Holiday Events

The annual "Holiday Lights in the Gardens" is a seasonal escape into a wonderland of twinkling lights and fun entertainment. Over 1 million LED lights shining throughout our Botanical Gardens highlighting our plants and in nature-themed or holiday-themed light displays. This is a family-friendly event with nightly entertainment, including visits with Santa. Refreshments are available, as well as Holiday-themed gifts at the Botanical Bounty Gift Shop. The event begins at 5:30 pm and a $4 suggested donation is encouraged for entry. 

Head to Busch Gardens for some great thrill rides and to see the park transform into a holiday wonderland of Christmastime entertainment, holiday shoppings and more than a million twinkling lights! Santa will be available to take photos and the park will be open until 10 p.m.

The art festival transforms South Straub Park into an outdoor gallery of original and handmade art created by extraordinary works in painting, sculpture, jewelry, glass, ceramics, fiber and wearable art, photography, digital art, mixed-media, metalwork, woodworking and more.  Enjoy a diversity of styles and materials within each art medium. Whether for yourself or as gifts for friends and loved ones, you will find exceptional works of art at all price points. This outdoor art show is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. Bring your sense of discovery and appreciation for the beautiful!

Head over to Main Street in Safety Harbor for amazing floats, old fashioned cars & a visit from Santa himself! The free fun starts at 1 p.m.

Feel the funky beat and shop for unique treasures during this bi-monthly event held in downtown Gulfport from 6-10 p.m. every first Friday and third Saturday. Over 35 locally owned boutiques and artists line the streets along with live musicians to keep you movin'. Don't miss the opportunity to dine at one of the area's delicious restaurants or belly up to the bar for a cocktail or two.

Bring a blanket to enjoy a movie in the park, play in the snow or take a stroll around beautiful Largo Central Park to gaze at the holiday displays featuring over one million LED lights. Enjoy a snow zone and a visit from Santa from 6:30-9:30pm. This event is FREE. Limited on-site parking for $10 will be available, along with free park and walk from Largo Middle School. Largo Central Park is located at 101 Central Park Drive.

The world's most loved five–man contemporary pop vocal phenomenon Rockapella returns to the Capitol Theatre at 7:30 p.m. for a must see holiday show! With their completely original take on the holidays, Rockapella creates a light-hearted and unforgettable holiday experience as they travel the country spreading musical holiday cheer.

This spirited performance practically transports audience members into the television special (that originally aired in 1964) as songs drive the plot while familiar and nostalgic set design with projections, costumes and characters are brought to the stage.

Walk along the waterfront and browse hand crafted items from local artists such as quilts, blown glass,  holiday ornaments, pottery, jewelry and more. Located at Coachman Park in downtown Clearwater from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

The seventh year for the Black Friday alternative event brings double the fun with two days of shopping local at more than 100 independent vendors and galleries with specials, food, children's entertainment, a gift wrapping area, beer tent, raffles and special surprises. Shop til you drop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Straub Park in St. Pete. Part 2 takes place Nov. 25. 

The seventh year for the Black Friday alternative event brings double the fun with two days of shopping local at more than 100 independent vendors and galleries with specials, food, children's entertainment, a gift wrapping area, beer tent, raffles and special surprises. Shop til you drop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Straub Park in St. Pete. Click here for more information. 

The City of Oldsmar is transforming R.E. Olds Park into a Christmas Wonderland Friday, from 6 pm – 9 pm! There will be a giant snow slope, inflatables, pictures with Santa, concessions, and a showing of the Christmas classic, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Don't miss this free, family friendly festive celebration!

Bring out the family and friends to enjoy the lighting of Safety Harbor's giant Christmas tree. Choirs will warm up the crowd for a visit from Santa Claus. The fun starts at 11 a.m. at the John Wilson Park Gazebo.

Venture out to downtown Tarpon Springs for a great free holiday event! The event will have a snow play area, music, children's activities and a visit with Santa himself. The fun takes place from 5-10 p.m. on Tarpon Avenue. 

Vessels will proceed down the Anclote River and into the bayous where Santa will give out treats. Your best bet for viewing these holiday decorated vessels is from Craig Park/Spring Bayou. The event is free and boats are expected to enter Spring Bayou around 8 p.m. 

