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 2026, 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 Bay This 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
Free Holiday Movies in the Park

Featured Holiday Events

Storytime with Mayor Jane Castor at Gingerbread Village at Glazer Children’s Museum

Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 9:30 am-5:00 pm
Location: Clearwater

Join Mayor Jane Castor for a special story time at GCM! Families are invited to design and build gingerbread-inspired houses and structures using recycled and everyday materials. Add your creation to our growing village or take it home. Either way, you’re helping bring this festive landscape to life.

Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent

Date: Opens Monday, November 9-Christmas Eve, December 24th 2026
Location: 4900 W Lemon St, Tampa, FL 33609

Metropolitan Ministries’ flagship community outreach program is a beacon of hope known as the Holiday Tent with the goal of aiding individuals, families, children, and seniors in need with food and toys for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year, with the help of community donations and 30+ collaborative partners, Metro expects to serve over 30,000 families and children. You can support this mission by volunteering as a family or donating food and toys. Learn more at metromin.org/holiday-central.

Yuletide on the Range

Date: December 8, 2026, 5–8 pm
Location: The James Museum, 150 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL

Cowboy Santa invites you to kick off the holiday season at The James Museum in downtown St. Pete for a festive and fun celebration. Come see the 12-foot Yule Cactus, enjoy art making for all ages, photos with Cowboy Santa, live music from Tampa Bay band Local Honey, and more! The event takes place on our first floor, and it is FREE to attend.

More Free and Cheap Holiday Events in Tampa Bay for Families

(Events listed in order of launch date.)

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. Updated November 2026

Season Spectacular

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026, 5-9 p.m.
Location: 971 Water St Tampa, FL 33602 United States

Step into the magic of the holidays at the 5th Annual Season Spectacular. A night where twinkling lights, joyful music, and festive cheer fill the air!

Symphony in Lights Kickoff

Date: Begins November 14, 2026
Location: 28211 Paseo Dr., Wesley Chapel

Kick off the holiday season with a tree lighting, live music, holiday market, alpine tubing slides, and more. This year’s event features double the drones and more than 300,000 lights! Santa will also make his grand entrance with the Pasco County Fire Rescue.

Donations benefiting the Christmas Wish Fund will be accepted to support local families in need.

University Town Center

Dates: November 14, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Location: University Town Center Sarasota

University Town Center in Sarasota is a must-visit for holiday shopping. But it’s also a great place to see more than four million lights, and ice skating rink, holiday movies, Wonderland Circus, and more!

Visit Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park

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

Get some shopping done at the holiday market, sip delicious drinks at the café, ice skate at Downtown Tampa’s only outdoor ice rink, and more at this iconic Tampa Bay Christmas event! Admission to the Winter Village is free, but some activities, like ice skating, require tickets. Skating is $17 per person and includes skate rentals and 75 minutes of skating time.

Tampa Bay Holiday Market & Expo

When: Saturday, November 21-22, 2026, 10 am-5 pm
Where: The Coliseum, St. Pete
Cost: Free to attend

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!

Holiday Lights & Rides at Largo Central Park

Date: November 26, 2026 – January 3, 2027, from 5-10 p.m.
Location: 101 Central Park Dr., Largo

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. It is free to park and stroll among the sparkly Christmas lights and the market vendors!

Holiday Lights in The Gardens at The Florida Botanical Gardens

Date: November 27, 2026 – January 3, 2027, from 5:30-9:30 p.m. nightly
Location: 12520 Ulmerton Rd., Largo

The gardens twinkle with one million LED lights in a variety of bright colors! Vibrant laser lights and lighted figures are sure to wow guests of all ages, and there will be live entertainment each week! A donation of $10 is suggested per person.

Holiday Spectacular on the Tampa Riverwalk and Water Works Park

Date: November 27, 2026, to January 3, 2027
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 holiday selfie station, a floating pirate ship display, a gingerbread lighted display, a lighted pine tree forest, and so much more!

Hotels, restaurants, and bars along the Riverwalk will also have festive lighted displays!

