Thanksgiving 2016 is in the books, so it's time to get into the Christmas spirit!
What better way to do that than to check out some of the holiday light displays in the Tampa Bay area?
The first big Christmas light display, opening Thanksgiving night is The Wonderland of Lights Drive Thru. It is at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds located 215 Sydney Washer Road in Dover.
Not only are there beautiful light displays, but there is also a Christmas village with horse drawn wagon rides, a North Pole Train ride, amusement rides, foods and crafts.
To save time, tickets for the drive-through can be purchased online. Prices are: Vehicles (up to 8 passengers) $20; Season's Pass $35 (Vehicles Only); Coaches, limos, Mini Vans (9 to 24 seating) $35; Motor Coaches (25 to 50 seating) $75
The event is sponsored by the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce and is produced by North Pole Productions, the company that also produces show in Branson, Missouri.
You can buy tickets here
On Friday night, several other popular Christmas Lights displays open up for the holidays:
Hillsborough County
Christmas in the Wild at Lowry Park Zoo
Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland. Enjoy the zoo decorated in festival holiday lights and the magic of wildlife at night.
It runs November 25 - December 30. Zoo members get free access to Christmas in the Wild on certain days.
www.lowryparkzoo.org/events/christmas-in-the-wild
The Christmas Lane
The Christmas Lane opens on the Strawberry Festival grounds in Plant City.
You will certainly get into the Christmas spirit when you see the more than 1.5 million lights. There are huge Christmas displays, over 100 decorated trees, there's a living Nativity performed each night. Santa and Mrs. Claus are on hand every night for pictures.
The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 4 to12. Children 3 and under are free. Free admission is offered on Mondays for current and former members of the military
More information is available at www.ChristmasLane.comand on Facebook at facebook.com/visitchristmaslane
Busch Gardens Christmas Town
Busch Gardens transforms into a beautiful Christmas wonderland with 2 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 Friday through January 1st and is included in the price of daily admission or any pass membership or fun card.
seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa/christmastown/event-info/dates-and-times
Pinellas County
The Florida Botanical Gardens Holiday nights
The Florida Botanical Gardens Holiday nights, where over one million lights, will surely get you into the holiday spirit even if the temperatures are warm.
The Holiday lights and lasers turn the 35 acres gardens into a stunning holiday wonderland, Florida style.
The Holiday lights in the gardens runs November 25 through Saturday December 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. A donation of $4 per person is requested.
The gardens are located at 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo. For more information visit: www.flbg.org
Oakdale Christmas Light Display
Also opening Friday night in Pinellas County is the Oakdale Christmas Light display in St. Petersburg.
This display features over a 1/2 million lights and has been around for 40 years and has been featured on HGTV and NBC's Today show
The Oakdale Christmas Light Display is located at 2719 Oakdale Street South and is open every evening until January 3 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
