Our Favorite 2026 Christmas Lights and Holiday Lights in Tampa Bay
If you’re looking for the best 2026 holiday lights in Tampa Bay, look no further!
Keep in mind that dates and events are subject to change, so always check with the event website before heading out the door.
<div id="c3be0912bb716eee4ca644c1dfc4ecde4"></div>(Cover photo courtesy of Enchant Christmas)
Featured Christmas Lights in Tampa Bay
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens in Tampa
- Dates: Daily November 14, 2025 – January 5, 2026
- Location: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, 10165 McKinley Dr.
- Cost: Included with 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. 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. Guests can also enjoy festive live shows and take part in special holiday dining and shopping.
River of Christmas Lights in Tampa with Pirate Water Taxi in Tampa
- Dates: Select days, November 21, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- Parade cruise on December 19, 2026, 6:15 pm
Don’t miss this water taxi cruise to view Tampa’s Christmas lights and holiday decorations. The Christmas Light cruise departs from the Tampa Convention Center, and the Christmas Light cruise includes Holiday Christmas carols and visits with pirate elves! There is also a special Christmas light cruise for the Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade on December 19, 2026.
ZooTampa Christmas in the Wild in Tampa
- Dates: Select nights November 27 – December 31, 2026
- Location: 1101 W. Sligh Ave, Tampa
This year’s Christmas in the Wild promises to be the biggest and brightest yet! Enjoy returning favorites like the illuminated Ice Cavern, Gingerbread Jubilee, meeting Randolph the reindeer in person at Randolph’s Reindeer Games, getting silly in the land of Ticky Tacky Christmas, and more!
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.
Worth the drive: ice!™ featuring The Polar Express™ at Gaylord Palms Resort
- Dates: November 13, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee
A Beloved Christmas Classic Gets a Whole New Look! This holiday season, families can experience The Polar Express in a whole new way at Gaylord Palms Resort. From Nov. 13 through Jan. 3, 2027, ice! featuring The Polar Express™ brings the beloved story to life with more than 2 million pounds of colorful ice, larger-than-life scenes, familiar characters, and two-story ice slides. Inside, it’s a chilly 9 degrees Fahrenheit, but parkas are provided. Beyond the immersive ice! attraction, families can enjoy ice tubing, holiday lights, Santa visits, gingerbread decorating, and live entertainment during Gaylord Palms’ So Much Christmas celebration. Tickets, packages, and special offers are available at 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 | THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Check the table of contents for easy navigation through the locations!
More Christmas Lights in Tampa and Hillsborough County
Holiday Lights and Carnival Rides at Largo Central Park
- Dates: November 7, 2025-January 4, 2026, from 5 pm-10 pm
- Location: Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Dr.
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. Minimum height for the carousel is 36″ and 56″ for the Ferris wheel.
Season Spectacular
- Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026, 5-9 p.m.
- Location: 971 Water St Tampa, FL 33602 United States
Step into the magic of the holidays at the 5th Annual Season Spectacular. A night where twinkling lights, joyful music, and festive cheer fill the air!
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park in Downtown Tampa
- Dates: November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- Location: Curtis Hixon Park
This year’s Winter Village continues its focus on creating a welcoming holiday experience for the community, with local shopping opportunities throughout the season, expanded ways to travel to the event, and a lineup of weekly programming and special events.
Tampa Bay Festival of Lights & Santa’s Village
- Dates: November 26-December 27. 2026
- 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. 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!
Holiday Spectacular on the Tampa Riverwalk
- Date: November 27, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- Location: Tampa Riverwalk
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 at the Pirate Water Taxi ticket booth, a floating gingerbread lighted display, and a lighted pine tree forest. Hotels, restaurants, and bars along the Riverwalk will also have festive lighted displays.
Christmas on the Farm
- Date: November 27 – December 20, 2026
- Location: Raprager Family Farm
Raprager Family Farm is exploding with Christmas cheer! Lights and decorations blanket the farm, hear stories from Mrs. Claus, pay a visit to Santa, and take pictures with him at his workshop. While you are there, be sure to stop by the Sweet Shop for some festive snacks and shop the farmers market!
