Christmas is one of the best times of the year. Not only can you spend time with your family and friends, but you can enjoy the holiday festivities, the Christmas cheer, the holiday sweaters, the endless amounts of presents, and the good vibes that are abundant everywhere you go! You don’t have to stay in your hometown to enjoy a fun holiday season — why not go somewhere new? Why not check out Anna Maria Island in Florida for your upcoming Christmas holiday? We love the idea of spending the most magical, fun, and exciting time of year in a picturesque and laid-back coastal town instead of a dreary and drab suburb. Even though you may think that Florida could be overrun with tourists, Anna Maria Island is a quieter and more untouched part of the state — making it the ideal place to go for a relaxing and stress-free vacation. Let’s check out the top Anna Maria Christmas activities to do during your stay on Anna Maria Island!
AMI Privateers
One of the best things to do during your Christmas vacation in Anna Maria Island is heading to the iconic annual Christmas party on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. The AMI Privateers host a fun and exciting beach parade, featuring people in costumes, cool cars, and toys that children can get! Plus, adults can have fun here too — you can enter into a raffle to win some prizes, enter to earn your spot at a potluck dinner, or be the lucky winner of a Christmas lottery prize!
Head to Winterfest
Another fun Christmas event that you can go to on Anna Maria Island is the Winterfest outdoor cultural attraction. This yearly event is a fun place to go if you want to check out the local culture, see what the nearby artists come up with, and chat with the artists who paint incredible landscapes, portraits, photos, and much more. Plus, you can get a hot drink, like a Christmas hot chocolate or a hot toddy, and walk around the open area while listening to live holiday tunes!
Christmas Tree Lighting at Holmes Beach
You can’t go to Florida without seeing Anna Maria Christmas tree lighting! This annual event is a nationwide phenomenon that brings in people from all over the country. We love going here with our families and watching as the massive tree lights up, commemorating the holiday season.
Bring Your Kids to the Holiday Boat Parade
Bring your kids to the annual holiday boat parade, a fun Christmas activity that showcases brightly lit boats set out to sea. You will see Christmas-themed boats, holiday-themed boats, brightly lit catamarans, large row boats, and cool speed boats float off into the lake during the holiday season! We love coming here as the sunsets with a few drinks, a picnic, and some hot cocoa.
Go to the Local Restaurants
One of the coolest things to do during your holiday stay on Anna Maria Island is heading to the nearby restaurants to indulge in some fresh seafood, strong cocktails, refreshing beers, and hot drinks. Some of our local favorites include the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe for a filling breakfast, Bridge Tender Inn for fresh seafood, and the Sandbar for a good time!
We recommend getting the Eggs Benedict and classic breakfast dishes at the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe (along with unlimited coffee!), the Christmas Eve lunch at the Bridge Tender Inn on the 24th, and the delicious cocktails at the Sandbar on Christmas and New Year’s Eve!
Accommodations in Anna Maria Island, FL
Doesn’t this sound like the best place to spend your holiday season? We think so too! Head to Anna Maria Island this upcoming Christmas Eve and Christmas on Anna Maria Island to indulge in some fresh seafood, hot drinks to warm you up on cold nights, strong cocktails to keep you going all night long, and attend local events that are going to put you in the holiday mode!
Plus, our rentals at SeaBreeze Vacation offer luxurious, spacious, and modern properties suitable for parties of all sizes and needs. We take care of all the hard work, so all you have to do is book our place, show up, and partake in the Christmas festivities! Check out our properties today to find the perfect holiday home for you and your family.
