Our Top 3
Christmas Scavenger Hunt
9 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 25-Jan. 11. Downtown Tampa, 410 N Franklin St. Get outside, explore together, search clues, solve puzzles and help Santa save the holiday. Together as a team, you’ll follow the magic trail through the city looking for clues, solving puzzles, completing dares, and collecting the pieces. Duration is about 90 minutes. Smartphone with internet connection is required. $5. https://tinyurl.com/4kdn2wfe
Sunshine Market featuring Kids Market
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 27. Midtown Tampa, 3650 Midtown Drive, Tampa. This vibrant community market offers an exciting variety of fresh produce, artisan goods, delicious foods, and unique finds from an incredible array of local makers. Live music kicks off at 10 a.m. sharp on the green, bringing even more energy to this dog-friendly and family-friendly popular market. Every fourth Saturday of the month.
New Year’s Eve
8 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31. Armature Works South Lawn, 1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa. Get ready for one of Tampa’s most unforgettable waterfront celebrations featuring GRAMMY nominated artist Sofi Tukker and Austin Millz. Tickets start at $112. www.tixr.com/groups/piedpiper/events/nye-2026-161016
THURSDAY
Winter Village
Dec. 25-Jan. 4. Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa. Check online for events on select nights, such as the Tampa Bay Ice Show, Winter Village Express, River of Lights cruise, silent disco Fridays, trivia Wednesdays, Tuesday themed skate nights, small business Saturdays and more. https://wintervillagetampa.com
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Christmas Town
Dec. 25-Jan. 5. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, 10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa. Busch Gardens will transform into a dazzling winter wonderland featuring millions of twinkling lights and two spectacular new additions — a holiday drones show synchronized to classic holiday music, and an immersive, multi-sensory light and music display across the park’s iconic Serengeti Plain. Favorites such as Santa’s North Pole Experience and Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland return.
Christmas in the Wild
4-10 p.m. Dec. 25-30. ZooTampa, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa. This popular holiday tradition transforms the Zoo into a glowing wonderland filled with over a million lights, larger-than-life illuminated animal sculptures, unforgettable entertainment, delicious seasonal food, and interactive experiences. Christmas in the Wild takes place on select nights, visit zootampa.org for more information.
Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights and Santa’s Village
6-11 p.m. Dec. 25-28. Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Road, Dover. Children and adults will enjoy the nearly 2-mile drive-thru immersive experience of continuous light features, followed by a festive walking visit to Santa’s Village. The month-long event is full of attractions, holiday goodies and visits with Santa. $25-$30. https://tinyurl.com/unxnk2yw
FRIDAY
Senior Social
3 p.m. Dec. 26. B&B Theatres Wesley Chapel, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd. Join B&B Theatres every Friday for fun card games with our 50+ community. Come alone or bring a few friends. Instruction available for all games. Free to play. Food and drinks available for purchase.
Santa’s Workshop at the Old Lutz School
6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 26. Old School Lutz, 18819 U.S. Highway 41, Lutz. Elves have been working their magic, turning the classrooms into a twinkling display of model trains, nutcrackers, LEGO villages, nativity scenes and Christmas trees decorated by local organizations. Free, but a suggested non-perishable food donation or toy to help local families is appreciated.
Side Splitters Comedy Club presents Forrest Shaw
7 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 26. Side Splitters Comedy Club at the Grove, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Forrest Shaw is a stand-up comedian and writer whose comedy career began after spending a decade as a marine biologist. His podcast, I’ve Got A Problem, provides a humorous take on addiction. As a gambling addict, Shaw can confirm that laughter might not be the best medicine for addiction but it’s better than electroshock therapy. https://sidesplitterscomedy.com
Live Music Fridays
7-10 p.m. Dec. 26. Florida Avenue Brewing Co., 2029 Arrowgrass Drive, Wesley Chapel. Every Friday night come out for a diverse lineup of live music performances in a vibrant beer garden. Enjoy a night of great music, delicious craft brews, and good company. https://tinyurl.com/mweatb43
SATURDAY
Fourth Saturday Gathering
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 27. Kohl’s, 3979 Van Dyke Road, Lutz. A monthly gathering at the Kohl’s parking lot. Informal and free, at the Northgate Square plaza. Shopping, restaurants, Publix and a gas station. Get out of the house and hang out a while with local car enthusiasts. Projects welcome.
