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The top holiday events in St. Pete 2021

The top holiday events in St. Pete 2021

Photo of a giant Christmas lights display

It’s the holiday season in the city of St. Pete, and the entire Tampa Bay region! Myriad events will bring the fun of winter to the Sunshine City. This includes “snow”, ice skating, visits from Santa, massive lighting ceremonies, wild offie parties, and more.

Looking for a place to stay? The Hollander Hotel in downtown St. Pete is the city’s luxurious boutique hotel. Yes, the restaurant is open on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Enjoy drinks poolside, dine in the history-covered restaurant, or enjoy a cocktail by the fireplace in the lobby. Click here to make a reservation.

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Also, in the spirit of giving, we wanted to shout out several nonprofits that you can support right now to help spread some cheer now, and all year in the ‘Burg:

R’Club

Creative Clay

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PARC

St. Pete Free Clinic

Keep Pinellas Beautiful

Reach St. Pete

NOMAD Art Bus

Bess the Book Bus

CASA Pinellas

METRO Inclusive Health

Read About It with Cultured Books

Here’s a look at the top holiday events happening this year in St. Petersburg, and Tampa:

Winter Beach at the St. Pete Pier

November 20-January 17

As the only waterfront rink in St. Pete, guests will enjoy breathtaking views of the Bay and downtown as they ice skate under the sky. Throughout the season, guests can enjoy festive food, holiday music, photos with Santa, “snow” days, themed skating nights like silent disco, 80s and 90s night, holiday events such as musical concerts, holiday movie night, plus more.

St. Pete Pier, 800 2nd Avenue NE 

Whiskey Wonderland at Coastal Creative

December 4

On Saturday, December 4, bartenders representing restaurants and cafes from across the Tampa Bay region will each craft a specialty whiskey-based cocktail, and you get to be the judge! 

In addition to a medley of whiskey cocktails, the event will feature a local art and vendor market, plus a food truck alley featuring some of your favorite mobile food hubs in the region. 

This ticketed event will offer two different time slots for attendees to choose from: 12pm-3pm, and 5pm-8pm. There will also be special VIP tasting hours available from 11am-12pm, and 4pm-5pm. 

Coastal Creative, 2201 1st Avenue South

The Dirty Johns Present: Naughty Not Nice at Studio@620

November 19 & 20

Join Dirty Johns for a night of Naughty Not Nice holiday hilarity! This adult comedy show will lighten some of your holiday stress, and bring much needed laughs to the season. If you’ve seen previous Dirty Johns performances you know they are outrageous, creative, and light up the theater with debauchery! You don’t want to miss this new holiday smash!

Studio@620, 620 1st Avenue South

Shopapalooza at Vinoy Park

November 27 & 28

LocalShops1’s massive holiday shopping event, Shopapalooza, will return November 27 and 28 to celebrate the best businesses here in the ‘Burg. It’s also the perfect time to get on holiday shopping. Remember this season, as with every season, it is so important to support your local small businesses. 

The event will feature four food halls, and more than 300 local vendors.

701 Bayshore Drive NE

Christmas Tree Lighting at Straub Park

November 27

Join the St. Pete community for a major tree lighting ceremony in North Straub Park on the waterfront in St. Pete. This event will be part of St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman’s Faring Well Tour.

The fun will run to 5-8pm.

North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Drive Northeast

Enchant St. Petersburg at Tropicana Field

November 26-January 2

Enchant Christmas creates Winter Wonderlands across the globe. The concept illuminated the Sunshine City in 2019, and it’s ready to do it once again in 2021. The organizers announced that Enchant Christmas will return this year. Tickets are set to go on sale in September. 

Tampa Bay residents will be captivated once again this holiday season as Enchant, the whimsical and heartfelt Christmas light maze and village, announced their return to the city from November 26, 2021-January 2, 2022. Known for transporting guests to a world of festive wonder, Enchant is proud to present The Mischievous Elf, thesecond in a series of five fascinating adventures.

Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive

Santa in the Park

December 4 & 5, 10-12, 17-23

Enjoy a meet-and-greet with Santa in North Straub Park! Cameras welcomed.

