Look no further, your family’s 2026 guide for the best holiday lights in Tampa Bay is here! There’s no better way to put your family into the holiday spirit than touring one of the beautiful Christmas light displays.

Be sure to keep checking back as we will add more Christmas light displays as they are announced!

Our Favorite Family-Friendly 2026 Holiday Lights and Christmas Lights Displays in Tampa Bay:

Events are listed by COUNTY to help you find a holiday lights display near you. Keep in mind that dates and events are subject to change, so always check with the event website before heading out the door. We’ll continue updating this page as event dates are announced.

The BEST Christmas Lights in Tampa and Hillsborough County

Busch Gardens Christmas Town

Dates: Select days, November 13, 2026 – January 4, 2027
Location: 10165 McKinley Dr., Tampa

Going to Busch Gardens is a Tampa bucket list item year-round, but during the holiday event season, it’s even more enticing! With thousands of lights and decorations strung out across the park, Busch Gardens’ Christmas Town is a holiday event like no other. You can enjoy the signature thrill rides at night, watch the holiday shows, eat festive bites from all around the park, and more. Highlights this year include the return of the fireworks show and a Serengeti Light Show!

Ybor City 15th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 6 pm-9 pm
Location: Centro Ybor

Enjoy a spectacular holiday evening in Centro Ybor with live music, photos with Santa, snow machines, a holiday market, and a tree lighting. After the tree lighting, a holiday movie will be played to close out the evening!

River of Christmas Lights in Tampa with Pirate Water Taxi

Dates: Select dates, November 20 – January 3, 2027
Holiday Lighted Boat Parade on December 19, 2026, 6:15 pm
Location: Downtown Tampa

Don’t miss this very Florida way to view Christmas lights and holiday decorations! The Christmas Light cruise with Pirate Water Taxi departs from the Tampa Convention Center, and includes Holiday Christmas carols and a visit with pirate elves! Write a letter to Santa and pop it in the North Pole buoy. There is also a special Christmas light cruise for the Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade on December 19, 2026.

Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park in Downtown Tampa

Dates: November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Location: 600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa

Celebrating the 10th anniversary, experience the magic of the holiday season at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa at Winter Village! This year, the park sparkles with lights and festive holiday decorations and an expanded sensory experience. Guests can skate along downtown Tampa’s only outdoor ice rink while taking in views of the Tampa River Walk.

The Shops of Winter Village will feature over 70 local businesses throughout the holiday season. Shop Small Weekend is Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29, 2026, from 1-4 pm.

Tampa Bay Festival of Lights & Santa’s Village

Dates: November 26 – December 27, 2026
Location: Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, Dover

Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights & Santa’s Village returns with over 1.5 million lights across a 2-mile drive-thru. New this year is Santa’s Winter Woodlands, plus favorites like Under the Sea and Pirates of Tampa. In Santa’s Village, enjoy Tiny the Tanker, festive shows, kids’ crafts, games, Santa visits, camel rides, holiday rides, movies, firepits, and shopping in the Holiday Market and Historical Village. Celebrate hometown holiday magic with family and friends!

ZooTampa Christmas in the Wild in Tampa

Dates: Select nights, November 27 – December 31, 2026
Location: 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa

This year’s Christmas in the Wild will be the biggest and brightest yet! You’ll still get to enjoy returning favorites like the illuminated Ice Cavern, and experience new additions. Kids will also love exploring Gingerbread Jubilee, meeting Rudolph in person at Rudolph’s Reindeer Games, getting silly in the land of Ticky Tacky Christmas, and more!

ZooTampa Christmas in the Wild 2025 holiday lights — ZooTampa’s Christmas in the Wild will shine brighter than ever in 2025!

Christmas Lane in Plant City

Dates: November 27 – December 24, 2026
Location: 303 BerryFest Place, Plant City

The Florida Strawberry Festival fairgrounds is transformed into an enchanting winter wonderland. Take in the wonder of the 1.5 million lights that adorn 200 Christmas trees from 4 to 40 feet. They will have rides, food, live entertainment, and a kids’ zone. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Rudolph will also be there to celebrate and take festive photos with guests.

