Food, family, fun and lots of lights for the holiday season

Food, family, fun and lots of lights for the holiday season

2022-12-20T12:12:42-05:00December 20th, 2022|Economy, Tampa Bay, Tourism & Hospitality|

Writer: Jerrica DuBois 

2 min read December 2022 — It’s that time of year for parties, last minute shopping and family fun. As a region flush with holiday happenings, Tampa Bay’s numerous offerings aim to reignite the holiday spirit. Invest: explores some of the most prominent festivities for the entire family to enjoy this holiday season.

Tampa Bay Festival of Lights

Residents and visitors alike can pile into the car and head to the Tampa Bay Festival of Lights, a  two mile drive-thru holiday light spectacular with over one million lights. The event also includes Santa’s Village, which features visits with Santa Claus, holiday movies, Santa’s Barnyard, camel rides, tasty holiday treats and more. On Thursdays through Sundays until Dec. 25, guests can also enjoy rides including a reindeer carousel, Santa Train, family rollercoaster and seven-story ferris wheel. A holiday market will also be open Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 24. Festival admission is $25 per vehicle (up to eight occupants) on days when Santa’s Village is open and $20 per vehicle all other days. 

Learn more here.

Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular

Tampa Riverwalk will showcase the magic of the holiday season, with 2.6 miles of lights, festive decorations and activities for the whole family as part of the Friends of the Riverwalk’s Holiday Spectacular. The lighted floating displays will feature a pine tree forest, teddy on a toy horse, gingerbread house with a boy and girl, and a toy train. There will also be a lighted pirate sword fight, two pirate ships, and a treasure chest in honor of Tampa’s local culture.

Hotels, restaurants and bars along the Riverwalk will also have lighted displays, and festively decorated photo ops will be available this year.

Learn more here.

Christmas in the Wild

Christmas in the Wild is back at ZooTampa. Visitors can enjoy six illuminated zones of lights, see incredible shows, explore the Twinkletown Marketplace, and of course get up close and personal with ZooTampa’s wildlife for a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. Christmas in the Wild features one of Tampa Bay’s largest light displays, holiday treats and new festive adventures for the entire family to enjoy.

Learn more here.

A Night of Lights, A Chanukah Celebration

On the fifth night of Chanukah, join Water Street Tampa for a special Menorah lighting. Enjoy traditional foods as you walk around to the backdrop of live entertainment. A Night of Lights also includes face painting, craft stations and more.

Learn more here.

Christmas Town

Millions of twinkling lights illuminate Busch Gardens Tampa Bay during Christmas Town. Guests can experience thrilling rides after dark and enjoy live entertainment, which includes Christmas On Ice and a chance for the kids to meet their favorite Sesame Street characters. Visitors can also ride the holiday express to enjoy the views of Busch Gardens at night.

Learn more here.

Enchant Christmas

Enchant Christmas transports guests to an all-new story-themed festive light maze. Illuminated lands, sparkling tunnels, and ice skating are available for visitors to enjoy as they find their way through the maze to the magnificent 100-foot-tall Christmas tree. Guests can also take a breather from all of the excitement at the Hallmark Channel Holiday House.

Learn more here.

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