Walk-Thru Holiday Lights Guide
Holiday walk-thru lights in the Tampa Bay area is a great way to spend some family time. Even out-of-town guests will definitely enjoy Tampa Bay’s special display of Lights from Tampa to Spring Hill and cities in between.
Grab a light sweater and some walking shoes and take a stroll through these beautiful walk-thru holiday light displays. Snap a picture and make this a fun family tradition for the holidays.
If you’re looking for upcoming Holiday events, make sure to check out our Events Calendar.
1. Tampa Bay Festival of Lights
Dates: Nov 27 – Dec 28, 2025
Address: 215 Sydney Washer Road, Dover, FL 33527
Cost: Tickets are $30/car
Celebrate the season with Tampa Bay’s biggest and brightest holiday tradition! Enjoy a 2-mile drive-thru adventure glowing with more than a million lights, followed by a stroll through Santa’s Village, packed with festive rides, treats, shopping, and magical photo spots. From dazzling displays to cozy holiday fun, it’s a must-do experience for families all season long.
2. Putt The Pier
Dates: December 12, 2025 @ 5:00 pm – January 4, 2026 @ 6:00 pm
Putt the Pier returns as a joyful waterfront mini-golf experience infused with holiday spirit. This custom 18-hole course winds along the St. