Celebrate the charm of the holidays in Sweetwater with our comprehensive guide. Whether you're a Sweetwater veteran or a first-timer, this guide helps you create lasting holiday memories.
Popular events this season include the festive Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights and Santa’s Village, featuring dazzling light displays and a chance to meet Santa himself. Another highlight is the ICE at Gaylord Palms Resort, where you can experience a winter wonderland of ice sculptures and thrilling activities. And the Jacksonville Winter Fest is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering enchanting holiday markets and beautiful entertainment. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Sweetwater
- ICE at Gaylord Palms Resort (Orlando)
- Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights and Santa’s Village (Largo)
- Jacksonville Winter Fest (Jacksonville)
- Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade (Tampa)
- Key West “Bight” before Christmas® Celebration (Key West)
- River of Christmas Lights (Tampa)
- Hometown Holiday Parade (Key West)
- Celebration of Lights at the Concourse (Shady Hills)
See these and even more events listed below!
Sweetwater Holiday Light Displays
Key West “Bight” before Christmas® Celebration
What to Expect:
Vibrant nautical-themed holiday light displays.
Description:
The Key West “Bight” before Christmas Celebration features a spectacular display of lights along the Harbor Walk of Lights, including the Fishing Buoy Tree, Nautical Christmas Tree, and Key West Lobster Trap Tree. Enjoy holiday music, creative displays, and festive activities honoring Key West’s maritime history.
Where: Key West | More Info: Key West “Bight” before Christmas® Celebration
Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights and Santa’s Village
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light display with interactive attractions and festive activities.
Description:
Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights and Santa’s Village is a holiday event featuring over 1.5 million lights, a 2-mile drive-thru light display, and Santa’s Village with holiday-themed rides, activities, and treats.
Where: Largo | More Info: Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights and Santa’s Village
Celebration of Lights at the Concourse
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display with festive train ride and Santa visits.
Description:
The Celebration of Lights at The Concourse features a one-mile drive-through light display, a festive train ride, and visits to Safety Town, where you can see Santa and enjoy food trucks and vendors.
Where: Shady Hills | More Info: Celebration of Lights at the Concourse
River of Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Unique floating holiday light displays along the Riverwalk.
Description:
The Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular in downtown Tampa features a 35-foot-tall LED Christmas tree floating in the harbor, holiday selfie stations, lighted garland and red bows on Riverwalk light poles, festively decorated gazebos, and various floating light displays including gingerbread houses and toy trains. The event also includes lighted pine tree forests and pirate-themed displays.
Where: Tampa | More Info: River of Christmas Lights
Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Decorated boats competing for best-decorated boat prizes.
Description:
The Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade features decorated boats cruising along the Hillsborough River, showcasing festive lights and competing for best-decorated boat prizes.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Sweetwater Holiday Shows and Entertainment
ICE at Gaylord Palms Resort
What to Expect:
Immersive ice sculpture experience with scenes from Elf.
Description:
ICE at Gaylord Palms Resort features larger-than-life ice sculptures from the Christmas film Elf, hand-carved by over 40 world-renowned artisans. The attraction includes immersive scenes, two-story ice slides, and live ice carving demonstrations.
Where: Orlando | More Info: ICE at Gaylord Palms Resort
Sweetwater Other Holiday Activities
Hometown Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Charming hometown parade with holiday floats and Santa Claus.
Description:
The Key West City Hometown Holiday Parade is a free event featuring holiday floats, marching groups, and Santa Claus. It starts at 7:00 PM on Truman Avenue and proceeds down Duval Street, ending at Eaton Street. The parade is a charming hometown celebration with plenty of kids and festive spirit.
Where: Key West | More Info: Hometown Holiday Parade
Jacksonville Winter Fest
What to Expect:
Snow and ice activities in a festive winter setting.
Description:
Jacksonville Winter Fest is a free family event at Riverwalk Park featuring snow, sledding, hay rides, ice skating, and visits with Santa.
Where: Jacksonville | More Info: Jacksonville Winter Fest
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- University Park (1 miles)
- Tamiami (2 miles)
- Fountainebleau (2 miles)
- Westchester (3 miles)
- Flagami (4 miles)
- Doral (4 miles)
- Kendale Lakes (4 miles)
- Coral Terrace (4 miles)
- Kendall West (6 miles)
- The Crossings (7 miles)
- Kendall (7 miles)
- Coral Gables (7 miles)
- Hialeah Gardens (8 miles)
- The Hammocks (8 miles)
- Coconut Grove (8 miles)
- Hialeah (9 miles)
- Allapattah (10 miles)
- Palmetto Bay (10 miles)
- West Little River (11 miles)
- Miami Lakes (11 miles)
- Richmond West (11 miles)
- Miami (11 miles)
- South Miami Heights (11 miles)
- Cutler Ridge (13 miles)
- Cutler Bay (13 miles)
- Country Club (13 miles)
- North Miami (15 miles)
- Carol City (15 miles)
- Miami Gardens (15 miles)
- Golden Glades (15 miles)
- Miami Beach (15 miles)
- Princeton (16 miles)
- Norland (16 miles)
- North Miami Beach (18 miles)
- Miramar (18 miles)
- Leisure City (19 miles)
- Pembroke Pines (19 miles)
- Aventura (20 miles)
- Sunny Isles Beach (20 miles)
- Hallandale Beach (21 miles)
- Cooper City (21 miles)
- West Hollywood (21 miles)
- Homestead (21 miles)
- Hollywood (22 miles)
- Davie (22 miles)
- Weston (23 miles)
- Dania Beach (25 miles)
- Plantation (27 miles)
- Lauderhill (28 miles)
- Fort Lauderdale (29 miles)
- Lauderdale Lakes (30 miles)
- Sunrise (30 miles)
- Oakland Park (32 miles)
- Tamarac (32 miles)
- North Lauderdale (33 miles)
- Margate (35 miles)
- Coral Springs (36 miles)
- Coconut Creek (36 miles)
- Pompano Beach (36 miles)
- Parkland (39 miles)
- Deerfield Beach (42 miles)
- Boca Del Mar (43 miles)