Holly jolly holiday happenings to enjoy around Tampa Bay

By Spectrum News Staff Tampa

UPDATED 3:49 PM ET Nov. 30, 2023 PUBLISHED 11:13 AM ET Nov. 29, 2023 PUBLISHED 11:13 AM EST Nov. 29, 2023

TAMPA, Fla. — Haul out the holly and get the sleigh bells ringing — another holiday season is upon the Tampa Bay area. There are plenty of events lined up all month long that can warm the hearts of even the meanest Grinches. From photos with Santa to festive light parades, check out what’s happening in your community. Click the links for additional details. 

Citrus County

• Light Up Liberty
  
  Dec. 2-3, 5-9 p.m. | Liberty Park
  
  Wear your best ugly Christmas sweater and visit Liberty Park for an evening of shopping and food vendors as the countdown begins to the lighting of the park’s Christmas tree. A holiday boat parade will also be taking place.




• Olde Fashioned Christmas
  
  Dec. 12, 5:30-9:30 p.m.  | The Valerie Theatre
  
  This event includes live holiday music outside throughout the downtown area, a variety of craft vendors and pictures with Santa in the Historic Courthouse.
• Trek Inverness Holiday Lights Ride
  
  Dec. 16, 5-7 p.m. | Trek Bicycle Inverness
  
  Deck your bike with strings of lights and join a group ride at a casual pace for all riders. There will also be festive drinks, treats and free gifts.

Hernando County

• Photos With Santa
  
  Dec. 9-10, 4-7 p.m. | 2715 Forest Rd. Spring Hill, 34606
  
  Get into the festive spirit with a visit from Santa and the opportunity to take pictures with him.
• 5th Annual Florida Cracker Christmas
  
  Dec. 9, 6-11 p.m. | Florida Cracker Kitchen
  
  Enjoy an evening of food and live entertainment this holiday season. A portion of proceeds will go to Operation Heart F.E.L.T., a nonprofit that provides nutritious meals to students and their siblings. 
• Sensory Santa Pictures
  
  Dec. 16, noon to 3 p.m. | The Sensory Center Inc
  
  Get ready to meet Santa Claus in-person and capture magical moments with a special photo session. This event is perfect for kids of all ages, especially those with sensory sensitivities.
• Brooksville Country Christmas
  
  Dec. 14 – 23, 6-10 p.m. | S. Brooksville Ave. Brooksville, 34601
  
  Experience carriage rides and other holiday festivities in the Historic Downtown region.

Hillsborough County

• Christmas Town
  
  Now through Jan. 7 | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 
  
  Experience the joy of the season with animal encounters, roller coasters after dark, holiday inspired culinary food and drinks, and festive shows like “Christmas on Ice.” Guests can enjoy a visit from Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. 




• Photos with Santa
  
  Now through Dec. 17, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | The Florida Aquarium 
  
  Photos with Santa runs each Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 17. Use a cell phone or personal camera to commemorate a year of holiday memories.




• Holiday Happenings at Armature Works 
  
  Now through Dec. 31 |Armature Works
  
  From a holiday tree lighting to cookie making and movies on the lawn, Armature Works has events every week for all to enjoy.




• Christmas in the Wild
  
  

Now – Dec. 23, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. | ZooTampa at Lowry Park

ZooTampa’s holiday event features one of the Bay area’s largest light displays, with seasonal treats and plenty of wildlife viewing. 

• Winter Village
  
  Now through Jan. 1 | Curtis Hixon Park 
  
  Located along the Tampa Riverwalk, Curtis Hixon Park is transformed into a winter wonderland for the holiday season. Guests can enjoy ice skating, light shows, and cookies and milk aboard TECO Line Streetcar’s “Winter Village Express,” which makes its way through downtown Tampa’s Whiting Station to Ybor City. 
• Festival of Lights & Santa’s Village
  
  Now through Dec. 31 | Hillsborough County Fairgrounds
  
  With presentations representing Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanzaa, the Festival of Lights is a drive-thru display that features more than one million lights. Guests can visit Santa’s Village, which has holiday-themed rides, craft stations and live entertainment.

Manatee County

• Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade 
  
  Dec. 9, 6-8 p.m. | Riverhouse Waterfront
  
  The Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade is the county’s largest holiday event of the year. A fleet of decked out vessels will tour up the Manatee River competing for cash prizes and the winning title while thousands of area residents and traveling spectators flock to the river to experience the magic.
• An Old Florida Christmas
  
  Dec. 9, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Manatee Village Historical Park
  
  Experience an old-fashioned Florida holiday celebration. The event features food, music, free “make-and-take” seasonal crafts and vendors selling handmade goods. 

• Winter Wonderland
  
  Dec. 9, 5-8:30 p.m. | Old Main Street
  
  Bradenton’s Old Main Street will be transformed into a seasonal celebration, with lime performances, gift shopping with local vendors and visits from Santa.
• Breakfast with Santa at Grove
  
  Dec. 16, 9-11 a.m. | Grove
  
  Get ready for an all-you-can-eat breakfast crafted by award-winning chefs, complete with a dash of holiday magic.
• Bradenton Riverwalk Holiday of the Arts Festival
  
  Dec. 16, 1-5 p.m. | Bradenton Riverwalk
  
  The 2nd annual festival showcases original artwork by more than 100 artisans from throughout Florida and across the United States. Families can enjoy holiday themed sculptures, ceramics, woodworks and more.
  
   

Pasco County

• Christmas Carnival by Barrington Hill
  
  Dec. 2, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | 16117 Lake Iola Rd, Dade City, 33523
  
  Experience the magic of the holiday season as vendors will be available for gift shopping, delicious food, photo ops with mini cows and Santa, and exciting games for everyone to enjoy. 
• 39th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
  
  Dec. 3, 5-8 p.m. | AdventHealth Zephyrhills
  
  The event features live entertainment, pictures with Santa and other holiday activities leading up the lighting of AdventHealth’s Circle of Trees.
• Holiday Market at Tampa Premium Outlets
  
  Dec. 9 -10, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Tampa Premium Outlets
  
  Get into the holiday spirit and explore a wide variety of unique gifts, from handmade crafts to local artisan products. 
• Holiday Hayrides at Avalon Park
  
  

Dec. 12 – 14, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. | 5060 River Glen Blvd. Wesley Chapel, 33545

Hop on a free hayride and view holiday decorations around the neighborhood.

• Christmas Cookie Decorating Class
  
  Dec. 15, 6-8 p.m. | Northwood Clubhouse
  
  Do some piping practice, talk about how to strategize the best ways to decorate sugar cookies, and cover the general concepts around dough and icing. Everything you’ll need is provided at class along with a live in-person instructor.

Pinellas County

• Enchant Christmas
  
  Now through Dec. 31 | Tropicana Field 
  
  This event has a story-themed, festive light maze, an ice skating rink and a 100-foot-tall Christmas tree to dazzle guests. Visit with Santa and enjoy shopping opportunities around the field.




• Downtown St. Pete Lighted Boat Parade
  
  Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m. | St. Petersburg Municipal Marina
  
  Get the chance to see boats lit up in their holiday best on downtown St. Pete’s waterfront. Spectators should be able to view the boats near the St. Pete Pier, the Vinoy basin, from North Shore Park and Flora Wylie Park, all the way to Coffee Pot Bayou.




• Sea of Holiday Joy at CMA
  
  

Dec. 2 – Dec. 31 | Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Have your cameras ready as Santa Claus makes a special appearance among marine animals. Kids can also take part in holiday arts and crafts while learning about marine life.

• Holiday Lights in the Gardens
  
  Now through Dec. 31, 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Florida Botanical Gardens
  
  The Gardens will sparkle with one million, twinkling, LED lights in a multitude of colors. Laser lights and lighted figures will round out the displays to wow guests of all ages. The event also serves as the Gardens’ annual fundraiser, which helps to keep up maintenance and stay open to the public.




• Holiday Lights, Ferris Wheel & Carousel in Largo Central Park
  
  Now through Dec. 31, 5-10 p.m. | Largo Central Park
  
  This holiday tradtion by the City of Largo holds over two million LED lights throughout the park. Guests and their families can take part in a variety of crafts and activities, including a ferris wheel, a carousel, a campfire and food vendors. 

Polk County

• Holidays at Legoland
  
  Now through Dec. 31, 6 p.m. | Legoland
  
  Enjoy the holiday season at Legoland, where kids can write letters to Santa, dance to holiday tunes around a Lego Christmas tree and enjoy festive treats.




• Lakeland Christmas Parade
  
  

Dec. 7, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland

The 42nd annual parade will leave the RP Funding Center making its way down Lemon Street, twisting and turning through Downtown Lakeland. A fireworks show at Lake Mirror will kick off the festivities.

• Holidays in the Highlands
  
  Dec. 9,  | Bok Tower Gardens
  
  Guests can enjoy a multitude of events all month long, from making floral and ornament arrangements to live performances. Connect to nature with a stroll through poinsettias, begonias, evergreens, and other seasonal greenery displays.
• Winterfest and Christmas Parade in Davenport
  
  Dec. 9, 4-9 p.m. | Tom Fellows Community Center
  
  Take pictures with Santa and shop at a number of holiday vendors. The parade will start at 6 p.m.