Looking forward to the holidays in University? Our guide has everything you need to know! For those who call University home and those just visiting, our guide is your festive companion.
Popular Events: Experience the magic of Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, where the park transforms into a winter wonderland with stunning light displays and festive decorations. Another highlight is the ICE At Gaylord Palms, showcasing breathtaking ice sculptures and interactive attractions for all ages. And the Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a beautiful interpretation of the classic tale. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around University
- ICE At Gaylord Palms (Lake Buena Vista)
- Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Tampa)
- Trans-Siberia Orchestra (Tampa)
- Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker (Tampa)
- Annual Key West Holiday Fest (Key West)
- Holiday Pops by The Florida Orchestra (Tampa)
- Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade (Tampa)
- Santa’s Enchanted Forest (Miami)
- Downtown St. Pete Holiday Events (St. Petersburg)
- Rockapella Christmas (Clearwater)
See these and even more events listed below!
University Holiday Light Displays
Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Decorated boats competing for best-decorated trophy.
Description:
The Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade is a spectacular event where boats are decorated with festive lights and compete for the best-decorated boat. The parade features a variety of boats, including small motor boats, and offers a chance to win various raffle prizes. The event includes a Captain's Party with swag bags and giveaways, making it a memorable holiday experience.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Annual Key West Holiday Fest
What to Expect:
Tropical island-style holiday celebrations with lighted parades and inn tours.
Description:
Key West Holiday Fest is a month-long celebration of the holiday season, featuring lighted parades, enchanting inn tours, musical performances, and stage events. Revelers of all ages can immerse themselves in tropical warmth and holiday magic.
Where: Key West | More Info: Annual Key West Holiday Fest
Sandi Land West Palm Beach
What to Expect:
Spectacular light displays and interactive holiday activities.
Description:
Sandi Land West Palm Beach is a festive holiday event featuring elaborate light displays and interactive activities.
Where: West Palm Beach | More Info: Sandi Land West Palm Beach
University 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 transforms into a vibrant holiday celebration with twinkling lights and dazzling fireworks.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
St. Petersburg City Theater presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical
What to Expect:
Intimate theatrical reading of a beloved holiday musical.
Description:
St. Petersburg City Theater presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical, a timeless holiday classic featuring powerful music and memorable characters.
Where: St. Petersburg | More Info: St. Petersburg City Theater presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical
Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with guest stars from American Ballet Theatre.
Description:
Next Generation Ballet's Nutcracker is a captivating ballet performance featuring award-winning young dancers from NGB alongside guest stars from American Ballet Theatre. The show brings Clara into a fantastical world filled with dancing sweets and sword-fighting rodents, set to some of ballet's most famous music.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker
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
Trans-Siberia Orchestra
What to Expect:
Dazzling spectacle with pyrotechnics and lasers.
Description:
Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents an all-new version of "The Lost Christmas Eve," a rock opera featuring pyrotechnics, lasers, and storytelling, with two shows at Amalie Arena on December 15, 2024.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Trans-Siberia Orchestra
Holiday Pops by The Florida Orchestra
What to Expect:
World-class holiday concert with classic favorites.
Description:
The Florida Orchestra presents Holiday Pops, a classic holiday concert featuring world-class musicians performing beloved favorites. Conducted by Chelsea Gallo, this event is a jolly good time for the whole family.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Holiday Pops by The Florida Orchestra
Florida Cracker Christmas
What to Expect:
Live music performances by renowned artists.
Description:
The 5th Annual Florida Cracker Christmas features live music performances by the Bellamy Brothers, Corey Smith, and special guest Andrew Jannakos, celebrating the spirit of the holiday season with Southern hospitality and traditional festivities.
Where: Brooksville | More Info: Florida Cracker Christmas
Main Street Christmas Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Christmas tree lighting ceremony with Santa photos and children's activities.
Description:
The Main Street Christmas Tree Lighting features a festive atmosphere with activities like photos with Santa, children's crafts, and horse and carriage rides. The event includes a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, shop strolls, and live performances by the Alachua Children's Theater.
Where: Alachua | More Info: Main Street Christmas Tree Lighting
ICE At Gaylord Palms
What to Expect:
Lush ice sculptures and interactive slides.
Description:
ICE at Gaylord Palms features larger-than-life ice sculptures depicting iconic scenes from "Elf," including two-story ice slides and dazzling holiday decorations.
Where: Lake Buena Vista | More Info: ICE At Gaylord Palms
Santa’s Enchanted Forest
What to Expect:
World's largest holiday theme park with diverse rides and entertainment.
Description:
Santa’s Enchanted Forest is a comprehensive holiday theme park featuring over 100 rides, games, shows, and attractions. It includes kiddie, family, and thrill rides, acrobatic and magic shows, holiday displays, carnival games, and delicious food options.
Where: Miami | More Info: Santa’s Enchanted Forest
University Other Holiday Activities
Victorian Christmas Stroll
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with antique decorations and live music.
Description:
The Victorian Christmas Stroll at the Henry B. Plant Museum is a beloved holiday tradition celebrating the warmth and spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas. The event features a variety of decorations, including visitor favorites from past years and new displays, as well as live music and complimentary cider and cookies. Guests can enjoy shopping in a Victorian atmosphere at the Museum Store.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Victorian Christmas Stroll
Downtown St. Pete Holiday Events
What to Expect:
Month-long celebration with festive activities and events.
Description:
Downtown St. Pete's holiday events feature a variety of activities designed for all ages, including the illuminated Santa Parade, Snowfest, and visits with Santa at North Straub Park.
Where: St. Petersburg | More Info: Downtown St. Pete Holiday Events
Dickens on Centre
What to Expect:
Victorian-themed holiday celebration with live entertainment and festive activities.
Description:
Dickens on Centre is a Victorian-themed holiday festival in downtown Fernandina Beach, featuring live entertainment, festive food, shopping, a kids' zone, and holiday movies.
Where: Fernandina Beach | More Info: Dickens on Centre
Florida Christmas Remembered
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday activities in a historical setting.
Description:
Florida Christmas Remembered is a festive event featuring arts and craft vendors, crafts and games, cookie decorating, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, bell choir and Christmas folk music, and living history demonstrations.
Where: Barberville | More Info: Florida Christmas Remembered
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Lake Magdalene (2 miles)
- Carrollwood (4 miles)
- Temple Terrace (4 miles)
- Northdale (4 miles)
- Carrollwood Village (5 miles)
- Egypt Lake-Leto (6 miles)
- Greater Northdale (6 miles)
- East Lake-Orient Park (7 miles)
- Citrus Park (8 miles)
- Tampa (9 miles)
- Town 'n' Country (10 miles)
- Land O' Lakes (10 miles)
- Westchase (10 miles)
- Palm River-Clair Mel (11 miles)
- Keystone (12 miles)
- Brandon (13 miles)
- Wesley Chapel (13 miles)
- Valrico (16 miles)
- East Lake (16 miles)
- Riverview (16 miles)
- Bloomingdale (17 miles)
- Palm Harbor (20 miles)
- Holiday (20 miles)
- Tarpon Springs (20 miles)
- Plant City (20 miles)
- Dunedin (21 miles)
- Pinellas Park (23 miles)
- Bayonet Point (23 miles)
- Clearwater (23 miles)
- West and East Lealman (23 miles)
- Largo (24 miles)
- St. Petersburg (26 miles)
- Spring Hill (28 miles)
- Lakeland (30 miles)
- Bradenton (41 miles)
- South Bradenton (43 miles)
- Winter Haven (43 miles)