2016 Pinellas County Holiday Events: What to Know Before You Go

ST. PETE BEACH, FL – From Tampa Bay to the Gulf of Mexico and all points around Pinellas County, the calendar is packed full of community events celebrating the 2016 holiday season.

Whether it’s Christmas tree lightings, winter festivals or parades of all shapes and sizes, the communities of Pinellas County have their own traditions that are open for all to share.

Here’s what Area residents need to know before you go to any one of the 2016 Pinellas County Holiday Events:

Boat Parades

Click here to see a list of holiday boat parades happening around Pinellas County.

Oldsmar Christmas Wonderland

The City of Oldsmar will host Christmas Wonderland on Friday, Dec. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. at R.E. Olds Park, 107 Shore Drive W. This free event will feature a giant snow slope, fireworks, inflatables and pictures with Santa Claus.

Safety Harbor Tree Lighting

The City of Safety Harbor will light the city’s Christmas tree during its event on Friday, Dec. 2 at the John Wilson Park Gazebo, 401 Main St. The event starts at 11 a.m. with choirs and a visit from Santa Claus.

There’s Snow Place Like Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs will host “There’s Snow Place Like Tarpon Springs” on Friday, Dec. 2 from 5 to 10 p.m. in the downtown area. This free event will feature a snow play area, carriage rides, music, children’s activities, a Christmas-themed movie and a visit with Santa Claus.

Just Dance Academy, Dance Evolutions and the Tarpon Springs Middle School Band will perform live during the event. The Tarpon Springs Boat Parade can also be seen from the event.

Largo Christmas Tree Lighting

The City of Largo will host its official Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive. The free event will feature Santa Claus, live performances and a children’s craft tent. The Christmas tree lighting will take place at 7 p.m.

The event will also feature the second annual Holiday Chalk Fest from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

St. Pete Holiday Indie Market

The St. Pete Indie Market will host its annual Holiday Market on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Green Bench Brewery, 1133 Baum Ave. More than 100 local and traveling makers, artists and creatives will offer handmade goods, plants, upcycled furniture, indie home design, vintage clothing, organic body care, prints and greeting cards, leather, coffee and more.

For more information, visit http://www.stpeteindiemarket.com/.

Rudolph’s Miracle on Cleveland Street

Ruth Eckerd Hall on the Road will host its ninth annual Rudolph’s Miracle on Cleveland Street on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 5 to 10:30 p.m. The free holiday event takes place in the 400 to 600 blocks of downtown Clearwater’s Cleveland Street.

The holiday wonderland will feature falling snow, a skating rink, horse and carriage rides, pictures with Santa Claus, carolers from the Clearwater Chorus, a giant gingerbread house, face painting, a balloon artist, inflatables and more. Children will also be able to phone Santa’s Elves in the North Pole to share their Christmas wish list.

Some activities require a wristband, which can be purchased for $8. The festival will feature vendors with arts and crafts, plus a variety of vendors throughout Cleveland Street with holiday-themed food and refreshments.

Entertainment will include a performance by the Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts Jazz Ensemble, 2015 Grammy Museum’s Music Revolution Project’s AB Positive and a free concert by The Fixx, the ’80s band known for their songs “One Thing Leads to Another” and “Red Skies.”

A limited number of VIP packages are available for $29, and include priority seating beginning in the fourth row directly in front of the Tampa Bay Times Stage and two complimentary beers or wine. Super VIP packages are $49 and include priority seating in the first three rows, two complimentary beers and access to the Super VIP tent, which includes complimentary snacks.

Snowfest in Downtown St. Pete

The St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department will host Snowfest on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Drive NE.

The event will feature 64 tons of snow with big and kiddie toboggan slides, an art tent, karaoke, a moonwalk, a giant slide and “glice” skating. Kiddyland, designed for preschoolers, will feature an inflatable train, cookie decorating and more.

Wristbands are $5 and are required for all activities.

John’s Pass Jingle Bell Kids’ Fishing Tournament

Angler Armory will host its annual John’s Pass Jingle Bells Kids’ Fishing Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 12:30 to 6 p.m. at the John’s Pass Bell Tower, across from Delosa’s Pizza at 12800 Village Blvd. in Madeira Beach.

Children must be 14 years old or younger to enter and must be accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older. The entry fee is a canned food donation for A Kind Mouse or an unwrapped gift for Santa’s Angels.

The Jingle Bell Kids’ Fishing Tournament is a land tournament and can be fished at Don’s Dock, Hubbard’s Marina and Hubbard’s Beach.

Registration and check-in will begin at 12:30 p.m. There will be three heats with three age groups (5 years and younger, 6-10 years, 11-14 years):

• Heat 1: 1:30 to 2:15 p.m.
• Heat 2: 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
• Heat 3: 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.
• 4:15: Raffle/awards
• 5:45: Santa Claus arrives

For more information or to pre-register, visit http://www.anglerarmory.com/johns-pass-jingle-bells-kids-fishing-tournament/.

Largo Holiday Craft Market

Simply Events will host a Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 17 from 3 to 9 p.m. at Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive. The craft fair will feature more than 60 local specialty merchants, holiday characters, cookie decorating, children’s crafts and photo ops with the stars from Disney’s Frozen.

Oldsmar Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

The City of Oldsmar will host its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 6 to 7 p.m. at City Hall, 100 State St. W. Mayor John Bevis and the Oldsmar Citizen of the Year will light the new tree at City Hall. The Forest Lakes Elementary School Choir will provide live entertainment and Santa Claus will visit the event.

