Weekend Digest Tampa Bay December 20 & 21

Your weekend is here, Tampa Bay! Here’s a look at the news and what events are going on in the area.

The forecast looks fantastic for this weekend as a cold front will move through Friday, bringing in nice conditions.

Saturday will be sunny to partly cloudy with highs in the low to mid 70s.

Saturday night will be mostly clear with lows in the 40s and 50s.

Sunday will be partly cloudy with highs in the mid to upper 70s.

Beach and boating

Both days look great for beach weather, with Sunday being the warmer day.

For boating, the winds will be from the northeast at about 7 to 14 knots on Saturday, then decrease to 6 to 10 knots on Sunday.

Your Hour-by-Hour Forecast | Check Klystron 9 Radar | Latest on the Tropics | Tropical Weather Graphics

PINELLAS

Jingle Bell Family Fun Fest | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Get ready for a festive holiday celebration filled with joy, activities, shopping and holiday spirit. Family-friendly activities include “Lil’ Miss and Lil’ Sir Candy Cane” contest for kids and pets, a 20-foot snow man bounce house, a gingerbread themed obstacle course along with a toddler zone, games and merry moments around.

Location: Coachman Park | 300 Cleveland St, Clearwater, FL 33756

HILLSBOROUGH

Holiday Lighted Boat Parade | 6:15 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.: The parade kicks off near the Lighthouse off Davis Islands, with both large and small vessels cruising past Sparkman Wharf, Harbour Island, and the Tampa Convention Center. Spectators can enjoy free viewing along the Riverwalk at multiple locations, with judging and a VIP viewing area located at Sparkman Wharf.

Location: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park | 600 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL 33602

The River Christmas Extravaganza | 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.: This special Christmas event features a full 50-piece orchestra and over 500,000 Christmas lights. Tickets are free, but space is limited.

Location: The River at Tampa Bay Church | 3738 River International Dr, Tampa, FL 33610

Holidays at the Tampa Theatre – It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) | 3 p.m.: Watch a holiday classic on the big screen at the Tampa Theatre in the historic Duncan Auditorium. Open seating.

Location: Tampa Theatre | 711 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602

POLK

Tis the Season: Holiday Concert | 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Gather your loved ones, wear your festive sweaters, and bring a blanket to enjoy this family-friendly celebration under the stars. Events include Storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus, complimentary coffee and cookies, and a magical snowfall.

Location: Lakeside Village | 1479 Town Center Dr, Lakeland, FL 33803

Santa Pics at BSP | 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Bring your smiles, your holiday spirit, your camera, and maybe your favorite Santa hat. A professional photographer will not be at this event.

Location: Bonnet Springs Park | 400 Bonnet Spgs Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33815

Cypress Gardens Water Ski Show | 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Check out some of the members of the original Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team as they work to pass on their skills to the next generation.

Location: Martin Luther King Jr Park | 199 Lake Silver Dr, Winter Haven, FL 33881

PASCO

A Christmas Carol – Live on Stage | 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. | $15: Step into the Magic of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Enjoy this adaptation of Charles Dickens’ timeless tale.

Location: Richey Suncoast Theatre | 6237 Grand Blvd, New Port Richey, FL 34652

Dade City’s 9th Annual Gingerbread World 2025 | 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Check out a display of sweet and unique creations, or enter your own in a holiday contest. Individual/household gingerbread entries will compete for cash prizes totaling $800.

Location: First United Methodist Church Christian Life Center Building | 37628 Church Ave, Dade City, FL 33525

Church Street Christmas | 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Come enjoy this holiday event, where the homes and churches along Church Street are all decked out in their Christmas finest and ready to celebrate the Christmas season.

Location: Historic Church Street | 37541 Church Ave, Dade City, FL 33525

HERNANDO

Fresh Harvest Farmers Market | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Visit this fresh market as it continues to support local small businesses and celebrate regional producers.

Location: Fresh Harvest Farmers Market | 16427 Jetson Dr, Spring Hill, FL 34610

Station 10 Grand Opening with Santa | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Join Hernando County Fire Rescue for their Station 10 grand opening. Bring the family, meet firefighters, tour the new station and get your holiday photo with Santa.

Location: Hernando County Fire Rescue | 85 Veterans Ave, Brooksville, FL 34601

JINGLE JAM! Christmas Carnival | 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Enjoy carnival rides, games, fair foods and local vendors. Guests can also take a free photo with Santa.

Location: Knox’s Great American Midway | 7136 Cedar Ln, Brooksville, FL 34601

MANATEE

Chanukah in Ellenton | 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Enjoy a night of the miracle and magic of Chanukah at the Ellenton Outlets, featuring fun activities such as raffles, music, Chanukah art, dinner, latkes and doughnuts.

Location: Ellenton Outlets | 5461 Factory Shops Blvd, Ellenton, FL 34222

Winter Nights Under the Lights | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Bring the family out for an evening of holiday spirit, as the park will be lights up with sounds of holiday music. There will be a variety of food trucks on hand with seating, as well as hot cider, cocoa and more. Guests can also shop for holiday gifts and vote on their favorite Christmas tree.

Location: Palma Sola Botanical Park | 9800 17th Ave NW, Bradenton, FL 34209

6th Annual Christmas Tree Drags | 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. | $20 – $30: Enjoy a holiday-themed night watching vehicles race with illuminated Christmas trees attached to them. There will also be a car show where guests can display their holiday spirit and decorate those rides.

Location: Bradenton Motorsports Park | 21000 FL-64, Bradenton, FL 34212

CITRUS

The Edge Effect Christmas Concert | 6 p.m. | $20 – $30: The band will be hosting a Christmas concert, performing tribute songs from the past 75 years.

Location: Citrus Springs Community Center | 1570 W Citrus Springs Blvd, Citrus Springs, FL 34434

Celebration of Lights | 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. | $5 – $10: Watch as thousands of twinkling lights dance in harmony with festive music, creating a show that delights visitors of all ages.

Location: Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park | 4150 S Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa, FL 34446

The Valerie Players Present: Happy Holidays Citrus County | 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. | $12: View a collection of locally written holiday plays, performed in a staged reading format. Plays include “The Christmas Vlog,” “Mrs. Claus Goes on Strike,” and “Pop Stars Christmas Surprise.”

Location: Valerie Theatre | 207 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL 34450

For more events going on in your area, check out our Community Calendar >>

1. DeSantis suggests ending all tolls for Florida residents
2. CAIR files lawsuit against DeSantis over terrorist declaration
3. Drivers frustrated over ongoing Morris Bridge Road closure in Pasco County
4. Trump expands travel ban, adding 5 more countries and imposing new limits on others
5. Rents at longtime affordable St. Pete apartment complex expected to jump in new year
6. St. Pete-Clearwater Airport gets OK for construction of new parking garage

Tap/Click here for more headlines >>