Florida's tropical climate provides the perfect winter weather to enjoy outdoor Christmas light displays and attractions. Here are just 10 of the best places to see lights in Tampa Bay.
Oakdale Christmas House
One of the biggest Christmas light displays in Tampa Bay for the past 41 years is an annual tradition for locals and visitors alike. The dazzling display in south St. Petersburg features half a million lights and hundreds of displays covering the house and grounds. Good luck finding where the lights end and the house begins. The Christmas House also has projection and light show, animated holiday characters, festive trains and dozens of Christmas trees. The owners of the house say the electricity bill usually runs around $5,000. It’s free to attend, though donations are accepted.
More information here.
Holiday Lights at Largo Central Park
The 70-acre park at 101 Central Park Dr. is filled with 2 million holiday lights and dozens of festive Christmas displays. The event has been around for the past 41 years, and it just keeps growing. This year, there’s also a carousel and a seven-story Ferris wheel. Additional events are planned through select days in December like a meet and greet with Santa Claus and a craft fair. It’s free to attend.
More information here.
Holiday Lights in the Gardens
Another light display in the Largo area sees more than 1 million LED lights twinkle around the Florida Botanical Gardens at 12520 Ulmerton Rd. The light displays highlight the plants or are nature-themed. Nightly entertainment includes visits with Santa and holiday gifts at the Botanical Bounty Gift Shop. It’s free to attend, but a $5 donation is encouraged.
More information here.
Wonderland of Lights & Santa’s Village
Christmas light-lovers can drive through a mile of bright displays at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds in Brandon. At the end of the tour is Santa’s Village, featuring a circus/comedy/magic show every night, visits with the Animals of Bethlehem and plenty of holiday fair food. You can also take carriage rides around the grounds for $5 per person and get photos with Santa. Perhaps the shining star of Santa’s Village is Rudolph the camel, whom you can ride for $10 per person. Admission to the Wonderland of Lights and Santa’s Village starts at $25 per car.
More information here.
Lights of Lake Park
The neighborhood-wide Christmas light display has raised more than $845,000 for Suncoast Hospice since 1993. Attendees can walk or drive starting Dec. 1. through the Lake Park Estates area at 109th Avenue N in Largo. The display is more than 3 miles of lights with candy canes given to kids and special treats for dogs. The lights are on 6-10 p.m. nightly. Free to attend, but donations for Suncoast Hospice are encouraged.
More information here.
St. Petersburg Waterfront Light Display
Thousands of holiday lights and decorations cover North Straub Park, South Straub Park, Pioneer Park, Al Lang Park and Albert Whitted Park in downtown St. Petersburg. If you start at the giant greeting card displays at Vinoy Park along Bayshore Drive and end at Albert Whitted Park, you’ll see almost two miles of holiday displays. The lights are on display through Jan. 1.
More information here.
Christmas Trail
Several thousand lights and holiday displays fill a quarter-mile walking trail at 2837 S Frontage Rd in Plant City. Photo opportunities include a 25-foot decorated Christmas tree and even some snow. Santa Claus is also at the Christmas Trail nightly for pictures and wishes. The trail also includes vendors, face painting and places to buy hot chocolate and marshmallows for roasting. New this year is a Jack Frost VIP experience ($5 per person), which includes a reserved spot at one of the Jack Frost Ice Shows, hot chocolate, marshmallows and a picture with Jack Frost. Admission is free. Parking is $5 per car.
More information here.
River of Lights
Tampa’s Pirate Water Taxi takes riders along the Hillsborough River to see waterfront lights and decorations. The ride also features festive narration, Christmas carolers, hot chocolate and holiday cookies. River of Lights runs Nov. 30-Dec. 30.
More information here.
Celebration of Lights in Spring Hill
Experience a mile-long drive-thru of holiday lights and displays starting at 15325 Alric Pottberg Rd in Spring Hill. The event runs 6-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 30-Dec. 23. $10 per car. The train ride is $4 per person.
More information here.
Symphony in Lights
The annual light show at the Shops at Wiregrass has bright, dancing lights set to music from Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Some of the holiday decor at the outdoor shopping area even include “snow.” Admission is free. 6-9 p.m. nightly through Dec. 31.
More information here.
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