Through Sunday, December 29 – Enchant
4 – 11 pm, $14.99 – $32.99 + fees, Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg. General admission includes full access to the World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze, a food and Christmas Market with more than 40 vendors, Santa’s Landing, Kid Zone, and the Ice Skating Trail. enchantchristmas.com
Through Monday, December 30 – River of Lights Holiday Cruises
6 pm/7 pm/8 pm/9 pm/10 pm, $18 Child/$28 Adult, Tampa Convention Center (Pirate Water Taxi Home Dock: Stop #7), 333 S Franklin St, Tampa. View festive decorations, lighted bridges and other surprises along the Hillsborough River. Features a whimsical narration, Christmas Carolers, hot chocolate and a holiday cookie for all. piratewatertaxi.com/events/river-of-lights-2018
Through Tuesday, December 31 – Snow Nightly
Every 30 minutes from 6 – 9:30 pm, Free, Sundial St. Pete, 153 2nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Enjoy thousands of twinkling lights, free Santa photos, holiday performances and snow in the courtyard. sundialstpete.com
Through January 1 – Holiday Lights at Largo Central Park
6 – 11 pm, Free, Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Dr., Largo. Two million holiday lights and dozens of festive Christmas displays. Carousel and Ferris wheel rides available for $5 per rides. playlargo.com
Through Friday, January 3 – Oakdale Christmas Light Display
6 – 10 pm, Free, 2719 Oakdale St. S, St. Petersburg. This event is among the largest and longest running home displays in the United States. One-half acre in size, Approximately 1/2 million lights. christmasdisplay.org
Through Saturday, January 4 – Holiday Lights in the Garden
5:30 – 9:30 pm, $5 Suggested Donation/ Under 12 Free, Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Delight in over a million shimmering LED lights, holiday entertainment, beautiful flora and warmth of the season. 727.582.2100 flbg.org
Through Monday, January 6 – Sea of Lights
5 pm, 6 pm and 7 pm on select nights, $12.99, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater. A festive holiday boat cruise around the local finger islands. Enjoy holiday views, listen to holiday songs, and participate in holiday-themed trivia. 727.441.1790 seewinter.com
Thursday, December 5 – Holiday Magic – Edge District Sip & Stroll
5 – 9 pm, $20/$25, Between Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. and 16th St., and between 1st Ave. N and 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Guests will enjoy live holiday music, holiday-themed drinks, delicious food and holiday gift shopping specials while exploring the EDGE District. edgedistrict.org/index.html
Saturday, December 7 – Bad Santa Bar Crawl
6 – 11:59 pm, $25, Various downtown venues, Central Ave. and 3rd St. N, St. Petersburg. Plan your outfit and get ready for amazing prizes since one of the stops on the crawl will include a costume contest. The best charity bar crawl St. Pete has to offer. eventbrite.com
Saturday, December 7 – Christmas in the Park and Mistletoe Market
Noon – 6 pm, Free, Horan Park, 7701 Boca Ciega Dr., St. Pete Beach. Shop local vendors and find the perfect holiday gifts. Includes tree lighting ceremony and the Chamber’s Festival of Trees. 727.363.9245 spbrec.com
Saturday, December 7 – Holiday Makers Market
11 am – 3 pm, $5/$10, The West Events, 13435 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach. Be the first to experience our area’s newest event space at its inaugural event. Sip and shop for handmade gifts from 30 indie artists, artisans and makers at this beautiful, new venue. Beer, Bubbles & Wine Bar, DJ SugarBear, Photo Wall, Holiday Vibes. eventbrite.com
Saturday, December 7 – Holiday Tour of Homes
10 am – 4 pm, $25/$30, Northeast St. Petersburg’s Allendale and Snell Isle Neighborhoods. Visit homes beautifully decorated for the holidays. Holiday Tour Reception on Friday, December 6 – $90. All proceeds benefit the Florida Orchestra. Call/text 727.254.2276 for details.
