Christmas in Tampa with kids.
Christmas in Tampa starts early. Busch Gardens opens Christmas Town on November 13, and Water Street Tampa holds a free Season Spectacular on November 12. From November 20, Winter Village puts an outdoor ice rink in Curtis Hixon Park downtown.
For lights, walk through Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa or the free Holiday Lights in the Gardens in Largo. Enchant fills Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. On December 19, watch lighted boats from the Tampa Riverwalk. Or ride the North Pole Express from the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish.
Before you go
- Holiday Lights in the Gardens in Largo is free. The paths work for strollers, and parking is free.
- At ZooTampa, kids 2 and under get in free. You can bring baby food, formula and small snacks.
- At Busch Gardens, weeknights are calmer than weekends. See Santa and Rudolph early, before the lines grow after dark.
- Winter Village is free to walk in. Skating costs $15 for kids under 12, with skates and 75 minutes on the ice.
- On the North Pole Express, strollers and car seats can't go on the train. Pick the 5:15pm train for young kids.
Family Christmas events in Tampa
17 events
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- Zoo lightsSanta visits Good for toddlers
Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa
- Dates
- Nov 27 - Dec 30 · Select nights Nov 27-Dec 30, entry after 4pm. Nov 27 is a member preview night. Check the zoo's calendar for open nights.
- Where
- ZooTampa at Lowry Park, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., North Tampa (Lowry Park)
- Price
- $34.95 per person, plus service fees. Kids 2 and under free. Zoo members get in free.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy a ticket for a set night ahead. Tickets can't be refunded, and the event runs rain or shine.
The zoo stays open after dark with holiday lights, shows and themed areas. You can also get a photo with Santa.
Parent tip: Parking is first come, first served, so arrive early. You can bring baby food, formula and small snacks for young kids, plus one sealed water bottle each.
- Holiday festivalsChristmas lightsSanta visits Good for toddlers
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Dates
- Nov 13 - Jan 4 · Select dates Nov 13-Jan 4, park open to park close. Check the park calendar for each day.
- Where
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, 10165 McKinley Dr., North Tampa (near USF)
- Price
- Included with Busch Gardens admission. Priority Access for the Rudolph and friends meet-and-greet costs extra.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy park tickets online ahead.
The theme park fills with almost 70 miles of lights. Kids can ride the Holly Jolly Express train and visit Santa, and the regular rides stay open.
Parent tip: Weeknights are calmer than weekends. Santa and Rudolph lines get long after dark, so head there early in your visit.
- Ice skatingHoliday festivalsFree Good for toddlers
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
- Dates
- Nov 20 - Jan 3 · Nov 20-Jan 3. Check the official site for rink hours.
- Where
- Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Downtown Tampa
- Price
- Free to walk in. Skating $17, or $15 for kids under 12, with skate rental and 75 minutes on the ice.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Book skating times online ahead, or with the QR codes on site.
A real outdoor ice rink in a riverfront park downtown. Walking around the village is free, and there are family events on select days.
Parent tip: Holiday characters visit on select Sundays from 1-4pm. Check the official site for which Sundays.
- Christmas lightsSanta visitsChristmas markets Good for toddlers
Enchant Christmas at Tropicana Field
- Dates
- Nov 20 - Dec 27 · Nov 20-Dec 27. You pick a date and entry time when you buy.
- Where
- Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg (about 20 miles from downtown Tampa)
- Price
- From $28. Prices change by date, entry time and demand. Skating, the snow slide, rides and parking cost extra.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy timed tickets online ahead. Tickets can't be refunded, and you can't enter before your time.
A huge Christmas light maze with a holiday village, live music and caroling. A visit with Santa is part of the ticket.
Parent tip: Kids under 5 must skate with a parent. Infant tickets can't add rides or skating, and kids need their own add-on tickets.
- Holiday trainsSanta visits
North Pole Express at the Florida Railroad Museum
- Dates
- Nov 27 - Dec 22 · Select evenings Nov 27-29 and Dec 2-22. Most nights leave at 5:15pm and 7:15pm.
- Where
- Florida Railroad Museum, 12210 83rd St. E., Parrish, Manatee County (about 35 miles south of Tampa)
- Price
- Prices change by date, departure time, seat type and age. See the official site.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy ahead online. Tickets can't be refunded unless you buy refund protection when you book.
A 45-minute train ride to a North Pole stop, where kids visit Santa and each child gets a gift. Cookies and hot chocolate are unlimited.
Parent tip: The whole trip takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes, so pick the 5:15pm train for young kids. Strollers and car seats can't go on the train. Babies under 1 ride free on a lap with a lap-rider ticket.
