Christmas Eve Services in Sarasota (2026)

Christmas Eve Services
Written by Kelsey Cecil

Updated November 9, 2026 · Checked weekly

7 churches in the Sarasota area with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 1 has posted 2026 times so far; the others held Christmas Eve services in recent years and usually post their times in late November or December. Every listing links to the church's own page, so you can check the latest schedule before you go.

The short version

  • 7 churches with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 1 has posted 2026 times so far.
  • Earliest family service: 4:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota.
  • Latest service posted: 7:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota.
  • 3 church traditions, listed in the same format, alphabetically.

Planning the rest of the season? See Christmas events for kids in Sarasota and Christmas train rides in Florida.

Kelsey Lizee Cecil with Rally, the real corgi

Why we made this

A story my mom wanted to write. So I wrote it for her.

On Christmas morning in 2020, I found out I was pregnant with my son, Holden.

Read Kelsey’s story

That same day, my mom went into a coma. She never woke up. Two months after her memorial, I lost my dad too.

My mom had spent years telling me about a story she wanted to write: a little corgi named Rally who rides the train to visit his "grand-paw-rents." She never got the chance. So I wrote it for her.

Rally Takes the Train is a picture book about Rally's first train ride. He packs his turtle toy, his green bone and his orange ball, and meets the conductor. Then he goes through a dark, scary tunnel and finds the light on the other side. Every page is hand-painted in real watercolor. My kids will never meet their grandparents, but this book is how they get to know them.

In college I was a religion minor, and I believe Rally Takes the Train was made for all children, from all religions in the world.

Christmas could have become the hardest day of my year. Instead, I decided to use Rally to bring Christmas magic to as many families as I can.

Kelsey Lizee CecilLearn more about the book (opens in a new tab) →

Christmas Eve service times in Sarasota

Thursday, December 24, 2026. Times from each church's own page.
TimeChurchService
4:00 PMFirst Presbyterian Church of SarasotaFamily
7:00 PMFirst Presbyterian Church of SarasotaCandlelight

Churches with Christmas Eve services in Sarasota

Showing all 7 churches. Filters, calendar, directions and church links unlock free with your email.

First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota

Presbyterian · Sarasota

  • 4:00 PMFamily Service and Pageant (Family service with a children's pageant)
    Family
  • 7:00 PMCandlelight & Communion

2050 Oak Street, Sarasota, FL 34237

(free with email) Directions to First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota (opens in a new tab)(free with email) Church schedule for First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota (opens in a new tab)

More Sarasota area churches with Christmas Eve services

These churches held Christmas Eve services in past years. Most post 2026 times in late November and December; we check every week.

Christmas Eve services by tradition in Sarasota

Churches whose tradition we have confirmed, grouped by tradition in alphabetical order, in the same format.

Catholic Christmas Eve services in Sarasota (4)

Catholic services across FloridaCatholic services in other cities

Methodist Christmas Eve services in Sarasota (1)

Methodist services across FloridaMethodist services in other cities

Presbyterian Christmas Eve services in Sarasota (1)

Presbyterian services across FloridaPresbyterian services in other cities

Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi researches Christmas events for kids in Sarasota.

  • New events every weekWe research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Sarasota.
  • Exclusive access to free eventsFind the free Christmas events in Sarasota before they fill up.
  • Every button on this pageFilters, add to calendar, directions and every church link open right away.
  • Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendarEarly access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
  • One-tap add to calendarSave any service or event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.

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More Christmas Eve services near Sarasota

All Christmas Eve services in FloridaAll Christmas Eve services in the United States

More Christmas for families in Sarasota

Family Christmas plans in and around Sarasota, from Rally’s own guides.

Questions about Christmas Eve services in Sarasota

What day is Christmas Eve in 2026?

Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24, 2026. Most churches in the Sarasota area hold services from the afternoon into the evening.

How many churches in the Sarasota area hold Christmas Eve services?