Saturday, December 7 – Ride & Run with the Stars
6:30 am, $25 – $40, Fort De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde. Family-friendly event. Features biking, running, and walking races, children’s activities, law enforcement demonstrations, a silent auction, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus and more community-building festivities. Proceeds benefit the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Christmas Sharing Project. 727.582.6465 rideandrunwiththestars.com
Saturday, December 7 – Pass-A-Grille/Vina Del Mar Boat Parade
6 pm, Free viewing, starts at the Merry Pier, 801 Pass-A-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach. Festivities start at the Merry Pier and Sea Horse Restaurant at 5 pm. Santa, hamburgers and hot dogs, luminaries along the sea wall, carolers. 727.743.8706 pagdebbie@tampabay.rr.com
Saturday, December 7 through Saturday, December 21 – Meet Santa
6 – 9 pm, Free, North Straub Park, 400 Bay Shore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. Enjoy a meet-and-greet with Santa. Cameras welcome. stpeteparksrec.org/holidayevents
Saturday, December 7 – Snowfest
9 am – 2 pm, $5, North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. Activities include a big and kiddie toboggan slide, art tent, karaoke, inflatables and Nomad Art Bus. Food trucks. stpeteparksrec.org/holidayevents
Saturday, December 7 – Tierra Verde Tree Lighting
4 – 7 pm, Free, Downtown Tierra Verde. Visit with Santa, children’s games, live music, pet parade, raffle prizes. Donations benefit the Lealman Fire District’s Annual Toy Drive. tierraverdeevents.wixsite.com/treelighting
Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8 – Elf The Musical JR.
2 pm and 6 pm, $16, Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport. It’s all the things you love about this holiday favorite movie with songs that are instant classics. 726.202.3268 showtix4u.com
Saturday, December 7, 14 and 21 – Saturdays with Santa
10:30 am – 1:30 pm, Included in admission, Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Dr., Tampa. Santa will be at the Aquarium for photos. Santa’s elves will also be diving in the Aquarium’s Coral Reef habitat during its regularly scheduled dive presentation times. Pictures are available for purchase.
813.273.4000 flaquarium.org
Sunday, December 8 – Annual Candlelight Tour of Homes in Historic Old Northeast
3 – 8 pm, $25/$30, Westminster Palms, 939 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. A traditional holiday event during which gracious residents in this beautiful neighborhood will open their homes to visitors. eventbrite.com
Sunday, December 8 – Chorus Angelorum – Winter Concert 2019
2 – 3 pm, Included in admission price, Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. A premier a cappella vocal ensemble of male and female voices. An entertaining, enjoyable and eclectic mix of musical styles, appropriate for all ages. 727.894.4638 mfastpete.org
Tuesday, December 10 – Holiday Concert
7 pm, Free, Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport. New Horizons Band of Gulfport will play familiar holiday tunes, plus pop hits. A reception is scheduled after the concert. newhorizonsbandgulfport.org
Wednesday, December 11 – Holiday Lights Neighborhood Bike/Walking Tour and Porch Party
5:30 – 8:30 pm, $20 Members/$30 Non-members, 226 17th Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. Tour the Historic Old Northeast neighborhood, which will be adorned with their famous don’t-miss-’em Holiday lights. Take it all in by bike or on foot, or just stick around at the house and party. There’ll be tasty food treats, cash bar, live music and more. 727.824.7802 preservetheburg.org
Wednesday, December 11 – Very Merry Market
4 – 8 pm, Free, Great Explorations Children’s Museum and Sunken Gardens, 1825 4th St. N, St. Petersburg. A free shopping event showcasing the talented makers and businesses that make the area a unique and eclectic place to shop. 727.821.8992 greatex.org
Wednesday, December 11 and Thursday, December 12 – Ho Ho Holiday Shop & Stroll
11 am – 9 pm, Free, Grand Central District, 1600 to 3000 blocks of Central Ave. between 1st Ave. N and 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Over 40 local business are participating! Two festive days and evenings with District-wide giveaways, deals, raffles, storewide sales, door prizes, drink & food specials, and much more
grandcentraldistrict.org/ho-ho-holiday-event
Thursday, December 12 and December 19 – Deck the Halls @ Ca’d’Zan
$15, 5 – 8 pm, John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art. 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. All decked out for the Holidays, Ca’d’Zan will be open during special extended hours for you to enjoy a self-guided walk-through of the first floor. 941.359.5700 ringling.org
Thursday, December 12 – Holiday Arts + Crafts Bazaar
4 – 6 pm, Free, The Dalí Museum, One Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg. Join the talented, artistic staff and volunteers of The Dalí at a holiday bazaar featuring their original art & crafts for sale. Enjoy the seasonal ambiance & holiday music.
