We have so much local holiday fun, but if you want to try something new, there are a lot of fun holiday events that are just a short driving distance from our area. If you want to make a day (or weekend) out of it, check out the following events - all within a few hours' drive!
November 2 - December 24: Santa's Wonderland 2024 ~ Enjoy the magic of Christmas at Bass Pro Shop with visits with Santa (including a FREE picture), free holiday fun, special deals and discounts. Advance reservations to see Santa is recommended and can be made online. Don't miss out on Santa's arrival on November 2 at 5PM - enjoy the tree lighting, free activities and giveaways.
November 8 - December 20 (select nights 7PM to midnight): Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party ~ Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with festive entertainment, a storybook holiday atmosphere, sweet treats and more at this yuletide event.
November 15 - January 4: Christmas at Gaylord Palms ~ This holiday season, join us for ICE! featuring Elf™! Book an ICE! package to experience the Christmas season come to life like never before. Step inside a holiday showplace like no other as you wind your way through the larger-than-life sculptures, zoom down thrilling frozen slides, and traverse awe-inspiring tunnels. Escape to Gaylord Palms to enjoy the splendor of the holiday season.
November 15 - January 5: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Christmas Town ~ Celebrate the year with holiday cheer & gather with family and friends to create merry memories. Experience the joy of the season up close with animal encounters, thrilling rides, holiday inspired culinary delights and festive shows like Christmas on Ice. Keep the holiday spirit shining bright from day to night with twinkling lights of every color and dazzling fireworks! Included in the price of admission.
November 16 - January 5 (select days): Sea World Orlando's Christmas Celebration ~ See the park transformed into a winter wonderland sparkling with millions of beautiful lights. With plenty of holiday cheer, this event is sure to create unforgettable memories at a wondrous Christmas celebration you’ll only find at SeaWorld.
November 22 - December 31: Holidays at Universal Orlando ~ Join the celebration of Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, enjoy huge balloons at Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's and laugh along to the Grinchmas™ Who-liday Spectacular. Included in the price of admission.
November 22 - January 5 (select days): Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park ~ Located along the Tampa Riverwalk, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is transformed with the sights, sounds and activities of the holidays for children and adults of all ages.
November 22 - March 2 (select days): Snowcat Ridge ~ Snowcat Ridge is the first Florida Snow Park of its kind featuring snow tubing, snow play, and an Alpine Village. Snowcat Ridge includes a 60-foot-tall, 400-foot-long snow tubing hill, along with a magic carpet lift which will whisk riders and their snow tubes to the top of the hill. Guests will be provided with single, tandem and 6-person family tubes to slide down the snow-covered slope. Also enjoy Santa's Christmas Lane where you can meet Santa, have story time with Mrs. Claus and play in the Peppermint Play Zone.
November 23 - January 5: Crayola Experience Orlando Colorful Christmas ~ Deck the halls with tons of COLOR and enjoy holiday fun the Crayola way! Meet our animatronic Christmas characters and listen to them tell stories as you solve their riddles. Pose with a life-sized snowglobe, watch a light show starring Scarlet and her singing reindeer friends, complete a seasonal scavenger hunt, craft handmade gifts from the heart, enjoy live entertainment, holiday treats and more. Included in the price of admission.
November 26 - December 24 (select days): River of Lights Holiday Cruises ~ Hop on Tampa’s Pirate Water Taxi tour of holiday lights and decorations along the river including Holiday Island. This unique holiday cruise will quickly become your new favorite holiday tradition. As you cruise, you will get up-close views of Downtown Tampa’s holiday decorations and lights. This family-friendly event will include a holiday river tour with prime viewing of the floating holiday displays, Dickens Carolers performing sing-a-longs, holiday cookies and hot chocolate, and a snow flurry finale! Every child will have an opportunity to write a letter to Santa and drop it off in Tampa’s only floating mail buoy to the North Pole
November 29 - December 23 (select days): Christmas in the Wild ~ It’s the most wonderful time of the year at ZooTampa with the return of Christmas in the Wild, featuring one of Tampa Bay’s largest light displays, delectable holiday treats, amazing wildlife and new festive adventures. This year is BIGGER, better, and brighter than ever, with festive entertainment that the whole family will enjoy.
November 29 - December 24: Christmas Lane ~ Santa, live entertainment, light displays and maze, rides, food, a kid zone and more.
November 29 - December 31: Holidays at LEGOLand ~ Sleigh into the holly jolliest time of year as HOLIDAYS at LEGOLAND® presented by Hallmark Channel returns to LEGOLAND Florida Resort! Surprise your family with tons of bricktastic holiday fun coming down the chimney, including an all-new ginormous LEGO® brick-built Christmas Tree, a festive LEGO® crew, new elf-tastic entertainment, and bunches of new holly jolly LEGO décor. Included in the price of admission.
Select Dates November 29 - January 5: YuleTides at Florida Aquarium ~ Immerse yourself in the charm of coastal holiday traditions at YuleTides! Create unforgettable memories with a festive coastal twist. Featuring a Holiday Tree Trail, DIY ornaments and gift bows, festive music, coastal family games, Santa's Winter Wharf Photo Opp and more. Reservations required.
November 29 - January 5: Christmas at Dinosaur World ~ This one-of-a-kind celebration brings together MILES of dazzling lights, MASSIVE Christmas lantern displays, Christmas trees galore, and MOREEEE!!! Enjoy our Christmas market filled with seasonal food and beverages, visits with Santa (on select weekends) and hop aboard the Candy Cane Express for a festive ride through this magical landscape.
November 30 - December 22 (Wed - Sun): Winter Wonderland Clearwater ~ Winter Wonderland is a complete Christmas village with an entertainment stage, photos with Santa, cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus, a hot chocolate shop and Holiday Express Train! Entrance to Winter Wonderland is free but we ask visitors to bring a non-perishable food item and/or an unwrapped toy. Open 6PM to 9PM.
December 6-29: Wonderland of Lights ~ Celebrate the Holidays at THE WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS for the second year at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds in Port Charlotte, FL. Featuring hundreds of dazzling displays to delight the entire family.
December 13, 14, 20, 21 | 5:30PM to 8:30PM: Padgett Ranch Small Town Christmas ~ The farm will be decorated for the holidays. Get free professional pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus enjoy a special Christmas story hayride, a Polar Express barrel train ride and s'mores and hot cocoa. Of course, the giant bounce pillow, corn box, play areas and obstacle course will all be open as well. Face painting and concessions are also available. $10 admission.
December 26-31: Snow Days at The Florida Aquarium ~ The extended forecast is for more snow! Grab your gloves and join us for traditional winter activities and hands-on snow experiences. Snow Days is free for members and included with general admission.
For more holiday fun, click on a picture below!
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