Dec. 10

Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

A holiday tradition for 31 years, the Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights crosses Sarasota Bay in glittering splendor starting at 6 pm. Saturday. Best viewing is at Marina Jack, Bayfront Park, City Island and Centennial Park. And in Bradenton, the Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade takes off Saturday at dusk from Snead Island. Best viewing is from the Green Bridge pier, Riverhouse Reef &Grill in Palmetto, along the Riverwalk and at Pier 22 in downtown Bradenton.

Dec. 13

Garrison Keillor at the Van Wezel

Been missing those colorful characters from Lake Wobegon now that Garrison Keillor has retired from A Prairie Home Companion? Catch up with one of America’s greatest storytellers when he visits the Van Wezel Tuesday evening. vanwezel.org 

Dec. 10

Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Celebration

Also at the Van Wezel, Country Music Hall of Famers the Oak Ridge Boys bring their Christmas Celebration Tour to Sarasota, with traditional and contemporary holiday songs from their six Christmas albums. vanwezel.org

Dec. 10-11

Atomic Holiday Bazaar

If it’s an artsy-smartsy, handmade and totally unique gift you’re looking for, chances are you’ll find it among the dozens of vendors at this annual holiday shopping spree. At Sarasota’s Municipal Auditorium. atomicholidaybazaar.com  

Opening Dec. 14

Clever Little Lies at FST

Love, sex and family secrets—sounds like a play everybody can relate to. Florida Studio Theatre presents the regional premiere of playwright Joe DiPietro’s dramedy about a confidence that’s shared between a father and son and escalates into… well, we won’t spoil it for you. Onstage at FST’s Keating Theatre through March 4. floridastudiotheatre.org

Dec. 13

Full moon kayaking with Mote

This month’s full moon is Tuesday, and what better way to bask in its glow than a guided full-moon kayak paddle with the folks from Mote? Register at mote.org/experiences/details/kayaking-with-mote.

Dec. 11

Too Hot to Handel

Tired of the same old Messiah? The choral ensemble Gloria Musicae and members of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe are teaming to bring us a gospel reinvention of the Handel holiday classic in “Too Hot to Handel” Sunday afternoon at the Opera House. We can’t wait to see what they do with the Hallelujah Chorus. gloriamusicae.org

Dec. 10-11

Clyde Butcher Holiday Open House

Here’s your chance to see how Florida Hall of Fame photographer Clyde Butcher creates those award-winning large-format, fine-art photographs of the wild, untamed side of Florida when he opens his Venice studio for his annual holiday open house. We’re sure he’ll talk about his new book, Celebrating America’s National Parks, Preserves, Monuments and Recreational Areas.  clydebutcher.com