The most festive things to do in Tampa Bay this holiday season

Busch Gardens Christmas Town

10165 N McKinley Dr. Tampa, FL
November 16 – January 6
Included with daily admission, Fun cards and annual passes, Busch Gardens Christmas Town features the Sing-Along Train, visits from Santa and his reindeers, ice-skating performances, contemporary Christian gospel concerts and a whole lot more for the family to enjoy. Tickets start at $84.99 for single day admission.

Photo via buschgardens.com

Walk down S. Boulevard in Hyde Park

Tampa Heights/ Hyde Park
Ongoing
This South Tampa neighborhood has been doing the most when it comes to holiday lights. This could be your new jogging path for the next few weeks (if the lights and endorphins don’t get you in the Christmas spirit, then you’re just cold). Seems that all the neighbors are in cahoots when it comes to decorating, and for that, we’re thankful.

Photo via Adobe Images

Snowfest

400 Bayshore Dr NE, St. Petersburg
December 7
Activities include big-kid and kiddie toboggan slides, art tent, karaoke, inflatables, Nomad Art Bus, food trucks and more. Teens can stop by TASCO’s Teen Area to play video games, charge their phones (because, teens), listen to holiday hits and get some quality time with their friends. Wristbands are $5.

Photo via Adobe Images

Christmas Light Display

2719 Oakdale St S. St. Petersburg, FL
November 29 – January 3
What was once just a decorated house with lights and ornaments soon turned into an entire yard dedicated to Christmas. A woman turned her yard into a holiday light show that now offers hot chocolate and other sweets; it’s also attracted the likes of HGTV and NBC’s “Today Show.” The event is so big — probably because it's free — that cops come to help regulate the crowds.

Photo via Google Images

Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl in Ybor

1707 N. 17th St., Ybor City
November 27
It has been said that the day before Thanksgiving is when the most alcohol is consumed, and the Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl is helping locals live up to that. Start at First Chance Last Chance and make your way around Ybor City haunts to get absolutely hammered before Turkey Day. Might ease some of that anxiety of reuniting with extended family. Utilize your ridesharing app that night, OK?

Photo via Adobe Images

parkCINEMA

600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa
November 23 - 30
Free events are ideal for the holidays, especially when all of your money is getting sucked into gifting and those plane tickets to estranged loved ones you’ve been avoiding for the other 364 days of the year. Anyway, Tampa Theatre is hooking your family up with a free screening of the new animated version of “The Grinch” (Benedict Cumberbatch, 2018) on November 23, followed by The Muppet Christmas Carol on November 30. Bring a blanket, chairs, whatever you need to get comfortable and cuddle up with the fam.

Photo via Universal Studios

The Victorian Christmas Stroll

401 W. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL
November 23 – December 22
If you’ve ever wondered what a Victorian Christmas looked like, Tampa’s Henry B. Plant Museum has got you covered. Equipped with Christmas trees ranging in height from a few inches to more than 14 feet, 40,000 lights, hundreds of feet of garland, and tons of antique decor, this Museum will take you on a stroll through Christmases past. Oh, and complimentary cider and cookies.

Photo via Adobe Images

Cut your own tree at Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest

35317 Huff Rd, Eustis, FL
November 23 – December 22
Although it’s a bit of a drive from the Tampa area, making a family trek out to Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest is a must this season. The closest thing to a literal winter wonderland in Florida, this destination features hayrides, holiday-themed photo ops, horse rides , corn mazes, zip-lining, a petting zoo, and of course, choosing your own fresh Christmas tree. Get your tickets now, they always sell out.

Photo via Santa’s Farm/Facebook

River of Lights Cruises

333 S Franklin St, Tampa, FL
November 29 - December 31
Bundle up and hop aboard this 45-minute pirate cruise along the Hillsborough River because it’s time to get a little corny with the kids and sing Christmas carols, snag a commemorative photo and even sip on some booze along the way to make it a little more bearable (while the kids munch on holiday cookies and chug hot chocolate).

Photo via piratewatertaxi.com

Enchant Christmas

Tropicana Field St. Petersburg, FL
November 22 – December 29
The world’s largest Christmas maze is coming to St. Pete and it's bringing a whole lot with it. Enchanting features include a variety of activities for the family to enjoy, from the light maze to the Christmas market. Vendors, sweets and an ice skating trail to top it all off. Tickets start at $14.99.

Photo via stpete.enchantchristmas.com

Cirque Musica Presents Holiday Wishes

401 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL
December 18
Amalie Arena host this musical-meets-Christmas-meets-circus event on December 18, properly titled Cirque Musica Presents Holiday Wishes. The night will be full of acrobatics, dancing, aerialists — all accompanied by a full symphony orchestra. So if traditional holiday celebration isn’t your thing, this exciting performance is perfect for some Christmas-lite cheer.

