6AM City In-house

Lean into the holidays at these festivities

9 holiday traditions and happenings in Tampa Bay, FL
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Santa shops for holiday gifts in Water Street Tampa | Photo by Andrea Alava
The holidays are upon us, and Tampa Bay has an incredible lineup of festive happenings, community events, and seasonal festivals that make us feel very merry and bright.

Check out these holiday traditions and happenings around town:

Must-do community events

Santa Fest | Sat., Dec. 3 | 1 p.m. | Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park | Free | The Santa fest kicks off with a parade through downtown before the festivities begin at the park. Meet Santa Claus and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, then enjoy the annual tree lighting ceremony.

Lighted Boat Parade | Sat., Dec. 17 | 6 p.m. | Tampa Riverwalk | Free | Stroll the 2.6-mile-long riverside and enjoy Tampa’s largest lighted boat parade as it takes the festivities to the water.

Get active

Ice Skating at Winter Village | Fri., Nov. 18-Wed., Jan. 4 | Times vary | Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park | $17 | Skate at the rink, then grab a festive drink from the café and go gift shopping at boutiques from local makers.

Winter Village Curling League | Wed., Nov. 30-Wed., Dec. 28 | 6-8 p.m. or 7-9 p.m. | 600 N. Ashley Dr. | $200 per team | Get together 4-6 of your friends to compete in Winter Village’s inaugural curling league.

Holiday festivals, shows, and concerts

Holiday Classic Showings | Multiple dates | Various hours | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St. | $10+ | This historic theater will show holiday classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Eight Crazy Nights,” plus a “Frozen” sing-along.

Next Generation Ballet’s “Nutcracker” | Dec. 16-18 | 2 and 7 p.m. | Carol Morsani Hall, 1010 N. Macinnes Pl. | $30+ | Enjoy this family-friendly favorite featuring principal dancers from New York City Ballet alongside NGB’s young dancers.
MORE HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
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Friday, Nov. 18
  • Coffee Connection: Networking | Fri., Nov. 18 | 8-9 a.m. | 19651 Bruce B Downs Blvd. | Connect with other North Tampa Bay Chamber members.
  • Fall Festivities For Kids | Fri., Nov. 18 | 6-10 p.m. | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S., St. Petersburg | $25 | Drop off your kids for fall-themed activities + a short night hike.
  • New Exhibit Ribbon Cutting | Fri., Nov. 18 | 10-11 a.m. | Great Explorations Children’s Museum, 1925 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg | Free | Kids will examine alligator + manatee patients.
  • “O Give Thanks” A Community in Gratitude! | Fri., Nov. 18 | 7-9 p.m. | The Palladium, 253 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $15-$40 | Spend a night of gratitude singing and uplifting each other.
  • Season Spectacular | Fri., Nov. 18 | 6-10 p.m. | Metropolitan Ministries, 2002 N. Florida Ave., Tampa | Free | Enjoy live music, a holiday-themed silent disco, festive photo ops, and more.
  • Sunset Paddle Happy Hour | Fri., Nov. 18 | 4:30 p.m. | Urban Kai, 700 S. Florida Ave., Tampa | $25- $35 | Enjoy a prime sunset view of Tampa’s skyline + a post-paddle cocktail.
Saturday, Nov. 19
  • Florida CraftArt Festival | Sat., Nov. 19 - Sun., Nov. 20 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Florida CraftArt Galleries, 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | Free | Find handmade works in ceramics, fiber, glass, and more.
  • Florida Highwaymen Art Show | Sat., Nov. 19 - Sun., Nov. 20 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Paint the Town, 6277 W. Waters Ave., Tampa | Free | One of the Original Highwaymen, Al Black, will be in attendance.
  • Rides by the River Presented by duPont and Benefiting Toys for Tots | Sat., Nov. 19 | 8-11 a.m. | Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa | Free | Event-goers can bring unwrapped gifts for children.
  • Tampa Bay Holiday Market | Sat., Nov. 19 - Sun., Nov. 20 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N., St. Petersburg | Free | The first 250 people each day get a free holiday ornament.
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
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  • Missing Haslam’s? The Book Rescuer, a used bookstore, has opened its doors in Pinellas Park, boasting more than one mile of shelves to roam. The 10410 66th St N #6 location has 40,000+ titles priced from $1-$3. 📚 (That’s So Tampa)
  • There’s a new cozy Friday night spot in town. Bin 6 South, an eatery, wine-tasting bar, and cellar just opened in Downtown St. Pete (330 6th St. S.). Stop by for banh mi, soups, and of course, wine. 🍾 (I Love the Burg)
Announced
  • Another new fast casual eatery is opening in Sparkman Wharf’s shipping container garden. The brainchild of Michelin-starred Chef Joe Isidori, JoDog Craft Hot Dogs will chef up New York City-style chili cheese dogs, Carolina Slaw Dogs, spicy Mexico City Dogs, and other jazzy dogs.
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Civic
  • Let’s party till the cows come home. Hillsborough County will buy and restore 487 south county acres for $11.4 million. The current cattle ranch will be used to help create an environmental corridor. (Tampa Bay Times)
  • This week, the City of St. Petersburg began work on the Heroes of the St. Pete Police and Fire Memorial at Demens Landing. The statue will honor the 15 police officers and four firefighters who died in service to our community.
Plan ahead
  • Enchant is coming back to the Trop. The massive lights maze + ice skating experience will run from Nov. 25-Jan. 1. This year’s experience is sponsored by the Hallmark Channel (yup, that one) and also features a 100-ft Christmas tree. 🎄
Community
  • The City of Tampa warns that recycling contamination is at an all-time high. Items like pizza boxes contain food residue that can turn the rest of your recyclables into trash. Download the city’s recycling app to help decide what to chuck in the bin. ♻️
  • It’s time to get outside, Tampa. Plan a visit to Bonnet Springs Park to soak in some nature at Central Florida’s (new) place of play. 🌳*
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Enjoy a blustery day in TBAY

Winter weather activities in Tampa Bay
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A biker takes advantage of the sunny day at North Shore Park. | Photo by TBAYtoday
Bundle up...er throw on a light sweatshirt. Forecasters predict temps will stay in the low 70s-50s this weekend. This is the time of year some of us wait all sweaty, rage-inducing summer for.

Here’s a few of our top picks for getting outside this weekend.
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Bailey.

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