Tampa Tree Lighting, Holiday Parade Just Around the Corner

Tampa’s getting ready to deck its halls and it’s inviting the whole community out to a two-day celebration.

The holiday fun begins at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park when the city’s annual tree lighting ceremony takes place. Mayor Bob Buckhorn will preside over the festivities, which include the lighting, a Christmas Market and a free movie in the park. The selection this year is “Arthur Christmas.”

Tampa’s Downtown on Ice will also be open for skaters and the Late Night Brass and Karl & DiMarco Singers are expected to perform. Magic 94.9 will be on site for a special Secret Santa Giveaway.

Admission to Friday’s celebration is free, but the city is asking attendees to bring a teddy bear for the Rough Riders Annual Teddy Bear Drive. Those bears will be donated to children at local hospitals.

Blankets, low back chairs, coolers and dogs on leashes are allowed. Concessions will also be available, but the city has prohibited glass and alcohol during the family friendly event.

While the tree lighting takes center stage Friday, the annual Santa Fest and Rough Riders’ Holiday Parade are the featured acts on Saturday. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Curtis Hixon park. There’s no admission charge for the festival that will transform the park into a winter wonderland.

Participants at Saturday’s festival will enjoy continuous holiday entertainment, photos with Santa, holiday crafts and games. Ice skating will be available for $5 a person.

The parade itself kicks off at 11 a.m. with a starting point at Morgan and Madison streets. The parade will travel west on Madison to Ashley Drive where it will turn north to end at Ashley and Cass Street. The best viewing, according to the city, is along Madison Street.

Photo courtesy of the City of Tampa

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