Wellen Park Welcomes the Holidays

November 27, 2024 | Venice

Holiday magic abounds this season at Wellen Park with new events and beloved favorites, including a fun-filled wonderland for the senses, the annual tree lighting and the community’s one-of-a-kind versions of holiday parades, courtesy of bicycles, kayaks and golf carts all aglow.

            “From the Atlanta Braves’ annual Jingle Jam and Tomahawk 5K run to the new eight-day Wellen Wonderland, this season’s calendar reflects the vibrant spirit of Wellen Park,” said Christine Masney, vice president of marketing for Wellen Park. “For many families, residents and neighbors, our annual events have become a holiday tradition filled with meaningful experiences.”

            The upcoming events and activities take place in Downtown Wellen, Wellen Park and CoolToday Park. For more information, visit wellenpark.com/events.

Wellen Wonderland

Downtown Wellen, 19725 Wellen Park Blvd.

Wellen Park expanded its annual holiday celebration to eight days this year, bringing the sights and sounds of the holidays to Downtown Wellen. Festivities include the traditional tree lighting ceremony, photo ops with Santa, live music and performances by local school and community choirs, and even a snow party.

Guests can also explore the Cottages for Kids Holiday Village, benefiting the Salvation Army. Cottages for Kids was created by Wellen Park and its builder partners and features one-of-a-kind cottage playhouses that will be donated to local families through the nonprofit organization. There will be cottages dedicated for onsite play, so little ones in the family can experience the fun of these cottages for themselves. The Salvation Army Bell Ringers will be stationed at the Cottages for Kids every day and accept cash, credit cards and check for donations. For more information, visit wellenpark.com/events/wellen-wonderland.

Thursday, Dec. 5

Downtown Wellen at the Hammock Lawn, 19725 Wellen Park Blvd.

All day – Cottages for Kids Holiday Village

5 p.m. – Englewood Sky Academy Chorus

Friday, Dec. 6

All day – Cottages for Kids Holiday Village (Hammock Lawn)

4-7 p.m. – Photos with Santa (Hammock Lawn)

6 p.m. – 5th Annual Beer Run (CoolToday Park)

6 p.m. – Natalia’s Handbells Choir (Great Lawn in front of Solis Hall)

6:30 p.m. – Holiday Tree Lighting (Heritage Tree)

7 p.m. – No Filter Band (Solis Hall Stage)

Saturday, Dec. 7

Downtown Wellen at the Hammock Lawn, 19725 Wellen Park Blvd.

All day – Cottages for Kids Holiday Village

5 p.m. – Natalia’s Handbells Choir

5:30 p.m. – Homeschool Choir

Sunday, Dec. 8

All day – Cottages for Kids Holiday Village (Hammock Lawn)

4-6 p.m. – Photos with Santa (Hammock Lawn)

5 p.m. – Taylor Ranch Elementary Choir (Hammock Lawn Stage)

6 p.m. – Caddy Carts Golf Cart Parade travels through Downtown Wellen (CoolToday Park)

Monday, Dec. 9

Downtown Wellen at the Hammock Lawn, 19725 Wellen Park Blvd.

All day – Cottages for Kids Holiday Village

6 p.m. – Venice Musicale

Tuesday, Dec. 10

Downtown Wellen at the Hammock Lawn, 19725 Wellen Park Blvd.

All day – Cottages for Kids Holiday Village

6:30 p.m. Venice Chorale

Wednesday, Dec 11

Downtown Wellen at the Hammock Lawn, 19725 Wellen Park Blvd.

All day – Cottages for Kids Holiday Village

5:30 p.m. – Storytime with the Holiday Elf

6-7 p.m. – Snow Party

Thursday, Dec 12

Downtown Wellen at the Hammock Lawn, 19725 Wellen Park Blvd.

All day – Cottages for Kids Holiday Village

Sixth Annual Braves Jingle Jam

The park rocks the holidays with another annual Wellen Park tradition – Jingle Jam, offering live music, a holiday market, family events and contests. The beloved event also features an acrobatics show by Cirque Adventure, appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, kids crafts and activities, and horse and carriage rides for a touch of holiday magic. For more information, call CoolToday Park at 941-413-5000 or visit the events tab at cooltodaypark.com.

Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8

CoolToday Park, 18800 S. West Villages Parkway

Saturday, Dec. 7: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 8: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

• Holiday Market
• Horse and Carriage Rides
• Kids’ Crafts and Activities
• Family Events and Contests
• Acrobatic Show by Cirque Adventure
• Live Music
• Appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus
• Caddy Carts Golf Cart Parade (5:30 p.m., Sunday)

No holiday celebration is complete without a parade and CoolToday Park’s is so apropos for Wellen Park with tricked-out and decked-out golf carts. Offered as part of Jingle Jam, the event invites the community to decorate their carts in a family-friendly holiday theme. Spectators can enjoy the sights along the parade route, which starts at CoolToday Park and meanders along Wellen Park Boulevard. Register your cart for free at cooltodaypark.com/events/caddycartparade.

Thursday, Dec. 19

Glow bike ride and kayak

Downtown Wellen, 19725 Wellen Park Blvd.

6-7 p.m.

Wellen Park and Kind Vibes Outfitters light up downtown and the Grand Lake with a casual round-trip bike ride to CoolToday Park. New this year: enjoy an illuminated paddle around the lake. Riders and paddlers decorate their bikes and kayaks with LED lights and dress up in their favorite holiday finery during this fun community tradition. After the ride, stay for Dueling Pianos on the Solis Hall stage. To reserve your spot, a bike or kayak and for full details, including a route map, check out wellenpark.com/events/glow-bike-ride.

About Downtown Wellen

Downtown Wellen is the region’s newest social and gathering spot offering restaurants, boutiques, beauty services, and medical and professional offices. Thoughtfully designed spaces create unique outdoor experiences – from intimate parks, a natural playground and a living room shaded by a decades-old relocated live oak tree to larger gathering spaces like the Great Lawn for community festivals, markets, celebrations and events, and the lakefront fountain and splashpad. Solis Hall, an elegant rental venue, features an outdoor stage, a lakefront patio and an easy flow from inside spaces to neighboring alfresco areas.

The pedestrian-friendly downtown emphasizes heartfelt connections to community and nature and celebrates a waterfront vibe with the 80-acre Grand Lake providing a scenic backdrop and opportunities for fishing and paddle sports. Visitors can enjoy time on the water and along downtown’s 3-mile lakefront trail with on-site bicycle, e-bike, kayak and paddleboard rentals at Kind Vibes Outfitters.

The Yard food park offers a playful outdoor environment with a dining area, games and activities. Casual food and beverage choices are served counter style from retrofitted shipping containers.

Located at 19745 Wellen Park Blvd., Venice, Downtown Wellen is directly accessed from Preto Boulevard and U.S. 41, just west of South River Road.

Learn more about Downtown Wellen and view a complete list of businesses at wellenpark.com/shop-dine.