The holiday season is well on its way! Don’t miss out on your chance to experience some great, local Christmas events, lights, holiday markets, and more this season.
Check out our bucket list of must-do experiences, view some holiday lights, find our picks for FREE events, watch a classic Christmas movie, take your loved one ice skating, attend holiday performances, or check out a local holiday market for unique gifts.
<div id="c3be0912bb716eee4ca644c1dfc4ecde4"></div>Featured Holiday Events
Take a drive to ice!™ featuring The Polar Express™ at Gaylord Palms Resort
- Dates: November 13, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- Location: 6000 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee
Christmas at Gaylord Palms transforms the 65-acre resort into a sparkling holiday destination filled with festive wonder and family fun. The yuletide celebration is anchored by the return of “ice! featuring The Polar Express™,” where more than 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice bring the beloved holiday story to life in a dozen larger-than-life scenes inside a 9-degree environment. Guests also can enjoy the award-winning POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance show, snow tubing down Snow Flow Mountain, photos with Santa, snowball throwing, a dazzling atrium light display and hundreds of Christmas trees.
Use code DATENIGHT to save up to 25%* on ice! and POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance tickets!
*Valid Online Only. Maximum 8 tickets per order. Taxes and fees may apply. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Discount not valid on previously purchased tickets. Blackout dates may apply.
Holiday Spectacular at Zubrick Magic Theater
- Dates: Select Dates, November 12 – January 3, 2027, at various showtimes
- Location: 1211 1st Ave N Suite 101, St. Petersburg, FL 33705
Celebrate the season with Zubrick Magic Theatre’s Holiday Spectacular, a dazzling 70 minute performance created and produced by Illusionists Chris and Ryan Zubrick. Featuring world-class magic, holiday-inspired surprises, audience interaction, and plenty of unexpected moments, this special production blends audience favorites with fresh seasonal touches. It’s a festive tradition for families, friends, and anyone looking to experience something truly magical this holiday season in downtown St. Petersburg. Visit www.zubrickmagic.com to view the calendar and purchase tickets.
Yule Cactus Unveiling and Lighting Ceremony
- Date: December 2, 6–8 p.m.
- Location: 150 Central Ave., St. Pete
Kick off the holiday season with the James Museum’s newest tradition – the annual lighting of their 12-foot Yule Cactus! There will be free events throughout the evening, including family-friendly art making and photos, with Cowboy Santa with local artist Chad Mize turning on the lights at 7 p.m.
The event takes place on our first floor, and it is free to attend. Museum admission needed for gallery access.
Our holiday events guide is organized into the following sections to help you easily find the type of event you’re looking for!
Christmas Events Bucket List for 2026
Looking for an overview of our top picks for celebrating the holidays? This is your section! Below, you can skim our curated list of the must-do holiday events and experiences in Tampa Bay.
Explore Busch Gardens Christmas Town
- Dates: November 13, 2026 – January 4, 2027
- Location: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Going to Busch Gardens is a Tampa bucket list item year-round, and during the holiday events season, it’s even more enticing! This year features new Holiday shows like “Lights of Wonder” and “A Very Merry Cirque!”
With decorations strung out across the park, Busch Gardens’ Christmas Town is a holiday event like no other, where you can enjoy the signature thrill rides at night, watch the holiday shows, eat at restaurants all around the park, and more. Highlights of the event include a fireworks show and the Christmas On Ice show!
Visit Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
- Dates: November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- Location: 600 N Ashley Blvd., Tampa
Get some shopping done at the holiday market, sip delicious drinks at the café, ice skate at Downtown Tampa’s only outdoor ice rink, and more at this iconic Tampa Bay Christmas event! Admission to the Winter Village is free, but some activities, like ice skating, require tickets. Skating is $17 per person and includes skate rentals and 75 minutes of skating time.
Related: Date Night at Downtown Tampa at Winter Village
Watch a Tree Lighting Show
Now this is an easy one for the holiday events list! Tree lighting ceremonies are popping up all over Tampa Bay at many outdoor locations, including Curtis Hixon Park, Safety Harbor, and more! Take your significant other to watch these tree lighting shows and cross another item off of your holiday bucket list.
Attend a Holiday Boat Parade
It’s always fun to see boats decorated with festive lights, holiday inflatables and more. Many of these boat parades ar happening this week!
A few of our favorites include the Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Tarpon Springs Holiday Boat Parade, and the Annual Treasure Island Holiday Lighted Boat Parade.
Celebrate the season at A FARM: Ananda Farm’s 3nd Annual Holiday Festival!
- Dates: 2026 TBA
- Location: Ananda Farm
Families can enjoy a classic Christmas experience on their exotic fruit farm—complete with festive lights, holiday décor, daily live music, seasonal food & drinks, arts and crafts, and Santa meet-and-greets on select days.
Go Ice Skating
It may not be that cold in Florida, but ice skating is still a must this holiday season. Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park is a classic option (tickets required for ice skating).
Refer to the Ice-Skating section below for the best local spots to enjoy this holiday pastime.
READ MORE: Here’s what to expect at Downtown Tampa’s Winter Village: local Tampa area holiday fun, ice skating, and festive cocktails and treats!
Take a Cruise on the River of Christmas Lights in Tampa with Pirate Water Taxi in Tampa
- Date: Select dates from November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027, multiple cruise times
- Location: 333 S Franklin St., Tampa
Don’t miss this water taxi cruise to view Tampa’s Christmas lights and holiday decorations! The Christmas Light Cruise includes a 45-minute cruise along the Hillsborough River, Christmas carols, Snow Flurry Final, and a visit with pirate elves! Write a letter to Santa and pop it in the North Pole buoy. Each child will receive a present from the elf!
Watch Classic Holiday Movies
- Dates: 2026 TBA
- Location: Tampa Theatre, Downtown Tampa
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at Tampa Theatre! Enjoy timeless Holiday Classics like Miracle on 34th Street, Elf and It’s a Wonderful Life every Sunday afternoon. Choose “naughty or nice” with late-night Friday REWIND hits like Die Hard and Gremlins, or Wednesday night Big Pictures like The Muppet Christmas Carol. And all are welcome for a FREE community screening of Saint Nick of Bethlehem on December 6! Plus, check out FREE outdoor movies at Curtis Hixon Park in conjunction with Winter Village.
See the Christmas Movies section below or our guide to Christmas movies in Tampa Bay for additional movie screenings for the most wonderful time of the year!
Visit a Christmas Bar
Enjoy holiday spirits — literally — at Miracle at Mezzo. This annual pop-up Christmas cocktail bar has returned to Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails. Enjoy a special menu of holiday concoctions (served in special holiday glasses), plus festive decor and more.
READ MORE: Christmas Cocktails at Holiday Pop-Up Bars in Tampa Bay
Celebrate Winter Wonder Wharf
Sparkman Wharf is getting a holiday twist with Winter Wonder Wharf on December 5, 2026! This holiday season, you can enjoy themed events, live music, and more.
Christmas Putt The Pier
- Dates: 2026 TBA
- Location: Majeed Foundation Coastal Thicket
Putt the Pier has returned with a joyful waterfront mini-golf experience and plenty of holiday spirit! This custom 18-hole course winds along the St. Pete Pier with cheerful Christmas obstacles, sparkling décor, twinkling lights, and themed challenges at every turn. Putt through giant ornaments and candy-cane tunnels and navigate holiday scenes and playful holiday characters!
Guests can enjoy classic and modern holiday music throughout the course, for a warm and lively atmosphere perfect for date nights!
ENJOY A NUTCRACKER HIGH TEA
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club’s Nutcracker High Tea is TBA for 2026, but previously this event was a hit! Pair a condensed ballet performance of The Nutcracker with an elevated buffet lunch and high tea in the iconic Grand Ballroom.
Guests enjoyed a selection of exquisite teas and pastries for an enchanting afternoon. Tickets are currently TBA.
Volunteer
Helping those in need is in the spirit of the holidays and a great addition to your holiday events list. Volunteering at a soup kitchen, like Metropolitan Ministries, is a great way to give back. You can also help with Toys for Tots, Meals on Wheels, or other local charities.
Best Christmas Lights in Tampa Bay 2026
Nothing says Christmas quite like strolling around hand in hand to “oooh” and “ahhhh” at holiday lights. Below are a few of our favorite Christmas light displays in Tampa Bay.
Symphony in Lights Kickoff
- Date: Begins November 14, 2026
- Location: 28211 Paseo Dr., Wesley Chapel
Kick off the holiday season with a tree lighting, live music, holiday market, alpine tubing slides, and more. This year’s event features double the drones and more than 300,000 lights! Santa will also make his grand entrance with the Pasco County Fire Rescue.
Donations benefiting the Christmas Wish Fund will be accepted to support local families in need.
KRAMPUS at FLORIDARama
- Date: Multiple dates for events, November 19, 27, and December 19, 2026
- Location: 800 28th St. S, St. Petersburg
Experience the holidays at FloridaRAMA with Krampus!
On November 9, enjoy a two-hour celebration inside Relics & Lore: A Radley Experience as Krampus descends upon the exhibition for the first-ever reveal of brand-new Krampus activations. Explore the immersive experience and enjoy a night of strange encounters, holiday mischief, and plenty of opportunities to get up close with the creatures of Krampus lore.
