‘Tis the season for snowmen and visits from Jack Frost… but not if you live in Southwest Florida! This is the time of year when residents and visitors alike enjoy warm sunny days and crisp breezes from the ocean. Without parkas and snow boots to slow us down, nor high humidity and sweltering heat to make us want to stay indoors, venturing out to some of the area attractions is a favorite way to spend the beautiful days of winter. Particularly around Christmastime, various places in Sarasota decorate and host special events. Spending a day on St. Armand’s Key is always a nice way to celebrate the season while getting in some shopping and dining.
On St. Armand’s Circle, the holiday festivities kicked off on December 5. Every year, the first Friday evening of the month is the Holiday Night of Lights, which consists of a tree-lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa Claus, who comes down from the North Pole for the occasion! While it’s too late to participate in the Night of Lights this year, put it on your calendar for next year! Also, the tree and the lights are going to remain decorated throughout the month, so if you’re shopping in the evening, then you’ll want to take a few minutes to enjoy the displays.
Of course, this is the time for Christmas shopping, and St. Armands Circle is a great place to get something for everyone on your list! During the holiday season, many stores have special sales. For example, Tommy Bahama has a special from now through New Year’s Eve where you get $50 in rewards for every $200 spent. Boston Proper is also having a winter sale until the end of the month. As you go through the stores in the Circle, be sure to ask if there are any specials or promotions available in honor of the season!
Christmas Eve itself also opens up some opportunities to celebrate in style on St. Armand’s Key. At Cafe L’Europe, you can enjoy a Charles Dickens Prime Rib dinner on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for $38.95 per person. If a traditional turkey dinner is more your style, you can partake on Christmas Day for $36.95 for adults and $18.95 for children under 12. Another restaurant offering traditional Christmas meals on the 24th and the 25th is the Columbia Restaurant. Reservations are suggested for both celebrations!
Whether you’re planning to finish up your Christmas shopping or just meeting a friend for sushi or coffee, St. Armand’s Circle offers a great atmosphere this Christmas season! With free parking and convenient access from downtown Sarasota as well as Lido Key, you can avoid the stress of shopping malls and enjoy the beautiful Florida weather while spending time in one of the area’s most popular shopping and dining destinations.