Feel the holiday joy in Valrico! Our guide highlights all the community events and activities. From longtime Valrico residents to temporary visitors, our guide reveals both popular attractions and hidden treasures.
One of the highlights this season is the Busch Gardens Christmas Town, where the park transforms into a wintry wonderland with dazzling lights and festive shows. For those seeking a charming outing, the Victorian Christmas Stroll offers a delightful glimpse into holiday traditions of the past. And you definitely don't want to miss the Tampa Bay Festival of Lights & Santa's Village, where enchanting displays and holiday fun await. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Valrico
- Busch Gardens Christmas Town (Tampa)
- Tampa Bay Festival of Lights & Santa's Village (Tampa)
- Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park (Tampa)
- Victorian Christmas Stroll (Tampa)
- ICE at Gaylord Palms Resort (Orlando)
- Holly Jolly Express at Busch Gardens (Tampa)
- SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration (Orlando)
- Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular (Tampa)
- Enchant Christmas (St. Petersburg)
- Symphony in Lights at The Shops at Wiregrass (Wesley Chapel)
See these and even more events listed below!
Valrico Holiday Light Displays
Tampa Bay Festival of Lights & Santa's Village
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light display with interactive activities and themed rides.
Description:
The Tampa Bay Festival of Lights & Santa's Village is a spectacular holiday event featuring over 1.5 million lights, a nearly 2-mile drive-thru experience, and a festive walking visit to Santa's Village with holiday-themed rides, attractions, and treats.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Tampa Bay Festival of Lights & Santa's Village
Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular
What to Expect:
Extensive lighted displays along the river and in parks.
Description:
The Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular features a 2.6-mile stretch of festive holiday lights and floating displays along the Hillsborough River, including a 35-foot-tall LED Christmas tree, lighted garland, and various themed displays like gingerbread houses and toy trains.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular
Symphony in Lights at The Shops at Wiregrass
What to Expect:
Dazzling light show with live music and nightly snowfall.
Description:
The Symphony in Lights at The Shops at Wiregrass features live music by Late Night Brass, stilt walkers, costumed characters, and talented balloon artists, culminating in Santa's arrival. The event showcases a dazzling light show choreographed to the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and includes nightly snowfall.
Where: Wesley Chapel | More Info: Symphony in Lights at The Shops at Wiregrass
Enchant Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light maze with custom-designed sculptures.
Description:
Enchant Christmas is a world-class holiday event featuring a massive, story-driven Christmas light maze, unique ice skating experiences, and a variety of festive attractions. Explore larger-than-life light sculptures, savor seasonal food and drink, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy nightly caroling and mainstage entertainment.
Where: St. Petersburg | More Info: Enchant Christmas
Santa Fest & Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Holiday parade and tree lighting ceremony in downtown Tampa.
Description:
The Santa Fest & Tree Lighting at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park features a festive parade, Santa Fest entertainment, and the annual Tampa Tree Lighting ceremony. The event includes a parade starting at Morgan Street and Madison Street, followed by activities at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and the tree lighting ceremony.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Santa Fest & Christmas Parade
Christmas Lane
What to Expect:
Extensive holiday light display with interactive activities.
Description:
Christmas Lane is a holiday event featuring over 1.5 million lights, live entertainment, and activities for all ages, including face painting, letter writing to Santa, and a LEGO build station.
Where: Plant City | More Info: Christmas Lane
The Rudolph Limited Mini Train Rides
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride through park lights.
Description:
Take a 12-minute ride through beautifully lit Largo Central Park on the Rudolph Limited Mini Train. Children must be at least one year old and wear shoes. Cash is preferred due to potential credit card processing issues.
Where: Largo | More Info: The Rudolph Limited Mini Train Rides
River of Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Unique floating light displays along the Riverwalk.
Description:
The Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular features a 35-foot-tall LED Christmas tree floating in the harbor, festive holiday lights along the Riverwalk, and various lighted floating displays including a gingerbread house and toy train. The event also includes a holiday selfie station and lighted garland on the Riverwalk light poles.
Where: Tampa | More Info: River of Christmas Lights
Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Decorated boats with synchronized light displays.
