The holidays can get a little out of hand, and with gifts to purchase and other celebratory obligations, it is nice to enjoy some holiday cheer for free! There are a lot of great events in and around the Tampa Bay Area, so keep this list on hand for the season.
Check out our curated list of FREE holiday events for a great winter season in Tampa Bay! Click the titles in the table of contents for easy navigation.
<div id="c3be0912bb716eee4ca644c1dfc4ecde4"></div>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, and fees may apply if you want to participate.
Holiday Parade at Safety Harbor
- Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10 a.m.
- Location: Main Street of Safety Harbor
With beautifully designed floats, community groups, and cars—both old and new—are just a few of the highlights! Santa will make an appearance at the end of the parade.
Winter Wonderland & Lighted Golf Cart Parade
- Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 6 p.m.
- Location: 6610 Whiteway Dr., Temple Terrace
The Golf Cart Parade starts at 6 p.m. 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
- Date: Friday, December 12, 2025, 7 p.m.
- Location: 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!
59th Annual Festival of Lights Boat Parade
- Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
- Location: Best public viewing at ROC Park – Maderia Beach
The 59th Annual Madeira Beach Festival of Lights Holiday Boat Parade will begin at the ROC Park at 6:15 p.m., and travel through the finger canals through the city, and end at John's Pass. There will be opportunities for shopping at the Merry Market with live music!
Annual Lighted Christmas Boat Parade
- Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025, 6 p.m.
- Location: 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
- Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025, 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.
Related post: Sparkman Wharf Restaurants
Annual Treasure Island Holiday Lighted Boat Parade and Celebration
- Location: Saturday, December 20, 2025
- Date: 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.
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
- Date: Kicks off November 9, 2025
- Location: The Shops at Wiregrass
Welcome the holiday season at The Shops at Wiregrass with a synchronized drone and light show, live music, a holiday market, live entertainment, and 50-foot Alpine tubing slides! Donations will also be accepted in benefit of the Mason Dixon Christmas Wish Fund, supporting local families in need.
Winter Wonder Wharf Tree Lighting
- Friday, November 14, 2025, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
- Sparkman Wharf
Sparkman Wharf is bringing the holiday spirit back with Winter Wonder Wharf, a festive waterfront celebration for all ages and the lighting of their iconic 30-foot Christmas tree! Guests will be able to enjoy a full holiday experience featuring snowfall on the wharf, music, photos with Santa in his sleigh, holiday crafts, and seasonal décor throughout the property. Sparkman Wharf is also presenting a fresh take on a holiday classic with live performances inspired by The Nutcracker!
Ybor City 14th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
- Location: Centro Ybor
Enjoy a spectacular holiday evening in Centro 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!
Holiday Happening
- Date: November 20, 2025, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
- Location: Hyde Park Village
Celebrate the season at Hyde Park Village during their annual Tree Lighting with live music, a Nutcracker-inspired dance performance by the Tampa City Ballet, and a special visit from Santa, hosted by Janelle Martinez of Great Day Live! The tree will be lit at 7:55 p.m. All event proceeds will benefit the Children’s Dream Fund.
Christmas Lights at Chick-Fil-A On Waters Ave.
- Date: Begins November 21, 2025
- Location: 6299 W Waters Avenue, 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!
Festival of Lights – Tree Lighting
- Date: Monday, November 24, 2025, 7 p.m.
- Location: Time Square, Downtown Zephyrhills
Kick off the holiday season at the Zephyrhills City Hall Courtyard with live music, holiday treats, and a magical countdown to light up the city’s Christmas tree!
Riverwalk Holiday Decor Challenge
- Date: November 25, 2025, to January 2, 2026
- Location: 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
- Date: November 28th, 2025, to January 3, 2026, 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. every night
- Location: 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.
Tree Lighting – St. Petersburg
- Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
- Location: North Straub Park
The fun begins with the illuminated Santa Parade, which starts at Albert Whitted Park, followed by the Tree Lighting at North Straub Park right after the parade!
Holiday Spectacular
- Date: November 30, 2025-January 2, 2026
- Location: Tampa Riverwalk
Displays include the 35′ tall LED lighted Christmas tree that floats in the harbor, several other lighted displays floating on barges in the river, a light-up pine tree forest, a pirate ship light display, and so much more!
Oldsmar Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Date: Monday, December 1, 2025, 6 p.m.-7 p.m.
- Location: Oldsmar City Hall
Enjoy this holiday tree lighting ceremony with the Citizen of the Year. The program will also feature holiday music performed by local groups!
Safety Harbor Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Date: Friday, December 5, 2025, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
- Location: 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
- Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 1 p.m.
