Tampa Bay’s holiday season stretches well beyond downtown, with waterfront celebrations, longtime local traditions, family attractions and cultural events across the region. These 33 picks cover Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater and nearby towns, offering ways to experience Christmas through music, lights, performances and community gatherings.
Tampa: theater, music and seasonal traditions
Tampa Repertory Theatre: Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play
Tampa Rep sets the Macy’s Santa story inside a live musical radio play, with original songs and arrangements by Jon Lorenz. When department-store Santa Kris Kringle insists that he is the real Santa, his claim goes to court, testing the belief of those around him.
Dec. 3-23, evening shows Thu-Sat and matinees Sat-Sun · Shimberg Playhouse, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa · Schedule and tickets
The Florida Orchestra: Holiday Pops
Conductor Chelsea Gallo leads a program anchored by Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and James Stephenson’s BasSOON it Will Be Christmas, which brings the orchestra’s bassoon section into the spotlight. Baritone Alex Boyd and dancers Madison Pineda Bender and Nicholas Garlo join the performances, adding voice and movement to the orchestral program. Guests can also bring a new, unwrapped toy for Metropolitan Ministries’ holiday drive.
Dec. 10-13 · Straz Center, Tampa; Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater · Performance times and tickets
The Florida Orchestra: Classical Christmas
Michael Francis leads a program that moves from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus to Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Baritone Alex Boyd and the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay join the orchestra for the first half; after intermission, the Lumina Youth Choir sings Sarah Quartel’s “This endris night” before the orchestra takes up the ballet’s Spanish, Arabian, Chinese and Russian dances.
Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m. · Straz Center, Tampa; Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. · Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg · Concert details and tickets
Tampa Theatre: Holiday Classics
Tampa Theatre’s 1926 movie palace is celebrating its centennial year with holiday films on the big screen and Christmas carols played on the Mighty Wurlitzer before select screenings. The lineup includes a White Christmas sing-along, Elf, It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street and The Chronicles of Narnia; It’s a Wonderful Life has seven showings across Dec. 19-23.
Nov. 29-Dec. 27, select screenings · Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa · Film schedule and tickets
Henry B. Plant Museum: Victorian Christmas Stroll
What began as a three-day candlelight tour in 1982 now fills the former Tampa Bay Hotel’s Moorish Revival rooms with holiday displays. Visitors move among antique ornaments, Santa figurines, authentic goosefeather trees and period fashions, with new decorations alongside returning favorites; the Stroll is the museum’s largest annual fundraiser. Friday and Saturday evenings add live music, and horse-and-carriage rides around the historic grounds are offered Dec. 19-20.
Nov. 27-Dec. 31 (closed Dec. 23-25); Sun-Thu 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri-Sat until 8 p.m. · Henry B. Plant Museum, Tampa · Admission $20 adults, $18 seniors, $14 youth; free for ages 0-3 and members · Stroll information and tickets
City of Tampa: Santa Fest and Tree Lighting
The parade steps off at 1 p.m. at Morgan and Madison streets, then travels west on Madison to Ashley Drive before turning north toward Cass Street; Madison is the best place to watch. At Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Santa Fest runs from 1 to 5 p.m. with crafts, reindeer games, free Santa photos and food vendors. Mayor Jane Castor and WFLA meteorologist Jeff Berardelli light seven trees at 6 p.m., followed by a free outdoor screening of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at 6:45.
Dec. 5 · Parade at 1 p.m.; park festivities 1-5 p.m.; tree lighting at 6 p.m. · Downtown Tampa and Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park · Free · Santa Fest details
Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Decorated boats set off near Sparkman Wharf, pass through the Convention Center basin and finish at Armature Works, turning the Hillsborough River into a moving line of holiday lights. The parade is free to watch from the Riverwalk; this year’s grand marshal is Tampa TV personality Charley Belcher.
