Toys and trains and some special visitors from the North Pole are some of the ways families can get into the holiday spirit with the joy-filled A Night Before Christmas event, Friday, December 8, 2023, from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Bradenton’s G.T. Bray Park. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting the park and taking pictures with the children. The event will include bounce houses, petting zoo, crafts, face painting and train ride along our Christmas path. Several local vendors and food truck line up will be joining in on the celebration. Entry for this annual event is FREE; however, a suggested donation per family of a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots is kindly requested. Wristbands will be sold for $5 apiece to allow access to a variety of activities, including bouncing, sliding, and crawling over the inflatables, a train ride and festive face painting. Pre-sale wristbands will be on sale beginning December 1 at the G.T. Bray Front Desk (no refunds or replacements will be issued). Wristbands will be available on a cash-only basis at event entrance December 8). G.T. Bray Park is located at 5502 33rd Avenue Drive West in Bradenton. Visitors may access GT Bray Park from 59th St. W. or 51st St. W. Parking will be available in various lots around the park. For more information about Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ManateeGov.