The Guide To Free Christmas Activities in Tampa

The holidays are an expensive time for families. Kids are out of school and expecting presents, people are travelling, and big holiday meals mean big holiday bills. As a result, it is a relief when holiday activities are free. Read on to learn all about some of the best free activities in downtown Tampa and the Tampa Bay area.

Riverwalk Lighted Boat Parade

The Riverwalk is one of the most beautiful areas of downtown Tampa. To celebrate the holidays, the Riverwalk is hosting a lighted boat parade. Christmas on the water is one of the major benefits of a Florida holiday.

The lighted boat parade is set for December 21^st. The boats will be at the Convention Center around 6:45 and continue up the Riverwalk, before looping back down to Davis Island and Channelside at 7:30, before ending at Sparkman’s Wharf at 7:45.

Santa Fest & Downtown Tampa Christmas Parade

Santa Fest and the downtown Tampa Christmas Parade are both scheduled for December 7^th. The parade steps off at 11:00 am and the best view will be from Madison Street (just where Suites@Madison is located). The parade starts at the intersection of Morgan Street and Madison Street. It will proceed west along Madison to Ashley Drive, turn north at Ashley and end at the intersection of Ashley Drive and Cass Street.

Santa Fest is from noon to 4:00 pm at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The festival is ideal for anybody searching for family-friendly holiday cheer. There will be free pictures with Santa, holiday crafts for the kids, and plenty of games and activities.

Annual St. Petersburg Holiday Of The Arts

The Annual St. Petersburg Holiday Of The Arts is a whole weekend devoted to the arts in Williams Park in St. Pete. The park is turned into an outdoor gallery for the entire weekend of December 14^th and 15^th. The festival is open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm both days. It includes exhibits of paintings, sculptures, jewelry, glass, ceramics, fibers / wearable art, photography, digital art, mixed-media, metalwork, woodwork, and even more.