Dec. 19, 6:15 p.m. · Hillsborough River, from Sparkman Wharf through downtown to Armature Works · Free viewing along the Riverwalk · Parade details
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Downtown Tampa gets a winter-market feel at Winter Village, where an outdoor ice rink, container-style holiday shops and a café bring a little seasonal bustle to the Riverwalk. Meet seasonal characters on select Sundays, browse the market or reserve 75 minutes on the ice; there is no charge to enter the village, while skating and some activities are ticketed.
Nov. 20-Jan. 3, 2027 · Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa · Free entry; skating is $17 ($15 for children under 12), including rentals · Winter Village information
Hyde Park Village Holiday Happening
The evening pairs live music throughout the Village with a Nutcracker-inspired performance by Tampa City Ballet and Santa inside Hyde House; Janelle Martinez of Great Day Live hosts. Before the 7:45 p.m. tree lighting, participating shops and restaurants add one-night offers and activities, including a complimentary holiday postcard at Rifle Paper Co. and peppermint toppings at OddFellows Ice Cream. A portion of the evening’s proceeds benefits The Children’s Dream Fund.
Nov. 19, 5:30-8 p.m.; tree lighting at 7:45 p.m. · Hyde Park Village, 1602 W. Snow Ave., Tampa · Event details
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Christmas Town
More than 70 miles of lights cover Busch Gardens, where Christmas Town combines holiday shows with the park’s rides and animal habitats. The 2026 lineup adds Lights of Wonder, a drone show set to holiday music, and A Very Merry Cirque!; visitors can also walk life-size Rudolph storybook scenes or ride the Holly Jolly Express past the 65-acre veldt, home to giraffes, rhinos and zebras. Admission is included with regular park entry.
Select dates Nov. 13-Jan. 4, 2027 · Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, 10165 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa · Included with park admission · Shows, dates and admission
Cirque du Soleil: ’Twas the Night Before…
Cirque du Soleil builds its first Christmas show around Isabella, who feels she has outgrown her family’s reading of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” until the poem comes to life. The 85-minute, no-intermission production brings the story to the stage through aerial acts, hoop diving, dance and holiday songs reworked by Cirque.
Nov. 18-29 · Morsani Hall, Straz Center, Tampa · Show details and tickets
The Florida Aquarium: Christmas Tidings
The Aquarium pairs its marine life with costumed-diver visits, animal ambassadors, a glowing lighthouse, Santa photos and crafts. Snow flurries in the Queue Garden add an outdoor moment, while the Dec. 13 Day of Discovery morning adjusts lights and sound for guests with sensory differences.
Nov. 27-Jan. 3, 2027; Day of Discovery Dec. 13, 8-9 a.m. · The Florida Aquarium, Tampa · Included with general admission · Dates and event details
ZooTampa: Christmas in the Wild
Christmas in the Wild pairs a large after-dark light display with winter-themed wildlife connections, interactive family shows, seasonal food and chances to see animals in the zoo at night. Members and Zoo Fun ticket holders get admission; other guests need an evening ticket, and event dates vary by week.
Select nights Nov. 27-Dec. 30 · ZooTampa at Lowry Park, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa · Event dates and admission
Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Harbour Tree Lighting
The mayor arrives by Pirate Water Taxi to light the Riverwalk’s 35-foot floating Christmas tree in the Convention Center basin. As the mayor lights it, the 35-foot tree sits on the Hillsborough River in the Convention Center basin, putting the ceremony right on the water.
Nov. 29, 4-7 p.m. · Tampa Convention Center and The Sail Plaza, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa · Event details
Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular
The Holiday Spectacular places light displays, seasonal décor and interactive installations at multiple points along the Tampa Riverwalk, creating a free waterfront route to explore after dark. It runs Nov. 27-Jan. 3, so the lights remain up beyond Christmas.
Nov. 27-Jan. 3, 2027 · Multiple locations along the Tampa Riverwalk · Displays and event information
Pirate Water Taxi: River of Lights
From the Winter Village dock, the Pirate Water Taxi takes families down the Hillsborough River for a closer look at Tampa’s waterfront lights. Holiday sing-alongs, snow flurries during “Let It Snow,” a floating letterbox for Santa and a visit from the Elf on a Barge turn the 45-minute ride into its own festive outing.
