Old Northeast

Hyde Park

Culbreath Isles

Photo by TBAYtoday

Central Oak Park

Photo by TBAYtoday

• University of Florida vs. Ohio University Men’s Basketball | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 7 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $19-$124 | This non-conference matchup between the Florida Gators and the Ohio Bobcats marks the fourth all-time meeting between the pair.
• Plaid Tidings | Wednesday, Dec. 14-Saturday, Dec. 24 | 7:30 p.m. | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $20.50 | The musical comedy brings holiday favorites that are “Plaid-erized” including a three-minute, 11-second version of “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

• Best of Ballet | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 11 a.m. | Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg | $28-$50 | From Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker to Falla’s The Three Cornered Hat and more.
• Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 7 p.m. | Yuengling Center, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa | $25-$129 | Take a musical journey through this Cirque-styled holiday-themed show.
• Kenny Loggins | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 8 p.m. | Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Rd., Clearwater | $101-$109 | The soft rock singer/songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and producer returns to Ruth Eckerd Hall for the first time since 2014.

• Holiday Plant Sale | Friday, Dec. 16-Saturday, Dec. 17 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | USF Botanical Gardens, 12210 USF Pine Dr., Tampa | $3-$5 | Browse a selection of locally grown, unique, and beautiful plants + get your purchase wrapped.
• Putt The Pier: Holiday Edition | Friday, Dec. 16-Sunday, Dec. 18 | 4-9 p.m. | St. Pete Pier, 600 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | $12 | Be one of the first to play 18 holes of mini-golf over Tampa Bay waters on the St. Pete Pier.
• Kwanzaa Community Showcase | Friday, Dec. 16 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Rd., Tampa | Free | Kiva Williams and Karimah Henry host this small business showcase and family game night with a performance by Voices of Inspiration.

• Visits with Santa | Saturday, Dec. 17, Sunday, Dec. 18, Friday, Dec. 23 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Hyde Park Village, 1602 W. Swann Ave., Tampa | Free | Join Santa for a visit + don’t forget your camera to take photos with him.
• Holiday Lighted Boat Parade | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 6-9:45 p.m. | Downtown Tampa, Tampa | Free | The parade begins at the southern tip of Davis Islands, travels through the Convention Center basin and up to the Heights, where the boats turn around, and heads to Sparkman Wharf where judging will occur.

• 81º | Mostly sunny | 8% chance of rain
• Get those hoodies out. Forecasters expect lots of rain to hit Tampa Bay on Thursday + a cold front over the weekend. Temps will be in the mid-60s during the day and the 40s-50s overnight. ❄️ (Tampa Bay Times)

• Rise: 7:12 a.m.
• Set: 5:36 p.m.

• High: 5:23 a.m. + 8:47 p.m.
• Low: 1:27 p.m.

• High: 1:53 a.m.+ 4:37 p.m.
• Low: 9:36 a.m. + 9:04 p.m.

• Pete’s General, Central Avenue’s wildly popular bagel and pastry shop, is opening up a new location in Ybor City next spring. The new location will be an all-day cafe + best of all, it overlooks a new dog park. 🥯
• Speaking of, the new Ybor City Dog Park opens this weekend. The 4,000-sqft park is the first project from the nonprofit Friends of Ybor City and is located at the corner of 18th Street and 4th Avenue. 🐕 (That’s So Tampa)
• Wagamama is coming to Tampa Bay. The international brand is the latest addition to Water Street Tampa. The restaurant will serve Asian-inspired fare like noodle dishes and ramen. (That’s So Tampa)

• Merry crittermas. SPCA Tampa Bay is waiving adoption fees for the littlest guys from now until Sat. Dec. 24. Think guinea pigs, rabbits, or mice. Browse the list of adoptable pets online. 🐭 (I Love the Burg)

• Over the next 10 days, the Mahaffey Theatre is giving away tickets to shows in its 12 Days of Tickets Giveaway. Check out the Theatre’s Facebook page for today’s contest.

• Sunni Spencer, a high-end women’s boutique, is opening this month in the newly renovated Vinoy Resort and Golf Club lobby. The beachy outpost will stock luxe brands like LoveShackFancy, Cult Gaia, James Perse, and Stoney Clover Lane + accessories made especially for the hotel. 🩱(Tampa Bay Business Journal)
• What gifts are on the radar this season? City Editor Brad is ready to rock this Simply Tampa long sleeve t-shirt, and City Editor Bailey is ready to show her local pride with this Tampa sunny circle sticker. Shop these unique gifts + more at our online shop Six & Main. 🛍️

• How does Scott’s Cheap Flights work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and Scott’s will notify you when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a $300+ round trip to Bermuda). 🌴*

FedEx deadlines:

• Wednesday, Dec. 14 | FedEx Ground
• Tuesday, Dec. 20 | Express Saver
• Wednesday, Dec. 21 | FedEx 2Day
• Friday, Dec. 23 | FedEx SameDay

UPS deadlines:

• Tuesday, Dec. 20 | UPS 3 Day Select
• Wednesday, Dec. 21 | UPS 2nd Day Air
• Thursday, Dec. 22 | UPS Next Day Air

United States Postal Service deadlines:

• Friday, Dec. 16 | USPS Priority Mail Express Military service
• Saturday, Dec. 17 | USPS Retail Ground service, First-Class Mail service, First-Class packages
• Monday, Dec. 19 | Priority Mail service
• Friday, Dec. 23 | Priority Mail Express service