‘Tis the Season for the Best Holiday

'Tis the Season for the Best Holiday Events in Tampa Bay!

HOLIDAY MAGIC AT THEME PARKS AND ATTRACTIONS

Christmas Town at Busch Gardens

Daily through Jan. 9, 2023

Enjoy park-wide festive fun at this awardwinning holiday event filled with holiday cheer and holiday traditions with a twist. Ride the Holly Jolly Express train, view millions of twinkling lights from the top of a roller coaster, visit Santa in his workshop and spend time with Rudolph and his friends from the classic holiday movie, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Guests can also enjoy festive live shows and take part in special holiday dining and shopping. buschgardens.com

Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa

Select nights through Dec. 30

Enjoy one of Tampa’s largest light displays as the zoo transforms into a seasonal wonderland. This year promises to be bigger, better and brighter than ever. There's a new Lantern Lullaby area in Asia where you can walk among gorgeous Asian paper lanterns to the tunes of your favorite holiday music, a new Gingerbread Jubilee and new Holiday Signature Animal Encounters. There are also returning favorites like visits with Santa, Cookie Decorating with Mrs. Claus, the Forest of Fantasy light show and MORE! zootampa.org

Holidays at LEGOLAND

Select dates Nov. 25 – Dec. 31

Get ready to celebrate an awesome holiday season at LEGOLAND Resort! This bricktacular event features unforgettable seasonal shows, LEGO holiday character experiences, sweet treats and special activities. Light displays will twinkle throughout the park and a giant LEGO Christmas tree is sure to mesmerize guests with its all-new 360-degree light show. legoland.com

Festival of Lights & Santa’s Village

Through Jan. 1, 2023 6-9 p.m. weekdays, 6-10 p.m. weekends Hillsborough County Fairgrounds

Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights & Santa’s Village immerses everyone in holiday fun with family favorites and new attractions, making it bigger and better than ever! The fairgrounds are enveloped in 1 million lights with a 2-mile drive-thru of elaborate displays. The expanded Santa’s Village will feature an Arctic Plunge Inflatable Snow Tube, holiday-themed rides, a self-guided walking tour of Hometown Hillsborough Historical Village, visits with Santa, camel rides, holiday movies, tasty treats and more! Visit hillsboroughcountyfair.com/ festival-of-lights for details on hours and ticket prices.

Holiday Lights at the Chick-fil-A on Waters Avenue in Tampa

This Chick-fil-A store is taking holiday decorating to a whole new level and they’re back at it again this year! Add this to your family’s holiday bucket list! Visit the store at 6299 W. Waters Ave. in Tampa.

EXPERIENCE THE HOLIDAYS ON STAGE!

The Florida Orchestra Holiday Pops

Dec. 9–11, multiple times and locations

The Florida Orchestra returns for a special Holiday Pops concert series featuring all of Santa's favorite songs conducted by Bob Bernhardt. $18 – $48 the.floridaorchestra.org

Dec 9:

The Straz Center in Tampa, 8 p.m.

Dec. 10:

Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Dec. 11:

Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker

Dec. 16-18

OUR COVER STORY

This beloved family-friendly ballet is back on stage at The Straz featuring the award-winning young dancers of the Next Generation Ballet as they perform alongside principal dancers from the New York City Ballet. Tickets start at $30. See page 10 for more!

Holiday Sparkle at The St. Pete Opera

Dec. 15-22

It wouldn't be the holidays without some SPARKLE! St. Pete Opera's holiday extravaganza is extra special this season with a festive double feature. The program begins with a fully staged production of Gian Carlo Menotti's “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” This one-act opera in English, based upon Italian folk tales of the Nativity and Epiphany, has a heartwarming message that resonates with people of all ages. The second part of the presentation will include world-class singers, accompanied by a 20-piece orchestra, performing a wide array of holiday-themed music from the sacred to the popular and everything in between! stpeteopera.org

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF THE SEASON…LITERALLY!

Zubrick Magic Theatre adds even more magic to the Holiday Season!

Nov. 25 – Dec. 31

The Zubrick Magic Theatre adds even more magic to holiday gift-giving with certificates for magical performances. This holiday season, share the magic and wonder of the spellbinding show now offered every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. with select Sunday matinee performances at 2 p.m. Voted “Best Family Magic Show," the Zubricks conjure up an exhilarating blend of sleight-of-hand, comedy and breathtaking grand illusion in a 70-minute performance that captures hearts and imaginations. zubrickmagic.com

ENJOY HOLIDAY CLASSICS ON THE SILVER SCREEN AT THIS HISTORIC THEATRE!

