A Tampa Bay tradition, the Victorian Christmas Stroll at the Henry B. Plant Museum is currently celebrating its 26th year of time-honored extravagance. The annual holiday event transforms the historical museum into a festively bedecked Tampa Bay Hotel circa 1891, the halls decorated with all manner of lush and shimmering embellishments — from faux boughs of holly and light-threaded greenery to sumptuous silk hangings and twinkling ornaments — and each of the 14 exhibit rooms are marked by Victorian-styled trees and antique accessories. Complimentary spiced cider and cookies are served on the veranda, carolers sing around the Grand Hallway's 18-foot tree, and soloists and ensembles perform each evening.
The stroll kicks off this Saturday; proceeds support educational programming and the museum's restoration and preservation projects.
26th Annual Victorian Christmas Stroll, Dec. 1-23, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. $10 adults/$4 children 12 and younger (reduced admission Mon. and Tues., $6 adults/$3 children), 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-258-7302, plantmuseum.com.
This article appears in Nov 28 – Dec 4, 2007.