There are a ton of Tampa Bay Christmas events happening this year to get your fill of Christmas spirit. From lights displays to musicals to ice skating, there is something here that everyone will enjoy!
Tampa/Hillsborough County
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
- This classic Tampa holiday event features local shop pop-ups, cafe and sweet treats, entertainment, lights, Winter Village Express, Santa Sightings, Winter Village Choo Choo, and an ice skating rink.
- Cost: free/ Ice Skating $17 per person (advanced ticket purchase required)/ Winter Village Express $10 per person (advanced ticket purchase required)/ cost of parking in Downtown Tampa varies
- Location: 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL 33602
- Dates: Nightly through Jan 3, hours vary by day
- Website
Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker at the Straz Center
- Enjoy the classic family-friendly ballet at the Straz. Audiences will be transported into Clara and Drosselmeyer’s fantastical world of dancing sweets, sword-fighting rodents and some of ballet’s most famous music.
- Cost: Tickets starting at $30
- Location: 1010 N Macinnes Pl, Tampa, FL 33602
- Dates: Dec 17 – Dec 19, times vary
- Website
Riverwalk Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
- Watch the lighted boat parade from anywhere along Riverwalk or one of the many hubs (Sparkman Wharf, Curtis Hixon Park, Armature Works, etc.) or decorate your boat and participate.
- Cost: free, cost of parking in Downtown Tampa varies
- Location: Tampa Riverwalk (our favorite viewing area is Sparkman Wharf where you can also grab drinks and a bite to eat: 615 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
- Date: Saturday Dec 18, starts at 6:00pm
- Website
Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Amalie Arena
- Watch TSO perform hits from “Christmas Eve and Other Stories,” one of the best selling Christmas albums of all time, in this highly-anticipated multi-sensory experience.
- Costs: Starting at $39.50
- Location: Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
- Date: Sunday Dec 19, 3pm and 7:30pm
- Website
Victorian Christmas Stroll at Henry B Plant Museum
- Experience the extravagance and grandeur of a Victorian Christmas at the former 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel during the Henry B. Plant Museum’s Victorian Christmas Stroll. Decorations include vintage fashions, antique toys, locally sourced items, and fanciful ornaments.
- Cost: $16 for adults, $10 for children. Tickets should be purchased in advance to select a time window.
- Location: 401 W. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL 33606
- Dates: Dec 1 – Dec 23, 10am – 8pm
- Website
Snowed Inn at Sparkman Wharf
- Select Thursdays in December, the lawn at Sparkman Wharf will be transformed into the ultimate post-slopes hangout. Enjoy seasonal entertainment, photo ops, falling snow, bonfires, a pop-up ski store, and Feelin’ Pine Hot Toddy Bar.
- Cost: free, parking varies
- Location: Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL
- Dates: Thursdays Dec 2, 9, & 16, from 5:30 – 8:30pm
- Website
Holiday Classics at Tampa Theatre
- Enjoy watching and singing along to some of your favorite classic holiday movies at the historic Tampa Theatre including White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Elf.
- Cost: $10 per person
- Location: 711 N Franklin St. Tampa
- Dates: select days in December, times vary
- Website
Pirate Water Taxi River of Lights Holiday Cruise
- Hop on Tampa’s water taxi tour of holiday lights and decorations along the river. On the 45-minute cruise, you will get up-close views of Downtown Tampa’s spectacular seasonal decorations and holiday lights, and enjoy sing-a-long Christmas carols.
- Cost: starting at $25 for adults, $20 for children, plus tax, cost for parking in Downtown Tampa varies
- Location: Pirate Water Taxi Dock, 333 S Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602
- Dates: Select nights in December, departing at 6:15 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 8:15 p.m., 9:15 p.m.
- Website
Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa
- Christmas in the Wild is an outdoor seasonal adventure featuring twinkling lights, holiday treats, and amazing wildlife. Visit with Santa, see holiday shows, and shop in the Twinkletown Marketplace.
- Cost: Starting at $29.95 per person
- Location: 1101 W Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
- Dates: Select nights through Dec 30, 4pm-9pm/10pm, advanced purchase required
- Website
St. Pete/Pinellas County
Holiday Lights in the Park at Largo Central Park
- Stroll through Largo Central Park in the show stopping light display, featuring over a million twinkling LED lights. There are concessions and amusement rides for an additional charge.