On November 27, skip the mall Santa r and make your holiday photo a little more memorable with Krampus an unexpected twist to the classic Christmas card.
On Saturday, December 19, get ready for a four-hour holiday celebration featuring more than a dozen Krampuses roaming throughout FloridaRAMA! Expect festive chaos, strange encounters, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate the season with a darker twist.
Enchant Christmas
- Dates: November 20 – December 27, 2026
- Location: Tropicana Field
You and your sweetheart can enjoy the magic of the holidays with dazzling light displays featuring more than a million lights, Santa, a village market, and more. We love that you don’t have to worry about the weather outside since this event is completely indoors … even though you’ll feel like you’ve stepped inside a magical winter wonderland!
Holiday Lights & Rides at Largo Central Park
- Date: November 26, 2026 – January 3, 2027, from 5-10 p.m.
- Location: 101 Central Park Dr., Largo
The annual family-friendly tradition at Largo Central Park will feature a spectacular holiday light display of over two million dazzling LED lights. Guests can also enjoy a stunning carousel and a seven-story Ferris wheel that offers breathtaking views of the lighted park. Rides are $6 each or 10 for $50. It is free to park and stroll among the sparkly Christmas lights and the market vendors!
Holiday Lights in The Gardens at The Florida Botanical Gardens
- Date: November 27, 2026 – January 3, 2027, from 5:30-9:30 p.m. nightly
- Location: 12520 Ulmerton Rd., Largo
The gardens twinkle with one million LED lights in a variety of bright colors! Vibrant laser lights and lighted figures are sure to wow guests of all ages, and there will be live entertainment each week! A donation of $10 is suggested per person.
Holiday Spectacular on the Tampa Riverwalk and Water Works Park
- Date: November 27, 2026, to January 3, 2027
- Location: 1710 N Highland Ave., Tampa
Take a stroll along the Tampa Riverwalk among the festive holiday lights as the area transforms into a winter wonderland. Highlights include a 35-foot-tall LED lighted Christmas tree that floats in the harbor, a holiday selfie station, a floating pirate ship display, a gingerbread lighted display, a lighted pine tree forest, and so much more!
Hotels, restaurants, and bars along the Riverwalk will also have festive lighted displays!
Waterfront Lights and Santa Parade in St. Petersburg
- Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
- Location: 400 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg
Kick off the holiday season with a tree lighting in North Straub park with the Mayor and Santa with a Santa Parade and Tree Lighting! Stand along the pedestrian walkways at North and South Straub Parks in St Petersburg for this free light show on the water. There will also be a Christmas lights and displays at Pioneer Park, Vinoy Park and the new St. Pete Pier.
2026 to be Announced
The Oakdale Christmas House in St. Petersburg
- Date: 2026 TBA
- Location: 2719 Oakdale St. S., St. Petersburg
Looking for a Christmas light display in St. Petersburg? Oakdale Christmas House in St. Pete offers an amazing walk through Christmas light experience that is bigger and better than before! You’ll be amazed by the Oakdale Christmas House’s half million twinkling lights which has been ranked as among the world’s best Christmas light displays! Featured on both HGTV and The Today Show, this event is not to be missed.
Christmas Lights at Chick-Fil-A On Waters Ave.
- Date: 2026 TBA
- Location: 6299 W Water Ave., Tampa
This Chick-fil-A store has a tradition of taking Christmas lights in Tampa to a whole new level and they’re back at it again with this year’s Christmas lights display. Even Santa comes to visit! Add this annual Tampa Bay Christmas light event to your family’s Christmas light holiday bucket list!
Yule Cactus Unveiling and Lighting Ceremony
- Date: 2026 TBA
- Location: 150 Central Ave., St. Pete
Kick off the holiday season with our newest tradition – the annual lighting of The James Museum’s 12-foot Yule Cactus! Free events throughout the evening include family-friendly art making, photos with Cowboy Santa, and a local artist, Chad Mize, turning on the lights at 7 p.m.
The event takes place on the museum’s first floor, and it is free to attend. Museum admission is needed for gallery access.
Tampa Bay Festival of Lights & Santa’s Village
- Dates: 2026 TBA
- Location: Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, Dover
Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights & Santa’s Village returns with over 1.5 million lights across a 2-mile drive-thru. New this year is Santa’s Winter Woodlands, plus favorites like Under the Sea and Pirates of Tampa. In Santa’s Village, enjoy Tiny the Tanker, festive shows, kids’ crafts, games, Santa visits, camel rides, holiday rides, movies, firepits, and shopping in the Holiday Market and Historical Village. Celebrate hometown holiday magic with family and friends!
