Christmas, Hanukkah Events In St. Pete: Parades, Tree Lightings, More

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — There is no shortage of things to do in St. Petersburg to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

Tree and menorah lightings in St. Petersburg are:

• North Straub Park Christmas tree lighting, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. Following a night parade, Santa will light the tree in North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Drive NE. The event includes entertainment, music and more.
• City on a Hill Church Christmas tree lighting, Dec. 3, 6 p.m., at City on a Hill Church, 4265 13th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. There will also be pictures with Santa, a Christmas train, Florida sledding, a nativity petting zoo, and cookies and hot cocoa.
• Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement Christmas tree lighting, Dec. 9, 5 to 7 p.m., at the museum. There will be carolers and holiday music featuring the Seminole High School chorus and string orchestra.
• Menorah lighting and festival, Dec. 27, 4:30 p.m., at the Sundial, 153 2nd Ave. S. This event features a performance by the African High Flyers, a live concert, crafts, latkes and doughnuts, local mascots, and a kosher concession stand.

Christmas parades — often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands — are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally.

Several big parades are taking place this year, including the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade in Baltimore City, Maryland; the Target Holidazzle Parade in Minneapolis; and theChristmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, California.

Parades in St. Petersburg may not be able to match those in size, but the heart behind them is just as big. Parades to catch here at home include:

• Santa Parade, kicking off at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Albert Whitted Park, 480 Bayshore Drive SE, and runs to Fifth Avenue NE. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair.
• Car Menorah Parade, this parade is held Dec. 18-26 and organized by the Chabad Jewish Center.

Holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. Some to catch in St. Petersburg are:

• Holiday Lights Immersive Experience at Fairgrounds, 800 28th Street S., St. Petersburg. This dazzling art and lights display runs through Jan. 8.
• Enchant St. Petersburg at Tropicana Field runs through Jan. 1. Entry includes a story-themed Christmas light maze, ice skating, and a holiday village with artisan vendors, crafts boutiques, and treats.
• Annual Candlelight Tour in Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood on Dec. 11. This year’s tour highlights homes build during the Roaring ‘20s.
• Oakdale Christmas House at 2719 Oakdale Street runs through Jan. 3. This walk-through Christmas display features half a million lights.