Christmas at Dinosaur World

Dates: Select dates, November 27, 2026-January 3, 2027
Location: 5145 Harvey Tew Rd, Plant City

Dinosaur World is turning into a giant-filled winter wonderland this holiday season! Celebrate with miles of one of a kind dazzling lights, massive Christmas lantern displays, Christmas trees galore, and more! There will be a Christmas market filled with seasonal food and beverages. Hop on board the Candy Cane Express for a festive train ride and visit with Santa on select weekends!

Raprager Family Farms Old Fashioned Country Christmas

Dates: Late November through December 2026
Location: 16907 W Boy Scout Rd, Odessa

Raprager Family Farm is exploding with Christmas cheer as lights and decorations blanket the farm! Go on a holiday hayride and take a picture inside a giant inflatable snow globe, check out the lighted gingerbread village, hear stories from Mrs. Claus, or pay a visit to Santa and take pictures with him at his workshop.

In addition to holiday-themed attractions, there will be a corn pit, playground, live music, crop maze, and more! There will also be extra activities for an additional cost, like a petting zoo, bounce pillow, and more! While you are there, be sure to stop by the Sweet Shop for some warm cinnamon-roasted nuts, hot cocoa, and Christmas fudge.

Burton Family Light Show

Dates: 2026 TBA
Location: 2014 Sydney Rd., Valrico

Every year the Burton family puts together a spectacularly choreographed holiday light show! Don’t miss out on one of the biggest neighborhood light displays in the Tampa Bay Area!

Water Street Season Spectacular

Date: 2026 TBA
Location: Water Street Tampa

Step into the magic of the holidays at the 4th Annual Season Spectacular filled with twinkling lights, joyful music, and festive cheer! This enchanting evening marks the official lighting of the neighborhood and the start of the holiday season. Attend a seasonal event like the Holiday Promenade and much more! You can see the full lineup of events at Water Street here.

Happy Holidaze: Christmas with a Florida Twist

Dates: 2026 TBA
Location: FloridaRAMA, St. Petersburg

Get swept up in the HoliDAZE at FloridaRAMA, a holiday celebration with a Florida twist! Explore a playful art paradise featuring a portal-trapped Christmas tree, gravity-defying ice rink, mischievous panther elves, flamingos in Santa hats and 15+ Florida-themed trees. Shop Florida-inspired treats in Lucy Sparrow’s Quick Shop and add Neon Minigolf December 18–January 5 for extra glow and festive fun!

Christmas Lights at Chick-fil-A on Waters Avenue

Dates: 2026 TBA
Location: 6299 W Waters Ave., Tampa

Visit the most festive Chick-fil-A in Tampa Bay and check out their annual Christmas lights display! Santa will also be there on select dates so be sure to stop by and say hello.

Riverwalk Holiday Decor Challenge

Dates: 2026 TBA
Location: All along the Tampa Riverwalk and Hillsborough River

Enjoy the holiday decor displays from businesses, homes, condos, and apartments along the Riverwalk!

Victorian Christmas Stroll at Henry B Plant Museum in Tampa

Dates: 2026 TBA
Location: 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa

The Victorian Christmas Stroll is back for its 44th year! It’s the perfect way to step back into time at the Henry B Plant Museum and be dazzled by the beautifully decorated rooms. Peek at one special Christmas morning as experienced by President Theodore Roosevelt and his family, and explore the true meaning of the holiday as hotel staff members take time from their duties to prepare gifts for needy local families. Guests will also delight in the display of antique ornaments and Santa figurines, have the opportunity to view authentic goosefeather trees, and period fashions!

