The holidays are just around the corner, and so are the many area Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, movies, parades
and festival. Be sure to check out all that the area has to offer and have fun getting into the holiday spirit.
The Annual Enchanted Tree Lighting Ceremony in Hyde Park will kick off the holiday season on Saturday, November 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. This is a free, family friendly event which will feature music, vendors, food trucks and lots of holiday cheer. Hyde Park Village is located at 1602 W. Snow Ave. in Tampa.
The City of Tampa will hold its Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 30 at 6 p.m. in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa. The event is free and includes a countdown to light the tree with Mayor Bob Buckhorn. A
movie will be shown after the lighting in the park.
The Annual Downtown Tampa Christmas Parade will be held the next day, Saturday, December 1 beginning at 11 a.m. The parade will wind throughout downtown, but the best place to view the parade is along Madison St. The parade will be followed by the Annual SantaFest in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park from 12 to 4 p.m.
On Wednesday, December 5, The Center Place will celebrate its 34th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to help and to take photos. You can also enjoy entertainment by area high school bands, orchestras, choirs and dance groups. Center Place is located at 619 Vonderburg Dr. in Brandon.
On Thursday, December 6, come down to historic downtown Plant City for the Annual Lights of Love. This fantastic annual event includes a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in McCall Park located at 100 N. Collins St. The 24-foot tree is lit with lights purchased by area residents, organizations and businesses in honor of someone they lost. Proceeds benefit South Florida Baptist Hospital. You can get photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at 5:30 p.m. The tree lighting ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Come back to Plant City on Friday, December 7 for the Annual Christmas Parade from 7 to 9 p.m. The parade begins at the intersection of Collins St. and Alsobrook St. in down-town Plant City. The parade will run down Collins St., turn right on Reynolds Ave. and end just past the Plant City Courthouse. You can bring chairs and comfortably watch the majesty of this annual tradition in Plant City.
On Friday, December 7, the community of Winthrop in Riverview will present its Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Winthrop Town Centre. This annual event is fun and free for the whole community. John Sullivan, founder and developer of Winthrop said, “The Winthrop Christmas Tree Lighting is a time-honored ceremony that we look forward to sharing with the community.” You can enjoy performances, the tree lighting and a free movie on the lawn. The event begins at approximately 6 p.m. Winthrop Town Centre is located at the intersection of Bloomingdale Ave. and Providence Rd. in Riverview.
