5 Things to do in St. Pete This Weekend

1. A Doll's House at American Stage

View performances of the classic play a Doll's House at American Stage Theater this weekend. American Stage describes the play as, "It’s Christmas Eve and sweet, cheery Nora Helmer is reveling in her role as wife and mother. Her husband has just been made manager of the local bank, and it looks as though she and her family are finally on the brink of unadulterated financial freedom…until a knock at the door threatens to destroy her doll house of a world forever. Henrik Ibsen's masterpiece speaks just as powerfully today as it did nearly 150 years ago, questioning how we define ourselves as individuals and as a society in the face of the challenging realities of life." There are performances at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased online and are $49 Friday and Saturday and $39 for Sunday's performance. 

2. Boat Parade and Holiday Festival

St. Petersburg's vibrant waterfront sparkles during Saturday's Bruce Watters Jewelers Holiday Festival and Illuminated Boat Parade in Vinoy Park. The 6th annual event returns to downtown from 3 - 10 p.m. Saturday with live entertainment, children's activities and features the 26th annual Illuminated Boat Parade. The parade of festively decorated boats departs Bayboro Harbor, passes in front of The Pier, and follows the Vinoy Basin before heading back into Tampa Bay. Organizers say spectators should have a good view of the parade, which is expected to arrive in the Vinoy Basin around 6 p.m., from the event, as well as from along Bayshore Dr. NE and Fifth Ave. NE.

3. Jingle Bell Run

Four thousand runners decked out in holiday athletic attire jingle their way along St. Petersburg's waterfront on Friday, December 7, as they benefit clients of the Boley Centers. The 30th annual Jingle Bell Run begins at The Pier approach, moves up Bayshore Dr. to Fifth Ave. NE and Vinoy Park, and through the North Shore Pool parking lot before re-tracing the route back to The Pier. Onsite registration for the 30th annual event begins at 6 p.m., with an official start at 7:30 p.m. The event is expected to end around 9 p.m. Registration is $25. 

4. Cirque du Soleil

Under the big top at the Trop parking lot, the circus get a unique twist with Cirque du Soleil's KOOZA. The show runs now through Dec. 16. Tickets for all performances of KOOZA are available online at cirquedusoleil.com/kooza or may be purchased in person at the Cirque du Soleil box office located inside the entrance tent at Tropicana Field. Friday night's show is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday has two shows, one at 3:30 p.m. and a second at 7:30 p.m. Sunday has a 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. show. Tickets range from $43.50 - $143.50. 

5. First Friday

Between 2nd and 3rd Street on Central Avenue, First Friday will rock downtown St. Pete. The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. and last until 10 p.m. Music for the night will be Allon Sams featuring the Ries Brothers. After First Friday, at Jannus Live, the AC/DC tribute band is playing a free show. Doors open at 8PM and the show starts around 9:30PM