Nik Wallenda, We The Kings & More to Highlight UTC Holiday Event

November 1, 2023 – Sarasota

The holiday season will officially kick off at University Town Center (UTC) on Saturday, November 11 with Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade, the first light show of the season, a dazzling fireworks display and so much more. The popular holiday tradition is held on N. Cattlemen Rd. in the heart of The UTC District, and is free and open to the public.  

The merry celebration will start with a thrilling high-wire act by renowned aerialist Nik Wallenda as he crosses Cattlemen to light UTC’s 50-foot Christmas tree. Following the spectacular tree lighting and first light show of the season, the holiday parade will get underway hosted by 92.1 CTQ co-hosts Maverick and Lulu. Nearly 50 decorated floats, vehicles, dance troops and walking units will make their way along the parade route, wrapping up with Santa Claus arriving on his sleigh and a festive fireworks show. 

Prior to the parade, there will be a special Veterans Day tribute starting at 6 p.m. Highlights include the Sarasota Military Academy Color Guardand a performance of the national anthem by Shantel Norman.

The evening’s exciting grand finale will be an after-party performance by popular American rock band and Bradenton’s own We The Kings. The group will perform an approximately 90-minute show from the stage on Cattlemen as guests are invited to dance on the street.  

A portion of the road will be closed to thru traffic beginning at 4 p.m. Starting at 5 p.m., live DJs will entertain the crowd, plus visits from favorite holiday characters. Families and friends can also enjoy Suncoast’s Largest Food Truck Festival in the Mall at UTC main entrance lot, as well as pop-up food stations and concessions in the West District at UTC.  

The parade marks Santa’s official arrival to UTC and the opening of Santa’s Flight Academy, a one-of-a-kind, immersive experience inside The Mall at UTC in partnership with Cherry Hill Programs. Kids of all ages will be able to meet Santa before stepping inside his 22-foot-tall sleigh, experiencing a magical snowfall and, new this year, seeing themselves drive the sleigh as presents are delivered around the world. Photos with the jolly man in red are available all season through December 24. 

Other “Holidays at UTC” festivities include nightly light shows choreographed to music, dazzling décor at every turn and festive fun, including ice skating on real ice; outdoor holiday movies every Friday and Saturday starting at 7 p.m.; fireworks every Saturday at 9 p.m.; horse-drawn carriage rides; and regular live entertainment on The Green at UTC by Sarasota’s top cultural organizations and local school bands, dance groups and choirs. 

For more details and the full schedule of events, visit utcsarasota.com