If you’re looking for the twinkliest of lights in Tampa Bay, you have plenty of options. From boat parades, to parks covered in fake snow and entire neighborhoods that go all out with laser shows, here are some of the best ways to experience Christmas lights this year around Tampa Bay.

Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park 600 N Ashley Dr, Tampa Nov. 20 – Jan. 3 Head to Curtis Hixon to experience the only outdoor ice skating rink in Tampa and take in the views of Downtown Tampa and the Hillsborough River. The area will be covered with Christmas lights and other festive decor. Ice skating tickets cost $15 a person and online registration is required. Photo via Visit Tampa Bay/Twitter
Busch Gardens Christmas Town 10165 N McKinley Dr. Tampa Nov. 20 – Jan. 3 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. This year festivities have been adapted to be open-air for safety. Tickets start at $63.99 for single day admission and advance registration is required. Photo via Busch Gardens Tampa Bay/Facebook
River of Lights Holiday Cruises 333 S Franklin St, Tampa Select dates in November and December, check website for details Captain Jack II will be operating at 50% capacity for this year’s water taxi tour of Holiday lights. Take in the sights of Downtown Tampa’s seasonal decorations and lights and get a visit from a jolly pirate elf. There will of course be sing-a-longs, snow flurries and letters to write to Santa. Tickets start at $25 for adults and $20 for children. Photo via Pirate Water Taxi/Facebook
St. Pete Holiday Events Locations vary, visit website for more details Dates vary, visit website for more details The City of St. Petersburg is hosting a whole slew of winter events this year. Visit Santa at North Straub Park, watch a free drive-in holiday movie at Crescent Lake Park and take a stroll along the waterfront for festive light displays and decorations. Be sure to swing by Vinoy Park to see the giant greeting card made by volunteers at local recreation centers. Photo via St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation
Sylvan Ramble Lights 4412 W Sylvan Ramble St, Tampa Every Friday and Saturday in December Visit the computerized light show in South Tampa to see over 200,000 individually controllable channels of lights, fountains, smoke effects and moving props. Sylvan Ramble Lights chooses a cause to support each year, this time supporting local charity Clothes To Kids. Photo via Screengrab via Sylvan Lights/Facebook
Oakdale Christmas House 2719 Oakdale St. S, St. Petersburg Nov. 27 – Jan. 3 Dubbed “one of the top displays in the nation,” by ESPN, the Oakdale Christmas House is an enormous display taking up half an acre and featuring hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights, a 70-foot tall Christmas tree and a manger scene with over 150 pieces. The display is free to the public. Photo via christmasdisplay.org
Pirate Christmas 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa Select dates in November and December, check website for details Set sail aboard the Lost Pearl from Sparkman Wharf for a festive ride. A Pirate’s Christmas cruise will pass Holiday Island where participants will get a look at Tampa’s largest floating Christmas tree. The ride will feature sing-a-longs, letters to Santa, games, facepainting and a cash bar. Tickets cost $25 plus a $2 marine fee for adults and $20 plus a $2 marine fee for kids ages two through 12. Photo via Pirate Ship Tampa/Facebook
The Wonderland of Lights & Santa’s Village Now-Dec. 27 15 Sydney Washer Rd., Dover The Wonderland of Lights & Santa’s Village is celebrating five years as with a COVID-19 safe way to celebrate the holiday. Visitors will drive through over a mile of lights and holiday displays all from the safety of your own car. You can also stop by Santa’s Village every weekend and indulge in fair-type foods, entertainment and even meet Santa. Photo via Wonderland of Lights/Facebook
Holiday Spectacular along the Riverwalk Tampa Riverwalk, Tampa Nov. 26 – Jan. 2 Tampa Riverwalk displays will include a 35-foot tall LED lighted Christmas tree that floats in the water, and other lighted displays floating on barges in the river. Establishments like restaurants and hotels along the water are joining in on the fun and will have their own lighted displays. Photo via City of Tampa
