December Things To Do

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Hurricane season is officially over.  Actually it’s almost winter in Florida, our favorite “season.” Less humitiy, no mosquitos and cooler temperatures. December also means the sights, sounds and activities of the holidays have begun in the Tampa Bay area.

We don’t know about you but we are ready for 2020 to be over. There have been some highlights – we have helped more than 150 families buy and sell this year. But the pandemic has put a damper on a lot of the fun this past year.

That’s going to change this month as we celebrate the holidays. There are so many jolly, outdoor activities to help get into the holiday spirit. Check out our December things to do list:

The Christmas Trail
Dec. 11-13, 19-23
@ 2837 South Frontage Road, Plant City (exit 22)
www.thechristmastrail.com

Outdoor Christmas event located in Plant City with more than 100,000 Christmas lights as well as entertainment, food, craft vendors and more. Highlights of the event include the Christmas Light Walking Trail, Jack Frost ice show, pictures with Santa, Nativity Light Maze and light show. You must make reservation to attend. Tickets are $15 per vehicle. Masks required.

Sylvan Ramble Lights
Every Friday and Saturday in December at 7, 7:30, 8 and 8:30. Also Dec. 21-25 at 7, 7:30, 8 and 8:30
@ 4412 W Sylvan Ramble St, Tampa
https://www.sylvanramblelights.com/

Sylvan Ramble Lights is a computerized light show in South Tampa. There are more than 200,000 individually controllable channels of lights, fountains, smoke effects and moving props! The show is 15-20 minutes and can be viewed from your car or the sidewalk. The event is free but they collect monetary donations for a local non-profit, Clothes To Kids. Organizers request you make a free reservation at their Web site as they are limiting each show to 50 attendees.

Lighted Boat Parade
Dec. 19
@ Downtown Tampa RiverWalk

The annual downtown Tampa holiday lighted boat parade will be held on the Hillsborough River on Saturday, Dec. 19. Viewing opportunities are available all along the RiverWalk.

Winter Village Tampa
Varies through January 3, 2021
@ Curtis Hixon Park in Downtown Tampa
www.wintervillagetampa.com

Holiday treats, craft vendors, a light show and the main attraction – ice skating with a view of the Hillsborough River- in beautiful downtown Tampa. The rink will be operating a half capacity and all skaters are required to wear masks. New this year is the Curtis Hizon Park Choo Choo, which is limited to 1 family at a time. Hours are 4-9p (Monday through Thursday), 4-10p (Friday), 10a-12p (Saturday) and Noon-9p (Sunday). Hours vary based on weather and school breaks. Check the Facebook page for real time updates. You must reserve a time for ice skating ahead of time at the Web site: www.wintervillagetampa.com. Ice skating tickets include 90 minutes of skating, including skate rental. Tickets are $15.

WireGrass Mall
Varies through Dec. 31
@ WireGrass Mall, 28211 Paseo Dr, Wesley Chapel
www.TheShopsAtWiregrass.com

While the Symphony in Lights show won't happen this season due to COVID, the tree is still up and socially-distant pictures with Santa are available through Dec. 24. All guests must wear a mask in the Santa area including during picture taking. Check the Web site for reservations. Also, bring a lawn chair and enjoy socially distanced family-friendly, holiday favorite movies on Thursdays starting at 6:30pm. Upcoming showings include The Grinch (Dec. 3) and Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (Dec. 10). 

Holiday Lights in Largo Central Park
Through Jan. 3, 2021
@ 101 Central Park Drive, Largo
www.LargoEvents.com

Walk through Largo Central Park to enjoy a free show-stopping light display, featuring multiple different displays of twinkling LED lights. This is a walking display, not a drive-through. Local vendors will be on-site selling food. There are a few rides including a jumbo Ferris Wheel. Rides are $5. The event is nightly from 5-10pm. The park will also have a Strolling Market on Saturday, Dec. 5 for holiday gifts from local vendors.

Christmas Town
Through Jan. 3, 2021
@ Busch Gardens, 10165 McKinley Dr., Tampa
https://buschgardens.com/tampa/events/christmas-town/

Voted USA Today’s 10 best theme park events, Christmas Town at Busch Gardens returns with new open-air festivities. Millions of twinkling lights, new holiday fireworks, the first-ever outdoor production of Christmas On Ice and more. Christmas Town is included with daily admission, Fun Cards and Annual Passes. Reservations required.

Christmas in the Wild
Select nights through Dec. 30
@ ZooTampa, 1101 W Sligh, Tampa
https://zootampa.org/christmas-in-the-wild/

Reservations-required, outdoor event featuring twinkling lights, delectable holiday treats and jolly adventures while enjoying the zoo’s animals and rides. This year’s event features the Forest of Fantasy, Holiday Kaleidoscope walk-through experience, Felicies Dias Festivos featuring the sights and sounds of Latin culture and more. Check the Web site for reservations and dates. Zoo members $5 but includes a $5 voucher for food or merchandise. Non-members pricing start at $26.95/person.

Snowcat Ridge Alpine Snow Park
Through March 2021
@ 27839 Saint Joe Rd., Dade City
www.snowcatridge.com

Snow in Florida? Well it is 2020!  Snowcat Ridge Alpine Snow Park, featuring snow tubing and an alpine village with food and drinks for sale, a market area with vendors, seating and fire pits, is open through March. Snowy Slopes is a 60-foot tall, 400-foot long snow tubing hill featuring single, tandem and family-style snow tubing. There is also a bunny slope available for younger children. There will also be nightly music and a light show. The Arctic Igloo will have several thousand square feet of snow (great for building the perfect snowman!). General Admission tickets includes a 2-hour snow tubing session and start at $24.95 depending on date. Unlimited snow tubing is also available. Check the Web site for height and weight requirements. Safety measures include temperature checks and mask requirements. Check the Web site for updated information.

Do you have an upcoming event or business you’d like us to feature? Email [email protected] with info.