The holidays are just around the corner and now is the perfect time to fill your calendar with outings that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Below are a few of our favorites. ere are some of our favorite activities to kick off the holidays for some festive family fun.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town
Dates: Select nights Nov. 15 through Jan. 5
Location: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Learn more: buschgardens.com/tampa/events/christmas-town
Gather your family and friends and head the Busch Gardens to create wonderful holiday memories. Experience the joy of the season up close with animal encounters, thrilling rides, holiday inspired culinary delights and festive shows like Christmas on Ice. Light the night up with spectacular light displays and a dazzling fireworks display! Christmas Town is included with park admission.
Christmas in The Wild at ZooTampa
Dates: Select nights Nov. 29-Dec. 23
Location: ZooTampa
Learn more: zootampa.org/series/christmas-in-the-wild
Experience the magic of the holiday with Cheerful Realms, immersive areas filled with twinkling lights, cheerful music and joyous surprises. Enjoy Jolly Animal Experiences, Merry Shows and festive treats and drinks.
Enchant Christmas
Dates: Nov. 26-Jan. 2
Location: Tropicana Field
Learn more: dev.enchantchristmas.com/st-petersburg-fl
The world’s largest Christmas light maze and village returns! Become a part of the magical Christmas story of “The Mischievous Elf.” Eddie the elf has some very important gifts and he needs your help finding them within the North Pole’s dazzling lights. Stroll the Christmas Village, go ice-skating, enjoy live entertainment, interactive games, dining, holiday shopping, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more!
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
Dates: Mid November-January 1
Location: Curtis Hixon Park
Learn more: facebook.com/WinterVillageTampa
Celebrate the magic of the holiday season at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa. The park comes alive with dazzling light displays synced to fun holiday tunes. Guests can skate along downtown Tampa’s only outdoor ice rink while taking in views of the Tampa River Walk. And the Shops of Winter Village is the perfect place to purchase gifts for everyone on your list! At the time this issue went to press, the start date had not been announced. Visit wintervillagetampa.com to learn more.
Raprager Family Farms Old Fashioned Country Christmas
Dates: Select dates Nov. 24-Dec. 23
Location Raprager Family Farm
Learn more: rapragerfamilyfarms.com/christmas
This nearby farm comes to life with lights and decorations for the holiday season. Go on a hayride and take a picture inside a giant inflatable snow globe. Check out the lighted gingerbread village, hear stories from Mrs. Claus, visit Santa, and take pictures with him at his workshop. Santa arrives daily at 3 p.m. There will also be a petting zoo, corn pit, bounce pillow, playground, live music, crop maze, and more. While there, stop by the Sweet Shop for some warm cinnamon-roasted nuts, hot cocoa, and Christmas fudge. Tickets are Good for ANY date and can be reused during the festival.
Holiday Lights in the Gardens
Dates: Nov. 29-Jan. 4, 5:30 -9:30 p.m. nightly
Location: Florida Botanical Gardens, Largo
Learn More: flbgfoundation.org/holidaylights
The Florida Botanical Gardens will once again sparkle with 1 million, twinkling, LED lights in a multitude of colors. Vibrant laser lights and lighted figures round out the display to wow guests of all ages. The opening of the new Majeed Discovery Garden will take this already awesome event to the next level. There will be free kids activities in the Majeed Discovery Garden every Sunday and Thursday evening throughout the month of December.
Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Date: Sat, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.
Location: Downtown Tampa Riverfront
Learn more: thetampariverwalk.com
Tampa’s largest boat 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. Boats will be judged by pairs from Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of the sailboat and motorboat competitions will each receive a trophy. Many viewing spots along the Riverwalk between Armature Works through the Sail Pavilion and over by Sparkman Wharf provide fantastic views of the parade.