FREE Holiday Events 2026
A holiday date night doesn’t have to cost a dime. Partake in free festive celebrations throughout Tampa Bay including tree lightings, a fun holiday-themed scavenger hunt, and so much more.
Season Spectacular
- Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026, 5-9 p.m.
- Location: Water Street
Step into the magic of the holidays at the 5th Annual Season Spectacular with sparkling lights, marking the official lighting of the neighborhood and the start of the holiday season! There will be plenty of new opportunities to capture seasonal memories at every corner. A portion of bar sales from the event will benefit the Children’s Dream Fund.
Holiday Promenade
- Date: Thursday, December 3, 2026, 5-9 p.m.
- Location: Water Street
Step into the magic of the season at The Holiday Promenade with a curated holiday market featuring 40+ local makers and artisans, live musical performances, falling snow, and seasonal food and beverage offerings.
Jingle Bell Bazaar at Centennial Park
- Date: Sunday, December 13, 2026, from 12-6 p.m.
- Location: 1800 E. 8th Ave, Tampa
The Annual Jingle Bell Bazaar is a fun, festive holiday event in Historic Ybor City featuring live music, performances, holiday vendors, photos with Santa, food trucks, and more! Join the fun in Centennial Park.
Live Carolers
- Dates: 2026 TBA
- Location: Water Street
Don’t miss your opportunity to get into the festive spirit by listening to live carolers!
Living Holiday Windows
- Dates: 2026 TBA
- Location: Water Street
City of Tampa Santa Fest
- Date: 2026 TBA
- Location: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
The parade begins at 1 p.m. on Morgan Street and Madison Street. It travels west on Madison Street to Ashley Drive, turns north, and ends at Ashley Drive and Cass Street. The best place to view the parade is along Madison Street.
Stay for the Tampa Tree Lighting entertainment starting 6 p.m. See Mayor Castor and Santa Claus light up the tree before a holiday movie plays in the park to end the day!
Winter Wonderland Market
- Date: 2026 TBA
- Location: 150 Central Ave., St. Pete
Need that one special gift for the holidays? Shop a market full of unique goods from local businesses and artists and enjoy a playlist of holiday classics as you wander The James Museums’ galleries. A few lucky guests will go home with a gift!
The event will take place on the first floor, and it is free to attend. Museum admission is needed for gallery access.
Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
- Date: December 19, 2026, 6:15 p.m.
- Location: Tampa Riverwalk
The parade begins near the lighthouse off Davis Islands and travels past Sparkman Wharf, Harbour Island, and the Tampa Convention Center. The small parade boats will continue upriver past Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Ulele, finishing near Water Works Park and Armature Works.
Spectators can enjoy free viewing at multiple locations along the Riverwalk! Check out this year’s parade map here.
Check out our guide to 30+ Free Holiday Events in Tampa Bay for a Festive Date for the full scoop on the best free holiday events to attend.
Where to Watch Christmas Movies
It doesn’t get more classic than cuddling up to watch holiday films together! From free outdoor movies to Christmas classics returning to the big screen, here’s where to see holiday movies in Tampa Bay this season.
St. Pete Holiday Movie in the Park
- Date: December 5 and 12, 2026, movie begins at 7 p.m.
- Location: varies
Enjoy a first-come, first-served, FREE holiday movie around the St. Pete area! December 5 is “Christmas with the Kranks” at Huggins-Stengel Field; December 12 is “Nightmare Before Christmas” at Vinoy Park.
Tampa Theatre Holiday Classics
Check back closer to the end of November for more details on Tampa Theatre’s Holiday Classics Series.
- Date: 2026 TBA
- Location: 711 N Franklin St., Tampa
Check out the Holiday Classics Series coming to the theater this year!
Family Matinee: Abominable (2019)
- Date: 2026 TBA
- Location: 150 Central Ave., St. Pete
Abominable is the story of an adventurous teen named Yi who encounters a young yeti on the roof of her apartment building in Shanghai. She embarks on an epic journey to reunite the magical creature with his family. But to do so, they must stay one step ahead of a wealthy financier and determined zoologist who want to capture the beast for their own gain.
The runtime is 1h 32m, and the film is rated PG. Suitable for children 6 years and older with an adult. Museum admission is sold separately.
Get the full list of Where to Watch Christmas Movies
Ice Skating
Wondering where you can skate hand in hand on REAL ice? Look no further. Several holiday celebrations offer ice skating seasonally, and public skating sessions at indoor rinks continue the fun all year.
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
- Dates: November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- Location: 600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa
- Cost: $17 including skate rental and 75 minutes of skate time
The ice-skating rink at the Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park is one of everybody’s favorite holiday events. It allows you to skate while enjoying beautiful views of the Tampa Riverwalk and Hillsborough River. If you don’t have your own ice skates, don’t worry, skate rental is included in the ticket price.
