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‘Tis the Season: The holidays kick off in Tampa Bay
The Holidays Kick off in Tampa Bay!
GINGERBREAD VILLAGE AT THE GLAZER CHILDREN'S MUSEUM – NOV. 2-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 our village that grows dayby-day or take it home with you. Gingerbread Village is always included in museum admission. glazermuseum.org
Busch Gardens Christmas Town
The park is 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! buschgardens.com
WINTER VILLAGE AT CURTIS HIXON PARK –NOV. 18-JAN. 4, 2023
You’ll need to make a reservation for your family’s time on the ice. While you’re there, stay and explore the village, shop local businesses in the market, grab a snack and hot cocoa, take plenty of Instaworthy 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
CHRISTMAS IN THE WILD AT ZOOTAMPA –SELECT NIGHTS, NOV. 25-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. Enjoy six new illuminated zones of lights, festive entertainment, delectable holiday treats and amazing wildlife. Wander over to Twinkle Town Marketplace where you can meet Santa. zootampa.org
NUTCRACKER MAGICAL CHRISTMAS BALLET –NOV. 25 AND 26
The acclaimed holiday tradition is live at the Mahaffey Theater for their 30th anniversary tour. Gather friends and family to re-live your fondest childhood dreams, overflowing with larger-thanlife puppets, breath-taking acrobatics and dazzling costumes! Experience the exquisite artistry featuring the stars of Ukraine Ballet. nutcracker.com
ENCHANT CHRISTMAS – NOV. 25-JAN. 1, 2023
The world’s largest Christmas light maze and village returns to Tropicana Field! Presented by the Hallmark Channel, guests can experience a world of adventure with awe-inspiring animated light sculptures. Start your adventure in the spectacular storythemed Christmas Light Maze. This year’s theme is Santa’s Magic Timepiece. Stroll the Christmas Village, go ice-skating, enjoy live entertainment, interactive games, dining, holiday shopping and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. enchantchristmas.com
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 worldclass 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
HOLIDAYS AT LEGOLAND FLORIDA –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/florida
ORLANDO HOLIDAY EVENTS:
ICE! AT GAYLORD PALMS RESORT –NOV. 18–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 largerthan-life sculptures.
HOLIDAYS AT DISNEY – NOV. 8-DEC. 22
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is back at Magic Kingdom after a two-year hiatus, but we anticipate this event will sell out fast. But that's not all! Every Disney-owned hotel has holiday decorations. From the budget-friendly Value resorts to the extravagant Deluxe resorts, you'll find a Christmas tree and decorations to admire. And gingerbread displays can be found at Disney’s Grand Floridian, Disney’s Contemporary and Disney’s Beach Club Resorts. At Disney Springs, Christmas and holiday cheer are around every corner. Highlights include loads of decorations, great music, live entertainment and festive food and drink. The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll brings elaborately decorated Disney Christmas trees to the neighborhoods throughout Disney Springs.
SCAN FOR EVEN MORE HOLIDAY FUN AND IDEAS FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK IN TAMPA BAY
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