2016 Holiday Lights: 9 Must-See Displays in Tampa Bay

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The holiday season is officially here and communities across Tampa Bay are pulling out the stops to spread a little cheer. Folks who love elaborate light displays will find more than a few illuminating nights this December.

Here’s a roundup of just a few of the many light displays residents in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties can check out as the season progresses:

• Tampa Bay’s Wonderland of Lights – This ride-through display is being staged at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Road, in Dover through Dec. 31. It runs nightly between 6 and 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 6 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Entry fees apply. For more information, check out this related story.
• Holiday Lights in the Gardens – Staged at Largo’s Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, this light spectacular is now in its 16th year. The event features more than 1 million LED and laser lights that combine to transform the garden’s 35 acres into a holiday wonderland. The cost to check out the display is a $4 suggested donation to the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation. To learn more, check out this related story.
• Waterfront Lights – The city of St. Petersburg is lighting up the night along its waterfront through Jan. 1, 2017. Light displays can be seen at both North and South Straub parks. The city also has several special events planned, including Snowfest, the Santa Parade and ice skating. To find out more, check out this related story.
• DeSoto Luminary Walk – This event is one-night-only. It takes place at the DeSoto National Memorial on Dec. 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. During the event, thousands of luminaries will light the trails of the national park. The memorial is located at 8300 DeSoto Memorial Highway in Bradenton. For more details, check out this related story.
• Symphony in Lights – The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel has created a lightshow that features thousands of twinkling lights choreographed to music by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The symphony runs on the hour nightly between 6 and 9 p.m. through Dec. 31. The mall is located at 28211 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel. To find out more, check out the mall’s website.
• Wilderness Wonderland – Staged at the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., in New Port Richey, this drive-through event opens Dec. 8 and runs select nights. The cost to enter is $2 a vehicle. For more information, visit Pasco County online.
• Sarasota Tour of Lights – The SRQ Trolley plans nightly runs through Sarasota so riders can take in the city's lights. The special holiday tour kicks off Dec. 3 and runs each night through Dec. 30. To find out more, visit SRQ Trolley online.
• Largo’s Annual Holiday Stroll – This event features more than 1 million LED lights and live entertainment. It takes place starting at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive. The event is free, but on-site parking costs $10. For more information, check out Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater online.
• Lights of Lakeland – This walk-through event features more than 500,000 lights set up at Highland Park Church, 4777 Lakeland Highlands Road. The free event takes place Dec. 2-4 and Dec. 9-11 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. nightly. For more information, visit the church’s website.

Do you know of other must-see light displays in the Tampa Bay area? Share them by commenting below!

Photo via the Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Facebook page