If skating isn’t your thing, peruse the local vendor holiday market!
TGH Ice Plex
- Date: Regular hours
- Location: 10222 Elizabeth Pl., Tampa
Ice skating never gets old at the TGH Ice Plex, especially since it’s the official training facility of the Tampa Bay Lightning! Throughout the week, there are different public skating sessions available. On select nights you can even skate with a live DJ playing music. Admission for ice skating is $10, $15 with skate rental. Public skating times vary.
AdventHealth Center Ice
- Date: Regular hours
- Location: 173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Wesley Chapel
This rink makes the list of perfect holiday events for your holiday skating date. With multiple public skate sessions, you’ll be able to find a perfect time for your date. Including skate rental, admission is $15. Without skate rental, admission is $10.
Tampa Bay Skating Academy and Clearwater Ice Arena
- Date: Regular hours
- Locations: 255 Forest Lake Blvd., Odessa, and 27001 US Hwy. 19 N, Clearwater
At any of the three locations of the Tampa Bay Skating Academy, you can skate your heart out on a beautiful date. You and your significant other can skate for 90 minutes and spend the rest of the day together getting a meal at the Bar and Grill, or leave the TBSA to explore the area around you and find some other fun event to keep your date going.
Admission for skating varies depending on the skating session you choose.
Attractions + Theme Park Christmas Events 2026
Celebrate in serious style by attending a holiday celebration at Tampa and Orlando attractions and theme parks!
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Dates: November 13, 2026, to January 4, 2027
- Location: 10165 McKinley Dr., Tampa
- Cost: included in park admission
Enjoy park-wide festive fun at this award-winning holiday event! The park becomes filled with holiday cheer, and guests can enjoy holiday traditions with a twist. Guests can also enjoy festive live shows and take part in special holiday dining and shopping. New this year are holiday shows like “Lights of Wonder” and “A Very Merry Cirque!”
Ride the Holly Jolly Express train, view millions of twinkling lights from the top of a roller coaster, visit Santa in his workshop, and spend time with Rudolph and his friends from the classic holiday movie, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Christmas Town is included in park admission.
Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa
- Dates: Select Nights November 27 through December 30, 2026
- Location: 1101 West Sligh Ave., Tampa
- Cost: included with park admission
Enjoy one of Tampa’s largest light displays as the zoo transforms into a seasonal wonderland. This year promises to be bigger, better, and brighter than ever! Enjoy illuminated zones of lights, festive entertainment, delectable holiday treats, and amazing wildlife. Wander over to Twinkle Town Marketplace, where you can meet Santa. Don’t miss their New Year’s celebration on December 31!
Worth the Drive to Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration
- Dates: November 6, 2026, to January 4, 2027
- Location: 7007 Sea World Dr., Orlando
- Cost: included in park admisison
Head to SeaWorld Orlando to make new holiday memories with festive shopping, delicious food, and amazing live shows! The O Wondrous Night show, Winter Wonderland On Ice, and Rudolph’s Christmas Town will be returning this year! Guests can also sip and savor festive flavors as they stroll among beautiful Christmas lights.
End the evening with the dazzling Holiday Reflections Fireworks Finale! The Christmas Celebration is included with park admission.
Holidays at Universal Orlando
- Dates: November 14, 2026, to January 3, 2027
- Location: 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando
- Cost: included with park admission
Head to Universal Orlando Resort for the biggest, loudest, awesomest holiday celebration of the season! Celebrate with seasonal shows and decorations at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Sip on hot Butterbeer in Diagon Alley in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade in Universal Islands of Adventure as they come to life with magical lights and festive events.
Epic Universe will also be decked out in glorious holiday decor!
The Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s features larger-than-life balloons, with appearances by the Minions and characters from Shrek and Madagascar. Head over to Whoville for The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular starring The Grinch himself.
Holiday Events at Walt Disney World
- Dates: Through December 31, 2026
- Cost: varies
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights are two holiday favorites at Walt Disney World. The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays starts on November 27 through December 30, 2026 with the sights, sounds and tastes of the season from cultures around the world!
Holiday Performances and Entertainment
Get in the holiday spirit at these special performances, including The Nutcracker, holiday concerts, and more.
Mannheim Steamroller
- Dates: Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 7 p.m.
- Location: Ruth Eckerd Hall
- Cost: $57-69, additional add-ons available
Celebrate the holiday magic of Mannheim Steamroller for a show filled with holiday classics and original, award-winning songs!
A Charlie Brown Christmas
- Dates: November 12, 2025, at 7 p.m.
