The holidays can get a little out of hand. With gifts to purchase and other celebratory obligations, it is nice to enjoy some holiday cheer for free!
We’re working on gathering the best free holiday events in the Tampa Bay area to check out this upcoming season, so grab your sweetheart and get ready for some great holiday cheer!
<div id="c3be0912bb716eee4ca644c1dfc4ecde4"></div>We will continue to update this list as holiday event details are announced, so be sure to check back here as the season gets closer!
Free Holiday Events in Tampa Bay
Free Holiday Boat Parades
We’ll start off with one of the most Floridian ways to celebrate the holidays. During the month of December, fill your calendar with these holiday boat parades around the Bay. All events are free to watch; wp-signup.php fees may apply if you want to participate.
Holiday Parade at Safety Harbor
Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10 a.m.
Main Street of Safety Harbor
Beautifully decorated boats and an appearance by Santa at the end of the parade are just a few of the highlights. Further details will be released as the parade date gets closer. This parade will be held rain or shine.
Winter Wonderland & Lighted Golf Cart Parade
Saturday, December 6, 2025, 6 p.m.
6610 Whiteway Dr., Temple Terrace
The Golf Cart Parade starts at 6 pm from the Family Recreation Complex and ends at Woodmont Park. Stay tuned for more details about the event as they are announced!
Annual Tarpon Springs Holiday Boat Parade
Friday, December 12, 2025, 7 p.m.
Craig Park, Tarpon Springs, FL
Vessels will begin at the Tarpon Landing Marina and will end in Spring Bayou at 8 p.m. Trophies will be awarded to the best-decorated boats!
Annual Lighted Christmas Boat Parade
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 6 p.m.
Begins at Gulfport Municipal Marina
See the parade from the Gulfport Municipal Marina, Clam Bayou Nature Park, Osgood Point, Gulfport's Williams Pier, and Gulfport Casino before passing by the Gulfport beach.
The parade will then make it's way through the communities of Town Shores, Pelican Bay, Skimmers Point, Bayview Circle, past Kipps Colony, near the Pasadena Yacht & Country Club (note: due to the Marina, the boats can only get halfway down that canal), then along Dolphin Blvd, to the Pasadena Golf Club Estates, across to Isla del Sol.
Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Saturday, December 20, 2025, 6:15 p.m.
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.
Related post: Sparkman Wharf Restaurants
Annual Treasure Island Holiday Lighted Boat Parade and Celebration
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Treasure Bay Golf & Tennis
Last year, spectators watched the parade from a spectacular vantage point and participated in the events at Treasure Bay. A DJ, a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus, interactive entertainers, and food/beverage concessions were available to enhance the evening.
57th Annual Festival of Lights Boat Parade
2025 TBA
Best public viewing at ROC Park – Maderia Beach
The parade begins at the American Legion Post 273 at 6:30 p.m., travels all the finger canals through the city, and ends at John's Pass.
Indian Rocks Beach Holiday Boat Parade
2025 TBA
Parade lineup at Holiday Inn Harbor Side
Parade will begin at the Walsingham Bridge, winding through the fingers and ending at Harbor Drive North.
Free Holiday Events: Lights and Spectaculars
Stroll around to see a spectacular display of holiday lights at these tree lighting ceremonies, Christmas light spectaculars and more.
Tree Lighting + Symphony in Lights
Kicks off November 9, 2025
The Shops at Wiregrass
Check back at a later date for all the details about this year's Symphony in Lights!
Water Street Season Spectacular
Friday, November 14, 2025, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Water Street Tampa
Stay tuned for more information about the Water Street Season Spectacular!
Ybor City 14th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Thursday, November 20, 2025, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Centro Ybor
Enjoy a spectacular holiday evening in Cenrto Ybor with live music, photos with Santa, snow machines, a holiday market, and a tree lighting. After the tree lighting a holiday movie will be played to close out the evening!
Riverwalk Holiday Decor Challenge
November 25, 2025, to January 2, 2026
All along the Tampa Riverwalk and Hillsborough River
Enjoy the holiday decor displays from businesses, homes, condos, and apartments along the Riverwalk!
Holiday Lights in The Gardens at The Florida Botanical Gardens
November 28th, 2025, to January 3, 2026
5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. every night
The Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Rd., Largo
The gardens sparkle with more than one million LED lights that twinkle in a variety of bright colors! Vibrant laser lights and lighted figures wow guests of all ages. The Botanical Bounty Gift Show will be open from 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. if youre looking for special garden themed gifts to give for Christmas!
Donations of $10 per person over 12 years old will be graciously accepted. These donations will help maintain the garden and provide programming.
Safety Harbor Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, December 5, 2025, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Gazebo at John Wilson Park
Bring your family and friends out to enjoy the lighting of Safety Harbor's giant Christmas tree! Choirs will warm up the crowd for a visit from Santa Claus.