727.823.3767 thedali.org
Thursday, December 12, December 19 and December 26 – Christmas Movie Night Series
6:30 pm, Paul’s Landing Event Lawn, The Vinoy Renaissance, 501 5th Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. Elf on December 12, A Christmas Story on December 19 and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on December 26. 727.824.8007
paulslandingstpete.com
Thursday, December 12 through Sunday, December 22 – Holiday Sparkle
7:30 pm Thursday – Saturday/2 pm Sunday, $30 – $250, Opera Central,
2145 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. A musical journey with soloists, chorus and orchestra through the most wonderful holiday music, from the sacred to the popular and everything in between. 727.823.2040 stpeteopera.org
Friday, December 13 – Boley Center’s 37th Annual Jingle Bell Run
7:30 – 10 pm, $25/$35 Race Fee, Albert Whitted Park, 480 Bayshore Dr. SE, St. Petersburg. A 3-mile event that will feature 1,500 luminarias, 15 bands, three glow zones, snow, glow in the dark face paint, glow necklaces and thousands of merry runners, joggers, walkers and four-legged trotters. runsignup.com/Race/FL/SaintPetersburg/BoleyCentersJingleBellRun
Friday, December 13 – Treasure Island Lighted Boat Parade
6:20 pm, Free viewing along the route, Starts at The Club at Treasure Island, 400 Treasure Island Causeway, Treasure Island. Dazzlingly decorated boats of all kinds circle the city on one special night in a friendly competition for top prizes. islandneighborschamber.org
Friday, December 13 through Sunday, December 22 – SPBC Nutcracker 2019
7 pm Friday and Saturday, 3 pm Sunday, $10 – $25, St. Petersburg Ballet Conservatory, 1500 58th St S, Gulfport. The Story of Nutcracker, courtesy of Royal Opera Ballet. 727.914.7257 stpeteballetconservatory.com
Saturday, December 14 – 4th Annual Ugly Sweater Crawl
5 pm – midnight, $17 – $23, Downtown St. Petersburg bars. Regular ticket includes decorative Santa hat, holiday light bulb necklace, signature Ugly Sweater Crawl koozie, holiday music, themed discounted drink specials.