- Location: Mahaffey Theater, 400 First Street South, St. Pete
- Tickets: Tickets start at $43
Peanuts’ timeless holiday television special comes to life with the national tour of A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage, skating into St. Petersburg’s Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater! This critically acclaimed holiday celebration that the whole family can enjoy brings Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the rest of the Peanuts gang together live on stage as they uncover the true meaning of Christmas and perform songs from the unforgettable musical score of legendary composer Vince Guaraldi. The Broadway-style production, complete with immersive sets, lighting, choreography, and colorful costumes, has sold more than 300,000 tickets over the prior holiday seasons.
A Magical Cirque Christmas
- Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025, 7 p.m.
- Location: Ruth Eckerd Hall
- Cost: $44-69, additional add-ons available
A cast of world-class acrobats, contortionists, and aerialists is pushing the boundaries of imagination where gravity is defied and human potential knows no limits during A Magical Cirque Christmas!
A Very Broadway Christmas in St. Pete
- Dates: December 21, 2025, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Location: The Mahaffey Theatre, 400 First Street S, St. Pete
- Tickets: Tickets start at $57
Broadway on the Bay’s A Very Broadway Christmas is an enchanting holiday experience featuring musical numbers from some of your favorite Broadway Christmas shows as well as some holiday classics. Come spend an evening at the Mahaffey Theater with multiple Broadway stars representing an array of Broadway shows.
Rain — A Beatles Christmas Tribute
- Date: Friday, November 21, 2025, 8 p.m.
- Location: Ruth Eckerd Hall
- Cost: $44-181, additional add-ons available
RAIN – A Beatles Christmas Tribute brings the spirit of the season to life with holiday favorites alongside the legendary and timeless sounds of The Beatles.
Lindsey Stirling Snow Waltz Holiday Tour
- Date: Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 8 p.m.
- Location: Ruth Eckerd Hall
- Cost: $82.25-$611.15, additional add-ons available
Lindsey Stirling’s Snow Waltz Tour delivers a magical holiday experience with whimsical and daring choreography, stunning visuals, during genre-defying arrangements of holiday classics and originals!
A Christmas Story at the Straz in Tampa
- Dates: November 28-30, 2025
- Location: Straz Center Morsoni Hall
- Tickets: Tickets start at $51
From the songwriting team behind the smash hit Tony Award®-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen and the critically acclaimed films La La Land and The Greatest Showman, A Christmas Story, The Musical, brings the classic 1983 movie to hilarious life on stage! Set in 1940s Indiana, a young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder® Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze in St. Pete
- Dates: November 29, 2025, at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
- Location: The Mahaffey Theater – 400 First Street South, St. Pete
- Tickets: Tickets start at $53
CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE dazzles with a brilliantly breathtaking holiday spectacular for the whole family. As the original Cirque Holiday theatrical event, this annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around awe-inspiring contemporary circus arts. Guests will be on the edge of their seats as a cast of holiday characters come to life, captivating audiences while defying gravity. Broadway World exclaims, “Lose yourself for 90 minutes and go back to those wonderful dreams you had as a kid.”
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2025
- Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025, 8 p.m.
- Location: Ruth Eckerd Hall
- Cost: $55-128, additional add-ons available
Saxophonist Dave Koz returns to Ruth Eckerd Hall this holiday season for the 28th Anniversary of his show, featuring Jonathan Butler and Special Guests Haley Reinhart, Casey Abrams, and Kayla Waters!
Victorian Christmas Stroll
- Date: November 28-December 31, 2025, Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Location: 401 W. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa
- Cost: $0-20
Tampa’s favorite holiday tradition returns with the 44th Annual Victorian Christmas Stroll! What began as a three-day candlelight tour in 1982 has grown into a spectacular and cherished holiday tradition where guests step back in time to enjoy the celebration of Christmas at a Gilded Age grand hotel.
A Nostalgic Night with Maculy Culkin at the Straz in Tampa
- Date: December 4, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Straz Center Morsani Hall
- Tickets: Tickets start at $45
Join Straz Center for a special 35th anniversary screening of the timeless classic, Home Alone, followed by an exclusive live moderated interview with the one and only Macaulay Culkin. That’s right, the star who brought Kevin McCallister to life will be joining us for a one-of-a-kind event that you won’t want to miss!
A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play at the Straz
- Date: December 4-21, 2025, at various times
- Location: Straz Center’s Shimberg Playhouse
- Tickets: Tickets start at $55
Celebrate the season with a timeless classic, reimagined! Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol comes to life as a live 1940s radio play, complete with holiday music, clever sound effects, and a cast of Tampa Bay favorites featuring Michael Gregory. Gather ‘round as the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge unfolds in a nostalgic evening of ghosts, redemption, and festive storytelling. It’s a heartwarming reminder that even the coldest heart can be warmed by the spirit of Christmas.
