Festivals/Events
Got Skills? 5 This MC/DJ battle invites all comers to test their skills against the rest and the best of the Bay area's B-boys and B-girls. So if you think your rhymes are so fresh or your cuts so clean, bring it. There's $1000 in cash and prizes for the winners of each element and giveaways all night from the event's sponsors: Urb Magazine, Ecko, Flavor Clothing Ybor and Digital Pimps Studios. Doors open at 9 p.m. Contestants must register by 11:30 p.m., the start time of the event. Fri., Dec. 21. Cover costs $7, $10 for registration. Orpheum, 1902 Eighth Ave. E., Ybor City. 813-248-9500.
Guided hike Grab the bug spray and a few good friends before heading out to Brooker Creek (Tarpon Springs) for a free guided tour of the grounds. Reservations are a must. Saturdays, 9-11 a.m. 813-943-4003.
Kwanzaa Feast Learn the seven principles of Nguza Saba at this celebration to commemorate Kwanzaa. The festivities include special dramatic performances, drumming, dance, make-and-take crafts and a cultural feast. Wed., Dec. 26, 7:30 p.m. $15. Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-822-3590.
Season's Greetings Garden Tour Horticulturist Bill O'Grady shares his wealth of knowledge about hundreds of beautiful botanical plants in the gardens. The special holiday tour also includes a seasonal gift and refreshments. Dec. 22, 11:30 a.m.; Dec. 29, 11:30 a.m. Admission costs $7 for adults, $5 for ages 55 and up and $3 for ages 3 to 11. Sunken Gardens, 1825 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-551-3100.
Ybor City Fresh Market Inc. The market's up and running every Saturday. Drop by for a free glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice and check out all the produce and other nifty, gifty craft items the market has up for grabs. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Centennial Park, Eighth Avenue and 18th Street, Ybor City.Holiday20th Annual Victorian Christmas Stroll Experience the charm of a 19th century holiday at the old Tampa Bay Hotel during the museum's Victorian Christmas Stroll. Antique toys lie scattered about the museum and a lavishly decorated tree stands in every room. Complimentary cookies and cider are served on the veranda every day, and soloists and ensembles perform seasonal music nightly. Mon.-Sun., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Continues through Dec. 23. Admission costs $8 for adults, $3 for children. The Henry B. Plant Museum, University of Tampa, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 813-254-1891.
Christmas at Pinewood: Songs of the Season Pinewood, designed by architect Charles Waite, is on the National register of Historic Places and has been showcased in Home & Garden Television's Christmas Castles. Each of the Mediterranean Revival-style villa's 20 rooms are decorated to portray a favorite holiday song. Fine linens, intricate tile, antique furnishings, sterling silver and crystal adorn the rooms. Mon.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Continues through Jan. 7. Admission costs $11 for adults, $6 for children ages 5-12. Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales. 863-676-1408.
Cowboy Christmas Get your giddyup on at the In The Breeze Horseback Riding Ranch, celebrating the holidays with a Cowboy Light Spectacular Hayride. The ranch features horseback riding ($15 plus gratuity), pony rides ($2) and lots of baby animals, including goats, llamas and puppies. Dec. 22, 6 p.m.; Dec. 28, 6 p.m.; Dec. 29, 6 p.m. The hayride lasts a half-hour and costs $4 per person or $15 for five tickets. In The Breeze Horseback Riding Ranch, 7514 Gardner Road, Tampa. 813-264-1919.
The Nutcracker on Ice The Florida Orchestra and the Stars of the Russian State Ice Ballet perform this on-ice version of the beloved Tchaikovsky ballet. More than 30 skaters re-create the classic tale of Clara and her magical Nutcracker Prince — with lifts, spins and opera sets — on a professional ice rink. Dec. 22, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 23, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20, $29, $35 and $38 (half-price for children under 12). Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.
An Old-fashioned Christmas Three original Santa Claus stories, written by local author Joe Dunlap, are performed, and at the program's conclusion, the audience may speak with Santa himself, if they so wish. It's been Dunlap's custom to write a Christmas story every year for his children as they were growing up. The stories are meant to both entertain children and express a fondness for simpler times. Dec. 21, 7 p.m.; Dec. 22, 2 p.m. Admission costs $4. Royalty Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. 727-441-8868.
A Rockin' Christmas Don't step on Santa's blue suede boots. A Rockin' Christmas is a fun-filled, energetic rock 'n' roll cabaret featuring favorite holiday songs from the '50s and '60s, as well as today's new Christmas classics. Tue.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 4:30 p.m.; Sundays, 4 p.m. Continues through Dec. 23. Tickets cost $20.50 and $24.50. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827. Read a review of this show in this week's Performance column.