Are you looking for holiday activities and Christmas Lights in the Tampa Bay Area? Celebrating Christmas in Tampa? We can help you plan a day trip to Tampa or St. Petersburg to see a Christmas light display, visit a Christmas maze, or enjoy a holiday lights show.
Some of these activities in Tampa are FREE – including the outdoor Christmas lights at the Tampa Riverwalk, Curtis Hixon Park, and the Waterfront in St. Pete. Others have a reasonable admission charge, and we’ve also included special activities for a Christmas splurge.
We’ve also got details on Christmas Events in Orlando, and plenty of information on Christmas in Lakeland, Florida.
All prices listed below are subject to change, they are general guidelines to help you get an idea of a price range, check directly with event hosts to confirm current prices. Please keep in mind most of these activities are outdoors and weather dependent. Links are provided so you can check directly with event organizers for any last minute changes or closures.
Don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Christmas Events + Holiday Activities for a full list of things to do this holiday season in Lakeland and Polk County including Christmas Light Displays, Santa Photos, Christmas Tree Lots, Christmas Parades, Holidays Concerts, Live Performances, Holiday Markets, Ice Skating, Toy Donation Needs, and more.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we will receive a small commission if you make a purchase by clicking through our links. Thank you for supporting Lakeland Mom!
Christmas Lights in Tampa Florida
Glorious Night Christmas Light Show at First Baptist Church of Plant City
Join First Baptist Church of Plant City this Christmas season for something new and unique. Glorious Night is a spectacular synchronized light display featuring over 75,000 programmed lights, great music, and a message of hope. Come and experience Glorious Night, be sure to tune your radio to the music – English – 87.9, Spanish – 101.9. {Show restarts every 40 minutes from 6-10pm but it is designed so that no matter when you arrive you can enjoy the show}. This show was called The Light of Christmas at First Baptist Plant City in 2020.
- FREE
- Nov. 27, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023 nightly from 6-10pm
- First Baptist Church of Plant City – 3309 James L Redman Pkwy, Plant City, FL 33566
- Website (see a short preview from 2020 on Facebook)
The Christmas Trail in Plant City
The Christmas Trail is an outdoor Christmas event located in Plant City, Florida. Featuring over a 1/4 mile Christmas Light walking trail filled with over 100,000 Christmas lights. Displays and activities include Jack Frost Ice Show with live snow, Pictures with Santa, Walk to Bethlehem – Nativity Light Maze, Christmas Tree Light Show, Dancing Christmas Trees, & more. Wheelchairs and strollers are allowed, proceed with caution in some areas because this is an outdoor event.
- NOT OPEN IN 2022
- 2837 South Frontage Road Plant City, FL 33566 (MAP IT)
- Christmas Trail Website or Facebook page
Christmas Lane at the Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds in Plant City
Christmas Lane is an interactive walk through Christmas event held at the fairgrounds in Plant City, FL. Various Christmas themed displays, live entertainment, food, and rides (additional cost for food & rides). Plus, you can meet and take pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman, and Rudolph!
- 2022 Hours – Open select nights from November 25 – December 24, 2022 from 6-10pm
- Admission is $8 for 13+, $5 for ages 4-12, free for 3 and under
- Florida Strawberry Festival grounds – 2508 W Oak Ave, Plant City, FL 33563
- Christmas Lane Website or Facebook Page
Nights of Shimmering Lights in Dover
Sunkissed Acres Farm in Dover presents Shimmering Lights – a winter event featuring a ¼-mile outdoor walking trail through the shimmering lights dancing to music. Walk at your own pace and stop as often as you like. Santa will be on hand for pictures and wishes. Get in the holiday mood with seasonal music and themed areas, plus foam play area on select nights. Shimmering Lights is a one-way wide walking trail, you can repeat the 1/4 mile trail as many times as you would like. Free parking. Restrooms on site. Light concessions include fresh hot mini donuts and hot cocoa.
Festival of Lights + Santa’s Village at the Hillsborough Fairgrounds
The Hillsborough County Fairgrounds is hosting Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights & Santa’s Village – a Holiday Light Spectacular that features nearly two-miles of drive-thru of continuous light features followed by a festive walking visit to Santa’s Village.
There’s something for everyone at this festive event, from dazzling lights to games and activities for all ages, visits with Santa, tasty treats, holiday movies and holiday shopping. Be sure to check the event calendar – some nights are drive through only with no village activities.
