Busch Gardens Christmas Town
The holidays come to life at Busch Gardens Christmas Town, the park’s award-winning holiday event. Celebrate the year with holiday cheer and create merry memories for the whole family during this seasonal event, which is included with park admission. Guests can enjoy holiday traditions with a twist, including millions of sparkling lights throughout the park to holiday shows and visits with Santa and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town runs daily now through January 5, 2025. Visit its website, https://buschgardens.com/, for more information.
Church Street Christmas
Come celebrate the spirit of Christmas and enjoy the sights and sounds of this magical season at Church Street Christmas. All are invited to experience this free annual holiday event along Dade City’s historic Church Avenue, where carolers, choirs, dancers and musicians perform along luminary-lit sidewalks and brilliantly decorated homes.
The street closes to vehicular traffic from Saturday through Monday, December 21-23, 7-9 p.m. For more information, visit its website at www.churchstreetchristmas.org.
Christmas In The Wild At ZooTampa
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at ZooTampa with the return of Christmas in the Wild, featuring one of Tampa Bay’s largest light displays, delectable holiday treats, amazing wildlife and new festive adventures. This year is bigger, better and brighter than ever with entertainment that the whole family can enjoy, including festive realms, holiday shows and a visit with Santa.
Christmas in the Wild runs on selective nights November through December. Visit https://zootampa.org/ for more information.
A Victorian Christmas Stroll
The Henry B. Plant Museum in Tampa celebrates the warmth and spirit of an old-fashioned holiday with its Victorian Christmas Stroll. Allowing visitors a glimpse into the magic of Christmas past, this holiday experience is a wonderful way to celebrate all the season has to offer with a variety of delightful themes and displays in each exhibit room. Decorations include visitor favorites from past years as well as new marvels that are sure to amaze.
The Victorian Christmas Stroll will be available at the Henry B. Plant Museum, located at 401 W. Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa, from Saturday, November 23, through Tuesday, December 31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Its website, www.plantmuseum.com, has more information.
Santa Fest Christmas Parade And Tree Lighting
Be part of Tampa’s holiday tradition when Santa Fest returns to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park again this year. It will open on Saturday, December 7, following the popular parade through downtown Tampa.
The parade route steps off at 1:30 p.m. and begins at Morgan Street, travels west on Madison Street to Ashley Drive, turns north and ends at Ashley Drive and Cass Street. After the parade, enjoy the activities and entertainment in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and stay for the tree lighting at 6 p.m.
Celtic Christmas Celebration
This presentation will surely put you and your family in the ultimate Christmas spirit and point your heart to the true reason for the season as we celebrate the birth of our savior — Jesus Christ. There are two performances, featuring the cast, choir and orchestra of First Baptist Church of Brandon, on Saturday and Sunday, December 7-8 (deaf interpretation provided December 8), with the performances starting at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The performances are approximately 90 minutes in length.
First Baptist Brandon is located at 216 N. Parsons Ave. in Brandon. Visit www.fbcbrandon.org for more information about the church and its services.
Tampa-area Lighted Holiday Boat Parades
The annual Apollo Beach Lighted Boat Parade takes place on Saturday, December 14. It will leave the south channel at 6 p.m. and proceed toward Lands End Marina before winding around Lake Sunrise Basin, back out around Bal Harbour, then up Flamingo Canal before returning and going around Dolphin House at the end of Gran Kaymen Way and finally going up the canal leading to Symphony Isles. Come and meet the members of the Tampa Sailing Squadron before the parade at its clubhouse, located at 1250 Apollo Beach Blvd. in Apollo Beach.
The Alafia Lighted Boat Parade is always very popular with local residents. It will take place along the Alafia River from the Riverview Civic Center to River’s Edge Bar and Grill on Saturday, December 7, from 4-7 p.m.
Country Christmas At Cracker Country
Bring the family for a great day of experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of an old-fashioned country Christmas on Saturday, December 14, at Cracker Country. Learn how the traditions of the 19th century differ from those of the 21st through hands-on crafts, holiday activities, historical interpretations, carols, decorations and more as you stroll through the site and visit the 13 original buildings.
Cracker Country is located at the Florida State Fairgrounds at 4800 U.S. 301 N. in Tampa. Visit its website for more information and to purchase tickets at www.crackercountry.org/events/christmas. Advanced ticket purchase is required.
Brandon Parade Of Lights
Christmas is a time of bringing people together, and that is exactly what the Brandon Parade of Lights will do on Saturday, December 14. The Greater Brandon and Valrico/Fishhawk chambers of commerce felt it was time to bring a large-scale holiday event to the community. The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. and run the length of Oakfield Drive, heading west from Parsons Avenue to Lakewood Drive.
To find out more about the event, visit https://brandonparadeoflights.com/ or check out the Brandon Parade of Lights Facebook page.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service At First Baptist Church Of Brandon
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Gather your friends and family and join First Baptist Church of Brandon for its Sunday Evening Candlelight Service. This is a one-hour experience designed to be enjoyed as a family. Child care will be offered for nursery and preschool age, but all other ages will enjoy music, a message and singing Christmas Carols together in the sanctuary. The program will begin at 5 p.m., with a musical prelude at 4:30 p.m.
First Baptist Church Brandon is located at 216 N. Parsons Ave. in Brandon. Visit www.fbcbrandon.org for more information about the church and its services.
Lakeland Christmas Parade
Hosted by the Junior League of Greater Lakeland and the City of Lakeland, the Lakeland Christmas Parade will be held on Thursday, December 5, starting at 7 p.m. Participants step off from the RP Funding Center to begin the 1.25-mile course winding through the city’s streets, around Lake Mirror and back down Lemon Street. The floats are decked out to reflect this year’s theme of ‘Christmas at Swan Lake.’ The best, of course, is saved for last, as the parade wraps up with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
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