Tampa Theatre Holiday Classics

The line-up of holiday movies is super exciting this year with a Sing-a-Long “White Christmas” on Dec. 4, “Elf” on Dec. 11 and several screenings of “It’s a Wonderful Life” on select days Dec. 16-22! tampatheatre.org

Snow Days at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa

Dec. 26-30, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Snow Days is back at The Florida Aquarium Dec. 26-30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Grab your gloves and join the Aquarium for a week full of winter festivities and hands-on snow experiences! Dash your way through a snowflurried “Snow Daze Snow Maze,” battle monsters at the Sno-Fly Zone and dance to your heart’s content at a Winter Wonderland Dance Party! Snow Days is free for Aquarium members and included with general admission. flaquarium.org

Snow Fest at North Straub Park in St. Pete

Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Snow Fest returns with a chance to experience real snow in Tampa Bay. Stay and play until evening so you can stroll along the waterfront to view the holiday lights along all of the parks in that area, including Vinoy Park and the St. Pete Pier.

Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa

Through Jan. 4, 2023

Outdoor ice-skating is back at Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park! You’ll want to book a reservation on the ice ahead of time to secure your spot. While you’re there, stay and explore the village. Shop local businesses in the market, grab a snack and hot cocoa, take plenty of Insta-worthy photos, and board the trackless choo-choo for a train ride around the park. The Winter Village Express is also returning this year! wintervillagetampa.com

PUT THE MAGIC OF IMAGINATION TO WORK!

Gingerbread Village at the Glazer Children's Museum

Through Jan. 9, 2023

Celebrate the holidays at the Glazer Children's Museum with a gingerbread-inspired winter wonderland! In Gingerbread Village, you and the family can build gingerbread houses made from recycled materials like cardboard, pipe cleaners, bottle caps and more. Add your sweet construction to the village that grows day-by-day or take it home with you. Gingerbread Village is always included in museum admission. glazermuseum.org

Santa’s Workshop at MOSI

Dec. 10, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join MOSI and the jolly old elf in a mixture of science and holiday spirit. Feel free to take your own picture with Santa, join in the hands-on activities and even mail your letter to the North Pole! Santa’s Workshop is included with MOSI admission. Throughout the month of December you can also try flying drones in Idea Zone through holiday obstacles and experience the dinosaurs at the Dinosaurs Around the World exhibit. mosi.org

VISIT WITH SANTA!

Santa makes several appearances around town during the holidays. Some of our favorite places to visit with him are at Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa and at International Plaza and Bass ProShops!

TAKE TIME TO GIVE BACK

The Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent is open for donations!

Open through Dec. 24, Mon-Sat 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Looking for a way for your family to get involved with helping others during the holidays? Metropolitan Ministries’ Holiday Tent offers many ways for you and your family to help the Tampa Bay community. You can donate most needed food items and toys at their tents or sign up for a volunteer shift at location close to you. For more information, visit the Holiday Central section of metromin.org.

WORTH THE DRIVE TO ORLANDO!

ICE! at Gaylord Palms Resort

Through Jan. 1, 2023

There are holiday activities here morning, noon and night; plus, ICE! returns this holiday season. Step into a wonderland carved by expert artisans out of two million pounds of colorful ice. The story of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!™ envelops you in larger-thanlife sculptures.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World

Through Dec. 22, select nights

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns this year after a two-year hiatus. This special event will bring back old favorites like cocoa and cookies at designated locations throughout the park, snow on Main Street, a themed parade and fireworks show, and more. The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays runs Nov. 25-Dec. 30, with the sights, sounds and tastes of the season from cultures around the world.

Holidays at Universal Orlando

Through Jan. 1, 2023

Head to Universal Orlando Resort for the biggest, loudest, awesomest holiday celebration of the season! Celebrate with seasonal shows and decorations at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Sip on hot butterbeer in Diagon Alley in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade in Universal Islands of Adventure as they come to life with magical lights and festive events. The Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s features larger-than-life balloons, with appearances by the Minions and characters from Shrek and Madagascar. Head over to Whoville for The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular starring The Grinch himself.

CHANUKAH

Schaarai Zedek Chanukah at Armature Works in Tampa

Dec. 18, 5:30-8 p.m.

This family-friendly event will include traditional Chanukah blessings and songs along with crafts, games and treats. jewishtampa.org

Home Depot Menorah Workshop at The Morean Arts Center in St. Pete

Dec. 4, 3-4:30 p.m.

Kids can make their own wooden Menorah while enjoying Chanukah Music and even snacking at a DIY donut bar. RSVP required at chabadsp.com/menorahworkshop

Chanukah in the City in St. Pete

Dec. 18, 5:30 p.m.

Head to South Straub Park to celebrate the first night of Chanukah. There will be latkes, doughnuts, fire juggling, a gelt drop and an ice Menorah!

But, that’s not all, friends! We’ve got even MORE holiday fun over on TampaBayParenting.com. Scan here to explore right now: