Here's The Best Holiday Light Displays In Manatee County In 2021

BRADENTON, FL — The Bradenton area might not ever see a white Christmas, but that doesn’t mean there’s no holiday spirit in the region.

With the holiday season upon us, many Manatee County residents, neighborhood groups, businesses, destinations and organizations have put up festive outdoor decorations and light displays.

Here’s a guide to some of the best holiday light displays to check out in Bradenton this holiday season.

Lights of Palmetto – 5220 69th Street E., Palmetto

This animated display is a contender on “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” which will air next year, according to the Lights of Palmetto Facebook page.

The display is set to music and those driving or parking nearby can tune into 96.10 FM to hear holiday songs timed with the lights.

The lights get turned on Sundays through Thursdays, 5:45 to 10 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays, 5:45 to 11 p.m. The homeowners are also are also collecting donations via Venmo for local charities.

Winter Nights Under the Lights at Palma Sola Botanical Park – 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton

This free holiday light display event runs through Dec. 19, 6 to 9 p.m. There are optional donation spots throughout the park. Learn more here.

Country Christmas at Hunsader Farms – 5500 CR 675, Bradenton

The holiday display features more than 300,000 lights. There are also hayrides, train rides, Christmas music, visits with Santa, craft vendors, campfires, a Christmas village display, holiday movies, snow tubing and a petting zoo, according to the Hunsader Farms website.

Cost is $12 per person and kids 5 and younger enter for free. Cash only.

Country Christmas will be open Dec. 17-19, 6 to 10 p.m.

6603 29th Ave W, Bradenton

This holiday display is set to music and people can listen from their cars on 88.7 FM, Erica Ostrander said.

Her husband, Layne Ostrander, started working on the display in early November, she said. He won the Manatee River Boat Parade in 2018 and 2019 with these lights and adds elements every year to the house.

Ellenton Holiday Village at the Ellenton Premium Outlets – 5461 Factory Shops Blvd., Ellenton

Stroll through holiday lights and displays through Jan. 6. There’s also a free circus every night and visits with Santa Claus. Guests can also enjoy carnival rides with the purchase of wristbands or tickets. Learn more here.

3513 6th Ave. W., Palmetto

Facebook user Jessica Gagliano encourages people to drive by her parents’ home and said that “they always try to outdo themselves every year.”

6133 41st Street E., Bradenton

In the Barrington Ridge Community, this two-story home is decorated on both sides, including along the waterfront. The display features about 10,000 lights. Most are custom-made from bows, bells, garland, trees and wreaths, according to the Original Christmas Lightfinder.

Pinebrook/Ironwood Neighborhood in Bradenton

The community decorates all the buildings on the 1.7 mile loop, Patch reader Joe Hamm said. You can enter from 43rd Street just north of Cortez Road, from Cortez Road just west of 43rd Street and also from 51st.

Moulton Christmas Lights – 3824 Sunset Drive, Ellenton

This home has an animated light display with approximately 12,000 lights, according to the Original Christmas Lightfinder. Music varies night to night and repeats every 23 minutes. Lights are on from 6 to 10 p.m.

Corner of 1st Ave. Drive NW and 57th Street W in Bradenton

Patch reader Marsha Wikle said those looking for a holiday light display should check out this Bradenton intersection.

“Two houses across the street from each other have wonderful displays,” she said.

University Town Center – 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota

This shopping destination transforms into a brightly lit winter wonderland during the holiday season with its Festival of Lights. UTC offers nightly light shows running every 30 minutes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. during the season. There's also a fireworks display every Saturday at 9 p.m. Learn more about the holidays at UTC here.

The Holiday Atlas has also listed a number of homes featuring fun Christmas light displays in the Sarasota area including the following addresses:

• 1929 Oakview Drive, Bradenton
• 1008 110th Street E., Bradenton
• 10904 10th Ave. E., Bradenton
• 151 Americas Cup Blvd., Bradenton
• 103 65th Street. NE, Bradenton
• 5077 Cedar Hollow Circle, Bradenton

Find the Holiday Atlas's complete list of holiday light displays in Manatee County here.

Know of a holiday display that should be included in this list? Email Tiffany.Razzano@Patch.com.