Description:
The Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade features beautifully decorated boats cruising along the Riverwalk, offering stunning light displays and festive atmosphere.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Valrico Holiday Markets and Shopping
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
What to Expect:
Unique blend of ice skating, local shopping, and holiday events.
Description:
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park transforms Tampa's Downtown into a holiday destination with an ice rink, local shops, and festive activities for all ages.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
Valrico Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Busch Gardens Christmas Town
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with animal encounters and festive shows.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with Christmas Town, featuring animal encounters, thrilling rides, holiday-inspired culinary delights, and festive shows like Christmas on Ice. Enjoy twinkling lights and dazzling fireworks throughout the event.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Busch Gardens Christmas Town
Holly Jolly Express at Busch Gardens
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed train ride with animal encounters.
Description:
The Holly Jolly Express at Busch Gardens is a festive train ride through the park, offering holiday music and animal sightings.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Holly Jolly Express at Busch Gardens
ICE at Gaylord Palms Resort
What to Expect:
Immersive ice sculpture exhibit with live demonstrations.
Description:
ICE at Gaylord Palms Resort features larger-than-life ice sculptures from the Christmas film Elf, carved from 2 million pounds of ice. Guests can explore 10 immersive scenes, including Snoopy's doghouse and Charlie Brown's Christmas tree, and enjoy two-story-tall ice slides.
Where: Orlando | More Info: ICE at Gaylord Palms Resort
SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with synchronized lights and live shows.
Description:
SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration transforms the park into a vibrant holiday setting with millions of sparkling lights, snow flurries, and award-winning live shows. Meet beloved characters like Santa and Rudolph, enjoy ice skating, and savor delicious holiday foods.
Where: Orlando | More Info: SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration
Holidays at Universal Orlando
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experiences in themed lands.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Universal Orlando with festive decorations, live entertainment, and special events like the Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s and Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Where: Orlando | More Info: Holidays at Universal Orlando
Valrico Other Holiday Activities
Victorian Christmas Stroll
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with live music and complimentary refreshments.
Description:
The Victorian Christmas Stroll at the Henry B. Plant Museum is a beloved holiday tradition in Tampa, featuring elaborate decorations, live music, and complimentary cider and cookies. Guests can explore the museum's iconic building, which has been transformed into a festive holiday setting with various themes and displays.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Victorian Christmas Stroll
Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience Orlando
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with animatronic characters and slime-making workshops.
Description:
At Crayola Experience Orlando, Colorful Christmas features animatronic Christmas characters, a life-sized snowglobe, and a light show starring Scarlet and her singing reindeer friends. Guests can solve riddles, complete a seasonal scavenger hunt, craft handmade gifts, and enjoy live entertainment and holiday treats.
Where: Orlando | More Info: Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience Orlando
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Brandon (3 miles)
- Bloomingdale (3 miles)
- Riverview (7 miles)
- Palm River-Clair Mel (9 miles)
- East Lake-Orient Park (9 miles)
- Plant City (9 miles)
- Temple Terrace (11 miles)
- Tampa (14 miles)
- University (16 miles)
- Lake Magdalene (17 miles)
- Egypt Lake-Leto (17 miles)
- Carrollwood (17 miles)
- Lakeland (19 miles)
- Carrollwood Village (20 miles)
- Northdale (20 miles)
- Greater Northdale (21 miles)
- Town 'n' Country (21 miles)
- Wesley Chapel (22 miles)
- Citrus Park (23 miles)
- Land O' Lakes (24 miles)
- Westchase (24 miles)
- Keystone (28 miles)
- West and East Lealman (29 miles)
- Pinellas Park (29 miles)
- St. Petersburg (29 miles)
- East Lake (30 miles)
- Winter Haven (31 miles)
- Dunedin (33 miles)
- Palm Harbor (34 miles)
- Largo (34 miles)
- Clearwater (34 miles)
- Tarpon Springs (35 miles)
- Holiday (35 miles)
- Bradenton (37 miles)
- Bayonet Point (38 miles)
- South Bradenton (39 miles)
- Haines City (40 miles)
- Spring Hill (41 miles)