17 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in the Tampa Bay Area

Ahh, the holiday season – there are parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow. OK, maybe there’s no snow here in the Tampa Bay area (it did happen once!), but you catch my drift.

It’s a busy time of year with all the seasonal hustle and bustle, school finals, planning for family celebrations, and more. But finding a way to make a little holiday magic is important! Many holiday celebrations – from Christmas to Hanukkah to Kwanzaa – are on tap in the Tampa area. Jingle your way over to a few of these this season, whether you’re in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, or anywhere in between.

Busch Gardens Christmas Town

If you’re at USF’s Tampa campus, chances are you’ve already gone to Busch Gardens to ride the coasters or hang out with the animals there. In November, the park transforms into a winter wonderland with Christmas lights galore – trust me, Buddy the elf would be envious of their décor game. Stroll around with some hot chocolate, walk down a tunnel of lights, and find plenty of photo ops worthy of your Instagram account. If you don’t have a pass, Busch Gardens offers a special deal for college students.

Holiday Boat Parade at the Tampa Riverwalk

Listen, we love our boat parades in Tampa. The Lightning had them when they won their Stanley Cups, the Bucs had one when they won the Super Bowl, and we also have one every holiday season that gives all the festive vibes. The parade starts by Davis Islands, goes by the Tampa Convention Center, past the Heights where the boats turn around and end up at Sparkman Wharf for judging. Find a spot along the Riverwalk to enjoy the view! Times and dates vary each year, so check the boat parade site for the most up-to-date information.

Tampa Bay Festival of Lights

Located at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, this 2-mile drive-through experience is fun and festive. View enchanting lights as you take a slow drive down the path. There are more than 1.5 million lights used in this event, where you’ll see holiday and Florida-themed displays. Once you reach the end, find a spot to park and go check out Santa’s Village with holiday rides, activities, fun snacks, and more. It’s $30 per car, so get a group of friends together and split the fee for an affordable night! You can find more event information and pre-purchase tickets here.

Avalon Aglow

Visit Avalon Park in Wesley Chapel, for Avalon Aglow, where they have food trucks, vendors, SNOW (yes, it’s real), pictures with Santa, and fireworks. The event is located by Trinity Church off of State Road 54, in an area that they refer to as the “up-and-coming downtown for Wesley Chapel.” Best of all, the event is free – so if you’re trying to budget your holiday celebrations, this is definitely budget-friendly.

Florida Holiday Distance Classic

Run, run, Rudolph – there’s a seasonal run waiting for you in Madeira Beach. There is a 10K option, as well as a half marathon. You can run along with Santa and his elves! At the end of the race, you get a holiday-themed medal, hot food, music, and more. Also, a part of the proceeds and any donations go to Tampa Bay Watch, a nonprofit organization working to help protect and restore the wetland environments of our area. Check the race’s website for information on dates, times, and race costs.

Take a Moment to Help Those in Need

There are a few holiday drives around town if you want to get into the spirit of the season. For example, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office hosts an annual holiday drive to help support Metropolitan Ministries. You can drop off non-perishable food items, children’s gifts, and more at any of the tax collector’s office locations. Every donation goes to support families who get aid from Metropolitan Ministries during the holiday season.

In Clearwater, you can donate non-perishable food items at Ruth Eckerd Hall. They’ve partnered with the Homeless Empowerment Program to help unhoused people and their families who are in need.

Hillel Academy Chanukkah Fair

If you’re looking for an event to celebrate Chanukkah, the Hillel Academy in Tampa hosts a fair each year. They have kosher food vendors, along with craft, jewelry, and gift vendors. You might be able to find a unique present for your friends or family here! There are also performances and more. Visit the Hillel Academy website for all the information.

Dunedin Chanukkah Festival

Hosted by the Chabad of Pinellas County, this festival takes place in downtown Dunedin. It’s free to attend. There is a neon menorah lighting, snacks, balloons, music, a DJ and light show, and even a drone gelt drop. For more information, contact the Chabad of Pinellas County.

