Boat Parades, Tour Of Homes, Snow On 7th Ave On Tap Dec. 14-15

TAMPA BAY, FL — Wondering what to do this weekend? Patch has got you covered. Take a look at these suggestions.

Island Estates Holiday Boat Parade

Get a great seat at Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., for the Island Estates Holiday Boat Parade.

Watch as more than 60 decorated boats pass through the Mandalay and Clearwater Marina channels Saturday, Dec. 14 from 8 to 10 p.m. from Coachman Park, waterfront restaurants, hotels and private homes. Boats should begin passing Coachman Park sometime around 8 p.m. The

Florida Brass Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps Holiday Concert will take place before the parade at 7 p.m.

Before the parade, take a leisurely walk through Downtown Clearwater to see at least 18 unique works of art from sculptures to murals during the Clearwater Arts Alliance's Inaugural Public Art Walk. Gather at Second Century Studios, 331 Cleveland St., at 3:30 p.m. to meet and shop the Holiday Pop-Up Market. The free docent-led tour begins promptly at 4 p.m. and will last about one hour within a six-block radius.

Additionally, Clearwater will host Holiday Movie Night featuring the Christmas movie"Elf" at Station Square Park, 612 Cleveland St. at 6 p.m. The movie will include a visit by Santa Claus, who will meet with children. Holiday treats and snacks will be available.

Indian Rocks Beach Tour Of Homes

The Indian Rocks Beach Homeowners Association is partnering with the Beach Art Center and Plumlee Gulf Beach Realty to host the Holiday Tour of Homes on Saturday, Dec. 14 from noon to 6 p.m.

The tour, sponsored by Plumlee Gulf Beach Realty, will begin at the Beach Art Center, 1515 Bay Palm Blvd, Indian Rocks Beach, where those attending can pick up a tour booklet, which serves as the event pass. There will be complimentary refreshments while browsing the gifts, cards and artwork on sale by local artists. Tour attendees must check in at the Beach Art Center between noon and 3:30 p.m. to receive their tour book for entry into homes.

The neighborhood tour will highlight distinctive homes, each decked out in festive décor. The Church of the Isles will serve as a hospitality center along the way where attendees can shop for handmade holiday treasures.

Tickets will be available for $20 from noon to 3:30 p.m. at the Beach Art Center on Saturday.

Madeira Beach Festival Of Lights Illuminated Boat Parade

The 53rd annual Festival of Lights Boat Parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 14 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Madeira Beach Municipal Marina, 503 150th Ave., Madeira Beach.

The parade will start north of the Tom Stuart Causeway and travel through the inlets, ending at Johns Pass Village.

The Pirate Ship Royal Conquest, 140 Boardwalk Place W., Madeira Beach, will host a viewing party from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Pinellas Park Christmas Parade

The 47th Annual Pinellas Park Christmas Parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m.

It will feature more than 100 units including local businesses, dance units, Scouting troops, car clubs, high school and marching bands, along with a special appearance by Santa Claus.

The parade proceeds east down Park Boulevard between 58th Street and 40th Street at The Shoppes At Park Place. The parade can only be viewed from the south side of Park Boulevard so come out early to claim your spot.

St. Pete Beach Holiday Land Parade

The St. Pete Beach Holiday Land Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. along Sunset Way and Corey Avenue.

It will feature marching bands, floats, decorated classic cars, dance troupes and veterans groups.

After the parade, visit head to the St. Pete Fire Rescuestation, 2701 Gulf Blvd., for a holiday event featuring lunch, refresments, crafts for the kids and photo opportunities with Santa, Rudolph and Clarice.

After the Christmas parade, join us for lunch,refreshments and crafts for the kids. Photo opportunities with Santa, Rudolph and Clarice.

Gulfport Lighted Holiday Boat Parade

Boca Ciega Yacht Club will host the 34th annual Gulfport Lighted Holiday Boat Parade Saturday, Dec. 14 from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Each year, BCYC members and members of the general public come together to spread holiday joy by decking their hulls and heading out on Boca Ciega Bay. The parade starts at the Gulfport Municipal Marina and passes by the BCYC clubhouse on its way into the bay. Boats will then head toward Gulfport’s Williams Pier and the beach, passing by the Gulfport Casino as it makes it way through the communities of Town Shores, Kipps Colony, the Pasadena Yacht & Country Club, Pasadena Golf Club Estates and Dolphin Boulevard South where holiday parties will take place. Finally, the parade will visit Isla del Sol, then head back to the BCYC clubhouse for a post-parade party where prizes will be awarded.

