{"id":61726,"date":"2025-11-26T17:12:18","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T17:12:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/61726\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T17:12:18","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T17:12:18","slug":"tampa-bays-best-christmas-lights-for-holiday-season-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/61726\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa Bay’s best Christmas lights for holiday season 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just because it won\u2019t snow (hopefully) this holiday season doesn\u2019t mean Tampa Bay won\u2019t get festive. There will be millions of twinkly lights, but all displays are equal. Here are a few of the better spots to get into the holiday spirit this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Oakdale Christmas Light Display <\/p>\n

2719 Oakdale St. S, St. Petersburg. christmasdisplay.org<\/p>\n

Oakdale is still recovering from last year\u2019s Hurricane Milton, as is Reddington Beach, which canceled its yearly display. This free event previously featured a half-acre Christmas light display, 70-foot-tall Christmas tree, railroad, carnival rides and animated displays. The event has been confirmed for this year, but no official dates have been announced. At the time of this writing, the event website says the neighborhood is preparing \u201cto showcase our much smaller, yet just as beautiful Christmas display.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ACredit: Pirate Water Taxi<\/a><\/p>\n

Pirate Water Taxi River of Lights <\/p>\n

Now-Jan. 4. 333 S Franklin St., Tampa. piratewatertaxi.com<\/p>\n

The Pirate Taxi will be cruising around, providing views of holiday decorations along the water in downtown Tampa. For this year\u2019s 45-minute cruise, guests can expect plenty of holiday displays, storytelling, an elf host, beer and wine for purchase, and a snow flurry finale. Tickets start at $25 for kids and $35 for adults, and children will receive a holiday gift during the ride.<\/p>\n

\"\"Credit: Photo via Winter Village\/Facebook<\/p>\n

Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park <\/p>\n

Now-Jan. 4. 600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa. wintervillagetampa.com<\/p>\n

Featuring an elevated 360-Degree Light Show, ice skating, curling and a massive pop-up market, Winter Village has just about everything. Entry to the area is free, but ice skating for 90 minutes will cost $17 per ice skater for all ages. The Winter Village Express, a TECO Line Streetcar taking riders from Winter Village to Ybor and back, will feature sing-along songs, holiday trivia and milk and cookies, costing $10 for persons one years and older.<\/p>\n

\"\"Credit: Photo via Chick-fil-A<\/p>\n

Chick-fil-A light display<\/p>\n

Now-Jan. 5 6299 W Waters Ave., Tampa. facebook.com\/CFAWaters<\/p>\n

An iconic Tampa tradition, the Chick-fil-A on Waters Ave. has displayed millions of Christmas lights every year for over two decades. It honestly doesn\u2019t feel like Christmas until you experience the drive-thru and grab a lil spicy chicken sandwich on the way out.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Credit: Photo via Busch Gardens<\/p>\n

Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay <\/p>\n

Now-Jan. 5. 10165 McKinley Dr., Tampa. buschgardens.com<\/p>\n

Busch Gardens will be fully-dazzled with millions of lights, tons of Christmas-themed events, seasonal treats and booze, holiday shows, character encounters and more, says the park. Classic favorites are returning, like Santa\u2019s North Pole Experience, Rudolph\u2019s Winter Wonderland, the Holly Jolly Express, Elmo\u2019s Christmas Wish show, Christmas on Ice, and a nightly Holiday in the Sky fireworks experience. This year, the park is adding a few new additions, including a gingerbread cookie decorating station, new Christmas Town craft cocktails, and nightly rides along the Skyride, which will be decked out with twinkly lights. Christmas Town festivities are free with park admission.<\/p>\n

\"\"Credit: Photo via Festival of Lights<\/p>\n

Festival of Lights and Santa\u2019s Village at Hillsborough County Fairgrounds <\/p>\n

Nov. 27-Dec. 28. 215 Sydney Washer Rd., Dover. hillsboroughcountyfair.com<\/p>\n

This annual family favorite event features a nearly two-mile long continuous drive through holiday lights, followed by Santa\u2019s village at the end, including rides, an inflatable snow tube, festive lights and holiday treats, as well as live music on select nights and a new \u201cSanta\u2019s Winter Woodland\u201d attraction. Prices start at $25 per car for just the drive-thru, and $30 per car when the village is open, with season passes available for purchase.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Symphony in Lights at The Shops at Wiregrass<\/p>\n

Now-Dec. 31. 28211 Paseo Dr., Wesley Chapel. theshopsatwiregrass.com<\/p>\n

This choreographed light show features holiday music and \u201csnow\u201d flurries in the center court of the mall, and is free to watch. Shows happen on the hour from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. nightly.<\/p>\n

Holiday Lights & Carnival Rides in Largo Central Park <\/p>\n

Nov. 27-Jan. 4. Central Park Dr., Largo. playlargo.com<\/p>\n

From 5-10 p.m. every night this season, walk through over two million LED holiday lights, and enjoy activities like a Ferris wheel and carousel, a campfire and food. Park admission is free, with rides costing $6 each. Food and beverages are available for purchase throughout the park.<\/p>\n