The Nutcracker at Palladium Theater in St. Pete
- Date: December 5-7, 2025, at various times
- Location: Palladium Theatre, 253 5th Avenue N, St. Pete
- Tickets: Tickets start at TBA
The St Petersburg Ballet Company will perform The Nutcracker at the Palladium Theater in St. Pete.
Winter Wonderland
- Dates: Fridays and Saturdays from December 5, 2025-January 3, 2026
- Location: Westgate River Ranch, 3200 River Ranch Blvd., River Ranch
- Cost: $5-10
Celebrate the Holiday Season with the Annual Winter Wonderland Experience at Westgate River Ranch!
Join in on this holiday season for their festive celebration filled with dazzling lights, enchanting décor, and family-friendly fun. Enjoy a charming Holiday Hayride through the resort, where you’ll soak in breathtaking holiday decorations, sparkling displays, and the warm spirit of the season!
Ruth Eckerd Hall Chorus Holiday Concert
- Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 6 p.m.
- Location: Murray Theatre at Ruth Eckerd Hall
- Cost: $15
Enjoy the sounds of the season with holiday classics & carols from around the world for the Holiday Concert featuring traditional carols, songs from many regions and languages including Latin, Spanish, German, and French.
Holiday Brass
- Date: December 6-7, 2025, two showtimes available
- Location: multiple locations
- Cost: $25+
Celebrate the season with the brilliant sounds of the Florida Orchestra brass section performing holiday hits like Russian Christmas Music, Sleigh Ride, and Wexford Carol.
Vienna Light Orchestra in St. Pete
- Date: December 10, 2025, at 7 p.m.
- Location: The Mahaffey Theater: 400 First Street South, St. Pete
- Tickets: Tickets start at $58
Immerse yourself in the enchantment of Christmas with Vienna Light Orchestra’s Christmas Tour 2025. Celebrated for their captivating performances, this world-renowned ensemble features the musical brilliance of musicians and stunning sopranos from seven different countries, delivering a breathtaking evening of holiday magic.
Trisha Yearwood Christmas Symphony
- Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025
- Location: Ruth Eckerd Hall
- Cost: $63.25-205
Experience the magic of the holiday season with Trisha Yearwood, returning for the first time since 2019, as she blends the festive spirit of Christmas, all backed by the lush orchestrations of a Christmas Symphony ensemble!
Peter White Christmas with Mindi Abair and Vincent Ingala
- Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025, 8 p.m.
- Location: Nancy & David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
- Cost: $54-118
This fun-filled contemporary jazz concert features Peter White, saxophonist Mindi Abair, and Vincent Ingala for the annual holiday show!
St. Petersburg City Theater presents A Christmas Carol
- Date: December 12-21, 2025
- Location: 4025 31st St. S, St. Petersburg
- Cost: $23+ for adults, $15 for students with a valid ID, $10 for children ages 10 and under. Cost does not include ticket fee.
Join the St. Petersburg City Theater for Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of redemption as Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by spirits of the past, present, and future! This play features heartwarming music, dazzling costumes, and a powerful message of compassion and generosity.
Sarah Brightman A Winter Symphony
- Date: Friday, December 12, 2025, 8 p.m.
- Location: Ruth Eckerd Hall
- Cost: $67.75+
Sarah Brightman returns to Ruth Eckerd Hall with her A Winter Symphony tour, accompanied by an orchestra, choir, and special guests! During the show, Sarah will be performing many of her holiday classics and greatest hits using her insanely talented voice!
Frozen live in Concert with Live Orchestra
- Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Location: Mahaffey Theater
- Cost: $20+
Experience Disney’s Frozen with The Florida Orchestra performing Christophe Beck’s GRAMMY®-nominated score live to film on the big screen!
Trans-Siberia Orchestra
- Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Location: 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa
- Cost: $80+
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is back at Amalie Arena in Tampa, celebrating almost three decades of its multi-sensory show with Christmas music and expansive rock operas.
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland
- Date: Friday, December 19, 2025, 7 p.m.
- Location: Ruth Eckerd Hall
- Cost: $49+
Experience the magic of Cirque like never before with the all-new Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland, featuring a thrilling blend of world-class circus artistry and your favorite holiday music!
St. Pete Opera: Holiday Sparkle
- Dates: December 19-21, 2025, at various times
- Location: The Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg
- Tickets: $25 to $95
Holiday Pops at its grandest! Our Holiday Sparkle fills the Palladium with an outpouring of musical holiday joy. You’ll be swept away by the glorious sounds of our 40-piece orchestra, and our holiday sparkle singers will touch your heart with their choral and solo renderings of popular favorites, both sacred and secular. Share the season’s joy with family and friends!
