Christmas, HanukkahEvents In Pinellas County: Pet Parade, Boat Parades

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — There is no shortage of things to do in Pinellas County to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Holiday events include:

2nd Annual Home For Holidays Paws On Parade

The second annual Home for the Holidays Paws on Parade, benefiting the Humane Society of Pinellas, will take place Saturday, Dec. 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bring your furry loved ones to wag, woof and celebrate during the second annual holiday pet parade. Dress your family and pets in their holiday finest for photos with Santa, compete for the title of "best-dressed pet," enjoy treats, visit with local pet rescue groups and shop at a pet vendor market.

The parade will kick off at Cleveland Street and Fort Harrison Avenue at 11 a.m. and continue to Station Square Park from noon to 2 p.m. where awards will be presented for best-dressed small, medium and large dog, Best in Show, most festive pairing (of pets and humans) and the fan favorite.

It's free to march but donations to the Humane Society of Pinellas will be appreciated.

Register here.

37th Annual Treasure Island Lighted Boat Parade

Treasure Island will host its 37th Annual Treasure Island Lighted Boat Parade on Friday, Dec. 17.
The Treasure Island Boat Parade, featuring a variety of boats, is one of the largest lighted boat parades in the Tampa Bay area.

A holiday celebration will be held at Treasure Bay Resort & Marina, 11125 Gulf Blvd., from 5 to 7:30 p.m. with a DJ, a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus, interactive entertainers and food and beverage concessions.

The parade will begin promptly at 6:20 p.m. just south of the Treasure Island Bridge. The route travels south of Paradise Island, back through the Treasure Island Causeway Bridge at 7 p.m., around the Isles of Palms and Capri, and finishes at Johns Pass at approximately 8:15 p.m.

The awards party for results and prizes, featuring a dinner, will be held immediately following the parade at Crabby's on the Pass.

Click here.

Indian Rocks Beach Christmas Boat Parade

The city of Indian Rocks Beach will host its Christmas Lighted Boat Parade at the Holiday Inn Harbourside Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m.

For more information and to register for the street parade or the boat parade, click here or call city hall at 727-595-2517.

Christmas Adventure Paddle Tour And Holiday Boat Parade

Ocean Fitness Yoga will host a Christmas Adventure Paddle Tour and Holiday Boat Parade Saturday, Dec. 17 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Ron McKenny Park, 9300 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach.

Christmas outfits are encouraged. Light yourself up and get ready for a unique evening paddle while watching the Treasure Island Holiday Boat Parade on the water. Lights are mandatory (headlamp, led lights, flashlight, body lights, glowsticks).

The cost is $50 per person and includes a paddleboard, life jacket and souvenir photos. Click here to register.

Dunedin Goes Carting Christmas Parade

Dunedin goes carting has once again partnered with the SPC Zachary L Shannon Memorial VFW Post 2550 for its annual Christmas parade. The $20 registration donation will benefit veterans in Dunedin via the VFW community outreach programs.

Participants must have an Eventbrite receipt including the QR code printed, affixed and clearly visible on their golf cart windows to enter the staging lot at the VFW.

The parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

There will be three winners announced on Dunedin Goes Carting's Facebook page Dec. 20. Winners will receive a prize pack from Dunedin Goes Carting including prizes from local businesses.

The route begins at the VFW Post 2550 at 360 Douglas Ave. and ends after the loop at Mease Manor where participants will disperse at Orange Avenue and Virginia Street.

Staging will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. with music, food, drinks and a visit from Santa and Buddy the Elf.

Additionally, on Friday, Dec. 16, Dunedin Goes Carting will host a Neighborhood Light Tour. Members will meet at 5 p.m. at the grass lot of Our Lady of Lourdes, 720 San Salvador, start the tour at 7 p.m. through the neighborhoods, and end at Pi Pizza Bar for food, drinks and entertainment. Click here.

Redington Beaches-Indian Shores Holiday Boat Parade

The Redington Beaches-Indian Shores Holiday Boat Parade will take place Sunday, Dec. 18.
The boats will gather at the Tom Stuart Causeway at 5:45 p.m. for a 6 p.m. start.
The best viewing areas are R.O.C. Park in Madeira Beach, 161st Avenue Causeway in Redington Beach, Del Bello Park in Redington Shores, Park Boulevard Boat Ramp area and behind Indian Shores Town Hall.
The parade concludes at Caddy's Indian Shores where raffles and prizes will be awarded. The entire route takes approximately three hours to complete.
For more information and registration, call 727-391-3875 or click here.

Clearwater Jazz Holiday Wanderlust Concert Series

Clearwater Jazz will host its Jazz Holiday Wanderlust Concert Series Saturday nights at Station Square Park.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and performances run from 6 to 9 p.m.

Scheduled performers include:

Saturday, Dec. 17

• 6 to 7:15 p.m. Clearwater Jazz Holiday Giants of Jazz's annual Young Lions Show hosted by Frank Williams
• 7:30 to 9 p.m. Kat Riggins & her Blues Revival

Visit Clearwater Jazz Holiday for more information.

Chanukah On Ice

Chabad of Pinellas County will host Chanukah on Ice Sunday, Dec. 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Westfield Countryside Mall. The cost is free but donations are welcome.

It will include music, doughnuts and latkes, balloons and Hanukkah gelt, free ice skating and a grand jelly bean menorah lighting at 6:15 p.m.

Click here for reservations.

Holly Jolley Trolley Light Tours

Hop on the Jolley Trolley for a 90-minute tour to some of the area’s best light displays. Sit back and enjoy snacks or a drink as you sing along to holiday songs. BYOB is welcome. The tours depart from both Crabby’s Dockside and the Clearwater Historical Society. A rum bucket is included for those guests who hop on at Crabby’s Dockside at Clearwater Beach.