Victorian Christmas Stroll
- Dates: November 27 – December 31, 2026
- Location: Henry B Plant Museum, Tampa
Tampa’s favorite holiday tradition returns with the 45th Annual Victorian Christmas Stroll! What began as a three-day candlelight tour in 1982 has grown into a spectacular and cherished holiday tradition. We invite visitors to step back in time to enjoy the celebration of Christmas at a Gilded Age grand hotel, all while supporting the museum’s largest annual fundraiser.
More of the Holidays in Tampa Bay: Celebrate the Holidays in Tampa Bay: Christmas Events, Lights, and More!
Christmas Lane in Plant City
- Dates: Thursday-Sunday, November 27 – December 13, and nightly December 17-24, 2026
- Location: 2508 West Oak Ave. Plant City
The Florida Strawberry Festival fairgrounds is transformed into an enchanting winter wonderland. Take in the wonder of the 1.5 million lights that adorn 200 Christmas trees from 4 to 40 feet. They will have rides, food, live entertainment, and a kids’ zone. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be there to celebrate and take festive photos with guests.
Shimmering Lights Winter Festival at Sun Kissed Acres in Dover
- Date: November 28 – December 26, 2026, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
- Location: 2302 N Dover Rd., Dover, FL
This is an outdoor walking trail that’s about 1/4 mile long, filled with shimmering lights. Tickets are $9.50-12 per person.
Related: Enchant Christmas Returning to St. Pete for 2026
Wonderland of Christmas Lights & Santa’s Christmas Village in Auburndale
- Dates: Select nights from December 3-26, 2026
- Location: 1052 US-92, Auburndale
This is a drive-through Christmas lights event! First, you and your family will drive through Christmas lights for a mile to experience spectacular lights! New this year are Holiday Igloo Experiences and Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides. After seeing the drive-through Christmas lights, you can visit Santa’s Village featuring rides, entertainment, a visit with Santa, and Holiday activities for children and adults of all ages! Visitors are also encouraged to bring a toy for Toys for Tots.
Winter Wonder Wharf at Sparkman Wharf in Tampa
- Date: Friday, December 4, 2026, 5-9 p.m.
- Location: 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa
Sparkman Wharf is bringing the holiday spirit back with Winter Wonder Wharf where guests can snap a photo with Santa, enjoy free face painting and glitter tattoos, and dance the night away at a silent disco
You can also experience festive performances including the Amazing LED Drumline, breakdancing elves, wrapping carolers, an a cappella group, a bubble show from Spheres Bubbles, and music from DJ Eiken. Snow flurries will transform the lawn into a winter wonderland, while holiday décor, larger-than-life photo moments, and a new dancing Christmas tree bring even more magic to the Wharf.
Yuletide on the Range
- Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 5–8 pm
- Location: The James Museum, 150 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL
Cowboy Santa invites you to kick off the holiday season at The James Museum in downtown St. Pete for a festive and fun celebration. Come see the 12-foot Yule Cactus, enjoy art making for all ages, photos with Cowboy Santa, live music from Tampa Bay band Local Honey, and more! This event is FREE to attend.
Annual Treasure Island Holiday Lighted Boat Parade and Celebration
- Date: Saturday, December 19, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Watch the parade from a spectacular vantage point and participate in the events at Treasure Bay. A DJ, a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus, interactive entertainers, and food/beverage concessions will be available. The best viewing areas are Treasure Bay, Treasure Island Causeway, John’s Pass Bridge, Isle of Palms along 115th Ave., and St. James Bridge.
Holiday Lighted Boat Parade in Tampa
- Date: December 19, 2026, at 6:15 pm
As you enjoy the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, take a stroll along the Tampa Riverwalk among the festive holiday lights as the area transforms into a winter wonderland. Highlights of the Holiday Spectacular include a 35-foot-tall LED-lighted Christmas tree that floats in the harbor, a holiday selfie station at the Pirate Water Taxi ticket booth, a floating gingerbread lighted display, and a lighted pine tree forest. Hotels, restaurants, and bars along the Riverwalk will also have festive lighted displays.
Happy Holidaze: Christmas with a Florida Twist
2026 TBA
FloridaRAMA, St. Petersburg
Get swept up in the HoliDAZE at FloridaRAMA, a holiday celebration with a Florida twist! Explore a playful art paradise featuring a portal-trapped Christmas tree, gravity-defying ice rink, mischievous panther elves, flamingos in Santa hats and 15+ Florida-themed trees. Shop Florida-inspired treats in Lucy Sparrow’s Quick Shop and add Neon Minigolf Dec 18–Jan 5 for extra glow and festive fun!