Christmas Lane in Plant City

Dates: Thursday-Sunday, November 27 – December 13, and nightly December 17-24, 2026
Location: 2508 West Oak Ave. 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 and Mrs. Claus will also be there to celebrate and take festive photos with guests.

Celebration of Christmas Lights in Shady Hills

Dates: November 27-29, December 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 21-22, Drive-through only, December 23, 26, and 27, 2026
Location: The Concourse

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, a short Christmas light drive away from Tampa. 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.

Holiday Lights & Displays in St. Petersburg

Dates: November 28, 2027 – January 1, 2027
Location: St. Pete Pier

Enjoy twinkling light displays, which dazzle even more reflected off the water at Pioneer Park, Vinoy Park, and the St. Pete Pier!

Holiday Promenade

Date: Thursday, December 3, 2026, 5-9 p.m.
Location: Water Street

Step into the magic of the season at The Holiday Promenade with a curated holiday market featuring 40+ local makers and artisans, live musical performances, falling snow, and seasonal food and beverage offerings.

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.

James Playdate: Winter Wonders

When: December 4 and December 8, 2026, 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.

Winter Wonder Wharf in Tampa

When: Friday, December 4, 2026, 5 pm-9 pm
Where: Sparkman Wharf in Tampa
Cost: FREE to attend | Parking may cost you

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!

There’s Snow Place Like Tarpon Springs

When: December 4, 2026, from 5 pm-10 pm
Where: 100 E. Tarpon Ave. Tarpon Springs, Florida

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.

Winter Wonderland in Oldsmar

When: Friday, December 4, 2026, 5-8:30 pm
Where: R.E. Olds Park in Oldsmar
Cost: Free to attend

Don’t miss this annual free event featuring a giant snow slide, pictures with Santa, concessions, bounce houses, and lots of family fun!

Snowfest: A Walk in the Snow

Date: December 5, 2026, 5-9 p.m.
Location: Downtown Lakeland, Lake Mirror Mark

Head to Lake Mirror 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, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Santa’s Workshop, a book giveaway, entertainment, food trucks, and more! Grab some hot cocoa while you check out the artisan markets and enjoy the festive lights of Lake Mirror.

St. Pete Holiday Movie in the Park

Date: December 5 and 12, 2026, movie begins at 7 p.m.
Location: varies

Enjoy a first-come, first-served, FREE holiday movie around the St. Pete area! December 5 is “Christmas with the Kranks” at Huggins-Stengel Field; December 12 is “Nightmare Before Christmas” at Vinoy Park.

Jingle Bell Bazaar at Centennial Park

Date: Sunday, December 13, 2026, from 12-6 p.m.
Location: 1800 E. 8th Ave, Tampa

The Annual Jingle Bell Bazaar is a fun, festive holiday event in Historic Ybor City featuring live music, performances, holiday vendors, photos with Santa, food trucks, and more! Join the fun in Centennial Park.

Winter Nights Under the lights in Bradenton

Dates: December 17-20, 2026, 6-9 p.m.
Location: Palma Sola Botanical Gardens

The Palma Sola Botanical Gardens is hosting families for this free holiday lights event in the gardens with live performances each night! There will be donation boxes throughout the park if you feel inclined to make a donation to help support the community gardens.

Celebration of Light in Homosassa

Dates: December 18-23 and 26, 2026, 5:30-9 p.m.
Location 4150 South Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa

The community can expect to see different entertainment and refreshments nightly. Enjoy a Winter Wonderland, a synchronized light, sound show and more! Donations will benefit the Friends of Homosassa Springs.

Family Artmaking: Holiday Break Open Studio

Dates: December 28, 2026,– January 2, 2027
Location: 150 Central Ave., St. Pete

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 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.

Waterfront Lights and Santa Parade in St. Petersburg

Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Location: 400 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg

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 a Christmas lights and displays at Pioneer Park, Vinoy Park and the new St. Pete Pier.

Holiday Parade at Safety Harbor

When: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 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. This parade will be held rain or shine.

City of Tampa Santa Fest Parade and Festivities

When: December 5, 2026, 1 pm
Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Cost: FREE to attend | Parking may cost you

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.

