Holiday Season Kicks Off in St. Pete

Friday night, Mayor Bill Foster and members of City Council flipped the switch on the holiday season by turning on the holiday lights in downtown St. Petersburg. 

The lighting ceremony marked the first of many holiday events in St. Pete this season. Below you'll find a list of other holiday-related events. 

SANTA PARADE

St. Petersburg’s 85th annual Santa Parade starts Saturday, Dec. 1, at 10 a.m. The route is from Central Avenue and 5th Street travels east to Bayshore Dr. then turns north ending at 5th Avenue North. Free family fun, bands, floats and much more will delight the spectators.  

SNOWFEST

Sixty-five tons of snow are expected to fall on North Straub Park at the annual holiday Snowfest from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m on Dec. 1. Activities include a big and kiddie toboggan slide, climbing wall, art tent, moonwalk, reindeer races, giant slide, “glice” ice skating, and a Kiddyland area designed especially for pre-schoolers with inflatable games, cookie decorating, and more. Wristbands cost $5 and include all activities. 

SANTA AND GLICE SKATING IN NORTH STRAUB PARK

Visit Santa in the Park and go “glice” skating on a simulated ice rink in North Straub Park. Both activities are from 6 - 9 p.m. on the following dates: Dec. 1 & 2, 6 through 9, and 13 through 16 and 20 through 23. Skating is $5 for 30 minute sessions. Santa visits are free. 

JINGLE BELL RUN

The 30th annual Jingle Bell Run on Dec. 7, starts at the Pier, Downtown St. Petersburg. Register at 6 p.m. and start moving at 7:30 p.m. This non-competitive jingling one mile walk or 3 mile run spans from the Pier along the waterfront. 

ILLUMINATED BOAT PARADE

On Saturday Dec. 8, mark your calendar for a night of parading by boat. Bruce Watters Jeweler’s Illuminated Boat Parade event at Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Drive NE, has holiday activities at the south end of the park, including food and beverages, live entertainment before and after the parade from 3 - 10 p.m. The boat parade begins at 6 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Children’s Dream Fund and Rotary charities. Pick a spot in any waterfront park and watch the Illuminated Boat Parade go by.