It’s the most magical time of the year! Christmas in Venice, Florida is a beautiful time to drive down historic Venice Avenue as the palm trees sparkle with Christmas lights, local shops are bustling with people looking for unique gifts for their loved ones and restaurants are filled with families enjoying their time together.

Are you celebrating Christmas in Venice Florida?
Then you are in for a wonderful holiday season. Christmas in Venice is a magical time of twinkling lights, delicious meals and fun experiences all around town. From tree lighting ceremonies to parades and festivals, there’s fun for the whole family.
What Restaurants are Open for Christmas in Venice, FL?
I am still confirming the restaurants that will be open and offering catering for Christmas this year. Keep watching this page for updates!!
Chaz 51 Bistro
103 Triple Diamond Blvd, Ste 2
Nokomis, Florida 34275
(941) 484-6200
chaz51.com
Chaz 51 will be open from 11 AM – 8 PM on Christmas Day. You can make a reservation by calling in or online through their website.

Côté France French Bistro
218 Tampa Ave W,
Venice, FL 34285
(941) 220-7189
https://www.cotefrancevenice.com/
Cote France French Bistro will be open for Christmas Eve from 5 pm to 9 pm. Limited tables are available, reserve your place now! Every guest will receive a complimentary glass of champagne with their meal. You can make your reservations by phone or through this link to Google Reservations.

The Soda Fountain of Venice
349 W Venice Ave.
Venice, FL 34285
941-488-7600
sodafountainofvenice.com
Their holiday hours are: Christmas Eve 11:00 am to 4:00 pm; Closed Christmas Day; New Year’s Day 11:00 am to 4:00 pm; Closed New Year’s Day.


Off The Wagon Brewery & Kitchen
2107 Tamiami Trl S
Venice, Florida 34293
(941) 497-2048
www.otwbar.com
Off The Wagon will be open Christmas Eve for their regular hours with the regular menu. Tuesday at OTW is Taco & Tequila Day as well as Service Industry night from 8 pm – 12 AM. Live music featuring Jeff Hughes will be from 6 pm – 9 pm. There is also Happy Hour from 3 pm – 7 pm.


Rosebud’s Steak & Seafood House
2215 S Tamiami Trl
Osprey, Florida 34229
(941) 918-8771
www.rosebudssarasota.com
What Restaurants are Offering Catering or Platters for Christmas?
Papa’s Meat Market & Prepared Foods
324 Tamiami Trail S
Venice, FL 34285
941-209-1888
Orders must be placed by December 18th for pick up on either the 23rd or 24th.
Yummies Donuts & BBQ
2001 Tamiami Trl S
Venice, Florida 34293
(941) 493-7170

This year Yummies Donuts & BBQ will be offering sandwich platters that include your choice of pulled pork, brisket, ham, turkey and chicken salad, a variety of cookies, donuts, pastries and breakfast sandwich platters. Call Yummies to order yours today!
Zia’s Neapolitan Chocolates & Cookies
530 U.S. 41 Bypass S Suite 11A
Venice, FL 34285
(941) 451-6632

Orders can be placed until Tuesday, December 17th. Those orders can be picked up either Saturday the 21st or Monday the 23rd at their location in Venice.
- Cookie Tray – $25.00
- Ricotta Cookies
- Orange Cookies
- Macaroons
- Zia’s Italian stuffed Cookie
- Breakfast Tray – $28.00
- 2 Apple, 2 Cherry & 2 Blueberry Strudels
- 2 Crumb Cakes
- 2 Cinnamon Buns
- Cannolis’, Cookies & Chocolates – $45.00
- Everything in the Cookie Tray plus…
- Cannolis’
- Apricot Pinchers
- Buttercream Truffles
- Salted Caramel Pretzels
Christmas Gift Ideas from Venice
Sunkis’d Creations
Looking for a custom shirt or gift for the holidays? Check out Sunkis’d Creations!
Here’s the Link to their Facebook Page –> https://www.facebook.com/SunkisdCreations/

