Looking forward to the holidays in Clearwater? Our guide has everything you need to know! For both Clearwater locals and travelers, this guide highlights the city's festive treasures.
Popular Events: Embrace the magic of the season at Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, where enchanting holiday lights and special seasonal attractions create a memorable experience for all ages. For a charming outdoor atmosphere, the Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park offers a delightful combination of shopping, food, and entertainment in a picturesque setting. And the Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring beautifully decorated boats gliding along the waterfront. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Clearwater
- Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Tampa)
- Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park (Tampa)
- Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade (Tampa)
- ZooTampa Christmas in the Wild (Tampa)
- Holiday Happening (Tampa)
- Winter Wonder Wharf Tree Lighting (Tampa)
- Water Street Season Spectacular (Tampa)
- 47th Annual Christmas Under the Oaks Holiday Market
- There’s Snow Place Like Tarpon Springs (Tarpon Springs)
- Oldsmar Christmas Wonderland (Oldsmar)
See these and even more events listed below!
Clearwater Holiday Light Displays
Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Decorated boats competing for the best display of lights.
Description:
The Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade is a spectacular event where boats are decorated with thousands of lights and compete for the best-decorated boat. The parade features a festive atmosphere with holiday music and decorations along the Hillsborough River.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
ZooTampa Christmas in the Wild
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with illuminated animal sculptures.
Description:
ZooTampa's Christmas in the Wild features one of Tampa Bay's largest light displays, delectable holiday treats, and amazing wildlife encounters. The event includes new larger-than-life illuminated animal sculptures, interactive light Christmas wreaths, and festive holiday light shows. Guests can enjoy themed animal exhibits, holiday entertainment, and visits with Santa Claus.
Where: Tampa | More Info: ZooTampa Christmas in the Wild
Harbor Holiday Nights at Folly Farm
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday activities with holiday lights and live music.
Description:
Harbor Holiday Nights at Folly Farm features family-friendly holiday activities, including holiday lights, campfires, s'mores, children's activities, live music, and craft vendors.
Where: Safety Harbor | More Info: Harbor Holiday Nights at Folly Farm
Clearwater Holiday Markets and Shopping
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday events and local shopping.
Description:
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park transforms the waterfront area into a vibrant holiday destination with ice skating, local shopping, seasonal foods, and festive activities for all ages.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
Holiday Happening
What to Expect:
Annual tree lighting ceremony with live holiday entertainment.
Description:
Join Hyde Park Village for their annual Holiday Happening, featuring live holiday entertainment, a winter holiday market, visits with Santa, and more. Enjoy sips and bites while exploring the festive atmosphere.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Holiday Happening
Winter Wonder Wharf Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities and local shopping in a festive setting.
Description:
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park transforms Tampa's downtown into a holiday hub with ice skating, themed nights, and local shopping.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Winter Wonder Wharf Tree Lighting
47th Annual Christmas Under the Oaks Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Local artisans and diverse food vendors.
Description:
The 47th Annual Christmas Under the Oaks Holiday Market features a variety of exhibitors offering handmade arts and crafts, unique gifts, and creative holiday-themed products. The event includes a diverse mix of local food vendors and supports community grants, scholarships, and service projects.
Where: Clearwater | More Info: 47th Annual Christmas Under the Oaks Holiday Market
Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with local artisans.
Description:
The ClearWater Arts Center & Studio's 2nd Annual Holiday Market features 13 individual artists, Cabarrus Art Guild, and Southern Piedmont Woodturners selling original hand-crafted wares. Explore the expansive site, enjoy the celebratory atmosphere, and find unique gift ideas.
Where: Clearwater | More Info: Holiday Market
Jingle Bell Bazaar At Centennial Park
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with live music, food trucks, and Santa's Village.
Description:
The Jingle Bell Bazaar at Centennial Park is a free family holiday event filled with live music, entertainment performances, and delicious food from various food trucks. Shop unique holiday gifts from local vendors and visit Santa's Village for arts and crafts, free face painting, and photos with Santa.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Jingle Bell Bazaar At Centennial Park
Clearwater Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with animal encounters and festive shows.
Description:
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's Christmas Town is an award-winning holiday event featuring animal encounters, thrilling rides, holiday-inspired culinary delights, and festive shows like Christmas on Ice. The park is transformed into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights and dazzling fireworks.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Rockapella Christmas
What to Expect:
Internationally acclaimed a cappella performance of holiday classics.