Annual Lighted Christmas Boat Parade

When: Saturday, December 12, 2026, 6 pm
Where: Begins at Gulfport Municipal Marina

See the 40th annual 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.

58th Annual Festival of Lights Boat Parade in Madeira Beach

When: December 12, 2026, 6:15 pm
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.

Annual Treasure Island Holiday Lighted Boat Parade and Celebration

Date: Saturday, December 19, 2026, at 6 p.m.

Watch the parade from a spectacular vantage point and participate in the events at Treasure Bay. A DJ, a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus, interactive entertainers, and food/beverage concessions will be available. The best viewing areas are Treasure Bay, Treasure Island Causeway, John’s Pass Bridge, Isle of Palms along 115th Ave., and St. James Bridge.

Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Lighted Boat Parade

Date: December 19, 2026, 6:15 p.m.
Location: Tampa Riverwalk

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.

Annual Palm Harbor Holiday Parade

When: December 5, 2026, 3 pm-8 pm
Where: The parade starts at Delaware and 12th Street

Don’t miss this FREE family fun tradition! There will be a Gift Market in the Harbor Hall parking lot.

Annual Tarpon Springs Holiday Boat Parade

When: Friday, December 12, 2026, 7 pm
Where: Craig Park, Tarpon Springs, FL

Vessels will begin at the Tarpon Landing Marina and will end in Spring Bayou at 8 p.m. Trophies will be awarded to the best-decorated boats!

Where to take FREE and cheap pictures with Santa

You will need to bring your camera to these photo ops, so be sure everything is fully charged before you go!

Santa at Bass Pro Shops

When: Beginning November 7, 2026
Where: 10501 Palm River Rd in Tampa

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.

Gallagher’s Pumpkins and Christmas Trees in St. Petersburg

When: Opening November 19, 2026. Follow on social for Santa dates.
Cost: Varies

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.

Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park in Downtown Tampa

When: November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Cost: FREE to attend | Parking may cost you

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.

Santa in the Park at North Straub Park in St Pete

When: December 12-13 and 18-23, 2026, 6 pm-9 pm
Cost: FREE to attend | Parking may cost you

Bring the kids out for free photos with Santa in Straub Park! Be sure to bring your own camera to capture the memories.

Free Holiday Movies in the Park

Holiday Movie in the Park in Tarpon Springs

When: December 4, 2026
Where: Craig Park: 100 Library Lane, Tarpon Springs
Cost: Free to attend

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 a Christmas movie.

Movie in the Park after Santa Fest in Downtown Tampa

When: December 5, 2026
Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa
Cost: Free to attend

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.

Holiday Movies in the Park at Crescent Lake Park in St. Pete

When: December 5 and 12, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free to attend

The Crescent Lake Neighborhood Association is hosting a free movie in the park with a showing of Christmas with the Kranks at Huggins-Stengel Field, and Nightmare Before Christmas at Vinoy Park. The movie starts at 7 p.m.

Tampa Theatre Holiday Movies at Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park

When: 2026 TBA
Where: Curtis Hixon Park in Downtown Tampa
Cost: FREE to attend | Parking may cost you

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.

To be Announced

Indian Rocks Beach Holiday Boat Parade

When: 2026 TBA
Where: Parade lineup at Holiday Inn Harbor Side

Parade will begin at the Walsingham Bridge, winding through the fingers and ending at Harbor Drive North.

34th Annual Tarpon Springs Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts Festival

When: 2026 TBA
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.

Harbor Holiday Nights at Folly Farm

When: 2026 TBA
Where: Folly Farm Nature Preserve, Safety Harbor
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.

Santa at Holiday Happening

When: 2026 TBA
Cost: Free to attend

Santa will be popping in at Hyde Park Village’s Holiday Happening for visits and photos with Santa and other fun activities!

Christmas Lights at Chick-Fil-A on Waters Avenue

When: 2026 TBA
Cost: Free. Food available for purchase.

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.

Santa and Mrs. Claus at Armature Works

When: 2026 TBA
Cost: FREE to attend | Parking may cost you

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.

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