Get ready to lace up those skates for a unique experience in Downtown Tampa–ice skating is back at Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park, but that’s not all! This year’s 10th anniversary event welcomes you Friday, November 21, 2025, and runs through January 4, 2026.
Winter Village has also added some accessibility enhancements to ensure that everyone can feel comfortable and included during this year's festivities! These enhancements include a sensory relief zone with sensory items, CARD-Certified staff, widened pathways, improved ADA access, and multilingual signage, including english, Spanish, and visibility enhanced text.
<div id="c3be0912bb716eee4ca644c1dfc4ecde4"></div>Winter Village Tampa is one of our favorite places to catch holiday lights in Tampa Bay, so let’s dish out the details so you know what to expect this year!
What are the hours for Winter Village?
Winter Village will be open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. until 11 p.m. through January 4. Hours do vary a bit around the holidays, so check the ice skating and shops calendars on the website to confirm. They will also be open from 12 p.m.-11 p.m. on Hillsborough County non-school days.
Be sure to witness Tampa's Santa Fest, Tree Lighting, and parade on December 6! The parade begins at 1 p.m. on Morgan Street, travels west on Madison street, and ends at Ashley Drive and Cass Street. The tree lighting ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. with holiday performances! Stick around after the tree lighting for a free holiday movie viewing.
NEW Winter Village Fun for 2025
10th Anniversary Time Capsule and Merchandise
Help celebrate the 10th anniversary of Winter Village! On opening day, Friday, November 21, guests will have the opportunity to bring a photo, or snap a new one, to place inside the time capsule for their Winter Village Time Capsule Celebration. The time capsule will be opened again on the 20th anniversary of Winter Village in 2035!
There will also be limited edition merchandise like t-shirts, stickers, and postcards featuring a painting of Winter Village by artist M.A. Art, to celebrate the season in style!
Live Painting with M.A. ART
Experience art in action with local artist M.A. Art, live painting during Opening Weekend and Thanksgiving Weekend! Watch a festive winter scene come to life during operating hours, capturing the spirit of the season in real time.
River of Lights Boat Tours
Guests can hop aboard the River of Lights cruise for a dazzling 45-minute journey down the Hillsborough River, departing directly from Winter Village (Stop #12), in Partnership with Pirate Water Taxi!
The holiday lights cruise features sing-alongs with snow flurries, games, and visits from Santa’s helpers. Kids can even mail letters to Santa via Tampa’s only floating mail station buoy. Tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for children and must be purchased in advance.
Don't miss the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade on December 20!
Bonus Idea: Check out our list of local Holiday Boat Parades if you're looking for more Tampa Holiday fun! We've even got some great tips to help you prepare and watch the parade.
Winter Village Seasonal Fun
Theme Skate Nights
Enjoy skate nights on Tuesday nights with themes like Grinchmas, Ugly Sweater, and Lightning Bolts & Snowflakes, with perfect holiday photo ops!
2025 Themed Skate Nights:
November 25 – Holidays Around the World
December 2 – Grinchmas
December 9 – Ugly Sweater
December 16 – Lightning Bolts & Snowflakes
December 23 – Nightmare Before Christmas
December 30 – Holiday Shimmer
Holiday Trivia
Test your festive knowledge on Wednesdays from 2 p.m.-4 p.m.! Gather your friends and family for a fun-filled evening of holiday-themed questions.
2025 Holiday Trivia and Game Night Dates:
Wednesday, November 26
Wednesday, December 24
Wednesday, December 31
Thunderstruck Thursdays
Celebrate Tampa Bay Lightning pride on Thursdays by purchasing themed menu items with the chance to win a Tampa Lightning tickets!
Silent Disco
Every Friday is Silent Disco night at Winter Village, skate under the stars and jam out to some amazing tunes on the headphones from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.! Headphones are first come, first serve.
Shop Small
Find great gifts for every member of your family by shopping the local vendors and small shops each Saturday with surprise giveaways and vendor spotlights!