Next Generations Ballet’s Nutcracker at The Straz Center
- Date: December 19-23, 2025, multiple show times available
- Location: 1010 NW C MacInnes Pl., Tampa
- Cost: $26.50+
Enter Clara and Drosselmeyer’s fantastical world of dancing sweets, sword-fighting rodents, and some of ballet’s most famous music during Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker!
Rockapella Christmas
- Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025, 8 p.m.
- Location: Nancy & David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
- Cost: $38-74
Rockapella will perform holiday classics like Silver Bells, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, and Winter Wonderland with their original holiday hits such as Hold Out For Christmas, The Hope We Hold, and more for a perfect holiday experience!
Holiday Pops
- Date: Sunday, December 21, 2025, shows at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Ruth Eckerd Hall
- Cost: $61.75+
There’s no place like The Florida Orchestra to experience the magic of the holidays! This performance includes Chelsea Gallo, The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, Heather Mitchell, and the Tampa Oratorio Singers.
Celtic Angels Christmas
- Date: Sunday, December 21, 2025, 7 p.m.
- Location: Nancy & David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
- Cost: $44-74
Get swept away with The Celtic Angels in this dazzling collection of Holiday and Irish favorites as they invite you to immerse yourself in the electric ambience of an Irish Christmas with world-class Irish step dancing!
Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol
- Date: December 22-23, 2025, multiple showtimes available
- Location: Ruth Eckerd Hall
- Cost: $44+
Celebrate the holidays with a new take on a classic with Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol, featuring music and lyrics by Dolly Parton! This is a heartwarming reinvention of Dickens’ Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee from the 1930s.
The Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete
- Dates: December 28, 2025, at 12 p.m., 4 p.m., and 8 p.m.
- Location: The Mahaffey Theater, 400 First Street South, St. Pete
- Tickets: Tickets start at $43
The Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete is celebrating the story of the Nutcracker with an all-star cast that blends world-class ballet with whimsical puppets, lavish costumes, and stunning acrobatics!
New Year’s Eve 2026
Looking for some trendy and fun places to celebrate out with the old and in with the new? Maybe some cool and festive spots to watch the sky light up with a popping NYE celebration?
Chichibu Night Festival Omakase
- Date: Tuesday, December 30, 2025, 6 p.m.
- Location: 1500 W Swann Ave., Tampa
- Cost: $195 per person
Celebrate the magic of one of Japan’s most enchanting winter festivals with an omakase inspired by the Chichibu Night Festival, known for its illuminated floats and brilliant fireworks, this festival captures a rare blend of elegance and festivity. The chefs at Ro will pay homage to this tradition through a multi-course omakase that reflects the beauty of winter in Japan with dishes showcasing seasonal ingredients, artistry reminiscent of lantern-lit floats, and flavors designed to evoke both comfort and celebration!
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Latitude 28
- Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
- Location: J.W. Marriott Clearwater Beach
- Cost: $210.00 per adult or $275 All- inclusive
Ring in the New Year with style and flavor at our exclusive New Year’s Eve Dinner. Join us for an unforgettable evening that will set the stage for a year of delicious memories featuring our Latitude 28 coastal inspired menu. Featuring a NYE Countdown inspired menu including A5 Wagyu Tartar, Bourbon Braised Pork Belly and more!
Best New Year’s Events in Tampa Clearwater and St Pete? Check our our guide to NYE! And we have the 411 on how to enjoy NYE fireworks in and around Tampa Bay!
Anchor & Brine
- Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
- Location: 505 Water Street, Tampa
- Cost: TBA
Enjoy a prix-fixe menu to celebrate the new year! The menu for the evening includes Filet & Lobster, Double Cream Mashed Potatoes, Jumbo Asparagus, and Bearnaise & Dami Glaze. Finish out a great meal with Espresso Caramel Mousse Cake for dessert!
TAMPA: NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE BLIND GOAT
- Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
- Location: 4106 Henderson Blvd., Tampa
- Cost: $40-110 per person
Guests will enjoy an open bar all night long with unlimited access to our full selection of liquor, beer, and wine, including top-shelf options (available 8 p.m.-2 a.m.) and a delicious dinner buffet spread (available 8 p.m.-11:30 p.m.). There will also be live music and dancing to keep the party going all night. Celebrate the new year and watch the ball drop at midnight with a champagne toast!
Want more holiday fun in Tampa Bay?
Our media partners at Tampa Bay Parenting have a comprehensive list of family-friendly holiday fun around Tampa Bay!