Rides & Coffee
9-11 a.m. Dec. 27. Detail Garage Tampa, 5721 E Fowler Ave., Temple Terrace. Every month on the last Saturday. Hosted by Detail Garage Tampa, the auto detailing supplies superstore which offers Chemical Guys Products. Coffee, doughnuts, sales, raffles, music, giveaways, cool cars, and cool people. 813-914-0222.
Ybor City Saturday Market
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 27. Centennial Park, 1800 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa. The Ybor City Saturday Market is one of the most popular shopping destinations for locally produced items unique to the Tampa Bay area. Find great produce at great prices, gourmet foods & sauces, fresh baked breads, prepared foods, herbs & plants, pet treats, honey, fine cigars, unique gifts, photography, artwork, jewelry, woodworking, bath & body products, candles & so much more.
SUNDAY
Sunshine Sunday
8-10 a.m. Dec. 28. Glazer Children’s Museum, 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. Sunshine Sunday is a special monthly event on the last Sunday of the month for children with special needs and their caregivers. Come explore the museum with lights and sounds turned down and sensory-adapted tools, special programs, and community resources at your fingertips. $5 for nonmembers, free for members.
Harvest Market
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 28. The Grove at Wesley Chapel, 6105 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Second and fourth Sunday Harvest Market hosts 60-plus vendors, artists, artisans, makers, crafters, and more. Free. www.facebook.com/flpenguinmarkets
MONDAY
Donation Based Community Yoga
6-7:15 p.m. Dec. 29. Lotus Pond Center for Yoga and Health, 6201 Lynn Road, Tampa. Learn yoga techniques that help reduce stress. Donations appreciated but not required to attend. Classes offered each Monday.
TUESDAY
General Knowledge Trivia Night
5-7 p.m. Dec. 30. Florida Avenue Brewing Co., 2029 Arrowgrass Drive, Wesley Chapel. Enjoy a night out with challenging trivia questions covering a variety of topics, from pop culture and history to science and current events. Arrive early to snag a table. All seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations. No saving seats. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Bingo
5:30 p.m. Dec. 30. John Nelson Memorial Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 29, 4300 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes. Every Tuesday, evening early bird game starts at 5:30 p.m. and the regular session begins at 6 p.m. The snack bar provides food and drinks for purchase. 727-992-1499.
Big Band Jam
7 p.m. Dec. 30. Concordia Village Tampa, 4100 E. Fletcher Ave. Come out and enjoy music performed by a 17-piece big band every Tuesday in the senior ballroom. Free and open to the public.
Bonsai & Brews
7-9 p.m. Dec. 30. Cigar City Brewing Spruce Street Brewery & Taproom, 3924 West Spruce St., Tampa. Where hops meet horticulture. Grab a pint and shape your own bonsai tree in one of Tampa’s most iconic breweries. No green thumb required. $75. https://tinyurl.com/yc34eumn
WEDNESDAY
Noon Year’s Eve Double Play at 1983
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 31. 1983, 2616 South MacDill Ave., Tampa. Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2026 with face painting, crafts, a live DJ, double play credits, and more at the 1983 Game Room and lawn.
Noon Year’s Eve
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 31. Armature Works West Lawn, 1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa. Child-friendly event, more details to come. www.armatureworks.com/all-events
New Years Eve Celebration
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 31. ZooTampa, 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. Ring in the New Year at ZooTampa at Lowry Park during the New Year Celebration in the Africa Circle. Enjoy a countdown every hour featuring festive foods, live DJ, kid-friendly activities, and fun giveaways. Normal zoo admission applies. https://zootampa.org/event/new-years-celebration
Senior Fitness Walk
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Dec. 31. Citrus Park Town Center Mall, 8021 Citrus Park Town Center, Tampa. Free and fun Senior Fitness Walk every Wednesday morning. Meet at the mall entrance to Dick’s Sporting Goods. 813-494-6376.
