Saturday, November 19th
LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE
The Lighting of the Bridge Street Christmas Tree kicks off the 2022 Season of Lights. We like to say, “We are a small town with a BIG tree!”
We invite you to join us as we bring in this special time of year with a night filled of fun, frolic and festivities for the whole family. The evening gets started with the local chapter of the Sweet Adelines leading us through a selection of our favorite Christmas songs. Then the Tree Lighting Honorees, Ed and Gail Straight, welcome in Light Up Bradenton Beach with the lighting of the tree.
Area retailers and restaurants will be staying open and offering seasonal specials and deals throughout the night. The highly sought-after, hand-crafted Christmas ornaments will be available at many of the participating businesses.
See the day’s activities below, which includes caroling, helping Stuff the Truck for the Manatee County Food Bank, the tree lighting ceremony, and an opportunity to get a photo with the man in the red suit!!
Magic of Manatee
5:30pm-6:00pm
Join along caroling with The Magic of Manatee at the tree. They will take a short intermission during the tree lighting ceremony, and resume after it concludes.
TREE LIGHTING HONOREES
5:50pm-6:00pm
This year’s Tree Lighting Honorees, Ed and Gail Straight, of Wildlife Inc. Education & Rehabilitation are long time Anna Maria Island residents leading tireless efforts to protect and rehabilitate local wildlife. They have dedicated over 25 years of advocating, caring for and overseeing 5000 plus rescues and rehabilitations annually.
It is our distinct pleasure to have Ed and Gail help bring in this very special time of year with us.
Thank you, Ed and Gail for all that you have done and continue to do in serving our community.
PICS WITH SANTA
Santa never misses the lighting of the Bridge Street Christmas Tree. He will be in attendance throughout the night and available for those interested in grabbing a quick photo and getting in your last minute Christmas wishes. Photos this year will be taken in front of the Christmas tree.
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Bradenton Beach gets lit up for the season. Don’t miss the lighting of our 25-foot Christmas tree. The tree lighting marks the kickoff of our Annual Light Up Bradenton Beach.
During the lighting of the Christmas tree there will be a donation collection that will be given to Ed and Gail Straights work with Wildlife, Inc. Education & Rehabilation.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
2pm Mac and Mac – Drift Inn
2pm Luke Andrews – Bridge Tender Inn
5pm – 8pm Chad Tallman – Daiquiri Deck
7pm – 10pm Part-Time Genuis – Island Time Bar and Grill
9pm Tommy B and the Collectives
PARKING UPDATE:
During “Lighting of the Christmas Tree” on November 19th, The FREE Old Town Tram will only run on Bridge Street & south to the beaches. Hail one that passes by (about every 7 minutes). Tips encouraged!