eventbrite.com
Saturday, December 14 – Boca Ciega Yacht Club Lighted Christmas Boat Parade
6 pm, Free viewing, Starts at the Gulfport Municipal Marina, heads to Williams Pier, Town Shores, Kipps Colony, Pasadena Yacht & Country Club, Pasadena Golf Club Estates and Isla del Sol. sailbcyc.org/ChristmasBoatParade
Saturday, December 14 – Christmas Land Parade
11 am, Free, St. Pete Beach. Starts at Upham Beach, heads north on Sunset Way and east down Corey Ave. to City Hall. Best parade viewing areas will be along Corey Ave. Parking will be available at the Community Center. 727.363.9245 spbrec.com
Saturday, December 14 – Holiday Movies in the Park – The Search for Santa Paws
7 pm, Free, Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and settle in for a holiday movie. A fun evening for the entire family. stpeteparksrec.org/holidayevents
Saturday, December 14 – Madeira Beach Annual Festival of Lights Boat Parade
6:30 pm, Free viewing, Starts at ROC Park and heads down the Intracoastal Waterway to John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk. madeirabeachmarina.com
Saturday, December 14 – Pinellas Park Christmas Parade
6 pm, Free viewing, Starts at 58th St. and proceeds eastbound on Park Blvd. to The Shoppes at Park Place. This annual event rich in Christmas tradition is the perfect way to bring holiday cheer. Watch as festive floats parade down the streets of Pinellas Park. celebratepinellaspark.com
Saturday, December 14 – Pioneer Christmas
10 am – 3 pm, Free, Pinellas Pioneer Settlement, 2900 31st St. S, St. Petersburg. Christmas tree, holiday basket raffles, crafts, games, saw mill demonstration, Pioneer Tea ($10). events.stpeteparksrec.org
Saturday, December 14 – Wreaths Across America
11 am, Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburg.
Wreath-laying ceremony to remember and honor the country’s fallen veterans. Sponsor a remembrance wreath – $15 and up. wreathsacrossamerica.org
Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15 – It’s a Wonderful Life
2 & 8 pm Saturday/2 pm Sunday, $15/$19/$21, West Coast Players, 21905 US 19 N, Clearwater. Palm Harbor University High School’s production of James Rodgers’ adaptation of It’s a Wonderful Life. 727.437.2363 wp2.wcplayers.org
Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15 – North Pole Express
Times vary, $25, Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Dr., Largo. Children of all ages are invited to take the North Pole Express on a magical journey through the holiday lights in Largo Central Park, to get to the North Pole. Activities inside the North Pole include crafts, games, cocoa, cookie decorating, meeting Santa and more. playlargo.com
Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15 – St. Petersburg Holiday of the Arts
10 am – 5 pm, Free, Williams Park, 350 2nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Showcases original artwork by more than 100 artisans from throughout Florida and across the United States. paragonartevents.com
Sunday, December 15 – A Celtic Christmas
1 pm. $24.50 – $39.50, Central Park Performing Arts Center, 105 Central Park Dr., Largo. Recreates a night before Christmas in 1940s West Ireland where neighbors have gathered to entertain each other with music, singing, dancing, and storytelling. Performed by world-class musicians, dancers, and singers from both sides of the Atlantic. 727.587.6793 largoarts.com
Sunday, December 15 – An Old Florida Christmas
11 am – 4 pm, $5 Adults/Free Children under 12, Manatee Village Historical Park, 1404 Manatee Ave. E (SR 64), Bradenton. Celebrate old-fashioned holiday traditions with the beautifully decorated buildings, live music, make-and-take crafts, vintage silent films, food vendors, and more. manateevillage.org
Sunday, December 15 – Children’s Day at the Victorian Christmas Stroll
10:30 am – 5:30 pm, $10 – $16, Henry Plant Museum, 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Children and families will delight in activities ranging from paper crafts to a puppet show. Entertainment, carriage rides, toy trains and Lincoln Logs.
813.254.1891 plantmuseum.com
Sunday, December 15 – Suncoast Jazz Society Christmas Concert and Dinner
5:30 – 9 pm, $35/$40, Cove Cay Golf Club, 2612 Cove Cay Dr., Clearwater. Features local musicians with guest artist renowned clarinetist Bob Draga.
Reservations: 727.2152938 or jazzreservations@gmail.com
Sunday, December 15 – Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Eve and Other Stories
3 pm and 7:30 pm, $55.75 and up, Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa. Brings to life – with enhanced special effects and new staging – the acclaimed prog-rockers’ 1996 debut album of the same name.
813.301.6500 amaliearena.com
Sunday, December 15 – Victorian Christmas
1 pm, $10/$13/$16, Safford House Museum, 23 Parkin Ct., Tarpon Springs.