This year’s event will feature Santa in a rocking chair with a designated area for participants to chat and take photos with Santa.

North Straub Park, 480 Bayshore Drive NE

Jacob Marley’s “A Christmas Carol” at American Stage

December 8-January 2

Charles Dickens wrote a short story that has become one of the most adapted pieces of literature in history. The story of Scrooge is well known, but what about Marley? How did his haunting afterlife begin? In his version of the carol, Marley is escorted by a spritely creature along the pathway to redeeming his soul – by helping to save the one man on earth who was more greedy and sour than himself. We come to find that self sacrifice can make a difference in the end.

American Stage, 163 3rd Street North

The Night Before at freeFall Theatre

December 3-24

There’s no place like home for the holidays. It’s snowing in sunny Florida when a group of friends and a surly house cat named Stephen Sondheim gather around the piano for a night of fun, music and games. Alternately hilarious and heartwarming, The Night Before is delightfully reminiscent of classic holiday TV specials, yet refreshingly modern in its depiction of one fabulous night with the family you choose. 

freeFall Theatre, 6099 Central Avenue

Miracle at Mezzo

Black Friday through New Year’s Eve

The Miracle Bar has more than 80 locations globally, with pop ups in major destinations like Greece, Paris and Montreal.

Miracle at Mezzo begins on Black Friday and will continue through New Year’s Eve. An early teaser from the Miracle at Mezzo Instagram account shows The Christmas Carol Barrel — a super festive cocktail made with rum, aquavit, amaro, pumpkin, lemon, orange, and bitters.

Intermezzo, 1111 Central Avenue

A Very Merry Market at Great Explorations Children’s Museum

December 8

Shop local this holiday season at the 8th annual Very Merry Market, presented by Great Explorations Children’s Museum and Sunken Gardens! This free indoor and outdoor market supports local artisans and independent businesses, as well as 2 local non-profits: Great Explorations Children’s Museum and the historic Sunken Gardens.

Great Explorations, 1925 4th Street North

Cookies with Santa

December 10 and 17

Decorate gingerbread cookies, meet Santa and his elves, and purchase small gifts (all items $5 and under) for friends and family! Free gift wrapping provided.

Reserve your spot in advance.

Boyd Hill Pioneer Settlement, 2900 31st St S

Boca Ciega Lighted Boat Parade

December 11

Each year, BCYC members and invited friends come together to spread holiday joy by decking the hulls and heading out on Boca Ciega Bay to parade the BCYC way.

Participants need only a simple fee to enter – two (or more!) unwrapped toys for Operation Santa. Operation Santa, coordinated by the Gulfport Police Department, collects toys for the children of Gulfport whose holidays would not be as cheerful without the generosity of the community. Boca Ciega Yacht Club is proud to have been part of Operation Santa for over 20 years.

Boca Ciega Yacht Club, 4600 Tifton Drive South

SnowFest at North Straub Park

December 18

Take a stroll along the waterfront to see thousands of holiday lights and decorations in North Straub ParkSouth Straub ParkPioneer ParkVinoy Park, and the St. Pete Pier.

Don’t miss the giant greeting card display along Bayshore Dr. at Vinoy Park made by local teens and participants from St. Petersburg’s recreation centers.

Enjoy snow in the park from 9am-2pm.

North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Drive NE

Ocean Air Holiday Market

December 30

Enjoy a special edition of the Ocean Air Market. This time, meet in the garden as it is transformed into a winter wonderland.

Holiday market 5-8 PM with 12 + local vendors, ice skating rink, food and drink specials and live music. Parking subject to daily rate. Entry to event is free. Ice skating available for additional cost. 

Postcard Inn, 6300 Gulf Boulevard

Ice Skating Rink at Postcard Inn on the Beach

December 28-January 3

The hotel’s Garden Courtyard will transform into a 2,000 square foot Winter Wonderland featuring a synthetic ice-skating rink lined with gorgeous Gulf views, swaying palm trees  and magical sunsets. The Garden will be filled with holiday cheer featuring snow machines, lighting, and  surprises for all ages. Guests can warm up by the fire pit with holiday treats, delicious cocktails, and hot  cocoa.  

Postcard Inn, 6300 Gulf Boulevard

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