As the lights begin to go up and holiday cheer grows, fill your calendar with Bay area holiday traditions. With various fun for all ages, save these dates to enjoy the grandeur that makes this special season that much better.
Have a suggestion to add to this list? Email kathryn.deen@tampamagazines.com.
November
Christmas Town
Nov. 14-Jan. 9, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Busch Gardens: 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612
Walk under twinkling lights and enjoy festive shows as you wander through Christmas Town. Hop on the holiday express and enjoy the views of Busch Gardens after you visit Santa and his reindeer Rudolph.
Ybor Tree Lighting Ceremony
Nov.16, 6-8 p.m.
Centro Ybor: 1600 E. 7th Ave., Tampa, FL 33605
Join Tampa Mayor Jane Castor for Ybor’s 12th annual Christmas tree lighting. There will be live music and plenty of photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Season Spectacular
Nov. 18, 6-9 p.m.
Water St., Tampa, FL 33602
With lights adorned across the neighborhood and plenty of festive decor, take part in Water Street’s first annual season spectacular. Partake in holiday activities while you enjoy seasonal food and drinks.
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
Nov. 18-Jan. 4
600 N. Ashley Drive Tampa, FL 33602
You’ll have to see it to believe that you can skate outdoors in Downtown Tampa. Watch as the night sky lights up with a 360-degree light show every hour. Continue the fun by going on the Holiday Express where you can enjoy sing-alongs, trivia and stories while you munch on free cookies and milk. Plus, catch two movies at the park: “Arthur Christmas” Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.; and “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.
Holiday Happening
Nov. 19, 4-9 p.m.
Hyde Park Village: 1602 W. Snow Ave., Tampa, FL 33606
Enjoy a full day of festive fun in Hyde Park. Listen to live music and watch live entertainment while shopping around the winter market. Stop by and see Santa before the Christmas tree lighting that begins at 7 p.m.
Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular
November–January 2023
Tampa Riverwalk
Kick off the holiday season with festive holiday displays, a holiday selfie station and more. A 35-foot-tall lighted Christmas tree will float in the harbor with other lighted displays floating along the river.
Tampa Bay Festival of Lights
Nov. 24–Jan. 1, 2023
Hillsborough County Fairgrounds: 215 Sydney Washer Road, Dover, FL 33527
The festival includes a nearly 2-mile drive-thru of continuous lights, followed by a walking visit to Santa’s Village, where there will be holiday decor, music and family activities.
Christmas in The Wild
Nov. 25-Dec. 30
Lowry Park Zoo: 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa, FL 33604
Visit furry friends under one of Florida’s largest light displays. Grab delectable delights and enjoy new festive adventures that are fun for the whole family.
Enchant Christmas
Nov. 25-Jan. 1
Tropicana Field: 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg, FL 33705
Tropicana Field will be aglow. Walk amongst a maze of lights and tunnels and encounter larger-than-life displays. Admire a 100-foot tree illuminating the Christmas Village and Santa’s Landing. Grab some sweet treats for the road, like homemade doughnuts and topnotch smores’
Santa Parade & Tree Lighting
Nov. 26, 6:30 p.m.
North Straub Park: 400 Bayshore Dr. N.E., St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Gather with the family in St. Pete’s Downtown Waterfront and watch as Santa and his friends make their way through the streets. Head back with Santa to North Straub Park where he will light up the night sky for the annual tree lighting.
Holiday Lights & Displays
Nov. 26-Jan. 1
Downtown waterfront parks: North Straub Park, South Straub Park, Pioneer park and St. Pete Pier
With many options to see holiday lights, stop by one of these beautifully decorated parks and the pier to roam through thousands of shining lights and decorations.
December
Storytime with Mrs. Claus
Every Thursday in December, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Hyde Park Village: 1602 W. Snow Ave., Tampa, FL 33606
Listen in delight to a reading of the holiday classics. Coming all the way from the North Pole, Mrs. Claus stops by Snow Circle Shops to read her favorite holiday books. All you need is a blanket and your listening ears.
Visits with Santa
Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m to 3 p.m.
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park: 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL 33602
Bring your camera and bright smile to Sorrento Sweets to get a picture with the big guy himself. Santa will be stopping by every Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of December to bring holiday cheer to Tampa.
Oxford Exchange Holiday Gift Bazaar
Dec. 1, 6-9:30 p.m.
420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33606
Looking for that perfect gift for a certain someone? Stop and shop with local vendors, where you will surely find a unique item fitting for the holidays.
Victorian Christmas Stroll
Dec. 1-23
Henry B. Plant Museum: 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33606
Walk through this national landmark to find antique trees and toys, snow babies and a 14-foot tree embellished with antique ornaments. Enjoy complimentary cider and cookies on the veranda surrounded by the sweet sounds of holiday tunes. On your way out, pop inside the museum store to find elegant jewelry, artwork and holiday accessories galore.