Quantum Countdown
10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Dec. 31. MOSI, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. Ring in 2026 early with two spectacular countdowns in the Saunders Planetarium at noon and 3 p.m. ($10 add-on). Step into a video game–inspired world of science and discovery. Then, explore hands-on activities that encourage you to learn, build, and share together. Admission is valid for the entire day. Free for members, $15 for children and $20 for adults. https://mosi.org/event/quantum-countdown
Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Bash
4-7 p.m. Dec. 31. B&B Theatres Wesley Chapel, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd. Kick off New Year’s Eve with the whole family. featuring a live DJ, crafts, balloon animals, photo ops, games, giveaways, glow fun, mini countdowns, and more. Free entry with VIP upgrades. https://tinyurl.com/bdz5svtw
Sunset on New Years Eve Hike
5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 31. Lettuce Lake Park, 6920 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa. Meet at the nature center. Wind down your year with a relaxing hike around Lettuce Lake Conservation Park. Join a hike leader and take in the views as the sun sets over the park, watching for wildlife like owls, wading birds, and deer. Your hike leader will also discuss the history, the habitats, and the flora and fauna of the park. $5. Register at https://tinyurl.com/32433969
NYE Beach Party at Whiskey Joe’s Tampa
7 p.m. Dec. 31. Whiskey Joe’s Tampa Bar & Grill, 7720 W Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa. Ring in 2026 in style with a NYE Party at Whiskey Joe’s Tampa, featuring poppin’ live music, amazing views of the fireworks, & more. Tickets start at $43. https://tinyurl.com/3de76t9u
New Year’s Eve with Rahn Hortman
7 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31. Side Splitters Comedy Club at the Grove, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Rahn Hortman brings his laid-back, relatable style to the stage, finding humor in real-life situations with what Christopher Titus calls “clean, not soft” comedy. A national touring comic with millions of social media views, Hortman has appeared on SiriusXM, Dry Bar Comedy, Nickelodeon, and JFL TV, and has performed everywhere from clubs and colleges to churches and corporate events. https://sidesplitterscomedy.com
2026 New Year’s Eve Celebration
9 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 31. Jackson’s Bistro, Bar & Sushi, 601 S Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa. For the first time, Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk is partnering with Jackson’s Bistro, Bar & Sushi to light up the downtown skyline with a spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display. Ring in 2026 with a dazzling celebration over the Hillsborough River, featuring prime viewing spots along the Riverwalk and at Jackson’s Bistro, Bar & Sushi. $150. https://thetampariverwalk.com/events/new-years-eve.html
LOOKING AHEAD
Sunset Market
6-10 p.m. Jan. 1. Midtown Tampa, 3650 Midtown Drive, Tampa. End your day with live music, cocktails and over 40 local vendors including artists, jewelry, and makers from the Bay Area. The Sunset Market occurs on the first Thursday of each month.
Free Downtown Concert: Rock The Park
6:30-9:45 p.m. Jan. 1. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa. For 15 years, the Tampa Downtown Partnership has produced a free monthly music series showcasing musical talents of all genres. The concert will also have local food trucks to purchase from. www.facebook.com/RockThePark
The Greatest Show On Earth
Jan 2-4. Benchmark International Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. The Greatest Show On Earth is back with a high-energy, music-driven experience with bold circus performances, unforgettable characters and a nonstop party vibe. This new production moves at the speed of today’s world: fast-paced, dynamic and full of energy. Times vary. https://tinyurl.com/2m9c4bph
Sangria Night
5-10 p.m. Jan. 2. Keel Farms, 5202 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. The first Friday of each month, enjoy an evening filled with Latin music, dancing, and handcrafted sangria flights. First come, first serve with free parking and free admission. www.keelfarms.com
The Market Elaine
5:30-9:30 p.m. Jan. 2. The Grove at Wesley Chapel, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Come experience a vibrant atmosphere filled with more than 150 vendors, live entertainment and activities for all ages. Held the first Friday of each month.