Holiday Spectacular on the Tampa Riverwalk
Friends of the Riverwalk invites you to enjoy a Holiday Spectacular light display in Tampa. Displays include a 35′ tall LED lighted Christmas tree that floats in the harbor, several other lighted displays floating on barges in the Hillsborough River, and the lighted garland and red bows on the Riverwalk light poles. Enjoy the lights at your leisure. The 2.6 miles of the Tampa Riverwalk runs from Armature Works to Curtis Hixon Park to Sparkman Wharf.
- November 28 – December 31, 2022
- FREE
- Along the Riverwalk in Tampa
- Website
Tampa Boat Parade – Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Tampa’s largest lighted boat parade for Christmas runs along the Tampa Riverwalk on the Hillsborough River in Downtown Tampa. The parade begins in the Convention Center basin, travels to the Heights, and ends at Sparkman Wharf.
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park in Downtown Tampa
Winter Village Tampa is back in 2022 with outdoor ice skating, vendors, Christmas lights, and more. Advance reservations for ice skating are highly recommended. Stroll through Curtis Hixon Park and enjoy a beautiful view of the Hillsborough River and Tampa’s Christmas Lights. TIP – walk north or south and check out the decorations along the Tampa Riverwalk and on the river.
A free choo choo train ride is also available for the kids. Climb aboard for a 10-minute Christmas train ride through the park to enjoy the lights and sounds of Winter Village. The train runs Friday – Sunday from 5 – 10pm.
- November 18, 2022 – January 4, 2023 – check website for hours and special events
- FREE to explore, ice skating is $15/person
- Curtis Hixon Park in Downtown Tampa
- Website
Winter Village Express Streetcar in Downtown Tampa
The Winter Village Express is a one-hour, round-trip excursion on a Tampa streetcar with fun for the entire family! Features a holiday sing-a-long, holiday trivia, milk & cookies, and added surprises along the way. This holiday ride will make its way from Downtown Tampa’s Whiting Station to Ybor and back on the TECO Line Streetcar.
- Sundays from November 20 – December 18 2022 from 3:25 pm – 8:15 pm (1 hour time slots)
- $10 per person
- Whiting Station (#11) – 104 South Franklin Street, Tampa, FL
- Website
River of Lights Holiday Boat Cruise – Pirate Water Taxi in Tampa
Hop on a water taxi tour of Tampa Christmas lights and decorations along the river including Holiday Island. As you cruise, you will get up-close views of Downtown Tampa’s spectacular seasonal decorations and holiday lights. This family-friendly event will include a visit by a jolly pirate elf, Christmas song sing-a-longs, and a chance to see snow flurries in Florida! Every child will have an opportunity to write a letter to Santa and drop it off in Tampa’s only floating mailbox.
- Select nights in November and December
- Adults $30, Children $25
- Boarding at the Tampa Convention Center
- Website
Wonderland of Lights and Santa’s Village at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds in Brandon
Tampa Christmas Events + Attractions
Christmas In The Wild at ZooTampa at Lowry Park
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at ZooTampa with the return of Christmas in the Wild, featuring one of Tampa Bay’s largest light displays, delectable holiday treats, amazing wildlife and new festive adventures. This year is BIGGER, better, and brighter than ever, with six new illuminated zones of lights, festive entertainment that the whole family will enjoy.
Christmas in the Wild is a limited capacity event. Advanced purchase tickets and timed reservations are strongly encouraged and the only way to guarantee admission.
- November 25 – December 30, 2022 – Select Nights from 4-10pm (video below is from a previous year with old dates)
- Tickets are $29.95/person or included with annual pass
- ZooTampa at Lowry Park – 1101 W Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
- ZooTampa Website
Snowcat Ridge Florida Snow Tubing
Snowcat Ridge is Florida’s only Alpine Snow Park, featuring snow tubing, snow play, ice skating, and more! Go snow tubing in Tampa at Snowy Slopes – a 60-foot tall, 400-foot long snow tubing hill featuring single, tandem, and 10-person snow tubing. Snowy Slopes also features a nightly music and light show visible throughout the park. Play in the artic igloo and go ice skating.