Christmas with Kinkade
Dec. 2-11
Michael Murphy Gallery: 2701 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, FL 33629
Calling all Kinkade fans and Disney, Marvel and Star Wars lovers. Presented by Thomas Kinkade Studios, Zac Kinkade will showcase his artwork for 10 days at Michael Murphy Gallery in a special new exhibition. Find some of your favorite characters celebrating the holiday season in this collection. Come by and talk with the artist on Dec. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m., Dec. 10 from noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. (a children’s event), and Dec. 11 at noon.
Santa Fest & Tampa Tree Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 3, 1-9:30 p.m.
Curtis Hixon Park: 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL, 33602
Make your way to Madison Street to get the best spot in town for the holiday parade. Indulge in holiday activities before Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and Santa brighten the night with the tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Afterwards, find the perfect spot to watch a holiday movie at 6:30 p.m.
Snowfest
Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
North Straub Park: 400 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Glide down an icy slide in a toboggan as you reign in holiday cheer. Create holiday arts and crafts at the numerous set up stands. All of this holiday merriment can be enjoyed for just $5.
Holiday on the Bay
Dec. 4, Dec. 10-11 and Dec. 17-Jan. 1 (excluding Christmas Day)
Departs from St. Pete Pier’s Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center: 700 2nd Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg
Get into the holiday spirit aboard a floating winter “waterland.” Enjoy a sunset cruise with spectacular views on a festively decorated eco-vessel with Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center. There will be twinkling lights, seasonal surprises, “snowbird” sightings at the bird sanctuary and ocean-themed activities. These trips are fun for all ages and the perfect way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with family and friends.
Holiday Promenade
Dec. 8, 5-8 p.m.
Water St., Tampa, FL 33602
Get the perfect picture that encapsulates holiday cheer at Water Street’s very merry market. Stroll around the holiday vendors where you will find extraordinary gifts for the whole family.
for KING + COUNTRY
Dec. 9, 7 p.m.
Amalie Arena: 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa, FL 33602
As part of its Drummer Boy Christmas tour, the Grammy-award-winning duo will perform holiday classics, new songs and its No. 1 hits and fan favorites.
onbikes Winter Wonder Ride
Dec. 10
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park: 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL 33602
Celebrate the season with a holiday bike ride through Downtown Tampa and along Bayshore Boulevard. Proceeds go toward purchasing new bicycles for kids and families across Tampa Bay.
Jingle Bell Bazaar Ybor
Dec. 11, noon-6 p.m.
Centennial Park Ybor: 1800 8th Ave., Tampa, FL 33605
Listen to a wide variety of musical talent and watch dance performances by Leonards and New Heights Dance Academy. Grab some bites from various food trucks as you roam through arts and crafts vendors.
Hillsborough River Holiday Boat Parade
Dec. 11, 6 p.m.
Lowry Park Boat Ramp: 1204 W. Flora St., Tampa, FL 33604
Set sail for the holidays from the Lowry Park Boat Ramp. Sign up for this free 22nd annual boat parade by Dec. 10 to be a part of hundreds of beautifully decorated boats that float all the way to Sulphur Springs Community Holiday Party, 701 E. Bird St.
Putt the Pier: Holiday Edition
Dec. 16, 4-10 p.m.; Dec. 17, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Dec. 18, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
St. Pete Pier’s Majeed Foundation Nature’s Walkway: 600 2nd Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg
Enjoy 360-degree water views as you and your family play putt putt golf with holiday themed obstacles, decorations and tunes. Golf balls are biodegradable in case one lands in the water* located at the Majeed Foundation Nature’s Walkway.
Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker
Dec. 16-18
Straz Center: 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa, FL 33602
This annual holiday tradition celebrates the season with principal dancers from powerhouse companies, alongside some of ballet’s most famous music.
Riverwalk Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Dec. 17, 6 p.m.
Tampa Riverwalk, starting at the Tampa Convention Center: 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa, FL 33602
Bring the family to see decked-out vessels competing for the best holiday display. The parade route starts in the Tampa Convention Center basin and ends at Sparkman Wharf. Tampa’s largest lighted boat parade will light up over 3.5 miles of parade route on the Hillsborough River.
Movie in the Park
Dec. 17, 7 p.m.
Crescent Lake Park: 1320 5th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Bring a blanket and lay under the stars to watch a holiday classic. “The Grinch” will be displayed on the big screen at 8 p.m., so sit back and relax in Crescent Park. Stop by just an hour earlier to enjoy holiday fun presented by TASCO and snag the perfect pic in their Santa photo booth.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Dec. 18, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Amalie Arena: 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa, FL 33602
The American rock band will perform its popular rock-opera, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” along with a second set containing more greatest hits.
A Night of Lights, Chanukah Celebration
Dec. 22, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Water Street Tampa: 1011 E. Cumberland Ave., Tampa, FL 33602
As the fifth night of Chanukah rolls around, join the community of Water Street Tampa for traditional bites as you walk around listening to live entertainment, along with activities such as face painting, craft stations and more. The Grand Menorah lighting begins at 6 p.m.
Need to know what’s going on in 2023? Check out our Tampa Bay Events Calendar 2023.
