Our Favorite Things to Do Thanksgiving Break in Tampa Bay
Thanksgiving break is here and we can hardly believe it! If you’ve decided to stay home for the Thanksgiving week, don’t fret. We’re sharing some awesome things to do during Thanksgiving Break in Tampa Bay.
Whether you are looking for a way to beat cabin fever or need a place to send the kids for the day while you head into the office or run last-minute errands, our guide is here for you. So, let’s dive in, friends!
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Updated November 2024
Go to Camp! Thanksgiving Week Camps for Kids in Tampa Bay are ready to entertain!
If you need a day to prepare or still need to head into the office, it’s not too late to register your child or children for a fun day camp at some of our favorite places like Glazer Children’s Museum, MOSI, and more! We’ve got a full list of Thanksgiving break camps in Tampa Bay here.
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Race in a Local Turkey Trot
Pre-burn all of those Thanksgiving calories and race in a local Turkey Trot! There are several on schedule in Tampa Bay including the YMCA’s Turkey Gobble. We’re sharing some of our favorite Turkey Trots in Tampa Bay here.
Get into the holiday spirit in Tampa Bay:
Don’t forget to explore our top picks of the BEST Christmas Events in Tampa Bay!
Snap a photo with Santa Claus!
We’re sharing some of our favorite spots to snap photos with Santa including local shopping centers like International Plaza, and Bass Pro Shops, and special events like Christmas Town at Busch Gardens and Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa. See our complete list of where to take pictures with Santa in Tampa Bay here.
Admire the twinkling holiday lights at displays throughout Tampa Bay
There are several beautiful holiday light displays in Tampa Bay with some spots offering drive-thru opportunities so you don’t have to get out of your car like the Chick-fil-A on Waters Avenue in Tampa and the Wonderland of Christmas Lights at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds in Dover. We have 18+ holiday light events to discover in Tampa Bay here.
Explore Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
When: Daily from November 15, 2024 through January 5, 2025
Walk among the millions of twinkling lights while making contact-free visits with holiday characters like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa! The ice-skating show will be performed outdoors and there’s even a new fireworks display. Don’t forget to hop aboard the holiday train to sing along to your favorite Christmas tunes while at Christmas Town.
‘Tis the Season at Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa
When: Select nights November 24-December 23, 2024
ZooTampa lights up with holiday magic during this year’s modified event! Make an online reservation to attend Christmas in the Wild. This year’s Christmas in the Wild promises to be the biggest and brightest yet! They’re not only adding new animal light sculptures, but you’ll still get to enjoy returning favorites like the illuminated Ice Cavern. 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!
Holidays at LEGOLAND
When: Select days November 29 and December 31, 2024
Have some LEGO-loving kids (and kids at heart) in the family? Take them to LEGOLAND Resort to celebrate the holidays! Holidays at LEGOLAND will be celebrated on select dates in November 29 and December 31! This BRICKtacular event features unforgettable seasonal shows, LEGO holiday character experiences, sweet treats, and special activities. Light displays will twinkle throughout the park and a giant LEGO Christmas tree is sure to mesmerize guests with its 360-degree light show.
Go Ice-Skating at Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa
When: November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025
WinterVillage at Curtis Hixon Park is scheduled to return to downtown Tampa! The outdoor ice-skating rink is back and like last year, you’ll want to book your reservation ahead of time to guarantee a spot on the ice. The park will be illuminated with beautiful lights and you can even shop locally at the outdoor market featuring local small businesses and artisans. NEW this year – check out holiday-themed ice skating shows on select nights!
Visit Gingerbread Village at the Glazer Children’s Museum
When: November 2-December 31, 2024
Head up to the second floor of the museum to step foot into a gingerbread-inspired wonderland kicking off on November 2 and running through the end of December. Your kiddos can build their very own gingerbread house out of recycled materials like cardboard, pipe cleaners, and more and then add their creation to the village.
Cut down your own Florida Christmas Tree at Ergle Tree Farm
When: Now open!
Yes, you can absolutely cut down your own Christmas Tree and it’s an easy drive away from Tampa at Ergle Tree Farm in Dade City. If you still love the look of the trees from up north, they have a tree lot too! This is something you have to do at least once in Florida because…why not??
YuleTides Holiday at the Florida Aquarium
When: November 29, 2024-January 5, 2025
The Florida Aquarium is excited to introduce an all-new holiday experience for 2024: YuleTides at The Florida Aquarium. Guests are invited to dive into the magic of the season with the immersive event that brings coastal holiday traditions to life. See the towering Christmas tree made from upcycled beach materials, stroll along an enchanting tree trail in the Aquatic Lounge, meet Santa at a special meet and greet in Santa’s Wharf (select dates only), enjoy special character appearances by Rocky and Tango, and embrace coastal holiday vibes with breathtaking sand sculptures. YuleTides is included with general admission.
