Here is your list of things to do Nov. 27-Dec. 4 in Pinellas. Gulfport’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony is Dec. 1 at Clymer Park.
Photo by Cathy Salustri
Shopapalooza Festival, holiday markets, and Gulfport’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony: Here’s your weekly list of things to do Nov. 27-Dec. 4 in Pinellas.
Thursday, November 27
Beachfront Turkey Trot Start your Thanksgiving with sand and a little seaside sweat. This family-friendly 5K winds along St. Pete Beach’s shoreline. TradeWinds, 5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. 9 a.m. tradewindsresort.com, 800-249-1667.
Thanksgiving Luncheon Feast, mingle, and give thanks at the Sunshine Senior Center’s annual holiday luncheon. Enjoy a classic Thanksgiving meal on Turkey Day. Sunshine Senior Center, 330 5th St. N., St. Petersburg. 11 a.m. $7. sunshinecenterfriends.org, 727-893-7101.
Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest Think you’ve got what it takes to demolish a slice (or three)? Tradewinds’ Island Grand is hosting a beachfront pumpkin pie showdown. TradeWinds Island Grand Beachfront Pool, 5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. 2 p.m. tradewindsresort.com, 800-249-1667.
Friday, November 28
Spokes: An Equestrian Odyssey A high-drama, hooves-flying fever dream of circus arts and serious horse glamour. The Gazüni Collective turns DK Farms into a wild, whimsical ride you will talk about for weeks. Don’t have to be a horse person to get into it. DK Farms & Gardens, 1750 Lake Ave. SE, Largo. Nov. 28-Dec. 31. Thurs.-Sat., 7 p.m.; Sun., 2 & 6 p.m. $32. spokesequestrian.com, 508-816-8968.
Elf Fundraiser The best way to spread Christmas cheer is watching Elf out loud for all to hear — and The Beach Theatre is making it easy. Thanks to Flagship Bank, this screening does not require any tickets. Just bring a new toy or a $10 donation for Toys for Tots, and you’re in. The Beach Theatre, 315 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach. 7 p.m. thebeachtheatre.org, 727-340-2866.
Holiday Shop & Shuffle Kick off the season with a little shopping and a little shuffling at the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club. Browse local makers, grab gifts that aren’t from a big-box nightmare, and stick around for Friday Night Shuffle if you’re feeling sporty. St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, 559 Mirror Lake Dr. N., St. Petersburg. 7-10 p.m. stpeteshuffle.com, info@stpeteshuffle.com.
Saturday, November 29-Sunday, November 30
Shopapalooza Festival The biggest, boldest, most chaotic-in-the-best-way holiday market in St. Pete is back. More than 350 makers, artists, and small businesses take over Vinoy Park for a two-day shopping marathon where you can find cute, local gifts for the holidays. Come for the gifts, stay for the food trucks, music, and people-watching. Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. shopapaloozafestival.com.
Saturday, November 29
St. Bartholomew’s Christmas Celebration A family-friendly holiday fest packed with live saxophone music, Santa photo ops, and a full nativity petting zoo (yes, complete with camel). Grab street food, sip coffee, let the kids loose on crafts and face painting. St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 3747 34th St. S., St. Petersburg. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. stbartsinstpete.org, 508-816-8968.
Mad Beach Band The Mad Beach Band is back and ready to shake the walls of the Catherine Hickman Theater with a night of feel-good rock. Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport. 7-10 p.m. $30. gulfportseniorfoundation.org, 727-893-1244.
Haunted Gulfport Walking Tour Gulfport’s ghosts are clocked in and ready. Follow a spirited guide through the city’s creepiest corners, from classic legends to the stories locals only whisper. Created by Deborah Frethem — this 90-minute tour mixes haunted history and you’ll get your steps in. Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Blvd., Gulfport. 8-9:30 p.m. $25 general, no cost for GAH members. gulfporthistoricalsociety.wildapricot.org, 727-201-8687.
Sunday, November 30
St. Pete Beach Market Every Sunday morning St. Pete Beach’s Corey Avenue comes alive with an outdoor market for everyone. Walk the street and explore art, homemade treats, clothing, jewelry, plants, food trucks, and live music. Beware anyone with a tchotchke addiction. Find parking at the St. Pete Beach Library, City Hall, and if you’re brave, on the street. Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. coreyave.com.