City of Tampa Santa Fest & Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 6, 2025, 1 p.m.
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!
Holiday Tree Lighting and Stroll
Saturday, December 6, 2025, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Largo Central Park
Largo Central Park has more than one million LED Christmas lights to enjoy as you stroll. There will also be a Strolling Market, carolers, and other entertainers for a holiday-centric night out! $10 on-site parking is limited, or you can park and walk from Largo Middle or Largo High School for $5.
Christmas Lights at Chick-Fil-A On Waters Ave.
2025 TBA
6299 W Waters Avenue, Tampa FL 33634.
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!
Oakdale Christmas Lights House
2025 TBA
2719 Oakdale Street South, St. Petersburg, FL
Prepare to be dazzled by an array of half a million flashing colorful twinkles for a free holiday light display that garnered a top 3 showing as a finalist on NBC’s “Today” show.
Holiday Spectacular
2025 TBA
Tampa Riverwalk
Displays include the 35′ tall LED lighted Christmas tree that floats in the harbor (tree lighting will take place on November 28), several other lighted displays floating on barges in the river and the lighted garland and red bows on the Riverwalk light poles.
Santa in the Park – St. Petersburg
2025 TBA
North Straub Park
Enjoy a meet-and-greet with Santa in North Straub Park! Cameras welcomed. This year's event will feature Santa in a rocking chair with a designated area for participants to chat and take photos with Santa.
Tree Lighting – St. Petersburg
2025 TBA
North Straub Park
Santa and Mayor Rick Kriseman will light up the tree and park. This holiday tradition promises to be a delightful evening for everyone.
Festival of Lights – Tree Lighting
2025 TBA
Time Square, Downtown Zephyrhills
Annual Event on Main Street Zephyrhills. Enjoy an evening of Christmas cheer, festive food trucks, the tree lighting, and more! Entry is free!
Oldsmar Tree Lighting Ceremony
2025 TBA
Oldsmar City Hall
Enjoy this holiday tree lighting ceremony with the Citizen of the Year. The program will feature holiday music performed by local groups.
Winter Wonder Wharf Tree Lighting
2025 TBA
Sparkman Wharf
Visitors of all ages will enjoy the 35-foot tree-lighting and photo-ops at themed areas, which include a colorful tree forest where guests can find Santa and holiday-themed performances at the Sparkman Wharf stage like Rockette-style dancers and LED drummers. The tree lighting will take place at 7 pm.
Holiday Happening
2025 TBA
Hyde Park Village
Hyde Park Village invites the community to take part in the Holiday Happening benefiting The Children's Dream Fund. The annual tree lighting is more festive than ever, featuring live holiday entertainment, a winter holiday market, and more.
Free Festivals and Holiday Markets
We're adding 2025 info for these holiday markets regularly.
Baywood Village Market
Saturday, November 1, 2025, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
309 Westwinds Dr., Palm Harbor
Start your holiday shopping early with small businesses, local vendors, crafts, food, and drinks!
The Junior League of Tampa Holiday Market
November 6-9, 2025
4800 U.S. 301, Tampa
This is the Junior League of Tampa's biggest fundraiser, bringing together more than 200 vendors as a one-stop shop for holiday gifts! This holiday market raises key funds for their community projects and programs.
Winter Wonder Wharf in Tampa
Friday, November 14, 2025, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Sparkman Wharf in Tampa
Sparkman Wharf is getting a holiday twist with Winter Wonder Wharf! The Tree Lighting will take place at 7 pm. New this year, AR Workshop will host holiday crafts for all ages! There will also be an ice-skating act, LED drummers, a Rockette's style show, special photo ops, live DJ, and more!
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
Friday, November 21, 2025, through Sunday, January 4, 2026
Curtis Hixon Park in Downtown Tampa
Winter Village is free to attend, however, additional activities like ice skating will cost money. Ice skating is $17 which includes skate rental. There are other activities including street curling, shopping from a bunch of local boutiques in the Village, and enjoying the beautiful holiday light show at Curtis Hixon Park!
Holiday Craft Fair & Bake Sale
Saturday, November 22, 2025, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
6111 N Central Ave, Tampa, FL
This precious craft fair and bake sale takes place the weekend before Thanksgiving at Seminole Heights United Methodist Church, but it is still a great event to have on your date idea radar. If you want a cozy small-town feel for the Thanksgiving season, this charming fair has it!
Tampa Bay Holiday Market & Expo
Saturday, November 22, 2025, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Coliseum, St. Pete
Kick off the holiday season with local artists, creators, and local businesses! The Tampa Bay Holiday Market & Expo will be a great place to spend the day with shoping, seasonal treats, live entertainment, DIY Workshops, and more!