Explore 15,000 sq feet of vintage treasure finds at this monthly market in St. Pete! This true vendor-run market has an amazing variety and selection of vintage items unlike anywhere else. Grab your next vintage find the first weekend of each month from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday at 2200 2nd Ave S in St. Pete.

Shop small this year at this open air showcase of over 100 local and traveling makers, artists and creatives! Handmade goods, plants, upcyled furniture, indie home design, vintage clothing, organic body care, prints and greeting cards, leather, coffee and more! The family and pet friendly fun goes down from 6-9 p.m. on Baum Ave, next to Green Bench Brewery in St. Pete. 

This free and family-friendly festival will transform downtown Clearwater's Cleveland Street into a holiday wonderland complete with falling snow, a skating rink, horse and carriage rides, pictures with Santa, carolers from the Clearwater Chorus, a giant gingerbread house, face painting and a balloon artist, inflatables and more. Children will also be able to phone Santa's Elves in the North Pole to share their Christmas wish list. Join the fun from 5-10 p.m. 

After the Annual Tarpon Springs Christmas Parade in downtown Tarpon Springs (approximately 11:30 a.m.), stick around and head to Craig Park for the annual Candy Cane Hunt. Children up to age 12 can hunt for the lucky candy cane. There will also be crafts, music and a visit from Santa. Free for whole family!

This annual holiday parade weaves through downtown Tarpon Springs starting at 10 a.m. Parade route: starts at Manatee Plaza and goes north on E. Lemon Street, then south on Ring Ave and finishes its last leg on Tarpon Ave. all the way to Spring Bayou. 

Holiday decorated boats will light up Tampa Bay near downtown St. Pete! The 30th annual parade hosted by the St. Pete Rotary Club will kick off at 6:30 pm. Parade-goers can get a good look all along the waterfront with the best spots will be near Albert Whitted Airport, Spa Beach, Vinoy Yacht Basin and Vinoy Park. Free and family-friendly! 

Ring in the holidays during Dunedin's annual waterfront celebration as boats parade through the Marina at approximately 7 pm. Enjoy holiday music and s'mores while waiting for Santa to arrive by boat and lead the countdown in the lighting of the City's Christmas tree. The event is free and takes place at Dunedin Marina / Edgewater Park. 

Stay tuned for the 2016 date! An annual Clearwater holiday event that's not to be missed! Festively decorated boats will parade past Coachman Park around 8 p.m. From there, the fleet will cruise under the Memorial Causeway Bridge turning into the Clearwater Marina Channel before navigating to the Clearwater Yacht Club. Free and family-friendly!

Join Santa along St. Pete Beach's parade route! The Parade starts at St. Pete Beach City Hall (155 Corey Ave) and heads west down Corey Ave, south on Blind Pass Rd, east on 73rd to Bay St and back to City Hall. Santa will finish the parade route at the St. Pete Beach Library (365 73rd Ave) to meet with all the Whos in Whoville. While at the library, enjoy Grinch themed crafts, face painting and light refreshments. An interactive holiday movie "The Grinch that Stole Christmas" will be shown at 11am.

Like Las Vegas on the water! This year's dazzling nautical spectacle features boats of all kinds making it the biggest lighted boat parade in Tampa Bay.  Boats will depart from The Club at Treasure Island at 6:20 p.m., sail past the Treasure Island Causeway Bridge at 7 p.m. and end at 8:15 p.m. at John's Pass. 

Festively decorated boats will meander through the intra-coastal waterways from the Tom Stuart Causeway to the "The Pub" restaurant in Indian Shores. The parade kicks off at 6 p.m. Free and family-friendly!

Boley Centers' 35th Annual Jingle Bell Run will take place on Wednesday, December 13 at 7:30 PM along St. Petersburg's magnificent waterfront! RSVP to the Facebook Event for updates on this year's details, registration process, and location.

Join the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for a splashingly great holiday celebration! Watch as the aquarium transforms into Winter's Wonderland between Nov 24 – Dec 23. Get your family photo taken with Winter Claus, experience Winter Wonderland with lights and décor all around, and watch special Santa dive presentation at Mavis's Rescue Hideaway. Learn about more CMA holiday fun.

