Plus, a new Tampa bookstore is opening.
 
11.29.2023 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

74º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:22 a.m. | Sunset: 5:49 p.m. | Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 11:16 a.m. + 10:01 p.m. | Low: 2:58 p.m. | Clearwater Beach | High: 6:59 a.m. + 6:21 p.m. | Low: 12:16 p.m.
 

Bring on the Balsam

Hunt for the perfect Christmas tree at these Tampa Bay area spots
Snapinsta.app_403838893_1392438534987126_7920708420621422897_n_1080.jpg
Choose from tons of Florida-grown evergreens at Ergle Christmas Tree Farm. | Photo via @moebolin
Around here, we’re real tree aficionados.

We’re here to help you spruce up your living room for the winter season. Whether you’re a Fraser fir devotee or a Cedar lover, we’ve rounded up a plethora of Tampa Bay area spots to hunt for a real tree.
  • Great Lakes Christmas Tree Farms, 5302 E. Diana St., Tampa | This longtime Tampa tree lot sells Michigan Black Hills spruces, North Carolina Fraser firs, Michigan Blue spruces, Oregon Douglas firs, Oregon Noble firs + all kinds of poinsettias. Plus, you can order your tree of choice for delivery online.
  • An Old Time Christmas, 301 37th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | Fans of a classic Christmas will love this lot’s selection of trees, fresh garland, wreaths, poinsettias, candles, and soaps. The spot also serves free popcorn — perfect for snacking while surveying options.
  • Gallio Family Christmas Trees, 4518 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa | Bring the kiddos and the whole fam to pick out the perfect tree, play cornhole, and take pictures with snowman friends and Santa.
316873972_1994625547398056_3380427676057718720_n Large.png

Browse trees, wreaths, poinsettias, and more at Gallagher’s.

|

Photo by @kristen_gilray

  • Gallagher’s Pumpkins & Christmas Trees, 7401 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg | Browse tons of farm-fresh Christmas trees, Christmas cacti and ferns, poinsettias, and wreaths. Reserve a time slot to use the photo area for your holiday card photo shoot onlin
  • Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, 3331 Treiman Blvd., Dade City | For 35 years, Tampa Bay residents have been chopping down their own trees at this Dade City farm (yes, even in Florida). The farm also offers festive train rides on the weekends and professional photographer photo slots.
  • Tree Brothers Christmas, Multiple locations | Calling all last-minute tree shoppers, these local tree lots are open through Dec. 23, with locations in Odessa, Wesley Chapel, and Oldsmar.
 
