event is so well-liked that some have even gone ahead to make a nickname for it: the BJC Christmas Parade. The Sarasota Jeep Club tends to host this event every year, and of course, you get to see all kinds of Jeeps lining up, decked out in lights, driving by as they pass you through in the parade. Super fun! It just doesn’t feel like the holiday season without witnessing an incredible parade, so we urge you to make every effort to attend this phenomenal event if you happen to be in town while it’s going on.
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Painting with a Twist – Christmas on the Beach
If you’re looking for something a little bit more adult, or an activity that you can do just with your spouse or partner, for instance, as you leave the kids in good care for a couple of hours, then this next event might be one that you want to try out. And that, of course, is to check out the local branch of Painting with a Twist. If you’re not familiar with Painting with a Twist, this establishment takes you through a unique paint class, perfect for artists of all skill levels. It helps you create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece as you enjoy some delicious wine and some incredible company as well.
To be clear, Painting with a Twist is a fun destination that you can visit any time of year. However, it’s exhilarating during the holiday season. On December 4, the local Painting with a Twist branch in Bradenton (on the mainland, not to be confused with Bradenton Beach here on the island) will be holding a special Christmas on the Beach painting session! You’ll get to tap into your creative side and craft a one-of-a-kind work of art to hang in your home as a souvenir or to give to a friend as a thoughtful, hand-crafted Christmas present. What could be more unique and memorable than that? Guests are welcome to bring their food and drinks, but all dishware will be provided. Classes with Painting with a Twist typically cost around $40 per person.
Where to Stay
Well, folks, we’ve come to the end, and now, you have to make the critical decision that lies ahead. Are the shores of Anna Maria Island calling your name yet? Are you ready to spend your holiday season enjoying the warm Florida sunshine instead of braving the ice and snow back home? We’d encourage you to head down here and be a snowbird with us for a while!
If you’re seeking to venture out onto the beach and stay in a nearby beach rental, we’ve got you covered! Anna Maria Island is a stunning destination, and we are proud to maintain a comprehensive catalog of vacation homes all over the island. Whether you’re traveling with your sweetheart, small family, or the whole crew, we’ve got a vacation rental that is sure to suit your needs.
Vacation rentals on Anna Maria Island are truly abundant, and we can help you make the best decision possible for your group. We offer everything from luxurious vacation homes to convenient condo rentals and everything in between. You can be right in the heart of town or in one of the more secluded areas of the island. We’ve got every type of rental you can think of that you will ever need while on the beautiful Anna Maria Island.
Check out our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals collection for accommodations with up to five rooms for larger groups. Plus, we offer rentals in Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and the City of Anna Maria, so you can choose exactly where you want to stay. Each rental comes uniquely designed to hold the creature comforts of home and some truly unique features like pools, Gulf views, and so much more.
Through it all, you’ll have our phenomenal customer service team by your side, too. We are dedicated to making sure your dream vacation truly goes off without a hitch. Nothing should stand in the way of you and your family having the Christmas trip of a lifetime! If you’re ready to start planning your getaway, contact us today to learn more about all of our properties.
