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Christmas Lights in Longboat Key, FL
The top places to see Christmas lights in Longboat Key this season are Lights in Bloom at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (Dec 5 – Jan 2), Tinsel Town Trolley (Dec 8 – Dec 23) and Holiday Splendor at The Ringling (Dec 10 – Dec 17). We've mapped 1 display in Longboat Key and 16 more nearby (5 events, 4 parades, 2 tree lightings). 9 are free. 3 are synced to music. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.
Updated Nov 11, 2026
Near Longboat Key (within 25 miles)
Tap + Tour on a few displays to get one driving route you can send to your phone (how it works). Missing a house or show in Longboat Key? Add it free.
Christmas lights in Longboat Key: common questions
What are the best Christmas lights in Longboat Key?
Popular picks this season include Lights in Bloom at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (Dec 5 – Jan 2), Tinsel Town Trolley (Dec 8 – Dec 23), Holiday Splendor at The Ringling (Dec 10 – Dec 17) and Holiday Nights on the Bayfront at The Ringling (Dec 29 – Dec 30). In all, 17 displays are mapped in and around Longboat Key, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.
Where can I see free Christmas lights in Longboat Key?
Free options include Lights in Bloom at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Colonial Gables lights (Bee Ridge Rd and Honore Ave area), The Oakdale Christmas House and Light Up Longboat. 9 of the 17 displays near Longboat Key are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.
Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near Longboat Key?
Yes. Bradenton Holiday Lights Festival at Freedom Factory ($20 per carload (2024)). Drive-thru shows usually charge per car, and buying tickets online ahead of time is often faster.
Are there Christmas lights synced to music in Longboat Key?
Yes. Bradenton Holiday Lights Festival at Freedom Factory, Holidays at University Town Center and The Oakdale Christmas House. Synced displays broadcast their soundtrack on a low-power FM station so you can listen from your car.
When do Christmas lights start in Longboat Key?
The earliest Longboat Key-area displays turn on Nov 27, and most are running by the weekend after Thanksgiving. Many stay lit through New Year's; check each display's page for its exact dates and nightly hours.
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Professional Christmas light installers in Longboat Key hang, maintain and take down your lights, or install permanent lights you control from your phone. Tell us about your house and get free quotes.
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