Dunedin Old-Fashioned Christmas & Holiday Parade

The Old-Fashioned Christmas & Holiday Parade will be held Saturday, Dec. 14 from 4 to 9 p.m. in downtown Dunedin.

Santa will attend the street parade beginning at 4 p.m. along Douglas Avenue from Beltrees Street heading north.

After the parade, there will be carriage rides, train rides, a snow slide, kids' crafts, old-fashioned games, live music featuring Late Night Brass and Soul Benders, Santa Claus, snow flurries and more. Donations will be accepted at the activity areas to benefit the Dunedin for Youth Scholarship Fund.

Seminole Holiday Extravaganza

Seminole will host its second annual Holiday Extravaganza & Tree Lighting in the Plaza Courtyard at the Seminole City Center, 11201 Park Blvd. N., Seminole, Saturday, Dec. 14 from 4 to 7 p.m.

The Holiday Extravaganza will be decking the halls with kids' craft stations, a hot chocolate and cookie-decorating station sponsored by The Joint Chiropractic and gingerbread creation station. The extravaganza will also host a holiday fashion show, as well as a bounce houses and a face painter. In between spinning holiday tunes, there will be raffles with more than $2,500 worth of prizes.

Santa, who will search as master of ceremonies at the 6:30 p.m. tree lighting, will be on hand for photos from 5 to 7 p.m.

North Pole Express After Dark

Why should kids have all the fun during the holidays?

Largo will host a North Pole Express After Dark event for those age 21 and up with a train ride aboard the North Pole Express then a feast of chocolate and champagne while participating in a paint party.

The event will take place Saturday, Dec. 14 from 9 to 10:30 p.m. at Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, Largo.

Tickets are $35. Visit the city's ticket link.

St. Petersburg Holiday Of The Arts

The sixth annual St. Petersburg Holiday of the Arts will take place Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Williams Park.

The St. Petersburg Holiday of the Arts showcases original artwork by more than 100 artisans from throughout Florida and across the United States. Together these artisans will create an outdoor gallery of original and handmade art from works in painting, photography, sculpture, metalwork, digital art, jewelry, glass, ceramics, woodworking, mixed-media, fiber art, metalwork and more.

Admission is free. The event is co-sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg and coordinated with the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance.

Ybor Snow On 7th Avenue

The Ybor City Chamber of Commerce is hosting its eighth annual Snow on 7th Parade featuring 10 middle and high school marching bands, local dance teams and krewes under a sky of snow.

Join Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and Santa Claus for this free family-friendly event on Saturday, Dec. 14 att 6 p.m. in Centro Ybor. A pre-show will feature local children’s dance groups and singers. At 7 p.m., Mayor Castor will the lead the parade and the snow will begin to flow from the rooftops. Marching bands from throughout Hillsborough County will continue the holiday cheer with other special guests included. Santa and Mrs. Claus will signal the finale of this holiday tradition.

Holiday Group Paddle At Armature Works

Put on your Santa hats, reindeer antlers, tacky sweaters and other festive gear to get in the holiday spirit at Armature Works Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a holiday-themed group paddle down the Hillsborough River.

Attendees will leave from Armature Works, paddle down to Curtis Hixon Park, then return to Armature Works for a post-paddle social event on the riverfront lawn with live music. Attendees will also receive 10 percent off their food and drink order at Stone’s Throw.

This is a free event, but all participants must RSVP.
Attendees can rent a water vessel from Urban Kai or may bring their own non-motorized vessel. Urban Kai Stand Up Paddle Board rental is $35 and includes all equipment.

Jingle Bell Bazaar In Ybor City

Ybor City will host a Jingle Bell Bazaar Sunday, Dec. 15 from noon to 6 p.m. at 1800 E. 8th Ave., Tampa.

The free event will inlude shopping with more than 70 vendors, Latin and soul food, and performances by saxophonist Marlon Boone, singer Cienna Alida, Quebec native Natacha Zamor, DJ Teepee, Christian artist M.C. Righteous and motivational speaker Torrey Richardson.