The holidays are expensive, so why not save a bit with these awesome free and cheap holiday events in Tampa Bay! We're sharing everything from beautiful holiday light displays to free community events and free photos with Santa to carry you through the season.We'll be adding more events and information as they're announced for 2025, so be sure to check back here often for great free and cheap holiday events in the area!Related: 40+ Free Things to Do with the Kids in Tampa BayThis guide is divided up into categories to help you locate the type of event you are looking for:
Our Favorite Free and Cheap Holiday Events and Lights
Free Holiday Parades and Lighted Holiday Boat Parades
Where to Take Free and Cheap Photos with Santa in Tampa Bay
Kick off the holiday season with the James Museum's newest tradition – the annual lighting of their 12-foot Yule Cactus! There will be free events throughout the evening, including family-friendly art making and photos, with Cowboy Santa with local artist Chad Mize turning on the lights at 7 p.m.The event takes place on our first floor, and it is free to attend. Museum admission needed for gallery access.
Our Favorite Free and Cheap Holiday Events in Tampa Bay for Families
(Events listed in order of launch date.)Â
When we say cheap that means we're only including events that are $25 or less for a family of four to attend. There is the possibility of having to pay to park at some of the free holiday events, but we'll make a notation of this on the event listing.Updated November 2025
Sparkman Wharf is getting a holiday twist with Winter Wonder Wharf! The Tree Lighting will take place at 7 pm. New this year, AR Workshop will host holiday crafts for all ages! There will also be an ice-skating act, LED drummers, a Rockettes-style show, special photo ops, a live DJ, and more!
When: Friday, November 21, 2025, through Sunday, January 4, 2026
Where: Curtis Hixon Park in Downtown Tampa
Cost: FREE to attend |Â Parking may cost youÂ
Winter Village is free to attend; however, additional activities like ice skating will cost money. Ice skating is $17, which includes skate rental. There are other activities, including street curling, shopping from a bunch of local boutiques in the Village, and enjoying the beautiful holiday light show at Curtis Hixon Park!
This precious craft fair and bake sale takes place the weekend before Thanksgiving at Seminole Heights United Methodist Church, but it is still a great event to have on your date idea radar. If you want a cozy small-town feel for the Thanksgiving season, this charming fair has it!
Kick off the holiday season with local artists, creators, and local businesses! The Tampa Bay Holiday Market & Expo will be a great place to spend the day with shoping, seasonal treats, live entertainment, DIY Workshops, and more!
When: Saturday and Sunday, November 22-23, 2025, 10 am – 5 pm
Where: 1 N Pinellas Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Cost: Free to attend
If you like getting your holiday shopping done right after Thanksgiving, but the idea of waiting in Black Friday lines pains you, you’re not alone! Shop small, walk off the stuffing and avoid the lines by heading to the Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Festival in Tarpon Springs the weekend after turkey day.Local craft vendors will take over Court Street, giving you the perfect opportunity to get a head start on your shopping.
When: November 27, 2025-January 4, 2026, 5 pm-10 pm
Where: 101 Central Park Dr., Largo
Cost: Free to attend, rides do have a fee
The annual family-friendly tradition at Largo Central Park will feature a spectacular holiday light display of over two million dazzling LED lights. Guests can also enjoy a stunning carousel and a seven-story Ferris wheel that offers breathtaking views of the lighted park. Rides are $6 each or 10 for $50. Â It is free to park and stroll among the sparkly Christmas lights. Minimum height for the carousel is 36″ and 56″ for the Ferris wheel.
Where: Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo: 12520 Ulmerton Road
Cost: Free to attend, but donations appreciated
The gardens sparkle with one million LED lights that twinkle in a variety of bright colors. Vibrant laser lights and lighted figures are sure to wow guests of all ages. The Children’s Candy Cane Area will provide free kids' crafts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings.
Where: Florida Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds in Plant City
Cost: last year's cost was $8.85 per adult, $7.08 per child ages 4-12 and $44.16 for a Season Pass
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.
Kick off the holiday season with a tree lighting in North Straub Park with the Mayor and Santa with a Santa Parade and Tree Lighting! Stand along the pedestrian walkways at North and South Straub Parks in St. Petersburg for this free light show on the water. There will also be Christmas lights and displays at Pioneer Park, Vinoy Park, and the St. Pete Pier.
