Top 15 Tampa Bay area events for the week of Dec. 20-26
River of Lights: Pass beneath low bridges to enter the Hillsborough River for a view of lighted bridges and downtown Tampa on a 45- to 50-minute cruise. Kids can write letters to Santa as you join in sing-alongs. Captains provide narration and holiday stories along the route. $25, $20 children. Departs hourly 6:15 to 9:15 p.m. Monday-Friday and Sunday. Pirate Water Taxi, 333 S Franklin St., Tampa. 813-390-3711.
Winter Village Tampa: The Tampa Bay Lightning bring the sights, sounds and activities of the holidays to Curtis Hixon Park. Includes ice skating, a cafe, shops, a gingerbread-themed sweet shop, a poinsettia path and the Winter Village Express. Free (skating additional). 11 a.m. daily. Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa.
Winter Beach: A 4,000-square-foot outdoor skating rink with real ice, shopping, food, holiday activities, Santa sightings, live concerts and a view of Tampa Bay. Free (skating additional). 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. The Pier, 800 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 727-289-8499.
Snowcat Ridge: The world of snow returns to Dade City with slopes, an igloo, a new ice skating rink, Alpine Village and more. $26.95-$39.95. Skate rental $9.95. 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Snowcat Ridge, 27839 Saint Joe Road, Dade City. 813-576-1450.
Holiday Lights in the Gardens: The botanical gardens sparkle with 1 million LED lights. Laser lights and lighted figures round out the display. $10 suggested donation. 5:30-9:30 p.m. daily. Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. 727-582-2117.
Glorious Night — A Drive-In Christmas Light Show: A 30-minute drive-in light show featuring Christmas songs, a story of hope and thousands of programmed Christmas lights. Free. 6-10 p.m. daily. First Baptist Church Plant City, 3309 James L. Redman Parkway. 813-752-4104.
Oakdale Light Display: St. Petersburg’s annual light display, with religious themes, features more than half a million lights, 18 model trains, fountains, a 70-foot lighted tree, animated dolls, flying planes, a bubble machine and more. The display has been featured on TV and in People magazine. Free. 6-10 p.m. daily through Jan. 3. 2719 Oakdale St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-822-5562.
Festival of Lights: A nearly 2-mile drive-thru of continuous light features followed by a festive walking visit to Santa’s Village. The light displays themed to Florida and traditional winter holidays are complemented by representations of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. $25 per car (up to eight people). 6-10 p.m. daily. Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Road, Brandon. 813-737-3247.
Lights of Lake Park: The entire neighborhood decorates in an effort to collect donations for Hospice. Because of COVID-19, visitors must stay in their cars and candy canes and dog treats will not be distributed. Donations appreciated. 6-9:30 p.m. daily. The Lights of Lake Park Estates, 109th Avenue N, Largo. 787-587-3213.
Riverwalk Holiday Hunt: Download the Mobile Adventures app and take the family to the Riverwalk to solve puzzles, complete holiday challenges and answer Tampa trivia questions on this mobile-based scavenger hunt. Scan the QR code provided on site to begin. Free. Anytime daily through Jan. 2. All along the Tampa Riverwalk, Tampa. 813-738-1490.
Christmas Night Old School Reunion Party: This party features two cash bars, hookahs, food vendors, MC Pat B on the mic and dancing to music by Club Atlanta DJs. 35 and older only for this “Grown and Classy” event. $20. 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Round Up/Avalon Event Center, 10051 W Hillsborough Ave., Tampa. 813-0508-3544.
Holiday Classics at Tampa Theatre: The holiday movie series returns with classic films and Christmas carol sing-alongs with the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ before the show. Monday through Thursday, the 1946 classic It’s a Wonderful Life will have multiple screenings. Sunday features the 2003 comedy Elf starring Will Ferrell. $10, $7 members. 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 3 p.m. Sunday. Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St. 813-274-8286.
WWE Live Holiday Tour: This holiday wrestling event featuring favorites from Friday Night Smackdown, including Drew McIntyre and The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods vs. Roman Reign and The Usos. $20-$120. 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. 813-301-6500.
A Christmas Carol: Nebraska Theatre Caravan presents the Charles Jones adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic tale of Scrooge. The show features new arrangements and renditions of the traditional songs. $29-$75. 7 p.m. Thursday. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. 727-791-7400.