This page lists 7 churches in the Sarasota area with Christmas Eve services. 1 has posted 2026 times so far; the rest held Christmas Eve services in past years and usually post times in late November or December.

What is the earliest Christmas Eve service in Sarasota?

Of the times posted so far, the earliest is 4:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota.

What is the latest Christmas Eve service in Sarasota?

Of the times posted so far, the latest is 7:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota.

Which churches in Sarasota have a family or children's Christmas Eve service?

Churches with a family or children's service posted for 2026 include First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota. Family services are usually earlier and shorter, often with a children's pageant or simple songs.

Are there candlelight Christmas Eve services in Sarasota?

Yes. First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota lists a candlelight service for 2026. Times are on each listing above.

Which parts of the Sarasota area have Christmas Eve services?

Churches on this page are in Bee Ridge, Downtown and Sarasota. Each listing has its address and a map link.

Which church traditions hold Christmas Eve services in Sarasota?

The 7 churches on this page include 4 Catholic, 1 Presbyterian and 1 United Methodist. Catholic: Christ the King Catholic Church, Incarnation Catholic Church and St. Jude Catholic Church. Presbyterian: First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota.

Which Sarasota churches have not posted 2026 Christmas Eve times yet?

Christ the King Catholic Church, Church of the Palms, First United Methodist Church of Sarasota, Incarnation Catholic Church, St. Jude Catholic Church and St. Martha Catholic Church held Christmas Eve services in recent years but have not posted 2026 times. We check their pages each week.

When do churches in Sarasota post their Christmas Eve times?

Most churches post between late November and mid December. We check every church on this page each week and add 2026 times as soon as they appear on the church's own page.

Is there a Catholic Christmas Eve Mass in Sarasota?

Yes. This page lists 4 Catholic churches in Sarasota with Christmas Eve services, including Christ the King Catholic Church (Sarasota), Incarnation Catholic Church (Bee Ridge) and St. Jude Catholic Church (Sarasota). Their 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there a Methodist Christmas Eve service in Sarasota?

Yes. This page lists 1 Methodist church in Sarasota with Christmas Eve services, including First United Methodist Church of Sarasota (Downtown). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there a Presbyterian Christmas Eve service in Sarasota?

Yes. This page lists 1 Presbyterian church in Sarasota with Christmas Eve services, including First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota (Sarasota). First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota has posted 2026 times starting at 4:00 PM.

How is this list put together?

We list every church we find in Sarasota that holds a Christmas Eve service, in the same format. Churches with 2026 times come first, with family services at the top and then by start time. No church pays to be listed or to be placed higher.

Is this page connected to any church or faith?

No. Rally Takes the Train is a children's book. This is a free public listing of Christmas Eve service times and addresses, and it does not endorse any church or faith.

How can a church add or correct its listing?

Church staff can email kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com with the church's name and a link to its Christmas Eve page. We check corrections against the church's own page, usually within 24 hours.

Where can I find Christmas Eve services elsewhere in Florida?

Our page for Florida lists every city we cover in the state, with Christmas Eve services by city and by tradition.

Where can I find Christmas events for kids in Sarasota?

Our guide to Christmas events for kids in Sarasota lists Santa visits, holiday lights, shows and free events for 2026, each checked on the host's own website.

How early should we arrive for a Christmas Eve service?

Family and candlelight services are usually the busiest of the year. Arriving 20 to 30 minutes early helps with parking and seating together, especially with young children.

Are Christmas Eve services okay for young children?

Yes. Family and children's services are planned with kids in mind, and many churches welcome little ones at every service. Some offer a nursery or a family room; each church's page has the details.

Rally Takes the Train book cover

Rally Takes the Train is a picture book about a corgi’s first train ride to visit his grand-paw-rents. Our story

A free public listing. Rally Takes the Train is a children’s book and does not endorse any church or faith. Every church is listed the same way, and no church pays to be listed or placed higher. Times come only from each church’s own page; check it before you go. Church staff: send corrections to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com.

Kelsey Cecil
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