- Christmas lightsFree Good for toddlers
Holiday Lights in the Gardens at Florida Botanical Gardens
- Dates
- Nov 27 - Jan 3 · Nightly 5:30-9:30pm
- Where
- Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Rd., Largo, Pinellas County (about 22 miles west of Tampa)
- Price
- Free. Suggested donation of $10 per person over 12 at the gate. Free parking.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · No tickets. Walk up.
A free walk through the gardens lit up for the holidays, with live entertainment every night and holiday snacks for sale.
Parent tip: The paths work for strollers and wheelchairs. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on a 6-foot leash. Accessible parking is at the Walsingham Road entrance.
- Holiday festivalsChristmas lightsSanta visitsFree Good for toddlers
Season Spectacular at Water Street Tampa
- Dates
- Nov 12 · Thu Nov 12, 5-9pm
- Where
- Water Street Tampa, 971 Water St., Downtown Tampa (Channel District)
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
The neighborhood switches on about 500,000 holiday lights for the season. Kids can do crafts, make reindeer food and take photos with Santa.
Parent tip: Cookies and hot chocolate at the Mrs. Claus Cookie Workshop cost extra. It's an early evening, which suits young kids.
- Holiday festivals Good for toddlers
Gingerbread Village at Glazer Children's Museum
- Dates
- Nov 1 - Dec 31 · Nov 1-Dec 31, during museum hours.
- Where
- Glazer Children's Museum, Downtown Tampa
- Price
- Included with museum admission. See the official site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · See the official site.
Kids build gingerbread-style houses out of recycled bits and add them to a village that grows all season. They can take their house home too.
Parent tip: It's indoors, so it's a good pick for a rainy or hot day. The museum also holds Santa meet-and-greets on select days; check its calendar.
- Holiday festivalsChristmas lightsSanta visits Good for toddlers
Christmas Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Florida
- Dates
- Nov 21 - Jan 3 · Select dates Nov 21-Jan 3. Check the park calendar for open days and hours.
- Where
- LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Winter Haven, Polk County (about 50 miles east of Tampa)
- Price
- Included with park admission and annual passes.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy park tickets online ahead.
The park adds a LEGO Christmas tree over 30 feet tall, a light trail and holiday shows. Kids can meet LEGO Santa and climb into his sleigh.
Parent tip: A drone show with LEGO Santa runs on select December nights only. Check the dates before you pick a day.
- Parades and tree lightingsFree Good for toddlers
Holiday Lighted Boat Parade on the Tampa Riverwalk
- Dates
- Dec 19 · Sat Dec 19, boats set off at 6:15pm.
- Where
- Tampa Riverwalk, Downtown Tampa
- Price
- Free to watch from the Riverwalk. VIP details on the official site.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · No booking to watch from the Riverwalk.
Boats covered in holiday lights cruise past downtown on the water. It's Tampa's biggest lighted boat parade.
Parent tip: The parade route starts or ends near Sparkman Wharf, so the Riverwalk around there is a good place to watch.
- Parades and tree lightings Good for toddlers
Clearwater Yacht Club Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
- Dates
- Dec 12 · Sat Dec 12, starts at 6pm.
- Where
- Clearwater Harbor (Mandalay Channel to Clearwater Beach Marina), Clearwater and Clearwater Beach (about 25 miles west of Tampa)
- Price
- The club lists no ticket for watching from shore. See the official site.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · No booking listed for watching from shore.
Lit-up boats loop around Island Estates, pass Coachman Park and finish at Clearwater Beach Marina. This is the 52nd year.
Parent tip: The boats are judged at Clearwater Beach Marina, near the end of the route. Coachman Park on the mainland is also on the route.
- Christmas marketsFree Good for toddlers
The Holiday Promenade at Water Street Tampa
- Dates
- Dec 3 · Thu Dec 3, 5-9pm
- Where
- Water Street Tampa, 971 Water St., Downtown Tampa (Channel District)
- Price
- Free to attend. Food, drinks and gifts for sale.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
A one-night holiday market with more than 40 local makers, live music, hot cocoa and holiday snacks.
Parent tip: Food vendors are at Raybon Plaza. Go early in the evening if you have little ones in a stroller.
- Shows and Nutcracker
The Florida Orchestra's Holiday Pops
- Dates
- Dec 10-13 · Dec 10-11, 7:30pm (Straz Center, Tampa). Dec 12, 2pm and 7:30pm (Mahaffey Theater, St. Pete). Dec 13, 2pm and 7:30pm (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater).
- Where
- Straz Center, Mahaffey Theater and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Downtown Tampa, downtown St. Petersburg and Clearwater
- Price
- Ticketed. Kids and teens 5-18 can get $20 tickets ahead through the orchestra's ticket center (727-892-3337).