Holiday Lights in Largo Central Park 101 Central Park Dr., Largo Nov. 26 – Jan. 3 Festivities at Largo Central Park include a walking light display with over a million LED lights, local food vendors and a ferris wheel. The event is completely free and a ride on the ferris wheel costs $5. The park asks visitors to practice social distancing while walking throughout the park. Photo via City of Largo/Facebook
The Concourse Celebration of Lights 111919 Alric Pottberg Rd., Shady Hills Dates vary, Check website for details For just $20 a car, the whole family can take a drive through The Concourse property. It will be decorated with lights and will feature a drive-thru wave to Santa and a ride on the miniature Holiday Train, which runs on Fridays and Saturdays during the event. Photo via The Concourse/Facebook
The Lights of Lake Park Estates Now-Jan. 6 Lake Park Dr., Seminole Benefiting Suncoast Hospice and Empath Health, this 27-years-running display finds homes in Lake Park Estates, Wieker, Lakeside Estates, and Lake Seminole Village, generously decorated and combined for over 3.0 miles of lights. Donations are accepted at the Suncoast Hospice Cart located along the route. To keep visitors safe, there will be no pedestrian traffic allowed. Photo via The Lights of Lake Park Estates/Facebook
Tampa’s Chick-Fil-A Lights 6299 W. Waters Ave., Tampa Beginning Nov. 23 The annual light display at the Chick-Fil-A on Waters is basically an institution in itself. This year things are scaled back a bit, but those going through the drive-thru can still expect to see lights as well as an unnamed surprise. A QR code will also be present with a special message from Santa. And there’s still Chick-n-Minis, so… you know. Photo via chick-fil-a.com
Wesley Chapel Holiday Tree and Light Display Through Jan. 3 5268 Village Market Dr., Wesley Chapel With a display of over 1,000,000 lights, Wesley Chapel’s Tree and Light Display will feature carnival rides, live music, and an opportunity for kids to meet Santa. At over 20 acres, there will be plenty of room for social distancing, and children under 4 can get in for free. There’s a plethora of options for ticket prices as well, so check out their website for more info. Photo via Wesley Chapel Holiday Tree and Light Display/Facebook
The Christmas Trail 2837 S Frontage Rd, Plant City Dec. 11 – Dec. 23 This holiday trail in Plant City is offering a bevvy of festive activities, including a Christmas Tree Light Show, a Jack Frost Ice Show, and a ‘Naughty or Nice’ – Christmas Escape Game. An assortment of concessions, like marshmallows and hot chocolate, will be offered along the walking trail. Tickets are going for $15. Photo via The Christmas Trail/Facebook
Treasure Island’s Lighted Boat Parade 400 Treasure Island Causeway, Treasure Island Dec. 5 A perfect event for those looking to get on the water, Treasure Island’s Lighted Boat Parade is the biggest of its kind in Tampa Bay. Boats will start from The Club at Treasure Island and eventually make their way to John’s Pass. Photo via Visit St. Pete Clearwater/YouTube
Raprager Farms Festival of Lights 16907 Boy Scout Rd., Odessa Select dates from Dec. 3 – 30 This family farm in Odessa is putting on its own Festival of Lights, with tickets coming in at $15 for adults and $10 for kids. The festival will be open from Thursday to Sunday during the dates listed above. Explore the rest of the farm while you’re there – hop on a hayride wagon, meet farm animals, and get lost in a massive corn pit. Photo via Adobe
Safety Harbor’s Harbor Holiday Nights 1562 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, Safety Harbor Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 Come through to Folly Farms one of six available days this December. Enjoy lights, holiday activities, a campfire, and more! The nights are free for all ages, but you must register beforehand, as only 50 people will be allowed in the park at a time. Photo via Adobe
Holiday Lighted Boat Parade Tampa Riverwalk, Tampa Dec. 19 Visit the Riverwalk for a festive boat parade starting at 6:30 at the Convention Center. Boat registration costs $50 and trophies will be awarded to first, second and third best decorations in two categories. Viewing is completely free. Photo via City of Tampa
Hyde Park Village Square 1602 W. Snow Ave, Tampa N/A Hyde Park is six city blocks of beloved local shops, restaurants, and indie brands, and this year you should be on the lookout for their holiday festivities. Decorations have already gone up, and announcements will be coming soon on what to expect. Photo via Hyde Park Village/Facebook