The tour will take trolley riders from light displays in Sand Key to the Sponge Docks on Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The cost is $19.99 to $36.95. Click here for tickets.

Fine Arts Holiday Show & Sale

The Beach Art Center, 1515 Bay Palm Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, will host a Fine Arts Holiday Show & Sale through Dec. 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It includes paintings, pottery, sculptures, photography, jewelry and other items by local artists for gift-giving this holiday season.

Click here.

Holiday Block Party

The Pinellas Arts Village, 5663 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park, will host its Holiday Block Party Saturday, Dec. 17 from 4 to 9 p.m. There will be pictures with Santa, open studios, arts and crafts vendors, unique gifts for sale, food trucks and live music.

The event is family- and pet-friendly.

Pinellas Park Neighborhood Parade

The Pinellas Park Neighborhood Parade featuring the police and fire departments, city staff, merchants and organizations, will take place Friday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m.

Stroll down the street or step outside and wave.

Free Holiday Movies

Join the Tarpon Springs Police Department and the Tarpon Springs Recreation Division for a holiday movie at Craig Park, 5 Beekman Lane, on Saturday, Dec. 17 for a free screening of "Arthur Christmas."

Activities will start at 5:30 p.m. including free hot dogs and drinks from Publix, popcorn, yard games and themed crafts, Kona Ice and treats from The Enchanted Banker.

The movie will begin at dusk, around 6 p.m. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Click here.

Come to Horan Park at 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, St. Pete Beach, for a free holiday screening of "Elf" and the Fo'Cheezy Toasted Melts food truck Friday, Dec. 16, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Bring your coolers, chairs and blankets

Dunedin Parks & Recreation is hosting a holiday Drive-In Movie Night on Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. in Highlander Park, 903 Michigan Blvd.

"Christmas with the Kranks" will play after sunset on a large outdoor movie screen. Guests will also enjoy music and raffles before the film starts. Tickets are $12 per car and must be purchased in advance from the Dunedin Community Center. Parking is first-come first-served.

Breakfast With Santa

Whistle Stop Grill and Bar, 915 Main St., Safety Harbor, will host a Santa Breakfast Sunday, Dec. 18 from 9 to 11 a.m.

The cost is $20 and includes a pancake breakfast, dessert plate, hot cocoa bar, a visit and pictures with Santa and possibly a special guest.

A portion of the proceeds will go to Feeding the Fosters.

Click here for tickets.

Lights In The Garden

The Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation will host its annual winter fundraiser, Holiday Lights in the Garden, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. nightly through Jan. 1. The gardens at 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, will sparkle with one million twinkling LED lights in a multitude of colors. Vibrant laser lights and lighted figures round out the display.

The suggested donation is $10 per person with ages 12 and under free. Leashed pets are welcome.

There are two entrances: 12221 Walsingham Road, Largo, and 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo.

Click here.

Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl

Madeira Beach Recreation and Madeira Beach Friends of Parks and Recreation will host an Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl Friday, Dec. 16, from 6 to 10 p.m. at John's Pass Boardwalk and Shopping Village.

The party will kick off with preregistration in John's Pass at the Bell Tower and wraps up with the ugly sweater contest at Caddy's John's Pass.

Participation is a $10 donation or an unwrapped toy for Santa's Angels.

Click here.

Rock And Soul Charity Christmas Show

Whistle Stop Grill and Bar, 915 Main St., Safety Harbor, will host its annual Rock and Soul Charity Christmas Show Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

The show will benefit the Mattie Williams Center, Calta Family Foundation and the Refuge. Those attending are asked to bring a pair of gently used shoes to donate to The Refuge.

The show will feature the music of McLean Mannix, Ken Logan, Ricky Mongaya, Nicole Davids, Ronnie Dee, Abigail Rudolph, Joel Rudolph, Tommy Roxx, Billy McKnight, Gary Schutt, Adam Landry, Steven Tanner, Rick Morgan, Dave Arazmo, Brian Rice, Shawn Scheller, Billy Wells, Kyle Ingram, Aiden Cain, Curtis Gray, Juni B, Janelle Sadler, Robin Quale, Robin Swenson, Chris Baker, Steve Isaac, Paul Cazares and more.

Click here.

Christmas At The Farm

DK Farms, 1750 Lake Ave. SE, Largo, will host Christmas at the Farm Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 7:30 p.m. through Dec. 18, and on Christmas Day from 5 to 8 p.m.

It will include animal feedings and a petting zoo, campfires and s'mores, a snow experience with snow machines, kids' activities, photo opportunities, a free scavenger hunt with candy cane prizes, 18-hole miniature golf, music, bounce houses, a kids' snowball fight zone and a holiday vendors market.

Click here for tickets.

Holiday Lights In Largo Central Park

The annual Holiday Lights in Largo Central Park will be presented by the city of Largo through Jan. 1.

This family-friendly annual tradition features a holiday light display, carousel and seven-story Ferris wheel that offers a bird's-eye view of the 70-acre Largo Central Park and more than two million twinkling LED lights.

Park admission is free. Rides are $5 each. Food will be for sale on-site.

The rides and light display are open nightly from 5 to 11 p.m. through Jan. 1, except on Dec. 3 when lights and carnival rides are free from 6 t0 10 p.m. For more information, call 727-587-6720 or click here.

Santa Saturday At Heritage Village Museum

Santa will be on hand at Heritage Village Museum, 11909 125th St., Largo, on Saturdays, Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to meet with children, listen to wish lists and have photos taken.

Heritage Village will also feature fun craft activities, a holiday scavenger hunt, food trucks and music.

The event and parking are free. Click here.