The Mall At University Town Center In Sarasota Welcomes Santa During Parade Saturday

SARASOTA, FL — Santa arrives Saturday at the Mall at University Town Center during the shopping destination’s fifth annual holiday parade.

The event, Santa’s Grand Arrival Celebration, kicks off the holiday season with a magical parade with lighted floats and themed characters in the UTC areas, live music and bands, the first Festival of Lights show of the season, and a fireworks show.

The parade kicks off at 6 p.m. and travels along Cattlemen Road between the Mall at UTC and the West District at UTC, according to the Facebook event page.

The viewing area opens at 4:30 p.m. for guests to line the sidewalks to watch the parade up close.

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Cattlemen Road will be closed to thru traffic from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Parade attendees can park in the parking lots of The Mall at UTC and West Districts at UTC. Guests are allowed to bring portable folding chairs.

The parade ends around 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by the Festival of Lights and the fireworks show. Attendees will be asked to clear the road, allowing it to re-open, at 9 p.m.

The Holiday Gift Market also kicks off Saturday at the Mall at UTC, running from 1 to 9 p.m.

The market runs for three weekends this season – Nov. 20-2 and Dec. 4-5 and 11-12 – and features more than 70 crafters, artisans and entrepreneurs from throughout Florida. Local food trucks will also be set up.