Happy Thanksgiving to one and all! Tampa Bay opens so many traditional holiday events this weekend, and Registry Tampa Bay has your favorites right here! This week, YOU choose who shines in the #RegistrySpotlight.

Thursday

Opening – 2024 Tampa Bay Festival of Lights & Santa’s Village
Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, Tampa

With more than 1.5 million lights, you and your family will travel over 2 miles through seasonal and Florida-themed displays and a drive-thru animated light tunnel. The expanded Santa’s Village will feature holiday- themed rides (Santa’s Carnival), and a self-guided walking tour of the Hometown Hillsborough Historical Village decked out in festive lights. Designed to appeal to all ages and backgrounds, the elaborate light displays themed to Florida and traditional winter holidays are a family favorite.

Thursday, November 28th through December 29th
Find tickets, daily & special event times, and more information HERE.

Friday

For a Good Cause: Arts Annual 2024 Exhibition
The Gallery @Creative Pinellas, Largo

The Gallery at Creative Pinellas ushers in the holiday season with its most spectacular exhibition, party, and first-ever ‘Pop Up Gift Shop.’ Arts Annual is in its seventh year, showcasing the arts and artists of Pinellas County and bringing together the county’s most talented and innovative artists to spotlight what makes our community truly exceptional. Multiple genres of art are represented at Arts Annual – From visual arts and performing arts to film and literature. The 2024 exhibition will present a diverse range of works across all mediums. The opening reception on December 7th will be a true celebration with funds going to support those impacted by both hurricanes.

Thursday, November 29th through January 4th
Find more information and tickets to the 12/7 opening reception HERE.

Opening – The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical
Stageworks Theatre, Tampa

Friday, December 29th through Sunday, December 22nd
Find tickets, performance times, and more information HERE.

Holiday Lights – Florida Botanical Gardens
Pinewood Cultural Park, Largo

This is the favorite time of year at the gardens for so many of us who visit on a regular basis. The magical atmosphere created throughout the grounds is a sensory delight and perfect outing for all.
As a special opening event, Savoy South Dance Hall  is hosting a festive dance event in the Wedding Garden. Dance among the magical lights and your holidays have begun!

Saturday

Shopapalooza! By Local Shops1
Vinoy Park, DTSP

This mainstay community festival is filled with local sounds, local tastes, and over 350 local makers, artists, and small businesses.
There are delicious foods to try, huge kid zones, live entertainment, and so much more. It’s an epic celebration and one of the biggest of its kind
in the United States. (Also, you’ll get a lot of Christmas shopping done!)

Saturday & Sunday, November 30th & December 1st @10am – 5pm
Find more information HERE.

96th Annual Santa Parade & Tree Lighting
Albert Whitted Park to North Straub Park, DTSP

Nothing says the holidays are here like this DTSP event. It’s been a true St. Pete tradition for almost a century. Join your neighbors for a festive evening as we usher in the holiday season with St. Pete’s annual Santa Parade & Tree Lighting. The fun begins with the Santa Parade at 6:30 PM, starting at Albert Whitted Park and twinkling down Bayshore Dr. to 5th Ave. NE. Right after the parade, we’ll gather in North Straub Park for the Tree Lighting, which will happen shortly after the parade wraps up.

Saturday, November 30th @Albert Whitted Park at 6:30pm
(Tree lighting after parade in North Straub Park)
Get more information HERE.

Grand Opening – Winter Wonderland of Clearwater
Winter Wonderland, Downtown, Clearwater

A downtown tradition since 1993, Winter Wonderland is a complete Christmas village with an entertainment stage, photos with Santa, cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus, a hot chocolate shop and Holiday Express Train. People from all over the world have visited Winter Wonderland, gazing in awe at the thousands of lights that adorn the real pine trees and enjoying the wonderful entertainment that is on the stage all the time that Winter Wonderland is open.  Admission is free, but non-perishable food donations are requested.

Opens Saturday, November 30th through Sunday, December 22nd
Find more information HERE.

Holiday Tree Lighting
Tampa Convention Center and Riverwalk, Tampa

Ring in the holiday season on the beautiful downtown Tampa waterfront.  Throughout the evening, Tampa City Ballet dancers will perform scenes from The Nutcracker along the Riverwalk, inviting audiences of all ages to experience the magic of the season with its mesmerizing blend of dance, music, and storybook charm.
At 6:30 p.m., Mayor Jane Castor will symbolically “flip the switch” on this year’s Holiday Spectacular and a floating 35-foot tall Christmas tree. New this year, is a 30-foot LED holiday tree synchronized to music along the Riverwalk in front of the Sail Pavilion.

Sunday, December1, 2024 @5:30pm – 7:30 p.m.
Find more information HERE.

A Live Conversation with Chevy Chase Following a Screening of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 
Straz Center, Tampa

Start your holiday season with hilarity at a screening of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation followed by an appearance by Clark Griswold himself, Chevy Chase. Chase will share behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes about the making of this beloved movie that has become a Christmas tradition. But the laughter doesn’t stop there! Chase also will be taking questions from the audience. Chevy Chase in person is the perfect holiday gift for everyone on Santa’s “nice” list – and the “naughty” one as well.

Sunday, December 1st @7:30pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.

**Concert Corner**

Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well World Tour
Amalie Arena, Tampa

Friday, November 29th @7:30pm
Find tickets, and more information HERE.

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour
Ruthe Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Saturday, November 30th @8pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.

Pentatonix: Hallelujah! It’s A Christmas Tour
Amalie Arena, Tampa

Tuesday, December 3rd @7pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.

Have a great Top 10 Weekend!
Cindy

Don’t forget to send your events to: cstovall5@gmail.com