🎄 10 More Christmas Activities Before the 25th

In today’s edition of the Sarasota Scoop:

• Sarasota Ranks 4th in the US

• New Neapolitan Restaurant Opens

• More Christmas activities!

Lastly, we want to hear from you — make sure to vote in the poll at the end!

Thanks for reading,

Carson

📰 Local News

Sarasota Ranks as 4th Best Place to Retire

No surprise to locals here. Sarasota has ranked No. 4 on U.S. News & World Report's list of best places to retire, which evaluates 150 cities based on happiness, affordability, health care, desirability, retiree taxes, and job market.

Sarasota also placed No. 11 among the nation’s best places to live, though recent hurricanes may not have been fully accounted for in the report.

Previously known as a retirement hub, Sarasota is now attracting young professionals and families, with rapid development driving up real estate costs.

Median home prices in 2023 reached $410,000 for condos and $515,000 for single-family homes, far above the national median of $389,000.

Higher housing costs and lower value compared to household income caused Sarasota to slip in rankings in recent years as affordability became a top priority for retirees.

However, U.S. News adjusted its methodology this year, emphasizing happiness and fulfillment over financial concerns. This shift benefited cities like New York and Washington, D.C., despite their high costs.

Sarasota climbed back up the list, scoring well on happiness, health care, desirability, taxes, and the job market, despite lingering affordability challenges.

Go deeper: Sarasota Ranks No. 4

🔦 Restaurant Spotlights

Trattoria Bella Napoli

📍 1551 Main Street Sarasota

💲💲

This coastal Italian spot opened last week to much fanfare.

The menu features traditionally Neapolitan style dishes & of course some brick-oven pizza — grab a table

Wednesday, December 18th

Wednesday Pizza + Movie Night

📍 Big Top Brewers, Lakewood Ranch

🕦 5pm - 8pm

Grab your friends and join us Wednesday night inside the taproom for the coziest movie night in town — details

Sunset Volleyball

📍 Waterside Park, Lakewood Ranch

🕦 6pm - 8pm

Sunset Volleyball is a series of pickup volleyball games designed for volleyball players who are ready to jump in, play without instruction, and have a great time — details 

Lights in Bloom

📍 Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota

🕦 6:30pm

Lights in Bloom features more than two million lights illuminating the gardens and walkways of our Downtown Sarasota campus — details 

Photo's with Santa at UTC

📍 Mall at UTC

🕦 All day, check schedule

Make your reservation to meet Santa for a picture-perfect moment — details 

Thursday, December 19th

Sheila Golden, Watercolor Class (Adults)

📍 Art Center Sarasota

🕦 10am - 1pm

Explore negative painting, layering and splatters with watercolor techniques. You’ll have fun while creatively exploring the watercolor medium — details 

UTC Night Market

📍 The Green at UTC

🕦 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Outdoor market event featuring live music and a great mix of local makers selling handmade goods, jewelry, art, gifts and more — details

All Is Calm

📍 Asolo Repertory Theatre

🕦 Multiple Showings

After acclaimed runs Off Broadway and across North America, Peter Rothstein’s salute to heroes of The Great War makes its long-awaited Sarasota debut — details 

Friday, December 20th

Breakfast with the GRINCH

📍 Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex, Sarasota

🕦 7:30am - 9:30am

Join us for a festive breakfast where the Grinch himself will be there to spread some holiday cheer — details 

Christmas at Creator's Farm and Garden

📍 Creator's Farm and Garden, Venice

🕦 5pm

Experience thousands of lights throughout 5 acres of gardens, live Christmas music with Joey O, fun Florida snow and laser lights, s'mores by the fire, children's games with prizes, and other fun activities — details

Tour of Lights | SRQ Trolley

📍 4041 Cattlemen Rd, Sarasota

🕦 Multiple times all weekend

The Holiday Tour of Lights has become a MUST when you’re in the holiday spirits, so get ready to sit back, relax, sip on your favorite beverage (you provide), and listen to your favorite holiday music, while enjoying what Sarasota’s residents have created — details

"Savor the Season" Holiday Festival

📍 Ananda Farm

🕦 See details

Join us at Ananda Farm's "Savor the Season" Holiday Festival! Experience a day filled with fun, food, and celebrations - details

Home for the Holidays

📍 Venice Performing Arts Center

🕦 7:30pm

Experience the most wonderful time of the year with family and friends at our annual celebration of music and togetherness — details 

Saturday, December 21th

Sarasota Farmers Market

📍Downtown Sarasota, Main St & Lemon Avenue

🕦 7am - 1pm

Support local brands, explore interesting crafts, and grab fresh produce at the weekly farmer’s market — details

Breakfast with Santa

📍 Remy's on Main, Lakewood Ranch

🕦 9am - 11am

Enjoy a festive breakfast with Santa Claus himself, where kids and adults alike can savor delicious dishes while sharing their holiday wishes — details

Gingerbread House or Dreidel Decorating

📍 Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

🕦 11am

While donning chef's hats and aprons, decorate a festive gingerbread house or gingerbread dreidel guided by the distinguished Ritz-Carlton pastry team — details 

Bradenton Holiday Lights Festival

📍 Freedom Factory, Bradenton

🕦 5pm - 9pm

1st Bradenton Holiday Lights Festival! This is a light show like no other — details

Fanciful Journey Show

📍 Sarasota Opera House

🕦 Multiple showings

Program Three opens with Les Patineurs, a playful tale of ice-skaters and their impromptu party on a frozen pond in Victorian England — details

Sunday, December 15th

Siesta Key Farmers Market

📍 5211 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key

🕦 9am - 2pm

Shop local! Come check out local vendors - local rum, fresh produce, handmade soap, and more

The Sarasota Ballet: The Nutcracker

📍 Sarasota Opera House

🕦 6:30pm

Witness Clara and the Nutcracker battle with the Mouse King before journeying off to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince in this treasured family classic — details

Wonderland at the Big Top

📍 Big Top at UTC, Sarasota

🕦 Multiple showings, check schedule

“Wonderland” will take audiences on a heartwarming and visually stunning journey that brings together the enchantment of the winter holidays and their unique traditions — details 

PLAN AHEAD

Downtown Sarasota Pineapple Drop

📍 Lemon Avenue and Main Street in Downtown Sarasota

🕦 1pm - 1am

The iconic Pineapple Drop at midnight, where a giant, glowing pineapple will descend to ring in the new year — details 

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