TAMPA, Fla. — If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend (December 13-15), there's plenty of action happening around the Tampa Bay area.
Friday, December 13
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
When: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Where: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Cost: Click here for more information
Info: Busch Gardens transforms into a beautiful Christmas wonderland with over two million sparkling lights, holiday shopping, festive foods, sing-along train, exciting shows and of course, visits with Santa and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
When: 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Where: Curtis Hixon Park, Tampa
Cost: Free
Info: Celebrate the holiday season in Downtown Tampa at the Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park. Located along the Tampa Riverwalk, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is transformed with the sights, sounds and activities of the holidays for children and adults of all ages.
When: 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Where: Tropicana Field, St. Pete
Cost: $32.99
Info: Enchant Christmas is a must-see event this holiday season! In addition to having the world's largest Christmas light maze (which is full of more than 2 million lights), Enchant offers guests the chance to go on a scavenger hunt for Santa's missing reindeer throughout the 90,000-square foot maze.
When: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Where: Pirate Water Taxi, Downtown Tampa
Cost: $28
Info: Hop aboard Pirate Water Taxi for caroling on the river featuring Dickens Carolers. You will pass beneath low bridges to enter the beautiful Hillsborough River for a one-of-a-kind tour of lighted bridges and downtown. Our Captains will entertain you with a whimsical narration and you can join in for a sing a long of Christmas carols.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Cost: $48.75
Info: Coming to Clearwater for his Ruth Eckerd Hall debut, Criss Angel RAW - The Mindfreak Unplugged is a theatrical experience unlike any seen before. Criss Angel has dominated the world of magic for over a decade, but even with his incomparable success, Criss’ passion is to constantly create and bring his magic revolution to fans everywhere. Witness his famous sleight of hand street magic, mentalism, and even some of his most iconic illusions come to life -- all performed in an intimate, raw setting.
Coquina Beach and Music Festival
When: Dec. 13-15
Where: Anna Maria Island
Cost: Free
Info: Join us at Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island for the inaugural Coquina Beach Seafood & Music Festival! The event will be feature fun, great food and amazing live musical performances - along with some shopping for arts and crafts. Enjoy foods cooked fresh on-site with a variety of side dishes, alcoholic drinks and of course - desserts!
Saturday, December 14
When: 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Where: Florida Botanical Gardens, Largo
Cost: $5 donation
Info: The annual "Holiday Lights in the Gardens" is a seasonal escape into a wonderland of twinkling lights and fun entertainment. Over 1 million LED lights shining throughout our Botanical Gardens highlighting our plants and in nature-themed or holiday-themed light displays. This is a family-friendly event with nightly entertainment, including visits with Santa. Refreshments are available, as well as Holiday-themed gifts at the Botanical Bounty Gift Shop.
The Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Centennial Park, Sarasota
Cost: Free
Info: The Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights kicks off Saturday night at Centennial Park! Bring a folding chair with some snacks and drinks and enjoy boats of all sizes decked out in Christmas lights. The best places to watch the parade will be Bayfront Park, Centennial Park and City Island.
When: 7 p.m.
Where: 7th Avenue, Ybor City
Cost: Free
Info: Ybor Collaborative is hosting its 8th Annual Snow on 7th Parade featuring 10 middle & high school Marching Bands, local dance teams, & krewes, under a sky of snow! Join the Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and Santa Claus for this free family-friendly event on Saturday, December 14th.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa
Cost: $26.25
Info: The Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Washington Capitals at Amalie Arena on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 15
When: 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa
Cost: $45
Info: Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), the multi-platinum, critically-acclaimed progressive rock group will be bringing its highly-anticipated Winter Tour 2019 back to Tampa's Amalie Arena! Returning with all-new staging and effects is the unforgettable show that started it all, “Christmas Eve and Other Stories.”
When: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Cost: $25.98
Info: Join the fun for a festive Christmas boat cruise around the local finger islands. Enjoy the views, listen to holiday songs, and participate in Christmas-themed trivia. Learn about CMA while listening to a story highlighting their mission and rescue stories. This package includes a Sea of Lights boat tour and admission to enter Clearwater Marine Aquarium from 4 to 8 p.m. during extended holiday hours.
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