Tarpon Springs Christmas Parade and Candy Cane Hunt

The 2016 Tarpon Springs Christmas Parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 10 starting at 10 a.m. in downtown Tarpon Springs. The parade route starts at Manatee Plaza and goes north on East Lemon Street, then south on Ring Avenue and finishes on Tarpon Avenue all the way to Spring Bayou.

After the parade at approximately 11:30 a.m., Tarpon Springs will host its annual Candy Cane Hunt at Craig Park, 300 S. Spring Blvd. Children ages 12 and younger can hunt for the lucky candy cane. The free event also features crafts, music and a visit from Santa Claus.

Florida Orchestra Pops: Holiday Pops

The Florida Orchestra Pops will host Holiday Pops four times: Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. The orchestra will play Christmas carols, yuletide tunes, musical chestnuts and more.

The Saturday concerts will take place at the Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S. in St. Petersburg. The Sunday concerts will take place at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N. McMullen Booth Road in Clearwater.

Safety Harbor Christmas Wonderland

The First Baptist Church of Safety Harbor will host Christmas Wonderland on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at King’s Gate Church, 525 14th Ave. S. This free event will feature the Christmas Forest, live music, old-fashioned caroling, drama, crafts, face painting, games, treats and more.

Holiday Tour of Homes on Indian Rocks Beach

The Indian Rocks Beach Homeowners Association will host the Holiday Tour of Homes on Indian Rocks Beach will take place Saturday, Dec. 10 from 2 to 7 p.m. The event begins at the Beach Art Center, 1515 Bay Palm Blvd., where participants can pick up the tour booklet and enjoy free snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Gifts, cards and artwork by local artist will be for sale.

The tour features five distinct homes, each showcasing its interior design and decked out in holiday décor. The IRB Historical Museum and Church of the Isles will serve as hospitality centers along the way, where participants can rest, use the facilities and shop for handmade gifts. At the end of the tour, participants can vote for the most impressive display.

Advance tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Beach Art Center or Plumlee Realty, 417 First St. Tickets can also be purchased online at http://irbhome.com/holiday-home-tour-tickets-on-sale-now/. Day-of tickets can be purchased at the Beach Art Center for $15.

Proceeds from the Holiday Tour of Homes will benefit the Beach Art Center for ongoing community programs.

Christmas Market & Parade on St. Pete Beach

St. Pete Beach will host its Christmas Market & Parade on Sunday, Dec. 11. Special holiday vendors will be at the Sunday Market on Corey Avenue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Corey Avenue is also a prime spot to watch the Christmas parade. The parade will start at 4 p.m. from Gulf Boulevard at Blind Pass heading south to Corey Ave, then go east on Corey to Boca Ciega.

2016 Candlelight Tour of Homes

The Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association will host the 2016 Candlelight Tour of Homes on

Saturday, Dec. 11 in the Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood in St. Petersburg. The tour begins at Westminster Palm View, 939 Beach Drive NE at 3 p.m. and goes through 8 p.m. Visitors will receive maps at the first stop, leading them to eight festively decorated homes. Trolley service is also available for those who prefer to ride.

For tickets, visit https://honna.org/.

Gulfport’s Annual Holiday Hoopla

The seventh Annual Holiday Hoopla will take place on Monday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Beach Boulevard South in Gulfport. The event is a celebration of arts, crafts, food, live music and roving holiday characters. There will be a Christmas costume contests with themes including family, adult, child and pets. The Gulfport Lighted Boat Parade will coincide with the Holiday Hoopla at 6 p.m.

For more information, visit http://visitgulfportflorida.com/events/7th-annual-holiday-hoopla/.

Mad Beach Ugly Sweater Decorating Party and Pub Crawl

The City of Madeira Beach will host an Ugly Sweater Decorating Party on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Mad Beach Brewing, 12901 Gulf Blvd. in Madeira Beach. Bring your own sweater to the brewery and the Madeira Beach Recreation Department will provide all the materials to make a snazzy ugly sweater.

Then, bring your hand-made ugly sweater (or any ugly sweater) to the second annual Mad Beach Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl on Saturday, Dec. 17 in John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk, 12901 Gulf Blvd. Participants are encouraged to donate a toy in lieu of $10 admission. All toys donated will help support Seminole Lake Rotary Club’s Red Sled Initiative, dedicated to enriching the lives of children in the Pinellas County Foster Care system.

For updates on the participating bars, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/348577338826663/.

Largo Holiday Stroll 2016: Let It Snow

The City of Largo will host its Holiday Stroll 2016 on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive. The free event will feature a holiday craft fair, children’s snow play, a visit from Santa Claus and a lighted motorcycle arriving approximately 7:45 p.m. sponsored by the Goldwig Road Riders Association.

Safety Harbor Holiday Parade

Safety Harbor will host its annual Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. on Main Street. The parade will feature floats, old fashioned cars and a visit from Santa Claus.

Largo Old Fashioned Christmas Parade

The City of Largo will host its Old Fashioned Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 17 in downtown Largo. The parade will feature decorated floats, local dance troupes, fire trucks, marching bands and Santa Claus. Food trucks will be stationed at the end of the parade route in Ulmer Park.

The parade starts at noon from the corner of First Avenue and Fourth Street Southwest and circles the brick streets of Largo.

St. Petersburg Holiday of the Arts

The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance and the City of St. Petersburg will host the third annual St. Petersburg Holiday of the Arts on Saturday, Dec. 17 and Sunday, Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at South Straub Park, 250 Bay Shore Drive NE. Admission and parking are free.

The Holiday of Arts showcases artwork of local, regional and national artisans. Works will include painting, photography, sculptures, metalwork, digital art, jewelry, glass, ceramics woodworking and more.

For more information, visit http://www.paragonartevents.com/S-30-St.+Petersburg+Holiday+of+the+Arts.html.

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