- Cost: free, free parking
- Location: 101 Central Park Dr, Largo, FL 33771
- Dates: nightly through Jan 2, 2022, 6pm-11pm
- Website
Treasure Island Boat Parade
- This is the 36th Annual Boat Parade, featuring a variety of boats decked out in holiday lights and decorations. Festivities begin at 5pm with entertainment, concessions, and Santa and Mrs. Claus. The boats will depart at 6:20pm
- Cost: free, parking varies
- Location: Treasure Bay Recreation Facility, 10315 Paradise Boulevard, Treasure Island, FL
- Date: Saturday Dec 4 at 5pm
- Website
A Christmas Carol Performance at St. Petersburg City Theatre
- Watch the classic holiday production A Christmas Carol performed at the St. Petersburg City Theatre.
- Cost: $28 per adult, $12 per child
- Location: 4025 31st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
- Dates: Select days Dec 3 – Dec 12, times vary
- Website
Enchant Christmas St. Petersburg
- Description: Enjoy dazzling lights, festive decorations, and ice skating rink, holiday concessions, a marketplace, and more at Enchant Christmas. The interactive adventure will send you on a scavenger hunt through the light maze.
- Cost: starting at $25
- Location: Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg, FL
- Dates: Select nights through Jan 2, 2022, times vary
- Website
The Lights of Lake Park Estates
- Drive through the neighborhoods of Lake Park Estates, Wieker, Lakeside Estates, and Lake Seminole Village, where residents decorate their homes and yards with over 3 miles of Christmas lights and decorations for the public to enjoy to benefit Suncoast Hospice. This event is drive-thru only this year.
- Cost: free
- Location: Since this is an area and neighborhood, there is no specific physical address. You can navigate to Lake Park Dr Seminole FL 33777. Suggested route map is available on the website.
- Dates: nightly Dec 1st – Dec 31st, 6pm-10pm
- Website
Downtown Waterfront Parks Holiday Lights
- Stroll through St. Pete’s downtown waterfront parks (North Straub Park, South Straub Park, Pioneer Park, Vinoy Park) and admire thousands of holidays lights and displays. The St. Pete Pier is also decorated!
- Cost: free, with free and metered parking available around Downtown St. Pete
- Location: Most parks are located along Bayshore Drive.
- St Pete Pier: 800 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
- Dates: varies
- Website
Rockapella Christmas
- For their Christmas show, the a capella superstars will perform holiday classics like “Silver Bells,” “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” and “White Christmas” with their original holiday hits.
- Cost: starting at $30 per person
- Location: Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St, Downtown Clearwater
- Date: Saturday Dec 18 at 8pm
- Website
Holiday Lights in the Gardens
- Enjoy beautiful displays of holiday lights and decor at Florida Botanical Gardens. Entertainment, concessions, and laser light displays round out the event.
- Cost: $10 suggested donation per person
- Location: Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Rd, Largo, FL
- Dates: through Jan 2, 2022, 5:30-9:30pm nightly
- Website
Holiday Cheer for Adults
Santa’s Social Club
- Sonder Social Club in Dunedin is transforming into Santa’s Social Club — an immersive Santa and Christmas-themed pop-up-bar. Enjoy decorations and festive treats like the Milk + Cookies cocktail.
- Location: 966 Douglas Ave, Unit 101, Dunedin, FL
- Dates: Dec 1 – Dec 27
- Website
Miracle at Mezzo Pop-up Bar
- This Christmas pop-up bar is taking over Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails with festive decor & a menu full of seasonal libations. Stop by the most festive bar in town to eat, drink & be merry!
- Location: 1113 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33705
- Dates: daily through 12/31
- Website
6th Annual Ugly Sweater Crawl: St. Pete
- Festive Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl hosted by Bar Crawl USA. Featuring themed drink discounts, prizes, entertainment, holiday music and more around downtown St. Pete bars.
- Cost: starting at $12
- Location: Downtown St. Pete, 119 1st Ave N St. Pete, FL 33701
- Date: Saturday Dec 11 at 5PM
- Website
Originally published December 1, 2020. Updated December 2, 2021.