Experience a traditional Victorian Christmas celebration at the historic Safford House, built in 1883 and beautifully decorated for the holidays. tarponarts.org
Wednesday, December 18 – Cirque Musica presents Holiday Wishes
7 pm, $25 – $85, Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa. Brings a holiday story to life in a full theatrical cirque event for the entire family with your favorite holiday hits all performed live by a full symphony orchestra. 813.301.6500 amaliearena.com
Wednesday, December 18 – Holiday Christmas Dance Party
8 – 11 pm, $8, Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Blvd. S, Gulfport. Full bar, prize giveaways, free parking. Lessons at 6 pm and 7 pm. swingtime.info/christmas.html
Thursday, December 19 through Monday, January 5 – Disney’s Aladdin
Afternoon and evening performances, $29 and up, Straz Center, 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa. A thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite. 813.229.7827 strazcenter.org
Friday, December 20 – Christmas Music Benefit for the Homeless
6 – 10 pm, $12, Sacred Lands, 1700 Park St. N, St. Petersburg. A wide variety of performers/genres switching off every half hour. Bring an item for the Christmas Pot Luck Dinner and items for the homeless (socks, undergarments, hygiene products, etc.).727.347.0354 sacredlandspreservationandeducation.org
Saturday, December 21 – Holiday Lighted Boat Parade Cruise
6:30 – 9 pm, $34.95/$39.95. Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Dr., Tampa.
Cruise aboard the 72-foot Bay Spirit II catamaran with amazing views of Downtown Tampa’s Lighted Boat Parade. DJ entertainment and dancing. Hot cocoa and cookies. 813.273.4000 flaquarium.orgBay
Saturday, December 21 – Holiday Marketplace
2 – 10 pm, Free, Beach Boulevard, Gulfport. Stroll the decorated streets filled with exhibitors and unique shops and galleries. Selfies with Santa will entertain the whole family, including furry members, at Gulfport Beach Bazaar from 2 – 6 p.m. visitgulfportflorida.com
Saturday, December 21 – Holizaar 2019
11 am – 5 pm, Free, The Studio@620, 620 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Procrastinators rejoice! Your last-minute holiday shopping salvation is here. Two dozen carefully selected local artisans have the perfect gifts for you.
727.895.6620 thestudioat620.org
Saturday, December 21 – Holiday Movies in the Park – The Santa Clause
7 pm, Free, Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and settle in for a holiday movie. A fun evening for the entire family. stpeteparksrec.org/holidayevents
Tuesday, December 23 and Wednesday, December 24 – Scott & Patti: Home for the Holidays
7 pm Tuesday/9 pm Wednesday, $25 – $40, American Stage, Raymond James Theatre, 163 Third St. N, St. Petersburg. All-new holiday extravaganza perfect for the whole family. Join Scott & Patti as they celebrate the season through songs, dances, side splitting comedy and a bevy of special guests. 727.823.7529 americanstage.org
Tuesday, December 31 – NYE@MFA | Flights of Fancy
7 pm – 1 am, $150 – $500, Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. Open bar, dancing, DJ and live entertainment, special exhibition access, champagne toast, First Night St. Petersburg fireworks. 727.894.4638 mfastpete.org
Tuesday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve at Selby Gardens
8 pm – 1 am, $300, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 S Palm Ave., Sarasota. A black-tie event featuring a private journey through tropical holiday light displays, passed hors d’oeuvres, a seated four course dinner, special performances by The Sarasota Ballet Studio Company and Trainees from the Margaret Barbieri Conservatory and dancing at Michael’s on the Bay. The countdown to the New Year culminates with a champagne toast and a perfect view of fireworks overlooking Sarasota Bay. 941.366.5731 selby.org
Tuesday, December 31 – Swingin’ the New Year
7:30 pm, $30/$35, The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Live music, dancing, midnight countdown, balloon drop, Roaring 20s costume contest, photo booth, cash bar. newyearswing.com