Select dates Nov. 20-Jan. 3, 2027, with family sailings from 5:15 p.m. · Departs Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park · Ticketed · Cruise schedule and tickets
Lost Pearl: A Pirate’s Christmas
This family cruise swaps a standard boat ride for a holiday pirate adventure: kids can play games, sing along, send a letter to Santa through the floating mail buoy and collect a gift, while adults can relax on deck. Look out for the elf visit and the occasional snow flurry over the water.
Select dates Nov. 27-Dec. 26 · Departs 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa · About one hour; tickets required · Cruise details
Winter Wonder Wharf at Sparkman Wharf
Sparkman Wharf’s free event packs Santa photos, face painting, glitter tattoos and a silent disco around live sets by an LED drumline, carolers and breakdancing elves. Snow flurries fall on the lawn, where a new dancing Christmas tree anchors the one-night waterfront celebration.
Dec. 4, 5-9 p.m. · Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa · Free · Event details
Glazer Children’s Museum: Gingerbread Village
Families build gingerbread-inspired houses and structures from recycled and everyday materials, adding them to a shared village that grows over the season. The project is included with museum admission; seasonal storytimes and guest appearances add extra programming on select dates.
Nov. 1-Dec. 31 · Glazer Children’s Museum, 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa · Included with museum admission · Museum event details
Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
A string quartet performs “O Holy Night,” “Carol of the Bells,” “The First Noel” and other carols inside Seminole Heights United Methodist Church, with the sanctuary lit by thousands of flameless candles. The one-hour program offers a candlelit chamber-music setting for familiar seasonal songs.
Dec. 18, 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. · Seminole Heights United Methodist Church, 6111 N. Central Ave., Tampa · Program and tickets
Powerstories Theatre: Raising Twelve on a Nickel and a Prayer
Fran Taylor Powers’ musical follows Betty and Harold over three Christmas seasons beginning in 1950, tracing a Navy family through separation, heartbreak and the dream of raising twelve children. The concert version pairs Powers’ story with Hartman’s original music, bringing a Tampa-written holiday musical to Hillsborough College Theatre.
Dec. 16-20, evening performances and weekend matinees · Hillsborough College Theatre, Ybor Performing Arts Building, 1411 E. 11th Ave., Tampa · Performance schedule and tickets
Across Tampa Bay: St. Petersburg, Clearwater and beyond
The Florida Orchestra: The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert
The Florida Orchestra performs Danny Elfman’s score live while Tim Burton’s stop-motion film plays on screen at the Mahaffey. That pairing lets the orchestra carry the film’s shifts from gothic mischief to Christmas warmth in real time.
Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 6, 2 p.m. · Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg · Concert and ticket details
American Stage: Home for the Holidays
American Stage’s original cabaret puts a mischievous spin on familiar seasonal songs, performed by company favorites with a sing-along built into the show. The cabaret’s sing-along invites the audience into the performance, with familiar songs delivered in the company’s cheekier style.
Dec. 4-13 · American Stage, 163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg · Show details and tickets
The James Museum: Yuletide on the Range
The James Museum gives its holiday gathering a western spin with Cowboy Santa, a 12-foot lighted Yule Cactus, and live music by Tampa Bay band Local Honey. Free art-making activities are open to all ages; registration is limited, and gallery admission is separate.
Dec. 8, 5-8 p.m. · The James Museum, 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg · Free event; gallery admission is separate · Event details
A Very Broadway Christmas
Broadway vocalists, a live band and dancers perform holiday songs and show tunes, with cast members from Wicked, Annie and The Phantom of the Opera. The Mahaffey adds a Santa appearance and family photos to its two-show Sunday schedule.
