Holiday Lights, Ballet, Haunted Shows and New Year’s Celebrations Fill Manatee County’s Final Week of 2025
Manatee County residents and visitors will find a packed calendar of holiday entertainment, cultural performances, community service opportunities and New Year’s celebrations from December 22 through December 31, 2025.
Holiday Lights Continue Through Christmas Week
The Bradenton Holiday Lights Festival continues nightly through December 27 at the Freedom Factory, located at 21050 State Road 64 East. The seasonal attraction features large-scale holiday light displays and festive décor, providing a family-friendly experience for residents looking to celebrate the final days of the Christmas season.
The Nutcracker Ballet Takes the Stage December 23
A holiday tradition returns on December 23 with two performances of The Nutcracker Ballet at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Manatee Performing Arts Center. Presented by the International Ballet of Florida, the production is under the artistic direction of Darya Fedotova and Sergiy Mykhaylov, with original choreography by Vadim Fedotov and music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky.
The performance features an international cast that includes dancers from the National Ballet of Ukraine, Lithuanian National Ballet, Orlando National Ballet and other renowned companies. Together, they bring to life the classic story of Clara’s magical holiday adventure, offering a family-friendly performance widely regarded as a seasonal must-see for audiences of all ages.
Haunted Holiday Experience in Palmetto
For those seeking an unconventional twist on Christmas entertainment, Paranormal Cirque II presents A Haunted Christmas Spectacular from December 19 through December 28 at Riviera Dunes Marina in Palmetto. The production blends acrobatics, theatrical storytelling and horror elements in a holiday-themed show designed for mature audiences. The event is rated R, includes strobe lighting and sudden scares, and restricts admission to guests 13 and older; minors must attend with an adult.
Christmas Day Community Outreach
On December 25, volunteers will gather for Christmas in the Park, a long-running holiday outreach event serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The event takes place from 9 to 11 a.m. at 2523 Cocoanut Avenue in Sarasota. Organizers encourage community members to volunteer, donate toiletries and help spread holiday cheer to those in need.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
The year concludes with multiple New Year’s Eve events across Manatee County. One of the featured celebrations is A Mad Hatter NYE on December 31 at the Grove Ballroom. The 21-and-over event begins at 8 p.m. and includes hors d’oeuvres, a DJ, a midnight toast, a live countdown stream and a photobooth, offering a themed celebration to welcome 2026.
From holiday lights and classical ballet to haunted performances, community service and festive countdowns, Manatee County’s final week of 2025 reflects the region’s mix of family traditions, arts, nightlife and community spirit as the year comes to a close.
