The best ways to see Christmas lights in Tampa Bay this holiday season

Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

10165 McKinley Dr., Tampa
Nov. 11-Jan. 7
Busch Gardens’ annual Christmas Town celebration is back, and features expansive holiday light shows, fireworks, train rides, up-close animal encounters, seasonal food options and a chance to meet Santa in his workshop, as well as a photo-op with Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer. Entry is included with park admission.
Photo via Busch Gardens/Website

Pirate Water Taxi River of Lights  

333 S Franklin St., Tampa
Nov. 26-Dec. 24
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, sing-a-longs, beer and wine for purchaser, a snow finale, and pf cookies and hot chocolate. 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

Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park

600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa
Nov. 17-Jan. 1
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 will cost $17 per ice skater for all ages. The Winter Village Express, a tram ride featuring sing along songs and trivia will cost $10 for persons two years and older.
Photo via Winter Village/Facebook

Chick-fil-A light display

6299 W Waters Ave.,Tampa
Ongoing
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

Holiday Lighted Boat Parade at Tampa Riverwalk

Downtown Tampa
Dec. 23
Beginning at 6 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 are competing for first, second and third place trophies for their holiday-themed vessels. Plus, there's an after party at American Social.
Photo via Tampa River Walk/Website

Enchant Christmas at Tropicana Field  

1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg
Nov. 24 - Dec. 31
Tropicana Field is yet again hosting Enchant Christmas, featuring a Christmas light maze, ice skating, and a market with holiday treats and drinks. Don’t miss your chance to meet Santa! Tickets start at $25 for children and $34 for adults.
Photo via Enchant Christmas/Facebook

Holiday Lights & Carnival Rides in Largo Central Park

101 Central Park Dr., Largo
Nov. 23-Dec. 31
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

Winter Wonder Wharf Tree Lighting

Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa
Nov. 18 - Dec. 17
From 6 p.m.-9 p.m., downtown Tampa’s Sparkman Wharf will host holiday events and entertainment, as well as a tree lighting, live entertainment and a visit from Santa Claus. There will be plenty of decorations and backdrops for photo opportunities. There's also a ton of other holiday events happening through the month so check the calander here.
Photo via Sparkman Wharf/Facebook

Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa  

1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa
Nov. 24-Dec. 30
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, a Christmas improv show, carolers, illuminated animal sculptures and more.
Photo via Chick-Fil-A Light Display

Tarpon Springs Christmas Parade

Downtown Tarpon Springs
Dec. 9
From 10 a.m.-noon, Tarpon Springs is hosting a Christmas parade that will travel throughout downtown, featuring crafts, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa around 11:30 a.m. This year's route will travel north on Pinellas Ave. (from Ace Hardware) at Morgan St., then east on Lemon, then north Ring, West on Tarpon Ave. to the Bayou.
Photo via Tarpon Chamber of Commerce/Website

Festival of Lights and Santa’s Village at Hillsborough County Fairgrounds

215 Sydney Washer Rd., Dover
Nov. 23 - Dec. 31
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. Cost is $20 per car for just the drive-thru, and $25 per car when the village is open.
Photo via Festival of Lights/Website

Holiday Lights in The Gardens

12520 Ulmerton Rd., Largo
Nov. 25-Jan. 1
Florida Botanical Gardens is now on its 23rd annual holiday lights event, featuring one million lights, and laser light shows. Suggested donation for admission is $10, and free for children 13 and under.
Photo via Florida Botanical Gardens/Facebook

12 Days of Christmas

Clearwater Beach
Dec. 9-Dec. 16
Clearwater Beach kicks off a multitude of events beginning Dec. 9 with a Holiday Market at Coachman Park followed by the Making Spirits Bright boat parade on Dec. 12, Holiday Movies in the Park on Dec. 16, and more.
Photo via 12 Days of Christmas/Website

Symphony in Lights  

Wiregrass Mall, 28211 Paseo Dr., Wesley Chapel
Now through Dec. 31
Featuring a light show that dances along to Christmas tunes, Symphony in Lights will yet again host this popular festive family-friendly holiday event with food and drink as well as Christmas trees and snowfall. The event runs from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Photo via Symphony in Lights/Facebook

Celebration 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

Oakdale Christmas Light Display

2719 Oakdale St. S, St. Petersburg
Nov. 24-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 the tightrope balancing bear.
Photo via Oakdale Christmas Display/Website

Redington Beach and Indian Shores Holiday Lighted Boat Parade

Redington Beach
Dec. 10
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/Facebook

The Wonderland of Lights & America's Christmas Village

1052 US-92, Auburndale
Dec. 1- Dec. 30
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.
Photo via Wonderland of Lights/Website

Boca Ciega Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade

Boca Ciega Yacht Club, 4600 Tifton Dr. S., Gulfport
Dec. 9
Beginning at 6 p.m., Boca Ciega Yacht Club is hosting its 38th annual Christmas Boat Parade. The parade will begin at Gulfport Municipal Marina and continue throughout Gulfport. Boat skippers will be required to donate two unwrapped toys to Operation Santa, Gulfport’s annual toy drive in order to participate.
Photo via Boca Ciega Yacht Club/Facebook

Old Fashioned Christmas and Holiday Parade  

Douglas Avenue and Main Street, Dunedin
Dec. 9
From 4 p.m.-9 p.m., downtown Dunedin hosts a parade featuring decorated floats, bands, performers, and Santa himself! After the parade, Dunedin goes back in time, and will feature snow, activities, entertainment, and even horse-drawn carriages. There will be mini train rides, Christmas caroling, games, crafts, an opportunity to roast marshmallows and make your own smores, and more.
Photo via City of Dunedin/Facebook