\"ACredit: frrm.org<\/p>\n

North Pole Express at the Florida Railroad Museum<\/p>\n

Nov. 28-Dec. 22 (select nights). 12210 83rd St. E Parrish. frrm.org<\/p>\n

Tom Hanks won\u2019t be the conductor, but families can still have a magical night on the railroad. This 35-minute train ride goes from Parrish to The North Pole, where for about an hour and a half, kids can experience \u201csnow\u201d with a foam sprayer, get photos with Santa, see model trains galore, make s\u2019mores and get tuckered out in the bounce house\u2014which they\u2019ll need to do to burn off the sugar from unlimited cookies and hot cocoa. And, of course, there\u2019s tons of lights. Tickets start at $41.25 and vary by class, date and time. Many are already sold out, so reserve them online ASAP if you plan to go.<\/p>\n

Celebration of Lights at The Concourse<\/p>\n

Nov. 28-Dec. 27. 11919 Alric Pottberg Rd., Shady Hills celebrationoflightsfl.com<\/p>\n

This event is only occurring on select dates throughout November and December, so be sure to check the website for details! Featuring a walk-through Christmas light display and a chance to meet Santa in the North Pole, Celebration of Lights is also hosting a $3 train ride running from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.<\/p>\n

\"ACredit: Christmas Lane\/Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n

Christmas Lane at Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds<\/p>\n

Nov. 28-Dec. 4 (select nights) from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. 2508 W Oak Ave., Plant City. christmaslane.com<\/p>\n

This massive winter wonderland includes a \u201cGreat Light Maze,\u201d live entertainment and rides. Get your picture taken with Santa by a professional photographer ($15 & up), grab some fair food and enjoy some local music. Tickets are $12 for adults 13 and older, $10 for kids 4-12 and free for children 3 and younger.<\/p>\n

\"\"Credit: Photo via ZooTampa<\/p>\n

Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa <\/p>\n

Nov. 28-Dec. 30 (select nights).1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. zootampa.org<\/p>\n

ZooTampa is once again hosting \u201cChristmas in the Wild\u201d on select dates, so be sure to check the website to see the calendar. Guests can expect holiday light shows, animal sculptures throughout the parks and three brand new exhibits, \u201cThe Realm of the Nutcracker,\u201d \u201cMrs. Claus Storytime\u201d and \u201cThe Forest of Fantasy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Holiday Lights in the Gardens at Florida Botanical Gardens <\/p>\n

Nov. 28-Jan. 3. 12520 Ulmerton Rd., Largo. flbgfoundation.org<\/p>\n

The botanical gardens will be illuminated with over 1 million LED lights, lasers and lighted figures to walk through and explore every night from 5:30-9:30 p.m. A donation of $10 per person is suggested.<\/p>\n

97th Annual Santa Parade & Tree Lighting <\/p>\n

Nov. 29. North Straub Park, St. Petersburg. stpeteparksrec.org<\/p>\n

Starting at Albert Whitted Park at 6:30 p.m. and ending at North Straub Park for the annual Downtown St. Petersburg Christmas Tree Lighting, this annual parade is free to attend and features Santa, parade floats and lots of holiday lights.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Friends of the Riverwalk: Holiday Spectacular <\/p>\n

Nov. 30-Jan. 2. Tampa Riverwalk. thetampariverwalk.com<\/p>\n

Watch holiday lights and displays float through the Hillsborough River with synchronized music, at the Riverwalk. Some floats and attractions include a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree, a 22-foot pirate ship, trees throughout Water Works Park lit up and a holiday selfie station.<\/p>\n

The Lights of Lake Park Estates<\/p>\n

Dec. 1-31. 100th Ave. N, Largo. lightsoflakepark.com<\/p>\n

Neighbors along this 3.2-mile route have been decorating their homes to raise money for Suncoast Hospice (and to outdo each other) every year since 1993. There\u2019s no cost to see it, but donations are collected.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Wonderland of Lights & America\u2019s Christmas Village <\/p>\n

Dec. 4- Dec. 28. 1052 US-92, Auburndale. thewonderlandoflights.com<\/p>\n

This drive-thru event features thousands of holiday lights, as well as food, family activities, and an opportunity to see Santa. Tickets cost $25, and there\u2019s also an \u201cEnchanted Elf\u201d 3D glasses option for $5 more (not including fees).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Holidays at Legoland <\/p>\n

Dec. 6, 13, 20, and Dec. 24-31. 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven. legoland.com<\/p>\n

Legoland is celebrating the holiday season and all attendees can join the fun with dance parties, writing letters to the North Pole, competing in Santa\u2019s toy-building competition and checking out the park\u2019s Christmas tree, made of over 300,000 LEGOs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Snow Place Like Tarpon Springs <\/p>\n

Dec. 12 from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Downtown Tarpon Springs. ctsfl.us<\/p>\n

Tarpon Springs is hosting a Christmas celebration with an illuminated boat parade at 8:00pm, a tree lighting at 6 p.m. and festivities for the whole family, like falling snow, a snow slide, an outdoor movie and more.<\/p>\n

Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.<\/a><\/p>\n

Follow us:\u00a0Google News<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0NewsBreak<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Reddit<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Facebook\u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0BlueSky<\/a><\/p>\n

Recent Stories<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Tampa\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\u2018I\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tHe plays Jannus Live on Dec. 6.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Playboy\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

This article appears in Nov. 27 \u2013 Dec. 03, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n

\t