<div id="c3be0912bb716eee4ca644c1dfc4ecde4"></div>Whether you’re ready or not, ‘tis the season for holiday shopping! This year, more than ever, it is important to support local businesses. Lucky for us, Tampa Bay has no shortage of holiday markets packed with small businesses looking to spread holiday cheer!
We’ve put together a list of some of the best holiday markets, so get ready to shop ‘til you drop while supporting local.
Ongoing Christmas Markets in Tampa Bay
Christmas Town Market at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Is it really the holiday season if you don’t visit Christmas Town at Busch Gardens? We don’t think so! Among the endless twinkling lights and thrilling rides, you’ll find the Christmas Town Village. From cookies and cocoa to holiday brews and more, the food and drink options are nothing short of incredible. Some of our menu must-haves include the Brie Tart & Arugula Salad, the Smoked BBQ Chicken Sliders, and the Cinnamon Whiskey Sour. If sampling a variety of these offerings is more your style, make sure to grab a Food & Beverage Sampler Lanyard. And if somehow the food offerings aren’t enough to convince you to get your Christmas Town tickets ASAP, we’re certain the array of holiday gift shops will be!
Market Details:
- Where: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay – 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612
- When: Daily November 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Twinkletown Marketplace at ZooTampa Christmas in the Wild
Christmas in the Wild is back at ZooTampa and it’s not just for the little ones! Grown-ups can find delicious holiday treats and festive ornaments at the Twinkletown Marketplace. This year there will be six new fully immersive zones of lights, making Christmas in the Wild one of the biggest holiday light displays in Tampa Bay.
Market Details:
- Where: ZooTampa – 1101 W Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
- When: Select nights November 29 – December 23, 2024
Events with Holiday Markets in Tampa Bay
Holiday Craft Fair & Bake Sale
Saturday, November 23, 8am – 3pm
Seminole Heights United Methodist Church, 6111 N Central Ave, Tampa, FL
This precious craft fair and bake sale takes place the weekend before Thanksgiving, 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! Free to attend.
Baywood Village Market
Saturday, November 23 from 10 am-3 pm
309 Westwinds Dr., Palm Harbor, FL 34683
Start your holiday shopping early with local vendors, crafts, food, and drinks. Admission is free.
Tampa Bay Holiday Market at The Coliseum (St. Pete)
Saturday and Sunday, November 23-24, 2024
The Coliseum – 535 4th Ave N, St Petersburg, FL 33701
Get in the holiday spirit at the Tampa Bay Holiday Market, located at The Coliseum in St. Pete. Local vendors will be offering home décor, unique handmade gifts, clothing, accessories, food, and more. Admission and parking free, so there’s simply no reason not to check it out.
Tarpon Springs Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts Festival
Saturday and Sunday, November 30 – December 1, 2024, 10am – 5pm
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.
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
Friday, November 22, 2024 at 5pm and running through January 5, 2025
Curtis Hixon Park
Get some shopping done at the holiday shops, sip 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.
READ MORE: Our tips for a great date at Winter Village
Holiday Village
Saturday, December 7 2024, 11am-6pm
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 – An Evening Market
Water Street: 971 Water St., Tampa FL 33602
Thursday, December 12, 5pm – 9pm
Discover unique gifts and delight in festive entertainment. During this seasonal market on Water Street, shop local vendors and enjoy seasonal activities and performances under the picture-perfect backdrop of the neighborhood decor.
Annual Merry Beach Market
Friday, December 13th from 5-9pm and Saturday, December 14th from 2-8pm
ROC Park
How lucky are we to live where you can have a holiday market on the beach? Over 50 Local vendors will delight holiday shoppers. Plus, live entertainment and food and beverage stands. The market is also a collection site for The Christmas Toy Shop to help make the holidays brighter for local children. Better yet, the event is pet- and family-friendly, and will be held rain or shine.
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.
Holiday Market
Saturday and Sunday Dec 14, 2024 – Dec 15, 2024, 11am-5pm
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.
Events to Put on Your Calendar for Next Year
Country Christmas Market in Dade City
Saturday, November 2 from 9am-4pm
14139 7th St, Dade City, FL 33525
If you’re in the Dade City area, the Fancy Flea Country Christmas Market is a must-visit. Local vendors will be selling an array of vintage goods and other gift-worthy items. Admission for this outdoor street show is free, so grab your date and check it out!
Junior League of Tampa Holiday Gift Market
November 7-10th
Florida State Fairgrounds – 4800 US Highway 301, Tampa, FL
The Holiday Gift Market is The Junior League of Tampa’s largest fundraiser bringing together merchants and shoppers for a unique shopping event. Held at the Florida State Fairgrounds, this year’s Market will feature over 200 specialty merchants from the Tampa Bay region and beyond. Shoppers can find gifts for everyone on their list and enjoy holiday-themed events while giving back to the Tampa Bay community. 100% of the Holiday Gift Market proceeds support The Junior League of Tampa’s community projects and programs benefiting women, children and families. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased online at HolidayGiftMarket.org or for $12 at the door.
Need more festive season date ideas? Here are our top picks for Christmas in Tampa Bay.
Feature image credit: The Fancy Flea