FL Christmas Events: Enchant, Theme Parks, Boat Parade, Light Displays

FLORIDA — If you’re looking for holiday events in the Tampa Bay area over the Christmas weekend, there are a number of festive options: Enchant St. Pete, the Riverwalk Boat Parade, Busch Gardens Christmas Town, Winter Village, light displays and more.

Christmas at the Grinch’s Hideout

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Florida in Clearwater will host a family-friendly Christmas Open HouseSaturday, 6 p.m. Families and kids can participate in a Scavenger Hunt in the Museum decorated as the Grinch's Hideout. There will also be music, food and other activities.

Riverwalk Boat Parade

Tampa’s largest lighted boat parade takes place Saturday, 6 p.m., along the Hillsborough River in the city’s downtown neighborhood. The parade begins at the southern tip of Davis Islands, travels through the Convention Center basin and up to the Heights where the boats will turn around and head to Sparkman Wharf where judging will occur and the parade will end.

Christmas on Main

Lakewood Ranch Main Street celebrates Christmas Saturday, 4 to 8 p.m. with a family-friendly event. The party includes free games, rides, photo booths, attractions, an appearance by Santa and a candlelight service at 7 p.m.

Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota Campus

The Lights in Bloom open-air holiday light show at the Selby Gardens’ downtown campus is a Sarasota-area tradition. It features more than 2 million lights illuminating the gardens and walkways. The show runs Dec. 12-23 and 26-30, and Jan. 1-2, 6 to 9 p.m. Find ticketing information here.

Christmas in the Wild

It’s the most wonderful time of the year at ZooTampa with the return of Christmas in the Wild, featuring one of Tampa Bay’s largest light displays, delectable holiday treats, amazing wildlife and new festive adventures.

Enchant Christmas

This illuminated winter wonderland at St. Petersburg’s Tropicana Field runs through Jan. 31. It offers a dazzling maze of lights, ice skating, Santa’s Landing, a kid zone, food options and other vendors, and more.

Celebration of Lights at The Concourse

Board the Grand Concourse Railroad Christmas Train in Pasco County for a festive ride to Safety Town or you can walk the trail to enter Safety Town. Once you are in Safety Town, enjoy a walk through this enchanted miniature town of lights. You can also enjoy driving through to enjoy more than a mile of magical larger-than-life lights.

Holiday Lights in Largo Central Park

Stroll the holiday lights at Largo Central Parkthrough Jan. 3. Be sure to check out the ferris wheel and other amusement rides, as well as local vendors.

Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park

The holiday festivities at Tampa’s Winter Village run through Jan. 1 and include an ice skating rink, The Shops of Winter Village, a cafe, curling and a 360-degree light show.

Holidays at University Town Center

This Sarasota shopping destination transforms into a brightly lit winter wonderland during the holiday season with its Festival of Lights. UTC offers nightly light shows running every 30 minutes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. through Jan. 2. There’s also a fireworks display every Saturday at 9 p.m. Learn more about the holidays at UTC here.

Busch Gardens Christmas Town

The theme park presents its annual holiday festivities through Jan. 7, including animal encounters, thrilling rides, holiday-inspired culinary delights, dazzling fireworks and festive shows, like Christmas on Ice.

Holiday Lights in the Park

More than 1 million twinkling LED lights in a multitude of colors will be on display at Largo’s Florida Botanical Gardens through Dec. 31. Vibrant laser lights and lighted figures round out the display to wow guests of all ages.

Tampa Bay Festival of Lights & Santa’s Village

This holiday festival returns to the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds in Dover through Dec. 31. The display envelops families in more than 1 million lights along an expanded 2-mile drive. Santa’s Village is packed with tasty treats and activities, including holiday-themed rides, a winter market that’s open every night, and the Hometown Hillsborough Historical Village, complete with fire pits where families can make yummy s’mores. Visits with Santa, Santa’s workshop with craft stations, Santa’s Barnyard, camel rides, holiday movies and live entertainment on the weekends.

“A Brave New Wonderland”

Renowned circus artist Nik Wallenda is partnering with the Circus Arts Conservatory to co-produce holiday shows in the University Town Center area. The all-ages show runs through Jan. 7. The Big Top will be located east of the Mall at UTC, in Sarasota. “A Brave New Wonderland” will feature circus acts, aerial performances and holiday storytelling, all curated by Wallenda, who will not only be producing and directing the show, but also headlining.

Shimmering Lights Winter Walk the Lights

This festive experience at Sun-Kissed Acres in Dover runs select nights, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., through Christmas Eve. It includes family-friendly seasonal music, sights, sounds and lights to enjoy along with games and activities. This is a self-guided 1/3-mile walking trail through dancing lights to music, outdoor movies, scavenger hunt, maze, face painting and games.