The holidays are upon us, which means it won’t be cold, but there will be millions of twinkly lights, and Tampa Bay has some good ones. Since not all displays are equal, here are a few of the better spots to get into the holiday spirit this season.
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
10165 McKinley Dr., Tampa
Nightly through Jan. 5
Busch Gardens will be fully-dazzled with millions of lights, tons of Christmas-themed events, seasonal treats and booze, holiday shows, character encounters and more, says the park. Classic favorites are returning, like Santa’s North Pole Experience, Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland, the Holly Jolly Express, Elmo’s Christmas Wish show, Christmas on Ice, and a nightly Holiday in the Sky fireworks experience. This year, the park is adding a few new additions, including a gingerbread cookie decorating station, new Christmas Town craft cocktails, and nightly rides along the Skyride, which will be decked out with twinkly lights. Christmas Town festivities are free with park admission.
Photo via Busch Gardens/Website Credit: Photo via Busch GardensPirate Water Taxi River of Lights
333 S Franklin St., Tampa
Nov. 29 – Dec. 30
The Pirate Taxi will be cruising around providing views of holiday decorations along the water in downtown Tampa. For this year’s “River of Lights,” guests can expect plenty of holiday displays, story-telling, an elf host, beer and wine for purchase, and a snow flurry finale. Tickets start at $25 for kids and $35 for adults, and children will receive a holiday gift during the ride.
Photo via Pirate Water Taxi/Facebook Credit: Photo via Pirate Water Taxi/FacebookWinter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa
Nov. 2 – Jan. 5
Featuring an elevated 360-Degree Light Show, ice skating, curling and a massive pop-up market, Winter Village has just about everything. Entry to the area is free, but ice skating for 90 minutes will cost $17 per ice skater for all ages. The Winter Village Express, a TECO Line Streetcar taking riders from Winter Village to Ybor and back, will feature sing-along songs, holiday trivia and milk and cookies, costing $10 for persons one years and older.
Photo via Winter Village/Facebook Credit: Photo via Winter Village/FacebookChick-fil-A light display
6299 W Waters Ave.,Tampa
Nov. 22 – Jan. 4
An iconic Tampa tradition, the Chick-fil-A on Waters Ave has displayed millions of Christmas lights every year for over two decades. It honestly doesn’t feel like Christmas until you experience the drive-thru and grab a lil spicy chicken sandwich on the way out.
Photo via Chick-fil-A Credit: Photo via Chick-fil-AHoliday Lighted Boat Parade at Tampa Riverwalk
Downtown Tampa
Dec. 21
Beginning at 6:15 p.m. at the southern tip of Davis Islands, traveling through the Convention Center basin and the Heights, and turning around at Sparkman Wharf, this parade features registered boaters who will all receive prizes for their holiday-themed vessels.
Photo via Tampa River Walk/WebsiteHoliday Lights & Carnival Rides in Largo Central Park
101 Central Park Dr., Largo
Nov. 28 – Dec. 29
Admission to the 70-acre park, featuring over two million twinkly lights, is free, but the ferris wheel and carousel will cost you. Rides are $6 a piece, or $50 for ten rides. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, as well.
Photo via City of Largo/Facebook Credit: Photo via City of Largo/FacebookChristmas in the Wild at ZooTampa
1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa
Nov. 29 – Dec. 23
ZooTampa is once again hosting “Christmas in the Wild” on select dates, so be sure to check the website to see the calendar. Guests can expect holiday light shows, animal sculptures throughout the parks and three brand new exhibits, “The Realm of the Nutcracker,” “Mrs. Claus Storytime” and “The Forest of Fantasy.”
Photo via ZooTampa/Website Credit: Photo via ZooTampaSnow Place Like Tarpon Springs
Downtown Tarpon Springs
Dec. 6
From 5 – 10 p.m., Tarpon Springs is hosting a Christmas celebration with an illuminated boat parade at 8:00pm, a tree lighting at 6 p.m. and festivities for the whole family, like falling snow, a snow slide, an outdoor movie and more.