Photo via cirquemusica.com

Holiday in the Gardens

12520 Ulmerton Rd., Largo
November 24 - January 4
Over a million LED lights will be strung across the Florida Botanical Gardens, including the annual return of the snowman family which calls for an obligatory photo session. On a nightly basis, you can expect live performances. Date night material, people. Not to mention the insane amount of plants and flowers which are littered throughout the space. You might even want to come back in the daytime for floral views. $5 suggested donation, 12 and under free.

Photo via flbgfoundation.org

Holiday Fantasy of Lights

Tradewinds Park, 3600 West Sample Road, Coconut Creek, FL
November 27 – December 31
Take a carload of your friends and family across the state to Coconut Creek this season to experience one of Florida’s best holiday light shows. This year happens to be the 25th anniversary of the Holiday Fantasy of Lights, and they’re doing it even bigger than usual. Three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees are on deck along with a larger-than-ever blending of favorites from shows past, and the excitement of new creations by Brandano Displays.

Photo via Holiday Fantasy of Lights/Facebook

Holiday Lighted Boat Parade

333 S Franklin St, Tampa, FL
December 21
Yacht Starship’s two-and-a-half-hour boat ride departing from downtown Tampa, will give passengers an intimate, first-hand glance at the Downtown Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade. Although the party keeps going after the boat parade, with a buffet dinner, DJ entertainment, and dancing on the top deck — if you like to celebrate your holidays in a posh, seaside manor.

Photo via yachtstarship.com

Winter’s Wonderland

249 Windward Passage Clearwater, FL
November 16 – January 6
Live in the ocean this winter without actually freezing your ass off. Winter’s Wonderland offers guests the chance to hang out with Winter the dolphin and experience holiday-themed habitats. The kids can also spend the afternoon interacting with Santa and his elves as they dive in and out of the waters of Mavis’s Rescue Hideaway. Go H.A.M. by booking a Sea of Lights boat cruise for $25.98.

Photo via SeeWinter/Facebook

Skip the cooking and check out a local resto for Thanksgiving

Various Locations
November 28
There’s a plethora of great Bay area restaurants open for Thanksgiving, if the hours it takes to prep a Thanksgiving meal isn’t exactly your thing. You can drink at eat out of the comfort of your living room at countless restaurants and upscale hotels like Rusty Pelican Restaurant, FarmTable Cucina, Chief’s Creole Café and the Don CeSar, just to name a few. A full list of restaurants cooking it up on Thanksgiving is in this holiday section (just turn a few pages).

Photo via 4 Rivers Smokehouse/Facebook

Ybor Snow on 7th Parade

1600 E 8th Ave, Tampa, FL
December 14
The Ybor City Chamber hosts its 8th Annual Snow on 7th Parade featuring 10 middle and high school marching bands, local dance teams and krewes so have your camera ready. Mayor Jane Castor will be in attendance alongside Santa Claus. This family-friendly event kicks off at 6 p.m. and runs throughout the evening, so wear your comfortable shoes and bring a lawn chair.

Photo via ybor.org

Santa’s already at Westshore

250 WestShore Plaza, Tampa, FL
November 18 – 24
For about a week, Westshore Mall is having the big fat man come through and spread some holiday spirit. Pulling up at 6 p.m. and leaving at 8 p.m. Santa will be in the mall handing out hugs and joy, and no, he’s not charging for visits (but it does cost money to take a picture home).

Photo via WestShore Plaza/Facebook

Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park

600 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL
November 22 – January 5
Curtis Hixon Park in Downtown Tampa transforms into a winter wonderland with ice skating, winter-themed shops, and a holiday-themed cafe. The Winter Express — an hour-long excursion filled with family fun and holiday trivia — will also make its way from Downtown’s Whiting Station to Ybor and back on the TECO Line Streetcar track. If you’re not savvy enough to actually ice skate, drinking hot cocoa riverside watching all the winter-esque fun is certainly festive enough.

Photo via Winter Village Tampa/Facebook

ZooTampa Christmas in the Wild

1101 W. Sligh Ave. Tampa, FL
November 29 – December 23
With over 12,000 lights, 2,000 ornaments, and an eight-ft star all atop a 50-foot Christmas tree, is just one of the many attractions at Zoo Tampa Christmas in the Wild. This winter wonderland — which begins at 4 p.m. every night and general admission tickets starting at $26.95 — also features animal attractions such as mingling with furry creatures and tasting delectable treats.

Photo via Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park/Facebook