Best Christmas Things to Do in Tampa Bay in 2025!
If you’re looking to celebrate the holidays in Tampa, St Pete, or the surrounding beaches, you’re sure to find something you’ll love because there are tons of things to do!
And Christmas in Florida is so special because you can actually enjoy outdoor activities with Florida’s mild temperatures.
I have compiled a great list of activities, events, and more for you to enjoy this holiday season in Tampa Bay and hope you find this list to be helpful.
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Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
This is a tradition in our family – we love Christmas Town!
Each year, Busch Gardens transforms into a winter wonderland for the holidays. It is included with the cost of regular admission (or annual pass) and it’s worth the visit.
I recommend visiting at night to see all of the lights – there are literally millions throughout Busch Garden’s 335 acres. Plus, you still have access to all of your favorite things about Busch Gardens, such as the rides, food, animals, and more.
Dates: November 14, 2025, to January 5, 2026
Holiday Lights Largo Central Park
This is another event we go at least once a year (some years, we go multiple times).
The park is huge and you can stroll through the decorated gardens to see over two million Christmas lights and lighted displays.
It’s free to attend, but extra activities such as a ferris wheel and carousel are free. There are also vendors with things like food, hot chocolate, and more.
Holiday Lights in the Gardens at Florida Botanical Gardens
The Florida Botanical Gardens are a beautiful place to visit even when it isn’t the holiday season. But add tons of Christmas magic to this already beautiful place and you have pretty much the best place to get into the Christmas spirit ever.
Holiday Lights in the Gardens features over 1 million Christmas lights but there will also be laser lights and lighted figures.
There is a suggested donation of $10 for visitors over the age of 13 and it is well worth it.
Christmas in the Wild at Lowry Park Zoo
Lowry Park Zoo transforms to Christmas in the Wild with Christmas lights, projection shows, and a holiday village.
Florida Aquarium
Florida Aquarium is a fun place to experience the holidays amongst the marine life. They have tons of decorations and various activities throughout the aquarium (the dates/times of the activities will vary by day – check the Florida Aquarium Yule Tides page for more information).
Oakdale Light Display
The Oakdale Light Display is a walk through display located at 2719 Oakdale Street South in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
The Oakdale Light Display has been featured on several TV shows, including HGTV’s All Out Christmas and NBC’s Today Show.
Tampa Bay Festival of Lights
Tampa Bay Festival of Lights offers an opportunity to drive through Christmas lights. The drive lasts 2 miles and along the way, you will enjoy more than 1 million lights.
There is also “Santa’s Village”, which has rides, a holiday market, fire pits, food, and activities (such as holiday movies!). You can also meet Santa there.
Dates: November 27 to December 28, 2025
Victorian Christmas Stroll
The Victorian Christmas Stroll is a true Tampa holiday tradition at the Henry B. Plant Museum. The Christmas decorations show how Christmas was celebrated in the Victorian era. Each room is different and has a theme with matching displays.
Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular
Tampa will be hosting their Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular! Located along the riverwalk in downtown Tampa, there will be light displays, including the 35 foot tall LED Christmas tree that floats in the harbor. This event is free to enjoy.
Dates: Nov 28, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025 10 am – 5 pm
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is located right along the Hillsborough River, and this space transforms for the holidays.
They will have an ice rink, Christmas lights, holiday pop up shops, and more! Ice skating does require tickets, but the rest of the event is free.
Dates: November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Boat Parades
Going to a boat parade is a must if you are celebrating the holidays in Tampa Bay. Most towns have their own boat parade, so there are plenty of opportunities to attend one. If you’ve never been to a boat parade, it is exactly what it sounds like. You’ll witness boats decked out in holiday decorations cruising the waterways.
Dunedin will have their boat parade on December 13, 2025. After the parade, Downtown Dunedin continues the celebration with activities and entertainment. It’s family friendly and includes horse-drawn carriage rides, ice-skating, snow slides, kid’s crafts, games, face painting, live music, Santa Claus, and s’mores.
Clearwater Yacht Club Boat Parade is December 13, 2025. The boats will launch north of the Mandalay channel bridge, head north, then through the Island Estates community, then to the Memorial Causeway Bridge, and back towards the beach.
Madeira Beach 56th Annual Festival of Lights Boat Parade will be Saturday, December 13, 2025. The parade will start at American Legion Post 273 at 6:30 pm. The parade will wind through the canals and end at John’s Pass around 9:45 p.m. ROC Park will have a market, live music, and viewing opportunities for the boat parade.
Tampa Riverwalk Lighted Boat Parade is Tampa’s largest lighted boat parade. It will take place December 20, 2025 along the Hillsborough River in Downtown Tampa. The parade begins at 6 pm and will leave from the Davis Islands. The parade will travel through the Convention Center basin, to the Heights, then turn around and head to Sparkman Wharf.
Tarpon Springs Boat Parade will be Friday, December 12, 2025. It starts at the Tarpon Landing Marina at 7 pm, proceeds down the Anclote River, and will enter Spring Bayou around 8 pm. Viewing is best from Craig Park and the Spring Bayou.
Treasure Island Lighted Boat Parade will be on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
Indian Rocks Beach Holiday Boat Parade will be on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
Redington Beach and Indian Shores boat parade is cancelled for 2025
Gulfport will have theirs on December 13, 2025.
Restaurants and Coffee Shops
Miracle at Mezzo is a popup bar that takes over Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails with festive decor and holiday-inspired drinks.
Willa’s in Tampa is a great restaurant and bar. They serve amazing cocktails and classic dishes. Willa’s has been named “The South’s Best New Restaurant” by Southern Living and one of the nation’s “Coolest Restaurants to Dine at Right Now” by Architectural Digest. They go all out decorating for the holidays! They are closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Sonder Social Club in Dunedin is an upscale cocktail lounge that transforms for the holidays.
Hopefully this has given you some good ideas on Christmas activities in Tampa and Saint Petersburg, Florida!