Holiday Spectacular on the Tampa Riverwalk and Water Works Park

Dates: 2026 TBA
Location: 1710 N Highland Ave, Tampa

Take a stroll along the Tampa Riverwalk among the festive holiday lights as the area transforms into a winter wonderland. Highlights include a 35-foot-tall LED-lighted Christmas tree that floats in the harbor, a floating gingerbread lighted display, and a lighted pine tree forest. Hotels, restaurants, and bars along the Riverwalk will also have festive lighted displays.

Temple Terrace Drive-Bay Lights Display

Dates: 2026 TBA
Location: 7804 River Ridge Rd, Tampa

This neighborhood is one of the top areas to go see amazing holiday lights in Tampa Bay! The community has been hard at work putting together a display you can watch from your car. Tune to 95.5 FM as you approach to listen to the music as it’s synchronized with the lights.

City of Tampa Santa Fest & Tree Lighting

Date: 2026 TBA
Location: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park

The parade begins at 1 p.m. on Morgan Street and Madison Street. It travels west on Madison Street to Ashley Drive, turns north, and ends at Ashley Drive and Cass Street. The best place to view the parade is along Madison Street.

Stay for the Tampa Tree Lighting entertainment starting 6 p.m. See Mayor Castor and Santa Claus light up the tree before a holiday movie plays in the park to end the day!

The Light of Christmas, First Baptist Church, Plant City

Date: 2026 TBA
Location: 3309 James L Redman Parkway, Plant City

This free, synchronized light show features over 80,000 lights, great music, and a message of hope for the Christmas season. The 35-minute program runs nightly from 6-10 pm through January 1st. Experience the joy and love of the holiday season!

The Best Christmas Lights in St. Pete and Pinellas County

Robert’s Christmas Wonderland in Clearwater

Dates: Open daily
Location: 2951 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater

If you’ve never been to Robert’s Christmas Wonderland, make this the year you go! For many of us long-time residents, it’s become a family tradition to visit this store, which is actually open year-round. They have the most magical display of lighted Christmas trees, which you can wander through, and a wide selection of ornaments and holiday decor. While it sounds a bit crazy to mention a store in our top picks of holiday lights, when you go, you’ll see why it made our list!

Holiday Lights & Rides at Largo Central Park

Dates: November 26, 2026 – January 3, 2027, 5-10 pm
Location: 101 Central Park Dr., Largo

The annual family-friendly tradition at Largo Central Park will feature a spectacular holiday light display of over 2.5 million dazzling LED lights! Guests can also enjoy a stunning carousel and a Ferris wheel that offers breathtaking views of the lighted park. Rides are $6 each or 10 for $50.

Holiday Lights in The Gardens at The Florida Botanical Gardens

Dates: November 27, 2026-January 2, 2027, 5:30-9:30 pm
Location: The Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Rd., Largo

The gardens sparkle with more than one million LED lights that twinkle in a variety of bright colors! Vibrant laser lights and lighted figures wow guests of all ages. The Botanical Bounty Gift Show will be open from 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. if youre looking for special garden-themed gifts to give for Christmas!

Donations of $10 per person over 12 years old will be graciously accepted. These donations will help maintain the garden and provide programming.

Waterfront Lights in St. Petersburg

Dates: November 28, 2026 – January 1, 2027
Location: Downtown St. Petersburg

Enjoy twinkling light displays along the waterfront in North Straub Park, South Straub Park, Pioneer Park, and the St. Pete Pier!

Safety Harbor Tree Lighting Ceremony

Date: Friday, December 4, 2026, 6-7:30 pm
Location: Gazebo at John Wilson Park

Bring your family and friends out to enjoy the lighting of Safety Harbor’s giant Christmas tree! Choirs will warm up the crowd for a visit from Santa Claus.

Safety Harbor’s Harbor Holiday Nights at Folly Farm and Safety Harbor

Dates: Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12, 2026, 6-9:30 pm
Location: Folly Farm Nature Preserve

Enjoy holiday lights, a campfire, children’s activities, a trolley light tour, shopping, crafts, and more! Harbor Holiday Nights is FREE. The Jolley Trolley ride to Merry Lane has a ticket fee.