Events
Wednesday, Nov. 29
  • Yoga in Midtown Commons | Wednesday, Nov. 29 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Midtown Tampa, 3659 Midtown Dr., Tampa | Free | Namaste by the Bay leads an all-levels power flow class on the turf — preregister online.
Thursday, Nov. 30
  • Santa’s Carnival at the Festival of Lights | Thursday, Nov. 30-Monday, Dec. 25 | Times vary | Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Rd., Brandon | $5-$40 | Head to the fair to check out the Reindeer Carousel, Santa Train, family rollercoaster, seven-story Ferris wheel, and drive-thru holiday light spectacular.
  • OE Holiday Gift Bazaar | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | Free | Shop wares from local artisans and small businesses, enjoy a glass of champagne, and mingle with fellow shoppers.
  • “It’s a Wonderful Life” | Thursday, Nov. 30-Sunday, Dec. 3 | Times vary | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $24 | Enjoy the classic holiday movie uniquely reimagined for the stage as a live radio broadcast.
Friday, Dec. 1
  • St. Petersburg Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” | Friday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Dec. 3 | Times vary | Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $30 | Watch Clara work to save her love, the enchanted Nutcracker Prince, from the evil Mouse King — en pointe.
Saturday, Dec. 2
  • Annual Old Hyde Park Home Tour | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | St. John’s Episcopal Church, 906 S. Orleans Ave., South Tampa | $30-$35 | Make your way through the historic neighborhood, checking out several homes and the interior of the century-old St. John’s Episcopal Church.
  • Honeymoon Island Bluegrass Festival | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Honeymoon Island State Park, 1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin | $20 | Pack up the lawn chair, sit back, and listen to six hours of traditional bluegrass music.
  • Bikes & Beers Tampa Bay | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 8:30 p.m. | Cigar City Brewing, 3924 W. Spruce St., Tampa | $30-$85 | Take a 15, 37, or 52-mile ride starting and ending at Cigar City Brewing + celebrate your journey with craft beers, live music, and a charity raffle.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Number
  • 2.5 million. That’s how many gallons of treated wastewater drained into the ground after a sinkhole opened up at Busch Gardens. The park closed a dam to stop the flow, is taking water sampling, and is working with an engineering firm on addressing the sinkhole. (Tampa Bay Times)
Weather
  • Hillsborough County opened cold weather shelters overnight yesterday as temperatures dipped into the 40s. The frosty weather continues today — check the county website for the latest updates on shelter openings.
Environment
  • Watering restrictions kick in this Friday, Dec. 1 for TBAY residents. Until further notice, residents are only allowed one day of outdoor watering per week. Here’s a refresher on the rules.
Open
  • Welcome to Tampa Heights. Black English Bookstore (401 E. Oak Ave.) opens this Saturday, Dec. 2. The woman-owned shop stocks 1,000+ titles (with a focus on Black-authored books), puzzles, games, and also has a coffee shop. (That’s So Tampa)
Try This
  • The Tampa Riverwalk — and its 35-ft-tall Christmas tree — is nominated for the Best Public Holiday Display in USA Today’s 10Best competition. Today’s the last day to vote for our local spot online. (That’s So Tampa)
Transit
  • Bye bye Bird — and Lime. Tampa City Council approved a new micromobility program with Helbiz and Spin — and will stop using Bird and Lime. The companies will each bring up to 1,500 stand-up scooters to the Cigar City transit ecosystem. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Development
  • An office campus in the Westshore business district just sold for $21 million. The buyer, Northwood Ravin, plans to build a 385-unit apartment complex on the land — which sits across the Independence Parkway from Rocky Point Golf Course. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Ranked
  • No. 4. That’s where Tampa ranked on WalletHub’s roundup of the Best College Towns & Cities in the US. The Cigar City earned its spot partially because of its high scores on wallet friendliness and academic + economic opportunities.
Finance
  • We aren’t given many 21-month grace periods. Oil checks, doctor appointments, Tax Day... time speeds by between them. But The Ascent found a credit card offering 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months — among the longest we’ve seen to avoid interest charges. Learn more.*
Shop
  • Which ugly Christmas sweater would you choose? We’re liking: the Santa hat-topped wine glass or the “Home Alone” print featuring Catherine O’Hara.*
 
City

⚠️ Alerting all downtown Tampa drivers

Alert: The City of Tampa is hosting an emergency response drill
A photograph of Old City Hall in Downtown Tampa. There is a US flag flying overhead and a modern skyscraper in the background.
Old City Hall was built in 1915. | Photo by TBAYtoday
Tampanians might encounter some roadblocks on their commutes downtown today. But don’t be alarmed — the city is hosting a large-scale emergency response drill simulating a mass casualty incident.

The exercise is taking place at the Tampa Convention Center + includes simulated explosions, dozens of volunteers with fake wounds, and a family reunification center at Port Tampa Bay. The drill will test the crisis response of local agencies like law enforcement and fire rescue.

Residents should be aware of a few road closures around the Tampa Convention Center from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. today, including:
  • Franklin Street is closed southbound from Channelside Drive to Harbour Island Boulevard Bridge starting at 6 a.m.
  • Franklin Street is closed northbound from Channelside Drive to Harbour Island Boulevard Bridge starting at 8 a.m.
The Buy

The Buy 11.29.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Anything off of this year’s Oprah’s Favorite Things list. We’re seeing: luxury flaky sea salt, all-weather boots, fleece robes, and a baked brie board.
Share TBAYtoday
 
ReferralGIF1-TBAY.gif

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

{{profile.vars.rh_reflink_2}}
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_2}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.
Claim your rewards
 
 
The Wrap
 
Bailey Lefever in a park near a pond

Today’s edition by:
Bailey
From the editor
Anyone else absolutely love the slightly chillier weather? I’m looking forward to picking up some produce and veggies at the Saturday Morning Market and making a cozy meal in this weekend.
Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
Become a Member     ›
Advertise     ›
Shop     ›
 
 

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY