Candlelight in the Park, Kwanzaa and Pup Socials

By Abby Baker

Find links for signing up for these events — and many other things to do — online at thegabber.com/events.

Thursday, December 24

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Spills into the Park Add a pinch of the unconventional at a traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service in Williams Park this holiday season. First Unity Spiritual Campus typically hosts this event as a “standing room only” service with attendees spilling out into the lobby and parking lot. This year, they are celebrating in the park to allow all to join in this spiritual experience regardless of faith, religion or belief. Williams Park, 350 2nd Ave. N., St. 6-7:30 p.m.

Put Your Hips into Hoops in Gulfport Shake your groove thing, Gulfport! Head to the hula hoop class on the water and burn up to 450 calories per hour. Fun Fact: Apparently the ancient Greeks and Egyptians hula hooped. Replace your HIIT workout with hula hoops, honor the ancients, and get outside. Sounds like a win all the way ’round. Donationbased class; pay what you can afford. Gulfport Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S., 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Friday, December 25

Treasure Island Treats If there’s one thing Pinellas has no shortage of, it’s outdoor marketplaces. From December through April, the Treasure Island Friday Morning Market will feature – you guessed it – local art, produce, foods, flowers, plants and “interesting flea items.” This is an open air outdoor bazaar, so check out what Treasure Island has to offer while you can. Treasure Island Community Center, 154 106th Ave. Fri. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. DF

Saturday, December 26

Kwanzaa at the Farm: Enjoy a Cultural Community Celebration Do you have Kwanzaa plans yet? Celebrate at the St. Pete Youth Farm’s Kwanzaa at the Farm event. Hosted by Gallerie 909, the St. Petersburg urban farm will be filled with African garments and the beating of drums. So march to your own drum and enjoy a family filled festivity. The organizers ask that you bring your own instruments and cultural clothing, if possible. St. Pete Youth Farm, 1664 12th St. S., 2-5 p.m.

Sunday, December 27

Listen to Your Heart: Sound Healing Drum Bath Come lie on the beach and feel the healing vibration of a hoop drum. Sound healing with the drum is nourishing, and is a great way to simply relax into a peaceful meditation. Gulfport Beach, Shore Blvd. S. between 54th and 58th St., 7–8 p.m. $10

Long Legs in the Park The Italian Greyhound Community of St. Petersburg is meeting in Gulfport’s Chase Dog Park for the first time this Sunday. Group creator, Aron Bryce, typically hosts meetings at dog-friendly parks in the downtown St. Pete area, but not this week. “I really like that it is all very organic – people just choosing to meet with one another and let their dogs play,” Bryce said. “It has been a very fun, low risk activity that I have put together during the pandemic.” People wear must masks and physically distance; the dogs – not so much. Chase Park, 5313 27th Ave. S., 1-2 p.m.

Wednesday, December 30

Maderia Morning Market Bring the dog, bring your family, or maybe just yourself. From November through March, Wednesday morning shoppers can browse clothing, produce, homemade arts and crafts along with other sea-side favorites at the Madeira Beach Morning Market. Held at the City Hall parking lot, across from Winn Dixie. Madeira Beach City Hall, 300 Municipal Drive. Wends., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. SD MR DF