FloridaRAMA Christmas Decor — FloridaRAMA’s Christmas decor is awesome! Photo by Laura Byrne.

FloridaRAMA in St. Pete

Dates: 2026 TBA
Location: 2606 Fairfield Ave. S., St. Pete

FloridaRAMA already has the perfect, colorful canvas to create one of the coolest holiday light displays you’ll see in Tampa Bay! There are so many hidden elements to discover, and they usually do a holiday scavenger hunt. We love all the themed Christmas trees in each exhibit, too!

St. Petersburg Drive by Christmas Lights Neighborhoods in Seminole, St. Pete

Dates: 2026 TBA
Location: 5771 Roosevelt Blvd, Seminole Neighborhood, St. Petersburg

Drive through 3+ miles of St. Petersburg Christmas lights’ neighborhoods from 6 pm to 10 pm for a St. Petersburg Christmas light display and Christmas light show you’ll never forget! This 3.2-mile Christmas light drive-by tour takes place in the Seminole/St Petersburg subdivisions of Lake Park Estates, Wieker, Lakeside Estates, and Lake Seminole Village, where these St. Petersburg residents generously decorate their homes and yards with beautiful Christmas lights, Christmas decorations, and even more Christmas lights for Tampa Bay to drive by and enjoy!

The Oakdale Christmas House in St. Petersburg

Dates: 2026 TBA
Location: 2719 Oakdale St. S, St. Petersburg

Looking for a Christmas light display in St. Petersburg? Oakdale Christmas House in St. Pete offers an amazing walk-through Christmas light experience that is bigger and better than before! You’ll be amazed by the Oakdale Christmas House’s half-million twinkling lights which have been ranked as among the world’s best Christmas light displays! Featured on both HGTV and The Today Show, this event is not to be missed. The house is located at 2719 Oakdale Street South, St. Petersburg, FL.

Indian Trails Hot Cocoa and Holiday Lights Fundraiser

Dates: 2026 TBA
Location: Indian Trails, Palm Harbor (follow signs)

The Indian Trails neighborhood off Alderman Rd. and Omaha Street in Palm Harbor dazzles with a spectacular display of lights. Local meteorologist Denis Phillips will have a hot chocolate fundraiser along with items from his “Rule #7” collection. All proceeds go to the Children’s Miracle Network and Feeding Tampa Bay.

The Best Christmas Lights in Wesley Chapel and Pasco County

Tree Lighting + Symphony in Lights

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Location: The Shops at Wiregrass

Experience the magic and whimsy of the holiday season with dazzling lights and soft snowflakes presented by AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. Don’t miss out on this classic holiday tradition!

Holiday Tree Lighting and Stroll

Date: Saturday, December 6, 2026, 5-10 pm
Location: Largo Central Park

Largo Central Park has more than one million LED Christmas lights to enjoy as you stroll. There will also be a Strolling Market, carolers, and other entertainers for a holiday-centric night out! $10 on-site parking is limited, or you can park and walk from Largo Middle or Largo High School for $5. Free parking is available at Largo Middle School.

The North Pole Experience

Dates: 2026 TBA
Location: 3552 Ballastone Drive in Land O’ Lakes

A Land O’ Lakes man created an interactive holiday light and animatronic display in his front yard for the community called ‘The North Pole Experience.’ The North Pole Experience features multiple themed areas and scavenger hunts for children and adults!

The Best Christmas Lights in Masaryktown and Hernando County

Celebration of Christmas Lights in Shady Hills

Dates: S2026 TBA
Location: Concourse, Shady Hills

Enjoy a great Christmas lights and holiday lights display in the Port Richey area. This Christmas light event takes place at the Concourse in Shady Hills in Pasco. Go on a one-mile drive through a larger-than-life holiday light display and then park to take a ride on the Grand Concourse Railroad through the lighted Christmas Wonderland to Safety Town, which is decorated in lights for the holidays.

