Holiday Events
Winter Village | November 17, 2017 – January 5, 2018 | Curtis Hixon Park, Downtown Tampa
Go skating on a real ice rink, see holiday movies on the lawn on select Fridays and Saturdays, take holiday streetcar rides, visit the Winter Village Shops and Cafe at Winter Village, see the City of Tampa Tree Lighting and more!
Santa Fest and 36th Annual Downtown Tampa Christmas Parade | Saturday, December 2 | Downtown Tampa
Festival: Noon – 4 p.m.
Parade: 11 a.m.
Photos with Santa, holiday entertainment, crafts, games and activities. The parade steps off at 11:00 at Morgan and Madison Streets, traveling west on Madison Street to Ashley Drive, then turning north and ending at Curtis Hixon Park.
Miracle on Cleveland Street | Saturday, December 2, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Downtown Clearwater
Snow in Florida? It’s a miracle! Downtown Clearwater becomes a winter wonderland with ice skating, horse and carriage rides, photos with Santa, kids activities, Christmas carols and of course, a dusting of snow.
Candy Cane Hunt | Saturday, December 9, 11:30 a.m. | Tarpon Springs
Celebrate the arrival of Santa at the Tarpon Springs Christmas Parade, then visit Craig Park for the Candy Cane Hunt! Kids 12 and under can search for the lucky candy cane, while the whole family can enjoy free activities, music and a visit from the big guy himself.
Holiday Stroll 2017: Let it Snow | Saturday, December 16, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Largo Central Park
Take a stroll through a beautiful holiday scene featuring lights, entertainment, crafts and activities for the whole family. Stop by on December 2 for the official Christmas tree lighting, and visit the Holiday Craft Fair each night of the festival.
Tampa Bay Moms Blog Event
Tampa Bay Moms Blog: Holiday Bazaar | Saturday, December 2, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Bob Sierra Family YMCA , Tampa
The Tampa Bay Moms Blog is pleased to host the 1st Annual Holiday Bazaar at The Bob Sierra YMCA! We will have free childcare with Santa photos, games and activities for kids, raffle giveaways, and LOTS of vendors for shopping for the Holidays! Pet adoptions will be on the pool deck, free food and drinks for all attendees, and so much more! A portion of all proceeds will be donated back to the YMCA Annual Giving Campaign by the Tampa Bay Moms Blog. Get your Tickets here!
Shows
The Nutcracker presented by Brandon Ballet | Saturday, December 9, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, December 10, 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. |Riverview High School, 11311 Boyette Rd., Riverview
A local tradition returns when Brandon Ballet presents the stirring holiday classic. New choreography set to the enduring music of Tchaikovsky will have visions of sugar plums dancing in your heads.
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live | Saturday, December 16 – 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. | Capitol Theatre, Downtown Clearwater
Your childhood favorite Christmas special comes to life on stage! The classic Vince Guaraldi music that you know and love is the backdrop as Charlie Brown and the gang learn what Christmas is all about.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical | Friday, December 22, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. | Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
First a song, then a beloved animated TV special, and now a colorful stage show that “practically transports audience members into the television special.” Costumed characters and the tunes you grew up with bring the story of that little reindeer to life.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” | Friday, December 17, 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. | Amalie Arena, Tampa
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra brings its holiday spectacle back to Tampa Bay with a newly updated stage show that will thrill you with its “Rock Opera” sounds of the season.
Theme Parks and Beyond
Walt Disney World | Lake Buena Vista
The Most Magical Place on Earth celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom; Epcot International Festival of the Holidays; the brand new Sunset Seasons Greetings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; and holiday shopping, dining and the festive Christmas Tree Trail at Disney Springs.
Christmas Town | Select dates from November 19 through December 31 | Busch Gardens Tampa
Tampa Bay’s new holiday tradition, Christmas Town is a sparkling festival of Christmas cheer, with shows, shopping, and lots of lights. Meet Santa Claus and characters from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Universal Orlando Resort | Orlando
Universal Orlando steps up its holiday game this year with a brand new Wizarding World of Harry Potter Christmas experience. The Macy’s Parade returns this year, as does the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular.
Christmas in the Wild | Lowry Park Zoo | Tampa
The Zoo is ready for Christmas with 18 nights of holiday lights, seasonal treats, and a visit with Santa Claus.
Gaylord Palms ICE! | Gaylord Palms Resort | Kissimmee
The Gaylord Palms Resort decks the halls…and the walls…and the floors…and pretty much everything else with holiday spirit. Part of the hotel’s incredible Christmas celebration is ICE!, a hands-on winter wonderland featuring ice slides, sculptures, interactive Christmas displays and more.