- 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!
Holiday Tree Lighting and Stroll
- Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
- Location: 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.
Santa in the Park – St. Petersburg
- Date: December 13-23, 2025
- Location: 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.
Oakdale Christmas Lights House
- Date: 2025 TBA
- Location: 2719 Oakdale Street South, St. Petersburg
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.
Free Festivals and Holiday Markets
Baywood Village Market
- Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Location: 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
- Date: November 6-9, 2025
- Location: 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
- Date: Friday, November 14, 2025, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
- Location: Sparkman Wharf in Tampa
Sparkman Wharf is getting a holiday twist with Winter Wonder Wharf! The Tree Lighting will take place at 7 p.m. 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
- Date: Friday, November 21, 2025, through Sunday, January 4, 2026
- Location: 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
- Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Location: 6111 N Central Ave, Tampa
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
- Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Location: 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
- Date: Saturday and Sunday, November 22-23, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Location: 1 N Pinellas Ave, Tarpon Springs
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.
READ MORE: Must-Visit Holiday Markets in Tampa Bay for Unique Gifts
Markets for Makers Tampa Holiday Market
- Date: November 23, 2025, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Location: Florida State Fairgrounds
Come shop from more than 130 makers, craft at DIY stations, snap pictures at the photo walls, enjoy festive snacks and drinks, and fill your free tote with goods from small businesses!
Annual OE Holiday Gift Bazaar
- Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
- Location: 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. Reservations are required to attend but the event is free.
Holiday Village
- Date: December 6, 2025, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Location: 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!
Holiday Promenade
- Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
- Location: 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
- Date: Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13, 2025, 2 p.m.-8 p.m.
- Location: 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
- Date: Friday, December 12, 2025, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
- Location: 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
- Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
- Location: 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
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.
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.
Free Holiday Events: Holiday Movies + Celebrations
Silvermoon Drive-In
- Dates: Friday, November 7-Thursday, November 13
- Location: 4100 New Tampa Hwy, Lakeland
Looking for something festive but a little less traditional? Head to Silvermoon Drive-In in Lakeland for seasonal showings of holiday classics. Check their website for dates and times. Adult admission is $8. Outside food and drinks are allowed in but purchasing concessions are encouraged.
- November 7-13
- The Polar Express, 7:30 p.m.
- National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, 9:30 p.m.
Tampa Theatre Holiday Classics
- Date: November 30-December 28
- Location: 711 N Franklin St, Tampa
Pop over to the Tampa Theatre this Christmas and enjoy holiday movies and other late-night activities. It’s not just a movie, it’s a whole experience right at your fingertips. Tickets are $14 ($9 for Tampa Theatre Members) and are available for purchase at the historic Franklin Street Box Office or online at www.TampaTheatre.org!
Want to know more? Check out the Holiday Classics Series coming to the theater this year!
- MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947)
- Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 3 p.m.
- Before the film, guests are invited to meet and snap photos with Old St. Nick himself, starting at 2:00 pm in the lobby.
- Sing-Along WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954)
- Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 3 p.m.
- ELF (2003)
- Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 3 p.m.
- IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)
- Friday, December 19, 2025, at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 7 p.m.
- Monday, December 22, 2025, at 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.
- Love Actually (2003)
- Sunday, December 28, 2025 at 3 p.m.
If the “nice list” nostalgia of the Holiday Classics isn’t your cup of cocoa, their late-night Friday REWIND offerings might be just the thing to frost your cookies. All Friday REWIND showings are $9 for general admission and $6 for Tampa Theatre members.
City of Tampa Santa Fest
- Date: Saturday, December 6
- Location: Downtown Tampa
The parade kicks off at 1 p.m., beginning at Morgan Street and Madison Street. Come by Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park for Santa Fest entertainment and activities from 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Stay for the Tampa Tree Lighting entertainment starting at 6 p.m., where you can see Mayor Castor and Santa Claus light up the tree before a holiday movie plays in the park to end a great day!
Jingle Bell Bazaar At Centennial Park
- Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025, 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
- Location: 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!
St. Pete Holiday Movie in the Park
- Dates: December 6, 13, and 20
- Location: Crescent Lake Park
Enjoy a free holiday movie in the park! Holiday activities begin at 6 p.m. and the movie starts a 7 p.m.
- December 6, Vinoy Park
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- December 13, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
- The Santa Clause
- December 20, Huggins-Stengel Field
- A Mizer Brothers' Christmas
12 Days of Christmas on Clearwater Beach
- Date: 2025 TBA
- Location: 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.
Feature image credit: City of Tampa