When: November 28-December 22, 2025, on select nights
Where: 11919 Alric Pottberg Rd., Shady Hills
Cost: $25 for a carload of people
Drive one mile through a beautiful display of larger-than-life holiday lights at the Concourse in Shady Hill's annual Celebration of Lights event. You can also park to board a mini train over to Safety Town, a miniature town decorated with lights. Santa will even be there!
Cost: FREE to participate |Â Parking may cost youÂ
Take a stroll along the Tampa Riverwalk among the festive holiday lights as the area transforms into a winter wonderland! Major highlights of this walk include a 35-foot-tall LED lighted Christmas tree that floats in the harbor, a 30-foot-tall LED panel Christmas tree synchronized to music, a holiday selfie station at Water Wrks Park, a floating gingerbread lighted display, a lighted pine tree forest by Curtis Hixon Park, and much more! Hotels, restaurants, and bars along the Riverwalk will also have festive lighted displays.
When: December 5, 10:30–11:30 a.m. and December 9, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Location: 150 Central Ave., St. Pete
We welcome our youngest learners and their caregivers each month. Grab your stroller and come for a morning filled with art, touchable objects, stories, songs and a chance to connect with other adults. Ages 0-3 with an adult. Includes museum admission.
While this is not a free event, a family of 4 can participate for about $20 with wristbands. Kids and adults can enjoy a toboggan slide! There will also be inflatables, arts and crafts, and more!
The biggest Christmas event in north Pinellas returns to beautiful, historic downtown Tarpon Springs. This FREE event gets bigger and better every year! Snow Place features snow slides, visit with Santa, write and mail your letter to Santa, Holiday movies, street performers, children’s Christmas activities, DJ, Live performers, Christmas music & more.
The entrance fee is only $12 per person. Children two and under are free. Take a festive stroll through the park, which is lit up with holiday lights, watch The Grinch Show, explore the Grinch Village, and Live Nativity! The Christmas Carnival and Water Sleigh Ride cost additional.
Abominable is the story of an adventurous teen named Yi who encounters a young yeti on the roof of her apartment building in Shanghai. She embarks on an epic journey to reunite the magical creature with his family. But to do so, they must stay one step ahead of a wealthy financier and determined zoologist who want to capture the beast for their own gain.The runtime is 1h 32m, and the film is rated PG. Suitable for children 6 years and older with an adult. Museum admission is sold separately.
The Annual Jingle Bell Bazaar is a fun, festive holiday event in Historic Ybor City featuring live music, entertainment, food trucks, and a large holiday market
The Palma Sola Botanical Gardens is stringing up acres of lights for a wonderful Winter Nights Under the Lights! There will also be a holiday gift market, holiday music, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Toys for Tots, and more!
Cost: Free to attend, Holiday Trolley tickets are $5 before December 12.
Celebrate the season in Safety Harbor with holiday lights, festive cheer, cozy campfires, and family-friendly activities. Take a ride on the Holiday Trolley to Merry Lane—tickets are $5 if purchased by December 12, $7 after.This community favorite is free to attend and fun for all ages, and offers free parking and shuttle at Harborside Church.
When school is out, family fun is IN at The James! Drop by the studio to create winter-inspired art —experiment with icicle painting, snowflake gelli prints, puffy snow painting, and more.The studio will be open on each event day from 1 p.m.–4 p.m. Ages 4–12; children must be accompanied by an adult. Included with admission; free for members. Space is limited.
Free and Cheap Holiday Events to be Announced for 2025
Local Clearwater businesses are hosting this holiday celebration including a Christmas tree lighting, caroling, parade, a Christmas market and more. Free admission.
Ruth Eckerd Hall this is a FREE event at Coachman Park that will feature a snowfall, a magical ride around The Sound on a Polar Express train, pictures with Santa, and a Gingerbread mini putt-putt. Tel-an-Elf, where kids can video chat with Santa’s elves at the North Pole, games, and more. There will also be a screening of the film The Polar Express at 7 pm.
Free Holiday Parades and Boat Parades in Tampa Bay
A boat parade is probably one of the most “Florida” ways to celebrate the holidays, other than building a sand snowman on the beach. And here in Tampa Bay, with our wonderful waterways, we’ve got quite a few of them. During December, fill your calendar with these holiday boat parades around the Bay. All events are free to watch; however, you might have to pay for parking.