Photo via Tarpon Chamber of Commerce/WebsiteFestival of Lights and Santa’s Village at Hillsborough County Fairgrounds
215 Sydney Washer Rd., Dover
Nov. 28 – Dec. 29
This annual family favorite event features a nearly two-mile long continuous drive through holiday lights, followed by Santa’s village at the end, including rides, an inflatable snow tube, festive lights and holiday treats, as well as live music on select nights and a new “Santa’s Winter Woodland” attraction. Prices start at $25 per car for just the drive-thru, and $30 per car when the village is open, with season passes available for purchase.
Photo via Festival of Lights/Website Credit: Photo via Festival of LightsCelebration of Lights at The Concourse
11919 Alric Pottberg Rd., Shady Hills
Now through Dec. 30
This event is only occurring on select dates throughout November and December, so be sure to check the website for details! Featuring a walk-through Christmas light display and a chance to meet Santa in the North Pole, Celebration of Lights is also hosting a $3 train ride running from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Photo via Celebration of Lights at The Concourse/Facebook Credit: Celebration of Lights at The Concourse/FacebookOakdale Christmas Light Display
2719 Oakdale St. S, St. Petersburg
Nov. 29 – Jan. 3
This free event features a half-acre Christmas light display, as well as a 70-foot-tall Christmas tree. There will also be a 18 train railroad with 16 carnival rides. Make sure to check out the talking and dancing life-sized snowman, and an animated-talking Teddy bear
Photo via Oakdale Christmas Display/Website Credit: Photo via Oakdale Christmas Display/WebsiteRedington Beach and Indian Shores Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Redington Beach
Dec. 15
Redington Beach and Indian Shores are teaming up for this year’s Holiday Lighted Boat Parade. Be sure to check out the website for updates as they come out.
Photo via Redington Beach and Indian Shores Holiday Lighted Boat Parade/FacebookThe Wonderland of Lights & America’s Christmas Village
1052 US-92, Auburndale
Nov. 28 – Dec. 29
This drive-thru event features thousands of holiday lights, as well as food, family activities, and an opportunity to see Santa. Tickets cost $25, and there’s also an “Enchanted Elf” 3D glasses option for $5 more (not including fees).
Photo via Wonderland of Lights/Website96th Annual Santa Parade & Tree Lighting
North Straub Park, St. Petersburg
Nov. 30
Starting at Albert Whitted Park at 6:30 p.m. and ending at North Straub Park for the annual Downtown St. Petersburg Christmas Tree Lighting, this annual parade is free to attend and features Santa, parade floats and lots of holiday lights.
Photo via St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation/Facebook Credit: Photo via St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation/FacebookHoliday Lights & Carnival Rides in Largo Central Park
Largo Central Park, Largo
Nov. 28 – Dec. 29
From 5 – 10 p.m. every night this season, walk through over two million LED holiday lights, and enjoy activities like a Ferris wheel and carousel, a campfire and food. Park admission is free, with rides costing $6 each. Food and beverages are available for purchase throughout the park.
Photo via Visit St. Pete-Clearwater/WebsiteFriends of the Riverwalk: Holiday Spectacular
Tampa Riverwalk
Nov. 29 – Jan. 2
Watch holiday lights and displays float through the Hillsborough River with synchronized music, at the Riverwalk. Some floats and attractions include a 30-foot tall Christmas tree, a 22-foot pirate ship, trees throughout Water Works Park lit up and a holiday selfie station.
Photo via Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk/WebsiteHolidays at LEGOLAND
1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven
Nov. 29 – Dec. 31
Legoland is celebrating the holiday season and all attendees can join the fun with dance parties, writing letters to the North Pole, competing in Santa’s toy-building competition and checking out the park’s Christmas tree, made of over 300,000 LEGOs.
Photo courtesy of LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
