Friday, November 24 through Sunday, December 31 – Holiday Lights in the Garden
5:30 – 9:30 pm, $4 Suggested Donation/ Under 12 Free, Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Delight in the shimmering lights, holiday entertainment, beautiful flora and warmth of the season. Special visits from Santa. 727.582.2100 www.flbg.org
Friday, November 24 through Wednesday, January 3 – Oakdale Christmas Light Display
6 – 10 pm, Free, 2719 Oakdale Street S, St. Petersburg. This event is among the largest and longest running home displays in the United States. One-half acre in size, Approximately 1/4 million lights. 727.822.5562 http://christmasdisplay.org
Friday, December 1 – Silver Bells Luncheon
11 am, $85 General Admission, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 100 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Enjoy a Fabulous Forties afternoon with a delicious luncheon, signature cocktails, sumptuous silent auction and smooth music. Jody Morelli (727-864-2137) and Addie Appelbaum (813-803-3731)
Friday, December 1 through Saturday, December 23 – Victorian Christmas Stroll
10 am – 8 pm, $15 Adults / $13 Seniors / $9 Youth, Henry Plant Museum, 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Celebrate the warmth and spirit of an old fashioned holiday. Complimentary cider and cookies. Holiday music. 813.254.1891 www.plantmuseum.com
Saturday, December 2 – Florida Orchestra Guild Holiday Tour of Homes
10 am – 4 pm, $20/$25, Homeowners in St. Petersburg’s Northeast neighborhoods will open their homes. Each home will reflect a personal and unique way of holiday decorating based on family and cultural traditions for all the December holidays. 727.254.1176.
Saturday, December 2 – Caribbean Holly Fest and Luncheon Fundraiser
10 am, $15, Community Center, 1 Park Pl., Treasure Island. Crafts, baked goods, jewelry, raffles, silent auction, gift baskets. A charitable, non-profit fundraiser by the Treasure Islettes. Call Judy Koepkey 615.556.4977 for tickets.
Saturday, December 2 – Tierra Verde’s Christmas Tree Lighting & Family Fun Day
4 – 7 pm, Downtown Tierra Verde. Snow sledding, a visit from Santa, pet parade, face painting, live music. Bring unwrapped gift for Lealman Fire District Annual Christmas Toy Drive. tvxmastree@gmail.com
Friday, December 6 – Mrs. Santa Luncheon & Fashion Show
11:30 am, $75, The Club at Treasure Island, 400 Treasure Island Causeway, Treasure Island. Relax and enjoy the beauty and spirit of the season. Benefits Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Contact Judy Keyak 727.360.1799
Friday, December 6 – Boley Angels Jingle & Mingle Brunch
$50 10:30 am Social, 11:15 am Brunch, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Opportunities to jingle, mingle & bid on items to support Boley Centers. Holiday music to delight and entertain! RSVP by Monday, Nov. 27, Carol Piper, mpiper64@gmail.com
Friday, December 8 – Boat Parade and Winter Festival in the Park – St Pete Beach
6 pm, Free, Horan Park, 7701 Boca Ciega Dr., St. Pete Beach. Boat Parade Viewing Party to include live music, art projects for children, and a special visit from Santa! www.spbrec.com/special-events
Saturday, December 9 – Christmas Market and Parade on Corey Avenue
9 am, Free, Starts at City Hall, 155 Corey Ave. and ends at the Library, 365 73rd Ave., St. Pete Beach. Best parade viewing areas will be along Corey Ave and at the Library. Parking will be available at the Community Center. www.spbrec.com/special-events
Saturday, December 9 – Holiday Hoopla! and Lighted Boat Parade – Gulfport
10 am – 6 pm, Boat parade begins at 6 pm, Waterfront business district, Gulfport. A celebration of arts, crafts, foods, live music and roving holiday characters set in a waterfront atmosphere amid bright, twinkling, colorful lights. www.facebook.com/events/
Sunday, December 10 – Madeira Beach Annual Festival of Lights Illuminated Boat Parade
6:30, Free, Starts at John’s Pass and travels through almost every finger of Madeira Beach to show off the holiday spirit. madbeachevents.com/holiday-boat-parade
Wednesday, December 13 – Boley Centers’ 35th Annual Jingle Bell Run – St. Petersburg
7:30 – 9 pm, $25 – $30 Race Fee, Albert Whitted Park, 480 Bayshore Dr. SE, St. Petersburg. 5k that features luminarias, bands, glow zones, snow, face painting, glow necklaces. Participation supports housing for individuals and families who have been chronically homeless. runsignup.com/Race/FL/SaintPetersburg/BoleyCentersJingleBellRun
Wednesday, December 13 – City Hall Open House and Holiday Concert
4 – 6 pm, Free, City Hall, 7047 Sunset Dr., South Pasadena. Enjoy holiday refreshments and mingle with the City Commission, staff and Santa followed by a holiday concert at 6:30 pm in Galatea Garden. 727.347.4171
Friday, December 15 – Treasure Island’s Lighted Boat Parade
6:20 – 8:15 pm, Free viewing, departs from The Club at Treasure Island and ends at John’s Pass. Dazzlingly decorated boats circle the city. www.mytreasureisland.org/newsdetail_T2_R162.php
Sunday, December 17 – Carols and Songs of the Season
7 pm, Free, Pasadena Community Church, 227 70th St S, St. Petersburg. Enjoy a delightful mix of sacred and secular holiday music. 727.381.2499 www.pasadenacommunitychurch.org