Fresh Market at Wiregrass
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 3. The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel. Held the first and third Saturday of the month. Featuring over 50 vendors located on Paseo Drive in the heart of the shopping center. Guests can expect to find a variety of locally grown produce and take-home foods. The market also features local artists showcasing their creative efforts and eco-friendly products.
Oldsmar Saturday Market
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 3. City Hall – East Lot, 100 State St. W., Oldsmar. Support local vendors while enjoying fresh produce, handmade crafts, and delicious food. Presented by the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Native Plant Walk at Lettuce Lake
9:30-11 a.m. Jan. 3. Lettuce Lake Park, 6920 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa. Come discover the beauty of native plants on a guided walk with a representative of the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. The two-hour walk will start behind the Joel E. Jackson Nature Center in the Native Plant Garden. Walks are free but there is a $2 entrance fee.
Downtown Saturday Market
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 3. Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, 4424 Friendly Way. Visit a vibrant outdoor market experience filled with gifts, baked goods, home decor, and your favorite local small businesses just in time for the holidays. Every first and third Saturday of the month.
Museums On Us Weekend
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 3-4. Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, 1630 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa. The Museums on Us program offers Bank of America and Merrill Lynch debit and credit cardholders free admission to over 225 museums and cultural institutions across the United States on the first full weekend of every month.
Saturday Book Club
10:30-11:30 a.m. Jan. 3. New River Branch, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel. Join in a community discussion of “The Berry Pickers” by Amanda Peters.
Ukulele Jam
12-2 p.m. Jan. 3. New River Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel. Bring your ukulele and jam with the Tampa Bay Ukulele Society on the first Saturday of each month.
Fresh Market at Hyde Park Village
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 4. Hyde Park Village, 1602 W. Snow Ave., Tampa. Fresh Market is a monthly farmers market every first Sunday of the month featuring over 80 local vendors including produce, handcrafted goods, plants and more. While you shop and stroll, enjoy live music. This event is pet friendly.
Board Game Night
1-11 p.m. Jan. 4. The Tampa Bay Bridge Center, 114 W. 109th Ave., Tampa. The Tampa Gaming Guild invites the public out for weekly game nights on the first and third Sundays of the month, as well as every Wednesday and Friday evening from 5:30-11 p.m. Trial memberships give you access to regular gaming sessions up to 30 days free. tampagamingguild.org
Painting with Rick Austin
1-3 p.m. Jan. 5. Life Enrichment Center, 9704 N. Blvd., Tampa. Explore different painting methods and techniques to complete a painting in this hybrid class. Students will work from the same resource, which will be sent before class. Any painting medium you have will work. This class is great for beginners to advanced students. Members $10, nonmembers $12. Register at lectampa.org or call 813-932-0241.
Mayor’s Food Truck Fiesta
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 7. Lykes Gaslight Square Park, 241-263 E Madison St., Tampa. Featuring tasty treats from a variety of local vendors, the Mayor’s Food Truck Fiesta occurs the first Wednesday of every month. This month’s vendors are Mom’s Taco, I WANNA WOK, The Oreo Lady, The Melt Machine, and Wheelin N Grillin.
Al-Anon Family Groups (Families and Friends of Alcoholics)
7-8 p.m. Jan. 7. Hillsborough United Methodist Church, 9008 Harney Road, Temple Terrace. Al‑Anon is a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. The group meets each Wednesday.
Game Night at the Grove
7:30 p.m. Jan. 7. B&B Theatres, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Game nights alternate between trivia and bingo each week. This week’s theme is TV tunes music bingo. Free to play, no reservations required.
Carrollwood Strummers
Noon-1:30 p.m. Jan. 8. The Studio, Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa. The New Horizons Ukulele Group meets weekly. All skill levels are welcome. Look for the green building behind the main building. Access parking from Casey Road. candyotte@aol.com