Volunteer your time or give back to help other families:
Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent
Metropolitan Ministries is seeing an increased need in our community due to the high cost of living and expects to serve 32,000 families in Tampa Bay this holiday season. You can help local families by making food donations and even toy donations for the holidays. Kids as young as 8 may volunteer in the Holiday Tents with their families. There is a great need for volunteers to give their time this year. Learn more here.
Feeding Tampa Bay
Feeding Tampa Bay recently opened a brand-new facility to help assist more families in need. Did you know kids as young as 5 can volunteer with their parents at Feeding Tampa Bay? If you are not able to attend a volunteer event in person, your donations are needed now more than ever. Take the kids along on a shopping trip to help fulfill the needs at Feeding Tampa Bay. Learn more about how your family can help.
More Ways Your Family Can Support Those In Need:
- 12+ Places to Donate New Toys in Tampa Bay
- A Season of Giving: 10 Ways Your Family Can Give Back in Tampa Bay
- Paws for Literacy and other cool volunteer programs for kids at the Humane Society
Explore Tampa Bay with your friends and family:
Here are some of our favorite features about local things to do around Tampa Bay that aren’t holiday-related.
- Explore Awesome NEW Parks: Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland and Coachman Park in Clearwater
- Our Favorite Family-Friendly Beaches in Tampa Bay
- Swim with Manatees in Crystal River
Check out cool exhibits on display now in Tampa Bay:
We’ve had some pretty amazing exhibits open in Tampa Bay over the last year, so Thanksgiving break is the perfect time to experience what’s NEW in our area with your family and guests…and even some NEW-ish exhibits we still love.
Aqua Lanterns at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
CMA illuminates with beautiful Chinese lanterns featuring wildlife from the water and land. The exhibit spans all three floors, and there’s even a gorgeous light tunnel you can walk through. Aqua Lanterns is an after-hours event that requires a separate ticket from the normal daytime admission. It illuminated on Wednesday through Sunday evenings.
Read, question, think, and play with the Questioneers at Glazer Children’s Museum
Through January 5, join The Questioneers at GCM to read, question, think, and play! Based on the book series, this exhibit will celebrate S.T.E.A.M (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) along with the book’s characters – Iggy, Rosie, Ada, Sofia, and Aaron. Kids will be able to use S.T.E.A.M to solve everyday mysteries and think more critically about the world.
LEGO Ferrari Race & Build Experience at LEGOLAND Florida
Sit inside a life-sized Ferrari made out of LEGO bricks! While you’re there, build your own race car from LEGO bricks and give it a spin on different courses.
MOSI Grossology
Get ready to be enGROSSed in an experience that’SNOT to be missed! This fall, MOSI, Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry, is bringing you an exhibit that’s equal parts fun and fascinating: Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body, presented by Florida Blue. Starting September 14, and included with your MOSI admission, this limited-time exhibit is a must-see (and must-smell!) for curious kids and their families.
Dive into the slimy, stinky, and utterly intriguing world of Grossology, where the science of the human body gets a playful twist. This exhibit is all about the gross stuff our bodies do—like burping, sweating, and even oozing snot—and it’s packed with interactive fun that will make you giggle and gasp!
MORPH’D at The Florida Aquarium
Get ready to come face to face with some truly amazing creatures! You’ll see the unique American paddlefish which is one of only two paddlefish species found on Earth! The archerfish are also known as “spitting fish” since they’re known for spitting at their prey in order to catch them. You can also come nose to nose with axolotls which kids love! MORPH’D is part of a multi-year transformation of the beloved aquarium.
TECO Manatee Viewing Center | Opens Nov 1 for the season
This is a wonderful outdoor adventure for the entire family! You can walk the stroller-friendly boardwalks to view the manatees as they seek the warmth of the clean water coming from the B Bend Power Station. There is also an observation tower along the trail and plenty of spaces to enjoy an outdoor picnic and it’s FREE. We’re sharing more details about the TECO Manatee Viewing Center and what to expect when you go.
FloridaRAMA| Open Thursday-Monday
FloridaRAMA (formerly Fairgrounds St. Pete) is an immersive art experience that has made its mark in Tampa Bay! Fairgrounds St. Pete is art an exhibit like you’ve never seen, heard, or even smelled before. More than 60 artists were commissioned to bring it together.
Celebrate the Holidays on the Farm
A few local farms will be opening for the holiday season during Thanksgiving Break! HarvestMoon Fun Farm in Masaryktown and Raprager Family Farm in Odessa both have scheduled openings after Thanksgiving Day. We’re dishing on the details here.