Holiday Lights in Largo Central Park

Visit Largo Central Park during the holiday season for a light display with over 2.5 million LED lights. Keep in mind, this is a walking tour so plan accordingly! They also have food, drinks, and other vendors on site. You can also opt to ride the carousel and Ferris wheel; those rides are $6 a piece or you can buy 10 rides for $50. For information on dates and times, check the website here.

Holiday Lights in the Gardens

Also in Largo, the Florida Botanical Gardens has a nightly Christmas light event that lasts throughout the season. Dates may vary from year to year, so check their site for the most updated information. The gardens are decorated with a million lights, and you can find laser lights and lighted figures throughout too. This site does offer ADA-compliant walkways, but there are no wheelchairs or scooters for rent there. If you need one, make sure to bring it with you. This display is ranked in the USA Today Readers’ Choice for botanical garden lights!

Siesta Key Holiday Parade

If you’re looking for “white Christmas” vibes around here, a holiday parade near the white sandy beaches of Siesta Key is probably as close as you’re going to get. Local businesses and groups are part of the parade, and Santa arrives before the parade to meet children and take photos. He’ll also be in the parade! As with other events, dates will vary from year to year.

Sarasota Christmas Carol Trolley

Take a holiday trolley tour through downtown Sarasota, with holiday lights all over the place, caroling on Main Street, and more. Prices start at $53.99 for ages 12 and up, so it may be one you’ll need to plan for – but it’s won the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for 2024, so it’s a must-see experience. The tour lasts for 75 minutes, and it’s in an enclosed, air-conditioned trolley.

Lights in Bloom at the Selby Gardens

Go see more than two million lights at the Selby Gardens in downtown Sarasota. It’s a “tropical winter wonderland” with photo ops, activities, and entertainment. To get in, you can purchase tickets online or at the door. However, they advise buying ahead of time as tickets may not always be available for walk-in admission. Early admission for adults is $44, while general admission is $34.

Sarasota Sandy Claws Beach Run

Run a holiday race on the hard-packed sand of Siesta Key. You can do a 5K or a one-mile fun run/walk, depending on whatever pace you want to set. There is a holiday-themed costume contest and finisher medals for every participant. Proceeds from the run benefit the “Summer in the Parks” Adopt-A-Camper scholarship fund. You can register for this event here.

Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade

Yes, there’s a holiday boat parade in Sarasota, too! Festive boats take to the water of Sarasota Bay, and the best spots to view it are at Marina Jack and Bayfront Park. Guests who attend are encouraged to contribute to a toy drive by bringing an unwrapped toy or book. Those donations are then distributed by local charities. View the most up-to-date information here.

Sarasota New Year’s Eve Pineapple Drop Party

Times Square has a ball – downtown Sarasota has a pineapple! On New Year’s Eve, claim a spot at the intersection of Lemon Avenue and Main Street. The party starts at 1:00 p.m. and ends at 1:00 a.m. There are carnival rides (ticket fees apply), live music, food, drinks, and more. After the pineapple drops at midnight, there’s also a big fireworks show over Sarasota Bay. Check their Facebook event page for more information.

Kwanzaa St. Pete

If you’re looking for a local Kwanzaa celebration, there is one in St. Petersburg. It’s hosted by local community members who have planned celebrations for each day of Kwanzaa. They share information each year on the Kwanzaa St. Pete Facebook page.

Get in the Holiday Spirit in Tampa Bay

There are so many options across the Tampa Bay area if you’re ready to rock around the Christmas tree! For college students at USF, there are also celebrations on campus. Check with student organizations on your home campus to see if there’s a party you can attend. BullsConnect is a great resource for finding those organizations, and if you’re still feeling stuck on what to do for the holidays, reach out to our Student Success team! They can link you with on-campus resources to help you find the best place for you. Go spread some sparkle and cheer this year!