​Clearwater Celebrates Holidays With Activities Throughout December

CLEARWATER, FL — The city of Clearwater is getting ready to celebrate the holidays in a big way with a community Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, holiday performances, markets, parades and Chanukah celebrations.

Here's a sneak peek at some of the holiday events and activities happening in Clearwater.

Kicking off the festive season, Clearwater's annual Christmas Tree Lighting event takes place on Friday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. in Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland St. Beginning at 4 p.m., those gathered will enjoy live holiday music and entertainment. Elected officials will illuminate the city's Christmas tree.

Holiday Experience in Station Square Park will take place Saturday, Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m.Listen to music at the open-air Station Square Park, 618 Cleveland St. in Downtown Clearwater with headliner Selwyn Birchwood.

Countryside's Reindeer Lane will take place on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9:30 a.m.to 11:30 a.m. Follow the reindeer tracks around the Countryside Recreation Center Lane. Play reindeer games, collect prizes and toys, enjoy photo opportunities and eat holiday snacks along the way. At the end of the trail, take photos with Santa Claus. The first 200 participants will receive a special treat. This is a free event and space is limited at Countryside Recreation Center, 2640 Sabal Springs Drive.

Decorate holiday ornaments with paint pouring on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 2 to 3 p.m. This free event is for ages 16 and older and registration is required at Countryside Library, 2642 Sabal Springs Drive.

Create olive shell holiday trees on Thursday, Dec. 7 from 2 to 3 p.m. This is a free event and registration is required at the Clearwater Beach Library, 69 Bay Esplanade.

There will be a Hanukkah eelebration on Thursday, Dec. 7. Join the Chabad of Clearwater in the lighting of a surprise-themed menorah, hot latkes, gelt drop and children's activities at Coackman Park, 300 Cleveland St. Click here.

A Holiday Movie on the Lawn, "Elf," will take place Thursday, Dec. 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Morningside Recreation Complex, 2400 Harn Blvd. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a free classic family holiday movie on the lawn. The event includes light refreshments, hot cocoa, craft ornament making and face painting.

Clearwater's Bright & Beautiful Holidays Trolley Tours will take place Dec. 8 and 15. Visit your neighborhood recreation center at the times listed below to meet Santa Claus and his cheerful elves when they cruise through Clearwater. Attendees can also enjoy holiday activities, watch movies, sip on hot chocolate and participate in children's activities.

The tours will take place Dec. 8 from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. at the North Greenwood Recreation & Aquatic Complex, 900 N Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., and Dec. 15 from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. at the Clearwater Beach Library & Recreation Center, 69 Bay Esplanade.

There will be a Holly-Day Jolly-Day Block Party on Friday, Dec. 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Santa's sleigh is making its stop at Ross Norton Recreation & Aquatic Complex, 1426 S MLK Jr. Ave. The Lake Belleview Neighborhood Association and Ross Norton Recreation Center are teaming up for a family-friendly holiday celebration with live music, food, children's activities and tree lighting.

There will be a Ho-Ho Holiday Party & Hayride on Friday, Dec. 8, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Get in the holiday spirit with some goodies, games, arts and crafts. Take your picture with Santa, create a take-home craft, play on inflatables, win prizes playing games and end the night with a hayride at the Morningside Recreation Complex, 2400 Harn Blvd.

The Market Marie will take place Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland Street. Make the gift-giving season extra special by shopping local. There will be handcrafted goods, a "Dog Paw-Parade," food trucks and a special storytime with Ms. Claus. Registration for the parade is on-site .

The Clearwater Yacht Club Annual Holiday Boat Parade Saturday will take place Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Watch holiday-decorated boats illuminate the waterways. The route can be viewed from various vantage points including Coachman Park, waterfront restaurants and hotels and private residences. Coachman Park will have food, beverages, children's activities and more as part of a watch party. Decorated vessels will gather in Mandalay Channel and then proceed along navigable channels in Island Estates, Coachman Park, Harbor Marina, Clearwater Beach Marina and end at Clearwater Point. Participation is free for boaters. Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland St.

Music of the Holidays with the Florida Suncoast Chorus will take place Sunday, Dec. 10 from 2 to 3 p.m. Enjoy your favorite holiday songs with the barbershop-style quartets of the Florida Suncoast Chorus. Registration is not required, but space is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis at Countryside Library, 2642 Sabal Springs Drive

"Tyke Tales: Winter Wonderland" will be presented Monday, Dec. 11 from 11 to 11:45 a.m.The magic of the season will come alive through holiday story time, music and creative crafts at the North Greenwood Library, 904 N MLK Jr. Ave. The program is designed for children age 2 and older accompanied by an adult. No registration is necessary, but arrive early as space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Making Spirits Bright Parade will take place Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Clearwater Beach. Spread holiday cheer at the Making Spirits Bright Parade, sponsored by the 12 Days of Christmas. Local businesses and residents are welcome to participate. The parade begins at Island Way Grill at 3:30 p.m. The parade will travel from North Clearwater Beach to South Clearwater Beach, and then back to Island Way Grill.

A Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights Read Aloud and Activity will take place Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Join Wendy Hutkin, the PJ Library program coordinator, for an interactive read-aloud with a PJ Library book such as "Hoppy Hanukkah," "Simon and the Bear" and "The Hanukkah Trike." Kids can get hands-on with coloring Hanukkah activity sheets, crafting their very own menorah or creating a make-and-take dreidel while learning the game's rules. Plus, there's an opportunity to enjoy some chocolate gelt candy or even make your own. This is a free event and registration is required at the Clearwater Beach Library, 69 Bay Esplanade.

Homeschooler's Club will host Holiday Crafts on Thursday, Dec. 14, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Students age 5 to 18 will make festive crafts which can be given as gifts at the Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave.

Transform old books into charming holiday decorations on Thursday, Dec. 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This is a free event, and all crafting supplies will be provided. Registration is required at the East Community Library, 2465 Drew St.

A Gingerbread Beach Hut Workshop will take place Friday, Dec. 15, from 4 to 6 p.m.Whether you're a seasoned gingerbread house architect or a first-time decorator, this event offers a festive space to unleash your creativity. Enjoy holiday snacks, make craft ornaments and win prizes. All gingerbread kits and supplies are provided. This is a free event and registration is required at the Clearwater Beach Library & Recreation, 69 Bay Esplanade.

A Winter Holiday Social will take place Friday, Dec. 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. Attend this family-friendly holiday event at the North Greenwood Recreation & Aquatic Complex. There will be a face painter, balloons, children's activities and bounce houses. Santa Claus may even stop by.

The Girl Gang Christmas Market is set for Saturday, Dec. 16 from noon to 4 p.m. in downtown Clearwater. Experience the holiday spirit with more than 100 women-owned businesses. As you stroll through this festive marketplace, you'll find unique gifts for everyone on your list. And who needs Santa when there's Ms. Claus on hand? She'll travel from the North Pole to take photos with all who attend. This market is a celebration of female entrepreneurship and will donate 10 percent of vendor fees to EmpowHerment, a Clearwater-based nonprofit that offers invaluable resources to women in Pinellas County.

Holiday Scenes on the Green will take place Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. Cozy up and watch "The Polar Express" under the stars at Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland St. Bring blankets and low-lying lawn chairs. This is a free event.

Ukelele Storytime with Miss Jenipher (the Christmas Edition) will take place Tuesday, Dec. 19, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Enjoy some special Christmas stories and holiday ukulele music. This is a free event and registration is required at the Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave.

Outdoor Library Storytime in Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland St., will take place Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Listen to holiday-themed stories and music in the great outdoors. This event is free and intended for children age 5 and under, but all ages are welcome. Bring a blanket and meet on the lawn within The Sound at Coachman Park,

Holiday Spice Blending will be offered Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 2 to 4 p.m. Create a tasty one-of-a-kind custom spice blend for the holidays. This is a free event for adults age 18 and older. Registration is required at the North Greenwood Library, 905 N. MLK Jr. Ave.

A Gingerbread House Holiday Program will take place Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 4 to 5 p.m. Children age 10 to 17 will create and decorate their own gingerbread house. This is a free event but registration is required at Countryside Library, 2642 Sabal Springs Drive.

Create an Up-Cycled Holiday Candle Craft Wednesday, Dec. 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.Celebrate the holidays with a simple craft using yogurt jars. This is a free event and registration is required at the East Community Library, 2465 Drew St.

A Polar Express Pajama Party will take place Thursday, Dec. 21, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Wear your pajamas, bring a blanket and listen to a storytime reading of "The Polar Express." This is a free event at Countryside Library, 2642 Sabal Springs Drive.

Creation Station: Ugly Sweater Ornament will take place Thursday, Dec. 21 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Create an ugly sweater ornament out of felt. This is a free event at the North Greenwood Library, 905 N. MLK Jr. Ave.

A Community Drum Circle at the Countryside Recreation Center will take place Wednesday, Dec. 27, from 2 to 3 p.m. Say goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024 with Steve Turner of Giving Tree Music. This free event will be held at the Countryside Recreation Center, 2640 Sabal Springs Drive. All ages are welcome.

Homeschooler's Club: A Celebration of Global New Year's Traditions will take place Thursday, Dec. 28, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Discover the diverse traditions of ringing in the New Year from around the world in a fun-filled event suitable for all ages. Celebrate ancient customs through engaging activities, hands-on crafts and snacks at the Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave.

STEAM Scene: Gingerbread Houses will take place Thursday, Dec. 28 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.Take part in this month's STEAM scene and decorate a real gingerbread house. This is a free event at the North Greenwood Library, 905 N. MLK Jr. Ave.

Light It Up Clearwater will take place Dec. 31 at 11:59 p.m. To celebrate the new year, fireworks will grace the sky at midnight on Clearwater Beach courtesy of AMPLIFY Clearwater, Clearwater's chamber of commerce. Call 727-461-0011.