3 Bright Ideas for Tampa Bay’s Holidays
-3 Bright Ideas for Tampa Bay’s Holidays-
If you are in search of bright lights and holiday spectacles around the Greater Tampa Bay area, then look no further. We have festive ideas to celebrate the season. Whether you enjoy looking at twinkling lights, or you want to get active at a charity event, here are local ways to celebrate the holidays.
Celebrate the 2019 Holidays around Tampa, Florida
1) BRIGHT LIGHTS AND TREES: Our area is fortunate to host several over-the-top light shows, including animated displays at Busch Gardens, Florida Botanical Gardens, The Wonderland of Lights at Hillsborough County Fairgrounds and this year’s Enchant Christmas at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. The Shops at Wiregrass also presents the annual Symphony in Lights with dancing light shows. Several local tree-lighting ceremonies and events have already occurred, which means tree lights are twinkling nightly around Tampa Bay. Check local listings for trees lit near you. Over the years, our customers have enjoyed holiday decorations at places like Curtis Hixon Park, Hyde Park Village in Tampa, John Wilson Park Gazebo in Safety Harbor, Clymer Park in Gulfport, Edgewater Park at Dunedin Marina, Largo Central Park, North Straub Park in St. Petersburg, and many other neighborhood settings.
2) FESTIVE OUTINGS: In addition to the Christmas tree at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa, you can find some frozen fun on the outdoor ice rink. Enjoy ice-skating at Tampa’s annual Winter Village through Jan. 5. You may browse the pop-up shops, enjoy festive treats, or purchase a 90-minute session with skate rental included. While you are downtown, consider stopping by the Victorian Christmas Stroll at Tampa’s Plant Museum on Kennedy Boulevard for a grandiose display of vintage décor, a museum tour, and a cup of cider through Dec. 23.
3) GIVING BACK: There is no time like the holidays for giving to charities and helping out at nonprofit events. Organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay and Feeding Tampa Bay, as well as small charities like Wheels for Success and Community Food Pantries, are all in need of community support and donations this holiday season. Special events are also happening around Tampa Bay to boost involvement. As always on the third Thursday of every month, The James A. Haley Veterans Hospital will host a special dinner on Dec. 19 to benefit Operation Helping Hand, a nonprofit providing assistance and support for the families of wounded and injured active-duty military. The event is free to the public. Join us in showing our appreciation to these brave individuals and their families this holiday season. Learn more at www.operationhelpinghandtampa.com.
Whether donating to charities, helping at your church, or simply enjoying decorations and festivities with your family and friends – we hope the spirit of the season inspires you wholeheartedly to enjoy life in the Greater Tampa Bay area.
