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13 Holiday Lights for Tampa Bay Families

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 Holiday Lights in the Tampa Bay area is a great way to spend some family time. Even out-of-town guests will definitely enjoy Tampa Bay’s special display of Lights from Tampa to Spring Hill.

If you’re looking for upcoming Holiday events, make sure to check out our Events Calendar. 

Check out our top 13 list of 2021 Holiday lights that you can walk-thru and drive-thru to enjoy for free and those that accept donations and are fee-based.

2021 Free Holiday Light Displays

1. The Oakdale Christmas House Light Display

Photo Credit: ChistmasLightDisplay.org

Open Friday from November 26, 2021 to January 3, 2022, 6:00 -10:00 p.m.
2719 Oakdale St. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705
Cost: Free

The 2021 Oakdale Christmas Light Displays are among the best in the U.S. and Tampa Bay. Holiday Light Display features 1/2 million lights. Only display to make HGTVs #1 & NBCs Today show top 3 the same year. Definitely add it to your bucket list of holiday light events. The light display covers approximately 1/2 acre. 2021‐Many major additions, upgrades and changes in both lights and displays.

2. Holiday Lights in Largo Central Park

101 Central Park, Largo, FL 33771

Nightly, November 25-January 2, 2022

 

Photo Credit: Life in Tampa Bay

 

This family-friendly annual tradition presented by the City of Largo, starting November 25 through January 2 features a spectacular holiday light display, stunning carousel and seven-story Ferris wheel that offers a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the 70-acre Largo Central Park and more than two million dazzling LED lights.

Park admission is free. Rides are $5 each. Food for sale on site. The rides and light display are open nightly from 6 to 11pm through January 1.

 

 

 

3. Symphony in Lights at The Shops at Wiregrass 

28211 Paseo Drive, Suite 100 Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 

 

Photo Credit: Youtube

Symphony of Lights is back at The Shops at Wiregrass! This amazing holiday light show is choreographed to music featuring the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This year features all-new lights, from 6-9pm nightly.

Cost: Free

Dates: Shows and snow nightly through December 31st at The Shops at Wiregrass!

 

4. Chick-fil-A Waters Ave

6299 W Waters Ave, Tampa, Florida

Cost: Free

Dates: November 15th – December 31st

 

If you’ve lived in Tampa for any amount of Christmases you have probably heard about the Chick-fil-A on Waters Avenue and their impressive light display. Starting Monday, it’s back for another year! The restaurant goes all out with Christmas lights strung all along the sides of the building and with decorations surrounding the drive-thru and parking lot.

If you thought their chicken sandwiches were magical before, just wait till you order one in this fun holiday atmosphere. In addition to the lights, jolly old St. Nick himself will be making several appearances before Christmas.

 

5. Winter Village at Curtis Hixon 

Dates: November 19, 2021 – January 2, 2022

Cost: Free to attend, pay for other activities

Celebrate the holiday season in Tampa’s Downtown at Winter Village, presented by the Tampa Bay Lightning, in 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. There’s ice skating, shopping and so much more to explore. Activities run until 11pm. See the full schedule at Winter Village. 

 

 

 

6. Holiday Lights in St. Petersburg

Cost: Free

Dates: November 27 – January 2
Downtown Waterfront Parks

Take a stroll along the waterfront to see thousands of holiday lights and decorations in North Straub Park, South Straub Park, Pioneer Park, and St. Pete Pier.

Don’t miss the giant greeting card display along Bayshore Dr. at Vinoy Park made by local teens and participants from St. Petersburg’s recreation centers.

 

 

 

 

7. Rawls Road Lights

5118 Rawls Road, Tampa, FL
Dates: Open daily through Jan. 1, dark-9 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free (donations accepted).

For more than 15 years families along Rawls Road have been capturing hearts during the holidays with their light displays. The display is open daily through Jan. 1st from sunset to 9 p.m. Admission is free however donations are appreciated.

 

Donation/Fee-Based Holiday Light Displays

1. Nights of Shimmering Lights

2302 N Dover Rd, Dover, Florida 3352

Dates: November 26- Dec. 26th. Visit their Facebook page for exact dates and times.
SHIMMERING LIGHTS WINTER 4th annual Christmas season light show opens on November 26 and runs select nights through December 26th, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm located at SunKissed Acres in Dover, FL. This is a self-guided 1/4-mile walking trail through dancing lights to music, outdoor movies, scavenger hunt, maze, and games! New attractions added this year plus expanded movie area. It’s a short drive to the country to enjoy an evening on the farm with your friends and family.

2. Holiday Lights at The Botanical Gardens

12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL

Dates: Friday, November 26, 2021 — Sunday, January 2, 2022; 5:30- 9:30 PM


Cost: Admission is a suggested donation of $10.00 per person, over the age of 13. Admission is free for those 12 yrs old and under.

The Gardens will sparkle with 1 million, twinkling, LED lights in a multitude of colors. Vibrant laser lights and lighted figures round out our display to wow guests of all ages. Our friends, The Train Guys, will be back again for the opening weekend of the event. Their model trains will surround our 18-foot evergreen tree, bedecked in nature-inspired splendor, in the heart of the Wedding Garden.

 

 

3.Christmas Town at Busch Gardens

Christmas Town will run from Nov. 12, 2021- January 2. 2021
Cost: Included in admission 

Christmas Town is open until 10 p.m. on select dates.

Photo courtesy: Busch Gardens

The holidays come to life at Busch Gardens® Christmas Town™, the park’s award-winning holiday event. Christmas Town runs daily with park-wide festive fun from November 12 through January 2.

Celebrate the year with holiday cheer and create merry memories for the whole family during this iconic seasonal event. Included in park admission, park guests can enjoy holiday traditions with a twist, from millions of twinkling lights throughout the park’s 335 acres to holiday shows and visits with Santa and Rudolph® the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

 

4. Holiday Lights at ZooTampa at Lowry Park

1101 W Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33604

Event Dates: Selected Nights Nov 26 – Dec 30, 2021

Lights and activities start at 4 p.m. and the Zoo closes at 10 p.m.

Cost: Included with paid Zoo admission or Zoo membership.

 

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 six new illuminated zones of lights, festive entertainment that the whole family will enjoy.

 

5. Victorian Christmas Stroll at Henry Plant Museum

401 W Kennedy Blvd,Tampa, FL
Dates: December 1 – December 23 from 10 am – 8 pm daily.
Cost:$10-$16

Tampa’s favorite holiday tradition returns with the 40th Annual Victorian Christmas Stroll! Allowing visitors a glimpse into the magic of Christmas past, this holiday experience is a safe and family-friendly way to celebrate all the season has to offer.

The 40th Annual Victorian Christmas Stroll is sure to be a hit. Look closely in exhibit cases and you will find snow babies and tiny antique trees. Don’t miss a display of 40 vintage Santas in honor of 40 years of the Stroll. Gaze in wonder at a 14’ tree bedecked in antique ornaments. Travel back to 1893 with the Chicago World’s Fair.

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