Now that we have moved into the thick of the holiday season, the Tampa Bay area offers a large variety of holiday events, including some that offer real snow in sunny Florida.
Because of the great weather, many of the events happen outdoors, including parades, festivals and boat parades.
Of course, the great weather also offers you the chance to have a holiday event of your own. By contacting a party rental company such as Air Fun Games in New Port Richey, you can choose from a variety of party options including bounce houses, slides and rock climbing walls.
If you are going out, the following are some of your choices. For a look at all the street and boat parades in the area, check this list from the Tampa Bay Times.
Holiday Events: Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
This month-long event runs from late November through Dec. 31. The park will feature more than 2 million holiday lights, discounts on holiday shopping and access to all the best rides in the park. New this year is Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland, where characters from the classic stop-motion animation film, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” come to life.
Snowfest and Santa Parade
This annual event aims to entertain the kids in your life. The parade begins this year at 10 a.m. on Dec. 3 at Central Avenue and 5th Street in St. Petersburg. It ends in North Straub Park, which is where attendees get the big surprise: 65 tons of snow are blown into the park for the kids to enjoy. The event also offers toboggan slides for both big and little kids, a moonwalk, art tent and the chance to do some karaoke.
Rudolph’s Miracle on Cleveland Street
Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater offers this free holiday event that includes ice skating, a giant gingerbread house, a free concert and the chance for kids to phone Santa at the North Pole. Starting at 5 p.m. on Dec. 3, attendees can also enjoy face painting, a ride in a carriage and a free concert from The Fixx (of “Saved By Zero” fame).
Snow Days at the Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa offers kids the chance to play in real snow from Dec. 26 through Dec. 31 in the aquarium play area. Santa Claus also visits the aquarium on select days throughout December.
Christmas in the Wild
The Lowry Park Zoo’s annual event features the zoo decorated in holiday lights with costumed characters. It also has a huge Christmas tree and a chance to meet Santa and his elves, among other attractions. The event is held nightly starting on Dec. 16.
These represent just some of the holiday options in the Tampa Bay area. Whatever you choose to do, enjoy the fantastic Florida weather. Whether you go out or plan a holiday party of your own at home, Tampa has it all.