Come celebrate the holidays at Pinellas Park's Holiday in the Park! This community-wide family event will feature children's games, entertainment, photos with Santa, hayrides, children's train ride and much more! The free event starts at 5:30 pm and takes place at England Brothers Park. 

Sunscreen and Cinema Squatch are bringing you this festive outdoor Christmas movie series at Williams Park! Come out and enjoy holiday music, trivia and swag, food trucks and vendors, and pull up a blanket or a lawn chair to watch Home Alone. The fun goes down at 5 pm and the movie will start at dusk. Visit their Facebook event for more info.

Sunscreen and Cinema Squatch are bringing you this festive outdoor Christmas movie series at Williams Park! Come out and enjoy holiday music, trivia and swag, food trucks and vendors, and pull up a blanket or a lawn chair to watch Elf. The fun goes down at 5 pm and the movie will start at dusk. Visit their Facebook event for more info.

Celebrate the holidays with your favorite pop and contemporary boy band, 98 Degrees! They will entertain fans at The Mahaffey Theater as part of a national tour for their new album "Let It Snow." Their critically-acclaimed "This Christmas" was a multi-platinum album. Show starts at 8 pm and tickets can be purchased here.

This annual event rich in Christmas tradition is the perfect way to bring holiday cheer! Watch as festive floats parade down the streets of Pinellas Park starting at 6 pm. Visit their website to view the spectator map and get more information.

It's time to get your holiday cheer in gear! Holiday Hoopla is a celebration of arts, crafts, foods, live music and roving holiday characters set in a waterfront atmosphere amid bright, twinkling, colorful lights. Stroll the decorated streets of Gulfport filled with talented exhibitors and unique shops. The festival will provide shoppers with one-of-a-kind gifts that cannot be found anywhere else, and all of your holiday shopping can be done in one place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Rally together for the most festive food truck rally of the year! Enjoy a gourmet food truck lineup, live music, and a visit from Santa Claus himself! The event goes down from 6 pm – 10 pm and is taking place at Albert Whitted Park. Visit their Facebook page for updates. 

Get ready for a festive silent disco at Flying Boat…ugly holiday sweater style! Dance and drink the night away in your favorite holiday attire, rock out to your choice of music ranging from classic rock to 80s and 90s dance, some sweet holiday jams, and more! $15 gets you a set of headphones for the night, a half pour of your favorite Flying Boat beer, and a raffle ticket for an awesome adventure! Visit the Facebook event page for more information and updates.

Join Mastry's Brewing Co. as they host their semi-annual fashion show supporting Angels Against Abuse. In partnership with Market Mafia, Winter Solstice Extravaganza and Fashion Show will feature both a day and night market, food truck, DJ, and interactive fashion show. Support local businesses and a great cause all in one night. This event is happening between 12 pm – 11pm. Follow their Facebook page for more details and event updates. 

Share the orchestra's tradition with family and friends, and get into the spirit of the season with everyone's favorite Christmas carols, yuletide tunes, musical chestnuts and more. Two shows take place at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on December 16 at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete. 

Singer and playwrite Lisa Rock and her 6-piece backing band are keeping The Carpenters' holiday traditions alive and bringing their unforgettable Christmas songs to stage at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Featuring songs from their two holiday albums and Christmas variety shows, this holiday concert is bound to spread joy and cheer to all. Tickets start at only $18 and can be purchased here.

Get into the holiday spirit with gingerbread men flipping, toy soldiers marching on thin wires and balancing snowmen in this heart pounding Cirque show! The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online here, http://tickets.themahaffey.com/single/SYOS.aspx?p=2365, or by calling (727) 893-7832.

Bring the whole family for a great Christmas celebration! The Moscow Ballet will be performing the Great Russian Nutcracker with two shows at  3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Watch as Indian Rocks Beach lights up as decorated boats parade through the waterways! The boat parade will launch Saturday evening, Dec 16 at 7 pm. Check out the parade route so you can start planning the best spot to watch the festive boats drive by.