It's time to get into the Christmas spirit!
What better way to do that than to check out some of the best holiday light displays in the Tampa Bay area?
If we missed one, let us know! Email your holiday light display information to Zack.Perry@WFTS.com
Holiday Lights in the Gardens
When: November 24 - December 31 | 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Florida Botanical Gardens at 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo
Cost: $4 donation
Info: The annual "Holiday Lights in the Gardens" is a seasonal escape into a wonderland of twinkling lights and fun entertainment. Over 1 million LED lights shining throughout our Botanical Gardens highlighting our plants and in nature-themed or holiday-themed light displays. This is a family-friendly event with nightly entertainment, including visits with Santa. Refreshments are available, as well as Holiday-themed gifts at the Botanical Bounty Gift Shop. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and a $4 suggested donation is encouraged for entry.
The Oakdale Christmas House
When: November 24, 2017 - January 3, 2018 | 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Where: 2719 Oakdale Street S., St. Petersburg
Cost: Free
Info: The Oakdale Christmas House in St. Pete has been featured on HGTV and The Today Show as one of the best Christmas light displays in America! This light show showcases 12 truckloads of lights, model trains and railroads, holiday inflatables, water fountains and much more. Call (727) 822-5562 for more info. <p>
Wonderland of Lights
When: November 23 - December 29 (select nights - times will vary)
Where: Hillsborough County Fairgrounds at 215 Sydney Washer Road, Dover
Cost: $20 per car, $75 per bus
Info: Drive through a mile of Christmas lights at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds! Check out over 100 holiday light shows, Santa’s Village, horse-drawn wagon rides, face painting, pony and camel rides, Animals of Bethlehem petting zoo, and festive food and drinks.
Christmas Lights at Chick-fil-A
When: November 23 - December 31 | 6 p.m. - close
Where: 6299 W Waters Avenue, Tampa
Cost: Free
Info: Did Clark Griswold move into a local Chick-fil-A? The restaurant located on Waters Avenue in Tampa has once again gone all out with their Christmas lights and decorations. Want to see for yourself? Head on over to 6299 West Waters Avenue in Tampa after the sun has set to check out the very merry and bright decorations.
Christmas in the Wild
When: November 24 - December 30 (select nights) | 4 p.m. - close
Where: ZooTampa at 1101 W Sligh Avenue, Tampa
Cost: $24.95
Info: ZooTampa at Lowry Park is transforming into a world of winter wonder for the Christmas in the Wild event! For 18 delightful nights, enjoy a merry and memorable evening with this unique, but traditional holiday event in the special setting of the Zoo at night. From the sights of stunning lights, the seasonal smells of holiday treats, the excitement of festive entertainment and the magic of wildlife at night, Christmas in the Wild will offer guests of all ages a uniquely immersive holiday experience.
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
When: November 19 - December 31 (select dates)
Where: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay at 10165 N McKinley Drive, Tampa
Cost: Click here for more
Info: Busch Gardens transforms into a beautiful Christmas wonderland with 3 million sparkling lights, holiday shopping, festive foods and even Santa's reindeer. Enjoy some of the park rides at night for a unique thrill. Christmas Town runs November 19 through December 31 on select nights.
The Great Christmas Light Fight
When: 6 p.m. - 11 p.m. nightly
Where: 9227 and 9229 Sunnyoak Drive, Riverview
Cost: Free
Event Info: Mike Richards and Rob Silver have been neighbors for four years — they started out as friendly competitors, trying to see who had the best Christmas light displays. Silver tells ABC Action News he had a traditional Christmas light display for the neighbors to enjoy, then his neighbor moved in with the modern, bright LED lights. The two started decorating in September and the display is now running every night! Richards runs his own lighting and music production company, which helped him synchronize the lights and the music. And Silver owns Dynamic Painting USA, so he specializes in colors. They have eight songs that are synchronized to the light display.
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
When: Nov. 18 - Jan. 6
Where: Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park 600 North Ashley Drive Downtown, Tampa
Cost: Free
Event Info: Come celebrate the holiday season in Downtown Tampa at the Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park! Located along the Tampa Riverwalk, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is transformed with the sights, sounds and activities of the holidays for children and adults of all ages. Go ice skating, shop at a Christmas market or watch a holiday movie on the lawn.
Big Red Barn Trail of Lights
When: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Where: The Big Red Barn at 10070 Fern Hill Drive, Riverview
Cost: $7 online preorder, $10 the day of the event
Event Info: Join the fun from November 24 to January 7 for our enormous holiday light display, complete with a 60-foot Christmas tree! The trail is open nightly from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Stick around and enjoy hot cocoa, fresh donuts, and much more! Children 2 and under are free for this event.
The Christmas Lane
When: November 24 - December 24 (Thursdays - Sundays from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.)
Where: Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds at 2508 West Oak Avenue, Plant City
Cost: 13 and up = $5, 4-12 = $3, 3 and under = free
Info: Christmas Lane is a Christmas wonderland! We are housed in the Charlie Grimes Building at the Florida Strawberry Festival and have grown a lot over our 35 years! We will have many light displays, food, carnival rides, a kid zone which includes letters to Santa, face painting, and ornaments. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos every night except Christmas Eve. Each Thursday and Saturday night, area churches will present a 30-minute living Nativity with live music, live animals, an outdoor set and an angel!
Holiday Lights in Largo
When: December 2 - January 1
Where: Largo Central Park at 101 Central Park Drive, Largo
Cost: Free admission, $5 ferris wheel tickets
Info: Hop on the ferris wheel and see over 2 million Christmas lights from the sky in Largo! The holiday light display at Largo Central Park will feature six light displays, carousel rides, food, drinks and much more.
River of Lights
When: December 1 - December 30 (select nights)
Where: Pirate Water Taxi at 333 S Franklin St., Tampa
Cost: $28
Info: Cruise Downtown Tampa and enjoy the beautiful sights of the holiday season. Pass beneath the lighted bridges to enter the Hillsborough River for a one-of-a-kind tour. Enjoy a whimsical narration on the first half of the cruise and then join in with Christmas Carolers on the second half, while sipping on hot chocolate and eating a delicious holiday cookie in hand. There is no better way to experience the holidays in Tampa!
Streamside Drive Christmas Lights
When: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Thursday | 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Friday - Sunday
Where: 11048 Streamside Drive, Tampa, Florida, 33624
Cost: Free
Info: This Tampa home is decked out in 55,000 Christmas lights synchronized to music played over the radio! Just tune to 88.3 FM when you drive down the street! You'll also find a 17-foot Mickey Mouse, the Grinch and other Christmas characters at 11048 Streamside Drive, Tampa, Florida, 33624.
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