- Ages and booking
- Families; kids' tickets for ages 5-18 · Buy ahead online or by phone.
The orchestra plays holiday favorites like Sleigh Ride, with a singer and dancers on stage.
Parent tip: Pick a 2pm show on Saturday or Sunday for younger kids. The concert runs in three cities, so choose the hall closest to you.
- Shows and Nutcracker
The Florida Orchestra's Family Concert: Classical Christmas
- Dates
- Dec 18-19 · Fri Dec 18, 7:30pm (Straz Center, Tampa). Sat Dec 19, 7:30pm (Mahaffey Theater, St. Pete).
- Where
- Straz Center (Ferguson Hall) and Mahaffey Theater, Downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg
- Price
- Ticketed. See the official site.
- Ages and booking
- Families · Buy ahead online.
A family concert of classical Christmas music with the full orchestra, led by Michael Francis.
Parent tip: Both shows start at 7:30pm, so it suits kids who can sit still for an evening concert.
- Shows and Nutcracker
The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert
- Dates
- Dec 5-6 · Sat Dec 5, 7:30pm and Sun Dec 6, 2pm
- Where
- Mahaffey Theater, Downtown St. Petersburg
- Price
- Ticketed. See the official site.
- Ages and booking
- Older kids and up · Buy ahead online.
The Florida Orchestra plays Danny Elfman's music live while the movie plays on a big screen.
Parent tip: The movie has spooky scenes, so it suits kids who already like it. The Sunday 2pm show is the easier pick for families.
- Shows and Nutcracker
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage
- Dates
- Nov 15 · Sun Nov 15, 7pm. Doors open at 6pm.
- Where
- Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater (about 20 miles west of Tampa)
- Price
- Ticketed. See the official site.
- Ages and booking
- Whole family · Buy ahead online.
Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang bring their Christmas story to the stage.
Parent tip: It's a single Sunday night show, so book early if your kids love Snoopy.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland
- Dates
- Dec 18 · Fri Dec 18, 7pm. Doors open at 6pm.
- Where
- Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater (about 20 miles west of Tampa)
- Price
- Ticketed. See the official site.
- Ages and booking
- Whole family · Buy ahead online.
A one-night holiday show that mixes circus acts with music, billed for the whole family.
Parent tip: It's a Friday night show at 7pm, so it works best for school-age kids.
Dates and prices were checked on each event's official site. They can change, so check the official site before you go.
On a budget? See every free Christmas event in Tampa, including parades and tree lightings.
Shopping for gifts? Compare the Christmas markets in Tampa, with hours, costs and tips for going with kids.
Planning a Santa visit? See where to find Santa in Tampa, plus free Santa photos, breakfasts with Santa and tips for skipping the line.
Questions parents ask
What is there to do in Tampa for Christmas with kids?
Visit Christmas Town at Busch Gardens and Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa. Skate at Winter Village downtown, or see Enchant at Tropicana Field in St. Pete.
For free fun, walk the lights at Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo or watch the lighted boat parade on the Tampa Riverwalk.
When is the Tampa boat parade in 2026?
The Holiday Lighted Boat Parade on the Tampa Riverwalk is on Saturday, December 19, 2026. Boats set off at 6:15pm, and watching from the Riverwalk is free.
In Clearwater, the yacht club's lighted boat parade is on Saturday, December 12, starting at 6pm.
Are there free Christmas lights in Tampa?
Yes. Holiday Lights in the Gardens at Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo is free. It's open nightly from 5:30 to 9:30pm, November 27 to January 3. The gardens suggest a $10 donation for anyone over 12.
Winter Village in downtown Tampa is also free to walk in. Only skating costs extra.
When does Busch Gardens Christmas Town start in 2026?
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay runs on select dates from November 13, 2026 to January 4, 2027. It's included with park admission. Check the park calendar for each day's hours.
Christmas in other cities
- Christmas in New York
- Christmas in Chicago
- Christmas in Boston
- Christmas in Washington, DC
- Christmas in Nashville
- Christmas in Seattle
- Christmas in Denver
- Christmas in San Diego
- Christmas in San Francisco
- Christmas in Los Angeles
- Christmas in Atlanta
- Christmas in Houston
- Christmas in San Antonio
- Christmas in Gatlinburg
- Christmas in Philadelphia
- Christmas in Pittsburgh
- Christmas in Las Vegas
- Christmas in Orlando
- Christmas in Miami
- Christmas in New Orleans
- Christmas in Charlotte
- Christmas in Kansas City
- Christmas in Dallas
- Christmas in Austin
- Christmas in Phoenix
- Christmas in St. Louis
- Christmas in Cincinnati