Where: Albert Whitted Park to 5th Ave. NE, St. Pete
The Santa Parade and Tree Lighting is the perfect way to kick off the holidays in St. Pete. The Santa Parade begins at Albert Whitted Park and then runs along Bayshore Drive to 5th Avenue NE. The tree lighting will follow so be sure to stick around!The Holiday Lighted Boat Parade in Tampa is on December 23, 2023.
Holiday Parade at Safety Harbor
When: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10 am
Where: Main Street of Safety Harbor
Beautifully decorated boats and an appearance by Santa at the end of the parade are just a few of the highlights. Further details will be released as the parade date gets closer. This parade will be held rain or shine.
The parade kicks off at 1 pm on Morgan Street and Madison Street and then travels west on Madison Street to Ashley Drive before turning north and ending at Ashley Drive and Cass Street. The best viewing is along Madison Street. After the parade, head to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park for Santa Fest entertainment and activities from 1 pm-4 pm, which will be followed by the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 pm with Mayor Castor and Santa Claus!After the tree is lit there will be a holiday movie shown in the park for free.
See the parade from the Gulfport Municipal Marina, Clam Bayou Nature Park, Osgood Point, Gulfport's Williams Pier, and the Gulfport Casino before passing by the Gulfport beach.The parade will then make it's way through the communities of Town Shores, Pelican Bay, Skimmers Point, Bayview Circle, past Kipps Colony, near the Pasadena Yacht & Country Club (note: due to the Marina, the boats can only get halfway down that canal), then along Dolphin Blvd, to the Pasadena Golf Club Estates, across to Isla del Sol.
Where: Best public viewing at ROC Park – Madeira Beach
This annual boat parade kicks off at ROC Park and ends at John’s Pass Village. There will be a Merry Market at ROC Park and there will also be holiday shopping at John's Pass with live holiday music.
The parade begins near the lighthouse off Davis Islands and travels past Sparkman Wharf, Harbour Island, and the Tampa Convention Center. The small parade boats will continue upriver past Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Ulele, finishing near Water Works Park and Armature Works.Spectators can enjoy free viewing at multiple locations along the Riverwalk! Check out this year's parade map here.
Last year, spectators watched the parade from a spectacular vantage point and participated in the events at Treasure Bay. A DJ, a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus, interactive entertainers, and food/beverage concessions were available to enhance the evening.
Head to the Insta-worthy Gallagher’s in St. Pete to pick up your Christmas Tree and experience more holiday fun like the snow machine, free visits with Santa on select dates and times, apple cider with donuts, poinsettias, and more! We recently chatted with Ciera Gallagher who owns the tree lot with her husband to learn more about their family business, Gallagher's Pumpkins and Christmas Trees.
FREE reservations are strongly suggested at all locations to secure your spot. Reservations may be made within a 7-day timeframe. Reserve your Santa visit time slot. Santa is back at Bass Pro Shop’s FREE Santa’s Wonderland experience! There will also be fun events for the whole family and weekday giveaways.Meet Santa at Bass Pro Shops in Tampa!
When: Friday, November 21, 2025, through Sunday, January 4, 2026
Cost: FREE to attend | Parking may cost youÂ
Celebrate the magic of the holiday season at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa with festive lights, ice skating, and more. Keep an eye out for Santa – he’ll be making a few surprise visits at Winter Village! Be sure to stay off the naughty list and stay tuned to the @WinterVillageTampa Facebook and Instagram pages for clues as to when you might be able to catch a glimpse of the man in red yourself. Bring your camera and prepare for a Santa experience like no other.
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.
Kids can visit with Santa in the South Lawn near the Armature Works Christmas Tree! There will also be a tree lighting with s'mores and a mini market for holiday shopping.
Bring your own blankets for a movie on the lawn of Curtis Hixon Park after enjoying a full day of festive fun during Santa Fest! The movie will start after the lighting of the Christmas tree.
When: December 6, 13, 20, 2025, all movies begin at 7 pm
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free to attend
The Crescent Lake Neighborhood Association is hosting a free movie in the park with a showing of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York at Vinoy Park on December 6, The Santa Clause at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve on December 13, and Miser Brothers Christmas at Huggins-Stengel Field on December 20.
Enjoy a night out at Winter Village with a stroll to view the holiday lights and maybe participate in a game of curling before the movie. There are two free holiday movie nights in partnership with the Tampa Theatre.
Grab your lawn chairs and blankets for a fun & free night out! Families can pick a special viewing spot in the park for a showing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
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