Tampa Santa Fest and Tree Lighting

A 1 p.m. parade and afternoon Santa Fest lead into a 6 p.m. tree lighting and 6:45 p.m. movie in the park.

Tampa's free city holiday celebration has a downtown parade at 1 p.m. and Santa Fest activities from 1-5 p.m. in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, including performances, crafts, reindeer games and Santa. Tree lighting is a separate 6-6:30 p.m. program, followed by a holiday movie at 6:45 p.m.; arriving at 1 p.m. does not mean seeing the trees light then. Blankets, low-back chairs and well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome. Food and beverages are available to purchase.

One of our hand-picked Tampa Bay highlights. Dates and times come from the organizer and can change. Confirm on the official page before heading out.