- November 16, 2022 – February 26, 2023 – check website for dates/times
- $27 – 43/person – prices vary by date and activity
- Snowcat Ridge – 27839 Saint Joe Rd., Dade City, FL 33525
- Snowcat Ridge Website
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
Unwrap a beautiful family tradition at Christmas Town, where Busch Gardens Tampa transforms into a holiday wonderland of Christmastime entertainment and attractions, holiday shopping, visits with Santa, festive treats and more than a million twinkling lights.
- Every night from November 14, 2022 to January 9, 2023
- Christmas Town is included with any Busch Gardens pass membership, Fun Card or daily admission. Current deal – buy a 2023 Fun Card and get the rest of 2022 FREE! Click here to see Annual Pass and Fun Card prices.
- Busch Gardens Tampa – 10165 N McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612
- Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Website
Photos with Santa at the Florida Aquarium
Santa is coming! Guests of all ages can share Holiday wishes and take pictures with Santa Claus during this special holiday adventure. Bring your family and friends to celebrate the Holidays at The Florida Aquarium.
- Weekends from November 25 through December 18
- Included in Aquarium admission {photos to be taken with your own device}
- The Florida Aquarium – 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
- Website
Snow Days at the Florida Aquarium
Snow is in the forecast at The Florida Aquarium! Join in on all the frosty festivities of Snow Days free with membership or general admission. Activities include a snow maze, snowball toss, Winter Wonderland Dance Party and more.
- December 26 – 30, 2022
- Included in Aquarium admission
- The Florida Aquarium – 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
- Website
Christmas Lights in St. Pete + Clearwater
The Lights of Lake Park Estates in Seminole
Drive through over 3 miles of Christmas Lights in the neighborhoods of Lake Park Estates, Wieker, Lakeside Estates, and Lake Seminole Village (between Clearwater and St. Pete). Follow the arrows through the neighborhood. Donations are accepted along the route – 100% of the donations are provided to Suncoast Hospice to support their community activities. (The event has raised over $1 million dollars since its inception in 1993 – wow!!)
- December 1 – 31, 2022 – 6:00 – 9:30pm
- FREE – Donations encouraged
- 102nd Ave & 97th St, Seminole FL 33777
- Website
Largo Central Park Holiday Lights & Rides
Stroll through Largo Central Park and escape into a show stopping light display, featuring over two million twinkling LED lights. This is a walking display, not a drive through. Rides and food also available. Ride the ferris wheel to see the 70 acre park from up high. The rides and light display are open nightly from 6-11pm.
- November 24, 2022 – January 1, 2023 nightly from 6pm – 11pm
- FREE to park and walk through the light displays. Rides are $5 each.
- 101 Central Park Dr, Largo, FL 33771
- Website
Waterfront Lights in St. Pete
Take a stroll along the waterfront to see thousands of holiday lights and decorations in North Straub Park, South Straub Park, Pioneer Park, Vinoy Park, and the St. Pete Pier. Don’t miss the giant greeting card display along Bayshore Dr. at Vinoy Park made by local teens and participants from St. Petersburg’s recreation centers.
- November 26 – January 1
- FREE
- Downtown Waterfront Parks in St. Petersburg, Florida
- Website
Oakdale Christmas House in St. Petersburg
If you’re in the area, you’ve got to check out this amazing Christmas light display in St. Petersburg, Florida. Oakdale Christmas House in St. Pete has been putting up a display for over 40 years. They’ve been HGTV’s #1 display and NBC’s Today Show Top 3. This mega Christmas display is FREE for the public to enjoy.
- Friday November 25, 2022 to January 3, 2023
- FREE
- 2719 Oakdale Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33705
- Website
Enchant Christmas St. Pete
Enchanted Christmas in St. Petersburg is a Christmas Light maze in Tampa Bay returning in 2022! This event fills Tropicana Field with the lights and sights of Christmas. This Tampa Enchanted Christmas event includes a themed maze where you can search and help find the missing toys, vendors selling food and drinks, music and dancing, an ice skating trail, kids play area, and Santa pictures.
- November 25, 2022 – January 1, 2023
- Admission starts at $35/adult and $20/children for ages 3+ (on select Wednesdays children’s tickets are free with adult admission)
- Tropicana Field – 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg, FL 33705
- Website
Map – Christmas Lights in Tampa
Christmas Events + Holiday Activities
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Christmas Events + Holiday Activities to find more things to do including Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays, FREE Christmas Events, Santa Photos, Christmas Parades, and more.