Christmas Tree Lighting and Ornament Sale
Hyde Park Cafe, decorated with a 20-foot Christmas tree, sells white, personalized ornaments that anyone can come buy and hang on the tree. Each ornament costs a minimum donation of $5 to benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. Dec. 12-21, 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Hyde Park Cafe, 1806 Platt W., Tampa. 813-254-2233.
Holiday Film Series: A Christmas Carol
Watch the 1938 film version of A Christmas Carol, starring Reginald Owen and Gene Lockhart. It's one of the best adaptations of the Dickens classic. Sun., Dec. 22, 3 p.m. Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St., Tampa. 813-274-8981.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
The big mouse throws a holiday party like nobody's business. Actually, it is the business of Walt Disney Co. (nyse: DIS). Make Disney's chairman and chief executive officer Michael Eisner some more money and enjoy a Christmas parade, fireworks and snow falling on Main Street, U.S.A., all the while sipping hot cocoa and eating Christmas cookies. The party takes place from 7 p.m. to midnight. Dec. 19; Dec. 20. Tickets cost $33.95-$38.95. Disney's Magic Kingdom, 1000 Buena Vista Blvd., Lake Buena Vista. 407-934-7639.
Now Snowing
Channelside has brought in a snow blower to flurry flakes all over the courtyard while The Dickens Carolers sing holiday tunes. Dec. 12-31, 6-9 p.m. Channelside, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa. 813-223-4250.
Nutcracker
The Largo Cultural Center's Children's Series presents a lively musical version of The Nutcracker Suite. Sat., Dec. 21, 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Tickets cost $6.50. Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive, Largo. 727-587-6793.
Nutcracker on Ice *
Visions of sugar plums glide across the ice as the Florida Orchestra, together with the Russian State Ice Ballet, mounts a magical performance of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. Dec. 21, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.; Dec. 22, 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. Tickets are $20-$38, and half-price for ages 12 and under. Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg. 813-286-2403 or 800-662-7286.
Radio Disney Holiday Kids Karaoke
Kids perform holiday karaoke and receive giveaways from Radio Disney. Sat., Dec. 21, 1 p.m. Centro Ybor, 16th St. and Eighth Ave., Ybor City. 813-242-4660.
Santa Kids can come sit on Santa's lap, get their pictures taken and tell Saint Nick what they want for Christmas. And on Mondays, Santa habla espanol. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sundays, 12-6 p.m. Continues through Dec. 24. Photos with Santa cost $10.99 and up. (Same rate for English-speaking and Spanish-speaking Santa). International Plaza, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa. 813-342-3780.
Victorian Christmas Stroll *
Experience the Tampa Bay Hotel as it was during the holidays of the 1900s. Every room is lavishly decorated with trees, greenery, toys and ornaments. Soloists and ensembles perform seasonal music nightly. Dec. 12-23, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Admission costs $8, $3 for kids 12 and younger. The Henry B. Plant Museum, University of Tampa, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 813-254-1891.
Wild Wonderland *
The annual Wild Wonderland winter festival features real snow, a Zoo-wide Christmas lights display, Santa's Magic Castle and, of course, all the animals up past their usual bedtimes. Dec. 12-23, 6-9 p.m. Admission costs $8.50, $6.50 for kids 3-11. Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa. 813-935-8552.
Winter Wonderland
Weeki Wachee holds its first holiday program in more than 10 years. Trek up there for shows such as Tails of Christmas Mermaid, Holiday Horse Play and Magic of Illusions. Dec. 20-21, 6-10 p.m. Admission costs $7.95, $6.95 for kids 3-10. Weeki Wachee Springs, 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. 877-469-3354.Benefits & FundraisersBackpack Project The Backpack Project needs backpacks. Donate your old college text transporter. It's a good cause. The backpacks are to be filled with warm clothes and distributed to the homeless in downtown Tampa on Dec. 23. Dec. 12-20, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. A-Ability Medical Equipment, 4010 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa. 813-620-4475.
Benefit Exhibit for Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary
Three Bay area photographers show their work. Keni Lee of Seminole exhibits Photographic Artistry for the Soul. Bill and Irene Krammer exhibit a potpourri of images. Dec. 13-28. The Packinghouse Gallery, 10900 Oakhurst Road, Largo. 727-596-7822.
Hospice Gift Wrap
The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast volunteers wrap gifts and collect donations. Dec. 13-24. Tyrone Square Mall, 6901 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-586-4432.
RCS Food Pantry
The Religious Community Services Food Pantry, which gives groceries to more than 3,000 people each month, is always in need of donations. To offer food or monetary gifts, contact RCS at 727-443-4031. Mon.-Sun.
Use Less Stuff Day
Sprint and Easter Seals of Tampa Bay have teamed up to celebrate national Use Less Stuff Day. Sprint encourages residents to recycle their old cell phones to benefit the local Easter Seals organization and folks living with disabilities. You can drop off phones at any Sprint store. Dec. 13-24. 954-839-3639.ChildrenChildren and Divorce Hillsborough Community College and the University of South Florida team up to teach parents how to ease stress and the effects of divorce on children. Weekly, four-hour courses take place at the USF-Tampa campus, and the HCC-Dale Mabry and Brandon campuses. The course costs $35. Call 813-253-7981 to register.