Christmas Under the Moon at HarvestMoon Fun Farm in Masaryktown

Dates: 2026 TBA
Location: 15990 Stur St., Masaryktown

Head to HarvestMoon Fun Farm for their very first dazzling Christmas light display! You can also take a stroll down Christmas Tree Lane, visit with the animals in the petting farm, sip on some Hot Chocolate, munch on some Kettle Corn, and more!

Tickets are $$14.95 per person for ages 3 and up. Kids ages 2 and under are free. Activities included with admission: Jumping Pillow, Petting Farm, Cow Train, Ball Zone, Hill Slide, Swings, Arts & Crafts, Photo Ops, an enchanted hayride, and more!

The Best Christmas Lights in Polk County and Auburndale

Wonderland of Christmas Lights & Santa’s Christmas Village in Auburndale

Dates: Select nights from December 3-26, 2026
Location: 1052 US-92, Auburndale

This is a drive-through Christmas lights event! First, you and your family will drive through Christmas lights for a mile to experience spectacular lights! New this year are Holiday Igloo Experiences and Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides. After seeing the drive-through Christmas lights, you can visit Santa’s Village featuring rides, entertainment, a visit with Santa, and Holiday activities for children and adults of all ages! Visitors are also encouraged to bring a toy for Toys for Tots.

Snowfest: A Walk in the Snow

Date: December 5, 2026, 5-9 pm
Location: Downtown Lakeland, Lake Mirror Park

Head to Lake Mirror Park, where man-made snow will be falling as visitors enter the designated event area! There will also be arts, crafts, vendors, a beautiful 30-foot-tall Christmas tree, entertainment, food trucks, and more! Grab some hot cocoa while you check out the artisan markets and enjoy the festive lights!

Shimmering Lights Winter Festival at Sun Kissed Acres in Dover

Dates: 2026 TBA
Location: 2302 N Dover Rd., Dover

Enjoy family-friendly seasonal music, sights, sounds, and lights to enjoy along with games and activities at Shimmering Lights! This is a self-guided 1/3-mile walking trail through dancing lights to music. New pieces have been added this year, and the FOAM play area has been brought back for select nights at an additional cost of $7—just be sure to bring some dry clothes! They ask you to wear comfortable close closed-toed shoes and bring bug spray just in case the mosquitoes come out. Tickets are $8 for everyone 3 and older in advance and $9 at the gate.

Light Up Bonnet Springs Park

Dates: 2026 TBA
Location: 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd, Lakeland

Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland is hosting Light UP BSP, a free community event featuring themed activities, holiday lights along the boardwalk, live performances, character meet-and-greets, and more.

The Best Christmas Lights in Citrus County

Holiday Lights at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park’s Winter Waterland

Dates: 2026 TBA
Location: 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee

The entrance fee is only $8.24 per person. Children two and under are free. Take a festive stroll through the park, which is lit up with holiday lights, and take a picture with Santa and his mermaid elves, and MORE! This year’s event highlights include The Grinch show, Grinch Village, Christmas Carnival (incurs an additional fee), live nativity, and a water sleigh ride!

The Best Christmas Lights in Sarasota

Winter Nights Under the lights at Palma Sola Botanical Gardens in Bradenton

Dates: December 1-20, 2026
Location: 9800 17th Avenue NW, Bradenton

The Palma Sola Botanical Gardens is hosting families for this free holiday lights event in the gardens! Enjoy acres of lights, music, food trucks, hot cider, a gift market, a visit from Santa, and more! There will be donation boxes throughout the park if you feel inclined to make a donation to help support the community gardens.

Lights in Bloom 2026

Dates: December 5, 2026 – January 2, 2027, 5:30 pm early entry, 6:30 pm general entry
Location: 1534 Mound St., Sarasota

Lights in Bloom features more than two million lights illuminating the gardens and walkways of Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus! Step into a tropical wonderland with photo ops, activities, and entertainment for the whole family. There will also be food and beverages available for purchase.

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