Dec. 20, 1 and 5 p.m. · Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg · Show information and tickets
Merry Beach Market & Holiday Festival
More than 150 local vendors, food, live entertainment, Santa visits and Madeira Beach’s tree lighting fill this two-day coastal market. Saturday’s lighted boat parade at 6 p.m. brings the festival to the waterfront for its finale.
Dec. 11-12 · ROC Park, Madeira Beach · Free admission · Festival details
The Tampa Bay Irish: A Celtic Christmas
Fiddler Colin Farrell and singer, dancer and guitarist Dave Curley bring traditional Irish music and winter songs to the Historic Andrews Memorial Chapel. The duo’s mix of tunes and stories of Christmas in Ireland gives this Dunedin concert a distinctly Celtic program.
Dec. 23, 7-10 p.m. · Historic Andrews Memorial Chapel, 1899 San Mateo Drive, Dunedin · Concert details and tickets
Tampa Bay Festival of Lights & Santa’s Village
The nearly two-mile drive-through features more than 1.5 million lights, Florida-inspired scenes, an animated tunnel and new red-white-and-blue displays for America’s 250th anniversary. At Santa’s Village, add carnival rides, holiday treats, a market and the illuminated Hometown Hillsborough Historical Village; 2026 also brings a covered synthetic skating rink, with 30-minute sessions and rental skates. Check the ticket option for your date, since village access varies.
Nov. 26-Dec. 27, gates open nightly at 6 p.m. · Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, Dover · Dates and tickets
Philippine Cultural Foundation: Pasko 2026
Pasko brings Filipino Christmas music, dance, food, vendors, a tree competition and a live nativity to the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center. Performers include the Philippine Choral Group, Philippine Performing Arts Company, Indak Pambata and Musikong Kawayan Bamboo Ensemble; the celebration continues with a Simbang Gabi novena Mass at 7 p.m.
Dec. 20, noon-6 p.m.; Simbang Gabi at 7 p.m. · Bayanihan Arts and Events Center, 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa · $5; children 5 and under free · Pasko details
Clearwater: Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour
For its 29th year, Dave Koz’s jazz-based Christmas tour pairs the saxophonist with longtime collaborator Jonathan Butler and vocalists Haley Reinhart, Dylan Chambers and Erin Stevenson. The set moves between Christmas classics, a Chanukah medley and songs from the artists’ catalogs.
Dec. 4, 8 p.m. · Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater · Concert details and tickets
Clearwater: Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland
Cirque Musica pairs holiday music with aerial performances, acrobatics and circus artistry in an all-new 2026 production. Ruth Eckerd Hall says the show sold out in each of its past three seasons, and returns to Clearwater for one night.
Dec. 18, 7 p.m. · Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater · Show details and tickets
Clearwater: Mindi Abair’s I Can’t Wait for Christmas
St. Petersburg native and two-time Grammy-nominated saxophonist Mindi Abair leads her annual Christmas tour, bringing her jazz-and-blues sound to seasonal songs. Five guests join her, including singer Rebecca Jade, guitarist and vocalist Andréa Lisa, pianist Xavier Gordon, longtime drummer Arthur Thompson and bassist Darryl Williams.
Dec. 10, 8 p.m. · Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater · Show details and tickets
Clearwater: Shaun Cassidy Unwrapped
Cassidy’s career runs from a Top 10 hit with “Da Doo Ron Ron” and The Hardy Boys to writing and producing series such as Cold Case and New Amsterdam. The holiday show weaves personal stories through songs from that career.
Dec. 11, 8 p.m. · Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater · Show details and tickets
Plan your Tampa Bay Christmas outing
Tampa Bay’s venues are spread across bridges and causeways, so plan around one area at a time. In downtown Tampa, Winter Village, Riverwalk lights and Straz shows are close together; St. Pete has performances at the Mahaffey and American Stage, while Clearwater’s shows are centered at Ruth Eckerd Hall and the Capitol Theatre. Check each organizer’s schedule before setting out, since many events run on select dates.