Christmas Lights at the Chick-fil-A on Waters Ave in Tampa
2026 TBA
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! Visit the store at 6299 W Waters Avenue, Tampa FL 33634.
Temple Terrace Drive-Bay Lights Display
2026 TBA
This neighborhood is one of the top areas to go see amazing holiday lights in Tampa Bay! The community has been hard at work putting together a display you can watch from your car. Tune to 95.5 FM as you approach to listen the music as its synchronized with the lights. Visit their Facebook page here for more.
Best Holiday Lights in Pinellas County
Enchant Christmas (featured image)
- 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 in The Gardens at The Florida Botanical Gardens
- Dates: Open nightly, November 27, 2026 – January 3, 2027, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
- Location: Florida Botanical Garden
The gardens sparkle with one million LED lights that twinkle in a variety of bright colors. Vibrant laser lights and lighted figures are sure to wow guests of all ages. The Children’s Area will provide free kids crafts on Thursday and Sunday evenings. There is a $10 suggested donation per person.
Holiday Lights & Displays in St. Petersburg
- Dates: November 28, 2027 – January 1, 2027
- Location: St. Pete Pier
Enjoy twinkling light displays, which dazzle even more reflected off the water at Pioneer Park, Vinoy Park, and the St. Pete Pier!
DK Farms’ Christmas at the Farm
- Date: December 4-26, 2026, 5-9 p.m.
- Location: 1750 Lake Ave. SE, Largo
Enjoy the farm from a whole new perspective! There will be tons of entertainment designed for all ages. Activities include a petting zoo, games and activities, photo ops, Snow Party, campfires, hayrides, mini golf, and more.
The Oakdale Christmas House in St. Petersburg
2026 TBA
The house is located at 2719 Oakdale Street South, St. Petersburg, FL
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 have 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.
Best Christmas Lights in Pasco County, Hernando County, and Citrus County
Symphony in Lights at The Shops at Wiregrass
- Dates: Opening Night, November 14, nightly through November 15 – December 31, 2026, 6-7 p.m. and 8-9 p.m.
- Location: Shops at Wiregrass
Symphony in Lights presented by AdventHealth Wesley Chapel provides guests the opportunity to experience an array of dancing lights choreographed to music , holiday festivities, and snow for the whole family to enjoy. Opening night takes place on November 14 from 5-9:30 p.m.
Celebration of Christmas Lights in Shady Hills
- Dates: November 27-29, December 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 21-22, Drive-through only, December 23, 26, and 27, 2026
- Location: The Concourse
Enjoy a great Christmas lights and holiday lights display in the Port Richey area. This Christmas light event takes place at the Concourse in Shady Hills in Pasco, a short Christmas light drive away from Tampa. Go on a one-mile drive through a larger-than-life holiday light display and then park to take a ride on the Grand Concourse Railroad through the lighted Christmas Wonderland to Safety Town which is decorated in lights for the holidays.
Christmas Under the Moon at HarvestMoon Fun Farm in Masaryktown
- Dates: November 28 – December 26, 6-9 p.m.
- Location: HarvestMoon Fun Farm
Head to HarvestMoon Fun Farm for their very first dazzling Christmas light display! You can also take a stroll down Christmas Tree Lane, visit with the animals in the petting farm, sip on some Hot Chocolate, munch on some Kettle Corn, and more! Beer and wine will also be offered this year for guests ages 21 and up.
Tickets are $15.20 per person for ages 3 and up. Kids ages 2 and under are free. Activities included with admission: Jumping Pillow, Petting Farm, Cow Train, Ball Zone, Hill Slide, Swings, Arts & Crafts, Photo Ops, an enchanted hayride, and more!
Holiday Lights at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
- Date: December 11-12, 18-19, 2026, 6-10 p.m.
- Location: 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee
The entrance fee is only $12 per person. Children two and under are free. Take a festive stroll through the park which is lit up with holiday lights, watch the Polar Express Mermaid Show, photo ops in North Pole Village, shop the Merry Market, and more!