Nokomis Groves
111 Albee Farm Rd S
Nokomis, Florida 34275
(941) 488-5274
Send a little sunshine to your family and friends around the country. Choose from a beautiful “wreath” filled with Florida Citrus or choose from a number of boxes filled with citrus starting at $29.99. Shop now at nokomisgroves.com
What Events Are Happening in Venice for Christmas?
Food Truck Rally in Nokomis
December 6th
5 p.m. – 8 p.m. North Jetty Park,
1000 S. Casey Key Road, Nokomis, FL.
941-861-5000
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources will be hosting another food truck rally at North Jetty Park! This popular event has several food truck vendors, fun yard games and music.
Food Trucks participating include:
- Smokin Momma Lora’s BBQ Mobile
- Sausage Express LLC
- Pickled Pink
- Double W Ribeye Wagon
- K-Nam Style
- Above the Grain
- Ceyer’s Taqueria
- Ustabeez Mac n stuff
- The Grilling Shack
- Puerto Rican Spice
- GRAN AREPA
- Nana Nif’s Home Cooking
Christmas Gazebo Starlight Cinema feature film.
December 6th
5:20 p.m. – 8:20 p.m
Centennial Park Gazebo, downtown Venice, FL
This is a free event for the whole family to enjoy. The movie is Home Alone, and just in time for the Holidays. You are welcomed and encouraged to bring your chairs and blankets to sit under the stars and enjoy the movie in Historic Downtown Venice.
North Port Tree Lighting, Poinsettia Festival and Parade
December 7th
4 p.m. – 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
North Port City Hall Campus,
4970 City Hall Blvd, North Port.
It’s the North Port Tree Lighting, Poinsettia Festival and Parade. The annual Poinsettia Parade kicks off at 5 p.m. with floats adorned with poinsettias, decorated vehicles, and walking groups starting at Sylvania Avenue and following the one-mile route south on Sumter Boulevard. The route will turn east onto City Hall Boulevard, before making its way along the Front Green. This family event that attracts over 5,000. The parade will end at the annual Poinsettia Festival on the grounds of City Center. The Festival will also include a tree lighting ceremony, a variety of food vendors, local organizations, entertainment and attractions.
Venice Christmas Boat Parade
Traditionally held on the first Saturday of December, The Venice Christmas Boat Parade starts at 6 p.m. (rain date is the next day) along the Intracoastal Waterway in Venice starting at the Albee Road Bridge in Nokomis and moving south along the waterway to the Circus Bridge in Venice. Spectators line the north (at South Nokomis Beach) and south (at North Venice Beach) jetties and throughout the downtown and Venice waterfront areas to the judging area near the south Circus Bridge for a view of the brightly lit and colorfully decorated “Christmas Boats.” 6 p.m. Admission is free.
Venice Chorale’s Holiday Pops with Brass!
December 8th
Venice Performing Arts Center,
1 Indian Ave., Venice, FL.
941-218-3779
It’s the Venice Chorale’s Holiday Pops with Brass! Come celebrate the holiday season with The Venice Chorale! They will be performing holiday favorites with a lively brass band. Fun for the whole family! The Venice Chorale Youth Chorus and High School Apprentices will also be performing. 7 p.m. Individual tickets are $20-$25, $5 for students.(Tickets will be available online and through the Venice Performing Arts Center box office soon, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. -2 p.m. The lobby and box office at the Venice Performing Arts Center open 1 hour before performances and seating begins 1/2 hour before performances. Performances will begin on time and any late patrons will be asked to wait until there is a pause in the performance to be seated.)
13th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting at the Arboretum at West Blalock Park
December 14th
4:45 p.m. – 7 p.m.
West Blalock Park, between Nassau, Turin & Pensacola, Venice, FL
Enjoy the holiday celebration of music, lights and community spirit. Santa will be making an appearance, there will be crafts for the kids, entertainment, refreshments. At dark, they’ll flip the switch to turn on the lights on the tree at 6 p.m. Bring a folding chair.
Venice Symphony Holiday Concert
December 20-21
12/20: 7:30 pm
12/21: 7:30 pm and 3:30 pm
The Venice Performing Arts Center,
One Indian Ave., Venice, FL
Join The Venice Symphony for a traditional concert with a holiday twist as they present yuletide classics such as Deck the Hall and Carol of the Bells with music from holiday film favorites “Home Alone” and “Polar Express.” Sarasota’s Key Chorale will be their special guest. Ticket prices range from $27-$51 and can be purchased by clicking here.
Chanukah Klezmer Festival
December 29
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Centennial Park, 200 West Venice Ave., Downtown Venice, FL
The lighting of a 12 foot giant Menorah along with a huge interactive Dreidel House, a Moon Bounce and Hebrew School Performance. In addition, there will be live music with the Freylekh Klezmer Band along with Traditional Chanukkah & Israeli foods such as Falafel, latkes, donuts, and Matzah ball soup will be served. Free and open to all. Sponsored by Chabad of Venice and North Port.