Christmas Events in the Tampa Bay Area #2

Many communities in this area offer Christmas celebrations, parades, sales, art exhibits, lighting adventures and other activities.

The events are:

Feeding America:

November 4-December 26, 2011 9:00am-5:00pm MOSI 4801 E Fowler Ave. Tampa

Get a free child’s general admission by donating three non-perishable food items to help combat hunger.

Tampa’s Downtown on Ice:

November 14, 2011-January 1, 2012 4:00 pm Curtis Hixon Park 600 N Ashley Drive Tampa $10 Come skate for 90 minutes on the park’s outdoor ice rink. Skate rental is included in the price.

Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation Events:

“Holiday Lights in the Garden”:

November 27, 2011- January 01, 2012 5:30pm-9:30pm 12520 Ulmerton Road OR 12211 Walsingham Road Largo $12:00 over 12 years Special events, live entertainment along with Santa and refreshments will be welcoming visitors among the tropical plants lit up with over 500,000 LED lights.

Gift and Plant Sale:

December 11 10am-4pm Free event

Over 45 vendors will be selling tropical and native plants, herbs and citrus along with crafts, jewelry, food, candy, outdoor items and clothing.

Dog Parade:

December 31 1:00-1:45pm registration $5.00 per category The parade begins at 2:00pm. There are six categories: sit and stay command, best trick, best smile, prettiest girls, most handsome boys and best costume. There will also be vendors from 12:00-4:00pm.

Plant City Events:

Plant City 28th Annual Christmas Parade:

December 2, 2011: 7:00pm Plant City Fran Neilsen 813 404 2227 The parade begins at Collins and Alsobrook Streets and ends near the courthouse. There will be floats, musical groups and other surprises including what will Santa arrive in this year.

Breakfast with Santa:

December 3, 2011 8:00am-12:00 noon $5.00 per person or $20.00 for five people The Depot 102 N Palmer St 813 708 0001 ex 203

Breakfast is All-You-Can-Eat pancake with sausage and coffee to benefit the Kiwana’s children’s charities.

19th Annual Candlelight Tour of Homes:

December 3, 2011 6:00pm-9:00pm Tour historic homes and buildings on Collins, Wheeler and Evers along with an evening at the Florida Opry from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the PCHS Community Center and dinner. Contact [email protected]

Ybor City Events:

Art in the Park:

December 10, 2011 9:00am-5:00pm Centennial Park

This is a juried art show.

Deck the Walls Art Show:

East 7 Avenue

The art show will be along 7th Ave.

Snow on 7th:

East 7th Avenue December 16-17, 2011

A snowstorm will be staged along 7th Avenue.

Photos with Santa and Live Holiday Music:

December 17, 2011 7:00pm-10:00pm Centro Ybor

Come get your photo taken with Santa while being entertained with live holiday music.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz touring exhibit:

October 1, 2011-December 30, 2011 335 2nd Ave NE St. Petersburg Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm, Sunday 1:00pm – 5:00pm $12 adults; $9 for seniors and $6 for children and students James Parrish 727-894-1052 [email protected]

This traveling exhibit allows the participant to experience history, art and science through the story of the Wizard of Oz in a series of interactive pop-up books that are three dimensional.

Nights of Shimmering Lights:

November 26, 2011-January 7, 2012 215 Sydney Washer Road Dover Dark-9:30 Thursday-Sunday $20 per car

Drive your vehicle through over 600 larger-than-life scenes, dancing lights and tunnels lit up with over a half million lights.

Lighted Holiday Boat Parades:

December 1-31 2011 Channelside Bay Plaza Channelside Dr. Tampa 813 223 4250

Come participate in nightly events which include a lighted boat parade and a lighting competition.

19th Annual Winter Wonderland:

Ft. Harrison Ave. & Drew St, Downtown Clearwater December 2-21, 2011, weeknights; 6-9pm; weekends; 4-9pm Bring non-perishable food item or unwrapped toy for local charities.

Participants explore a Christmas village, enjoy live entertainment, photos with Santa and cookie decorating with Mrs. Clause as well as a hot chocolate shop and a Holiday Express train. There is also a playground with a giant slide, pony rides, a petting zoo and a bouncy house.

Zoo’s Wild Wonderland:

December 3, 9-11, 16-23 and 26-30, 2011 6:30pm-10pm Lowry Park Zoo 1101 West Sligh Ave Tampa

Among the regular zoo exhibits Santa will visit along with live reindeer, live entertainment, free rides, animated Christmas displays such as the Frozen Forest and the Visions of Sugarplums as well as opportunities for Christmas shopping.

December Toy Sundays:

December 4-18, 2011 Dinosaur World 5145 Harvey Tew Road Plant City

Bring a packaged new toy and get half off your admission to the park.

Victorian Christmas Stroll:

December 4-23, 2011 10:00am-8:00pm daily Henry B. Plant Museum 401 W Kennedy Blvd Tampa $13, over 18; $11, seniors and $7, 4-18 Discount Days are December 5, 6, 12, and 13; $9 over 18, $8 seniors, and $5 4-18. For group tours for 20 or more contact Sally Shifke, Museum Relations Coordinator, 813 258 7302

Enjoy free cider and cookies on the veranda while enjoying holiday entertainment. You can also walk through the various room all decorated for a 19 century Christmas and shop in the gift shop.

Holidays with the Horses:

December 15, 2011-January 1, 2011 4902 Timberlan Street, Tampa 1:00pm-7:00pm $5-$10 horse rides Glenda Smith 813-407-6805 [email protected]

Tour the decorated barn, meet the horses and ride on your own horse or pony among Christmas lights around the farm. You can also sip on apple cider while listening to Christmas carols. All fees support of their horse rescue operation. Rides are by appointment only.

Holiday Kid’s Camp:

St. Pete Beach Community Center 7701 Boca Ciega Dr. St. Pete Beach December 19-23 and 27-30, 2011 7:30am-5:30pm $100/residents, $150/nonresidents, daily rate also available.

Special activities are planned for K-5 graders which include games, outside playtime, a field trip as well as arts and crafts and movies.


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