Winter Village Ice Skating Shows
Witness the Winter Village Ice Skating dazzling performances on select nights throughout the season! Check the Winter Village website calendar for performance dates and tickets.
2025 Ice Skating Show Dates:
Friday, November 21, 7 p.m.
Saturday, November 22, 7 p.m.
Sunday, November 23, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, December 24, 7 p.m. (special Christmas Eve show)
Tuesday, December 31, 7 p.m. (special New Year's Eve show)
Friday, January 2, 7 p.m.
Saturday, January 3, 7 p.m.
Sunday, January 4, 7 p.m.
Returning Favorites at Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
Downtown Ice Skating
When we say there’s nothing quite like ice-skating on real ice outside in the middle of downtown…in FLORIDA…there’s truly nothing like it. What a fun way to connect together!
Are you both from Florida and have never experienced ice skating? Maybe one of you is more experienced than the other? Either way, you're sure to have some stories to tell following this experience. You must pre-book your ice-skating time online at WinterVillageTampa.com to secure your spot. Tickets are $17 per skater and you will get 75 minutes to skate, skate rentals are included.
Tip: They offer both hockey skates and figure skates. We recommend figure skates if you're a beginner.
Curling
Curling will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis Wednesday-Sunday, so get ready for some friendly competition! You will get 30 minutes to play and they will have equipment available to rent. Oh, what fun this will be for those competitive couples!
Winter Village Express
The Winter Village Express is back for 2025! It takes you on a unique, 50-minute festive ride on the TECO Streetcar from Whiting Station to Ybor City and back on select evenings. Led by new characters Rudy and Holly, guests will enjoy cookies and milk, holiday sing-a-longs, and more festive surprises along the way! Tickets are on sale now and must be purchased in advance.
2025 Winter Village Express Dates:
Sunday, November 23
Sunday, November 30
Sunday December 7
Sunday, December 14
Sunday, December 21
The Shops at Winter Village
Check off the holiday wish list and shop local at the Shops at Winter Village. This year there are 70 small businesses participating with 10 full-season retailers, 7 partial-season shop and more than 30 rotating vendors throughout the holiday season!
Shop Small Weekend will be held from November 28 to 30 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The first 100 shoppers will get a “I Shopped Small at Winter Village” tote bag!
It's a great way to find unique gifts for family and friends! From jewelry and custom tumblers, to Tampa-themed gear and other handmade goods, this will be one of the best places to get your holiday shopping done!
Full Season Vendors:
- The Main Ingredient
- Nairi Handmade Jewelry
- Dark Door Spirits
- Jalex Designs
- Blake & Mia with Clay by Clark
- SweetStop FL
- Sunny South Love
Partial Season Vendors:
- Calia Rose Boutique
- Unlock Tampa Bay
- Flour
- Tampa Bay Merch & Co.
- Debbie's Artistry
- Tropico Trading Co.
- Tad Leathers
MORE GIFT IDEAS: Experiences Around Tampa Bay Holiday Gift Guide
The Cafe
While you’re at the Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park, be sure to stop by The Cafe at Winter Village for a snack and sips! This year, they have similar items to what they've had in years past including pork and black bean bowls, empanadas, macaroni and cheese, a holiday-themed turkey sandwich, and hot dogs. And for a sweet treat, make sure to grab one of their specialty crepes!
There are specialty holiday-themed cocktails (Campfire Old Fashioned or Caramel Apple Mule, anyone?). Food and beverage options include:
- Icicles Craft Cocktails
- Icicles Craft Kitchen
- Gourmet Crepes & Beverages
- Mi Cafecito
- Whatever Pops
Bringing the Kids to Winter Village
Date night is always best without kids along, but sometimes you gotta go what you gotta do. Some if the kiddos need to come along, there is plenty of fun at the Curtis Hixon Park Winter Village for the whole family!
Santa at Winter Village
Santa is slated to make a few pop-up appearances at Winter Village. He’s on schedule to pop in for a visit during select dates in December (TBD). He’s also going to make an appearance during Santa Fest in Tampa on December 6!