34th Annual Tarpon Springs Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts Festival
Saturday and Sunday, November 22-23, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
1 N Pinellas Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
If you like getting your holiday shopping done right after Thanksgiving, but the idea of waiting in Black Friday lines pains you, you’re not alone! Shop small, walk off the stuffing and avoid the lines by heading to the Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Festival in Tarpon Springs the weekend after turkey day.
Local craft vendors will take over Court Street, giving you the perfect opportunity to get a head start on your shopping.
Holiday Promenade
Thursday, December 11, 2025, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Water Street
Water Street's holiday market will highlight the local, festive shopping opportunities in the heart of Water Street. Guests of all ages are invited for an evening of shopping, strolling, and discovering unique gifts, while reveling in enjoyable live entertainment and a picture-perfect winter backdrop.
Annual Merry Beach Market
Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13, 2025, 2 p.m.-8 p.m.
ROC Park
Over 150 Local vendors will delight holiday shoppers with handmade items, crafts, unique gifts and more!! There will also be live entertainment and food and beverage stands.
Two special treats after the Merry Beach Market are having an ideal vantage point for viewing the start of the annual Madeira Beach Lighted Boat Parade and the official lighting of the Madeira Beach Christmas Tree!
There’s Snow Place Like Tarpon Springs
Friday, December 12, 2025, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
100 E. Tarpon Ave. Tarpon Springs, Florida
This year’s event will feature tree lighting, boat parade, and other activities, which include children’s crafts and activities, holiday performers, live music, holiday shopping, restaurants, food vendors, falling snow, outdoor movies, snow slide, and much more. Santa will also be in attendance!
Avalon Aglow
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Avalon Park, Downtown Wesley Chapel
There will be bounce houses, food trucks, vendors, community performances, and pictures with Santa!
READ MORE: Downtown Tampa at Winter Village: A Holiday Date Idea with NEW Fun
Visit Tampa Bay’s Merry Market
2025 TBA
Unlock Tampa Bay Visitors Center, 201 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602
There’s no better place to embrace the holiday season spirit than Tampa Bay when aglow with festive cheer. The streets light up with holiday magic, events fill the air with joy, and our community comes together in unforgettable ways. Sip a complimentary cup of rich, hot chocolate from Peterbrooke Chocolatier and dance along to holiday tunes from DJ Queen T as you shop for the perfect gift from local Tampa Bay businesses under the sparkling lights of the Poe Plaza Esplanade
Holiday Market at the Tampa Premium Outlets
2025 TBA
Tampa Premium Outlets
Get into the holiday spirit and explore a wide variety of unique gifts, delicious treats, and seasonal delights. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to find that special something for your loved ones. From handmade crafts to local artisan products, there's something for everyone at the Holiday Market.
Holiday Village
2025 TBA
Carrollwood Village Park
Holiday Village, presented by the Carrollwood Village HOAs, is a family-friendly event with holiday-themed crafts, activities, food trucks, music, decorations, and more.
La Femme's Festive Faire: A Holiday Market
2025 TBA
La Femme Institute 1150 County Road 1 Palm Harbor, FL 34683
A day of shopping, music, and holiday cheer at the La Femme Institute. Browse through various unique gifts, handmade crafts, and delicious treats from local vendors. Enjoy music and festive decorations as you get into the holiday spirit.
Tampa Bay Holiday Market
2025 TBA
The Coliseum, St. Petersburg
Local vendors will be offering everything you need to get in the holiday spirit. Start your Christmas shopping early, including home essentials, unique handmade gifts, cosmetics, holiday decor, food, apparel, accessories, and more! The first 250 attendees each day will receive a unique holiday ornament!
12th Annual OE Holiday Gift Bazaar
2025 TBA
Oxford Exchange
Inspired by eclectic and bustling European marketplaces, this space is transformed for one night out of the year into a diverse shopping venue, just in time for the holidays.
READ MORE: Must-Visit Holiday Markets in Tampa Bay for Unique Gifts
Free Holiday Events: Holiday Movies + Celebrations
Jingle Bell Bazaar At Centennial Park
2025 TBA
Centennial Park, Ybor City
The Annual Jingle Bell Bazaar is a fun, festive holiday event in Historic Ybor City. There will be live music, entertainment, food, craft vendors, and more!
12 Days of Christmas on Clearwater Beach
2025 TBA
Pier 60 Park
Local Clearwater businesses are hosting this holiday celebration including a Christmas tree lighting, caroling, parade, doggie “paw-rade,” a Christmas market and more. Free admission.
Holiday Movie in the Park
2025 TBA
Multiple locations
Grab your lawn chairs and blankets for a fun & free night out! Families can pick a special viewing spot in the park for the movie.
Movie Schedule, Event opens to the public at 5:30 p.m.
– Dec. 14: “Elf” – Pinellas Pioneer Settlement, 3010 31st St. S.
– Dec. 21: “The Grinch” – Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr. NE
Feature image credit: City of Tampa