Bight Before Christmas' offers Key West holiday cheer

The historic harbor walk linking colorful seaport restaurants, bars and businesses at the Key West Bight comes alive with holiday lights, four decorated Christmas trees, a free Christmas concert, specials from shops and galleries, a holiday food tasting and even photos with Santa during the "Bight Before Christmas" celebration running through Dec. 31

The celebration is centered on the harbor area between Greene and Grinnell streets, also called Key West's Historic Seaport.

Highlights are to include a free Christmas concert set for Friday evening, Dec. 18, on the Harbor Walk of Lights. Musical offerings range from bluegrass to reggae, performed by reggae master Toko Irie, the Doerfels traveling family band, the Steel Your Heart steel drum band composed of young Keys musicians and other popular acts.

The family-friendly evening's other attractions include the "Bite of the Bight" holiday food tasting featuring cuisine prepared by area restaurants, a raffle benefiting the Just 4 Kids organization, photos with Santa and a free kids' activity area.

Among the additional events during the "Bight Before Christmas" celebration, which began at Thanksgiving and runs through New Year's Eve, are the Schooner Wharf Bar/Cruzan Rum Lighted Boat Parade, the "Cayo Carnival" gala with nonstop entertainment, free Christmas movie nights for kids, an art walk, photo opportunities with Santa for kids of all ages and pets, seasonal sales from Key West Bight merchants and much more.

Decorations are to remain on display along the harbor walk throughout the holidays.

For more information and a comprehensive "Bight Before Christmas" event calendar, visit http://www.keywestchristmas.org/.