Description:
Rockapella brings its internationally acclaimed a cappella sound to the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre with a night of holiday classics, including Silver Bells, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, and White Christmas, along with their original holiday hits.
Where: Clearwater | More Info: Rockapella Christmas
Clearwater’s Polar Express Experience
What to Expect:
Free screening of an Oscar-nominated animated holiday movie.
Description:
Clearwater’s Polar Express Experience features a Holiday-Sing-Along with the Ruth Eckerd Hall Chorus and a screening of the Oscar-nominated animated movie, Polar Express, starring Tom Hanks. Enjoy falling snow, family-friendly activities, games, crafts, and a special meet-and-greet photo opportunity with Santa Claus.
Where: Clearwater | More Info: Clearwater’s Polar Express Experience
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland
What to Expect:
Dazzling display of circus artistry and holiday music.
Description:
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland is a spectacular holiday show featuring the talents of the Cirque Musica ensemble, including awe-inspiring acrobatics and gravity-defying aerial feats, set to beloved holiday melodies.
Where: Clearwater | More Info: Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland
Clearwater Other Holiday Activities
Water Street Season Spectacular
What to Expect:
Seasonal festivities with modern twists.
Description:
Water Street Season Spectacular is a vibrant celebration featuring contemporary style, modern sustainable living, and unparalleled food and drink, set against the backdrop of Tampa's dynamic waterfront.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Water Street Season Spectacular
Oldsmar Christmas Wonderland
What to Expect:
Family-friendly event with a giant snow slide and Santa visits.
Description:
Oldsmar Christmas Wonderland features a giant snow slide, concessions, Santa visits, bounce houses, toddler areas, and various family activities.
Where: Oldsmar | More Info: Oldsmar Christmas Wonderland
There’s Snow Place Like Tarpon Springs
What to Expect:
Snow slide and falling snow in downtown Tarpon Springs.
Description:
There’s Snow Place Like Tarpon Springs is a family-friendly event featuring tree lighting, a boat parade, children’s crafts, holiday performers, live music, holiday shopping, restaurants, food vendors, falling snow, outdoor movies, and a snow slide. Santa will also be in attendance.
Where: Tarpon Springs | More Info: There’s Snow Place Like Tarpon Springs
Winter Wonderland & Lighted Golf Cart Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with a lighted golf cart parade.
Description:
Winter Wonderland & Lighted Golf Cart Parade is a community holiday event featuring a lighted golf cart parade, tree lighting, caroling, ice slide, food trucks, and carnival games at Woodmont Park and the first fairway of the Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club.
Where: Temple Terrace | More Info: Winter Wonderland & Lighted Golf Cart Parade
Putt the Pier: Holiday Edition
What to Expect:
Biodegradable golf balls used to minimize environmental impact.
Description:
Play an 18-hole Putt Putt Golf course over Tampa Bay waters at the St. Pete Pier, surrounded by holiday decorations and classic holiday tunes.
Where: St. Petersburg | More Info: Putt the Pier: Holiday Edition
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Largo (4 miles)
- Dunedin (4 miles)
- Palm Harbor (8 miles)
- Pinellas Park (10 miles)
- East Lake (12 miles)
- West and East Lealman (12 miles)
- Tarpon Springs (13 miles)
- Westchase (13 miles)
- Town 'n' Country (14 miles)
- St. Petersburg (15 miles)
- Holiday (16 miles)
- Citrus Park (16 miles)
- Keystone (17 miles)
- Egypt Lake-Leto (18 miles)
- Carrollwood Village (18 miles)
- Greater Northdale (19 miles)
- Carrollwood (20 miles)
- Northdale (20 miles)
- Tampa (21 miles)
- Lake Magdalene (21 miles)
- University (23 miles)
- Temple Terrace (26 miles)
- East Lake-Orient Park (26 miles)
- Palm River-Clair Mel (26 miles)
- Bayonet Point (26 miles)
- Land O' Lakes (27 miles)
- Riverview (30 miles)
- Brandon (31 miles)
- Wesley Chapel (34 miles)
- Valrico (34 miles)
- Bloomingdale (35 miles)
- Bradenton (35 miles)
- South Bradenton (37 miles)
- Spring Hill (39 miles)
- Plant City (42 miles)