Sunday Catch Flying solo but still want to rock climb? Sunday Catch has you covered. Every last Sunday of the month, Vertical Ventures posts up three belayers on the main wall so anyone can get “on belay” without needing a partner. Vertical Ventures, 116 18th St. S., St. Petersburg. 1-4 p.m. $17-30. verticalventures.com, 727-304-6290.
Monday, December 1
Community Farm Mondays The city’s Urban Farm opens its gates for a weekly hour of movement, healing, and hands-on wellness. Expect everything from sound baths to cooking workshops to art therapy. Registration is required for select sessions to make sure there are enough materials. St. Pete Youth Farm, 1664 12th St. S., St Petersburg. 6 p.m. stpeteyouthfarm.org, meriem.ziad@stpete.org.
Gulfport’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony Join the City of Gulfport for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony. Meet Santa, hear from the Mayor and Council members, and sing all of your favorite holiday songs. Holiday sweaters and santa hats are encouraged. Clymer Park, Gulfport Boulevard & Beach Boulevard South, Gulfport. 6-8 p.m. mygulfport.us, 727-893-1118.
Lights of Lake Park More than three miles of holiday lights wind through Lake Park Estates and neighboring streets. It’s the 31st year of this community display, and every donation along the route supports Suncoast Hospice/Empath Health. Lake Park Estates, Lake Park Dr., Largo. 6-10 p.m. suncoasthospicefoundation.org.
Tuesday, December 2
Merry MAACM Christmas The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement is switching on the season with its annual Christmas tree lighting, and it’s a whole holiday situation. Expect live carols from the St. Pete High Pitchforks, local vendor booths, DIY vintage-style ornaments, Christmas Bingo, and a cameo from Old St. Nick himself. Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, 355 4th St. N., St. Petersburg. 5-8 p.m. my.museumaacm.org, 727-440-4859.
La Setima Cinema Club: The Thing (1982) Green Light Cinema hosts this month’s La Setima Cinema Club pick: The Thing. Come early for drinks and snacks, then settle in for Antarctic paranoia and Kurt Russell with a flamethrower. A casual post-film discussion follows. 21+ only. Green Light Cinema, 221 2nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 7:30 p.m. $5. greenlightstpete.com, 508-816-8968.
Wednesday, December 3
Adult Winter String Art Workshop Gulfport Library is hosting a craft session, and this time you’re making a winter string-art sign that looks way harder than it actually is (don’t worry, they’ve got you). These classes fill up fast, so pre-register. Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S, Gulfport. 1-3 p.m. mygulfport.us, 727-893-1074.
What’s on Your Mind? With Council Member Marlene Shaw Got thoughts about Gulfport? Ward II Council member Marlene Shaw wants to hear them. Drop by for a laid-back hour of conversation, questions, and ideas about the issues that actually matter to Gulfportians. WonderWorks, 5314 Gulfport Blvd. S., Gulfport. 2-3 p.m. mshaw@mygulfport.us, 727-826-7311.
Thursday, December 4
Ornament Making at The Dalí Get crafty at The Dalí with an evening of surreal, holiday-ready ornament making. Led by Joy Garrett-Douglas, the museum’s Community Programming and Education Manager, this hands-on workshop lets you design your own ornaments inspired by the exhibition: Alberto Giacometti & Salvador Dalí. Gallery access isn’t included. The Dalí Museum’s Raymond James Community Room, 1 Dalí Blvd, St. Petersburg. 6-7:30 p.m. $10-15. thedali.org, 727-823-3767.
“Anything & Everything Goes” Paint Session Bring your latest masterpiece-in-progress (or start a new one) at this weekly open studio. Work from a still life set up for the group or dive into your own project while painting and drawing alongside other creatives. Every Thursday until May. Treasure Island Community Center, 1 Park Place, Treasure Island. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $7-10. mytreasureisland.org, carolleeal@aol.com.
Looking for more things to do Nov. 27-Dec. 4 in St. Petersburg, Gulfport, and the beaches? Check out The Gabber Newspaper’s full calendar of events.