Celebration of Light in Homosassa
- Dates: December 18-23 and 26, 2026, 5:30-9 p.m.
- Location 4150 South Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa
The community can expect to see different entertainment and refreshments nightly. Enjoy a Winter Wonderland, a synchronized light, sound show and more! Donations will benefit the Friends of Homosassa Springs.
Fort Cooper Nights of Lights in Inverness
2026 TBA
This holiday event is a must-see. Stroll through this beautiful state park under a canopy of sparkling lights, make your own s’mores, and enjoy holiday music and refreshments. Instead of an entrance fee, guests are asked to bring a food item or toy for the Citrus United Basket of Inverness or pet feed for Citrus County Animal Services.
Best Christmas Lights in Polk County
Shimmering Lights Winter Festival at Sun Kissed Acres in Dover
- Date: November 28 – December 26, 2026, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
- Location: 2302 N Dover Rd., Dover, FL
This is an outdoor walking trail that’s about 1/4 mile long, filled with shimmering lights. Tickets are $9.50-12 per person.
Wonderland of Christmas Lights & Santa’s Christmas Village in Auburndale
- Dates: Select nights from December 3-26, 2026
- Location: 1052 US-92, Auburndale
This is a drive-through Christmas lights event! First, you and your family will drive through Christmas lights for a mile to experience spectacular lights! New this year are Holiday Igloo Experiences and Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides. After seeing the drive-through Christmas lights, you can visit Santa’s Village featuring rides, entertainment, a visit with Santa, and Holiday activities for children and adults of all ages! Visitors are also encouraged to bring a toy for Toys for Tots.
Snowfest: A Walk in the Snow
- Date: December 5, 2026, 5-9 p.m.
- Location: Downtown Lakeland, Lake Mirror Mark
Head to Lake Mirror where man-made snow will be falling as visitors enter the designated event area. There will also be arts, crafts, vendors, a beautiful 30-foot-tall Christmas tree, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Santa’s Workshop, a book giveaway, entertainment, food trucks, and more! Grab some hot cocoa while you check out the artisan markets and enjoy the festive lights of Lake Mirror.
Light Up BSP
- Dates: December 18-31, 2026
- Location: Bonnet Springs Park
Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland is hosting Light UP BSP, a free community event featuring themed activities, holiday lights along the boardwalk, live performances, character meet-and-greets, and more.
Best Christmas Lights in Sarasota
University Town Center
- Dates: November 14, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- Location: University Town Center Sarasota
University Town Center in Sarasota is a must-visit for holiday shopping. But it’s also a great place to see more than four million lights, and ice skating rink, holiday movies, Wonderland Circus, and more!
Lights in Bloom Downtown Sarasota
- Dates: December 5, 2026 – January 2, 2027
- Location: Selby Gardens
Lights in Bloom® features more than two million lights illuminating the gardens and walkways. Don’t miss a holiday photo opportunity, activities, and entertainment. Food is available for purchase.
Winter Nights Under the lights in Bradenton
- Dates: December 17-20, 2026, 6-9 p.m.
- Location: Palma Sola Botanical Gardens
The Palma Sola Botanical Gardens is hosting families for this free holiday lights event in the gardens with live performances each night! There will be donation boxes throughout the park if you feel inclined to make a donation to help support the community gardens.
Bradenton Holiday of Lights Festival at the Freedom Factory
2026 TBA
The Freedom Factory is excited to announce the 1st Bradenton Holiday Lights Festival! This is a light show like no other. As you arrive with your car load of friends and family you begin to drive through different areas of the facility, a light tunnel, and even on the actual track surface all while immersed in over 100,000 lights and dozens of set pieces. The drive through portion is just the start of this amazing light festival. Once your drive is complete, you’re able to park and come inside to their Christmas Village. The Christmas village will feature a 50 foot Christmas tree, Meet and Greet with Santa, games, rides, a Jumbotron playing Christmas movies, music, vendors, food, drinks, and more! The lights are synchronized to music and will feature four custom shows that play throughout the night. This is a fully custom light show that you will not see anywhere else!
Take a Day Trip to Orlando for these Holiday Light Displays
ice!™ featuring The Polar Express™
- Dates: November 13, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- Location: Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee, FL
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.
