Christmas Parades, Winter Wonder Ride, Pet Fest: FL Weekend Events

TAMPA BAY, FL — Looking for something fun to do this weekend in the Tampa Bay area? There’s something for every interest — Christmas and lighted boat parades, WinterFest, a pet expo, an oyster festival.

Dade City Christmas Parade

The Dade City Christmas Parade will take place Friday at 7 p.m. in downtown Dade City. Presented by Rocycle, Saint Leo University and AdventHealth Dade City, the grand marshal will be Simpson Lakes.

North River Ranch WinterFest

The first-ever North River Ranch WinterFest takes place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dash’s Bark Park in Parrish. Come play in the snow, take pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and shop with more than 30 local vendors. There will also be a ball hockey rink sponsored by the Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation, Marty from the Bradenton Marauders, bounce houses, holiday crafts and more.

Winter Wonder Ride

The 12th annual Winter Wonder Ride takes place Saturday, 2 to 10:30 p.m., in Tampa. Neon-lighted bikes and retro-radiant costumed riders will cruise down Bayshore Boulevard on their bikes. The event will be followed by a post-ride celebration at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park with family-fun activities, a live DJ, a headline act and food and drink from local vendors.

Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl

Sarasota’s 8th annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl takes place Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m. Registration gets you discounted themed drinks at multiple bars. There will also be contests, DJ entertainment and an after party.

Snowfest

Stroll in the snow along the Francis Langford Promenade at Lake Mirror, 121 S Lake Ave., in downtown Lakeland during Snowfeston Dec. 9 from 5 to 9 p.m. Take a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus is a snow globe, peruse arts and crafts vendors, and dine at food trucks at the event. The event is free but donations will be accepted for Polk Senior Orphans.

3 Daughters 10-Year Anniversary Party

St. Pete’s 3 Daughters is celebrating its 10th anniversary Saturday evening, starting at 5 p.m. The event features specialty beer releases, on-site custom hat making, a local market, “old-school” beers on tap and live music.

50th annual Pinellas Park Christmas Parade

The 50th annual Pinellas Park Christmas Parade will take place Saturday starting at 6 p.m. at McDonald's, 5170 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. The parade will start at the railroad tracks and will head east on Park Boulevard to U.S. 19, disbanding at the overpass near the Shoppes at Park Place. This year the parade has a 1970s theme. Enjoy 110 to 120 units featuring local businesses, dance units, Scouting troops, car clubs, high school marching bands and a special appearance by Santa Claus himself.

Festival of Lights Holiday Boat Parade

The 57th annual Madeira Beach Festival of Lights Holiday Boat Parade takes place Saturday evening. The parade begins at the American Legion Post 273 at 6:30 p.m., travels all the finger canals through the city and ends at John’s Pass around 9:45/10 p.m.

Polk County Pet Fest

Polk County Animal Control in Winter Haven will host its 2023 Pet Fest on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All adoptions will be free and include spay/neuter, rabies vaccinations, microchipping and the county license. There will also be a Santa room for Christmas photos with Santa including pets with Santa, kids' activities like face painting, balloon artists, train rides and exotic animal petting, food trucks, pet product vendors, and an arts and crafts fair.

Tampa Oyster Festival

The Tampa Oyster Festival will take place Sunday, Dec. 10, 1 to 5 p.m., at Tabella’s at Delaney Creek, 5818 Causeway Blvd. This event is presented by Frameworks of Tampa Bay, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to equip every child in Tampa Bay with the knowledge and know-how to become kind, collaborative and capable citizens. In addition to oysters prepared in a variety of ways, there will be barbecue by Make 'Em Squeal and Danzi's low-country boil.

Old Northeast Candlelight Tour of Homes

The Candlelight Tour of Homes, a favorite St. Pete holiday tradition, will celebrate its Silver Anniversary Sunday 3 to 8 p.m. The eight Old Northeast houses on the tour, ranging in size from 3,000 to over 5,000 square feet, will feature historic, century-old homes to new builds that mimic their historic neighbors.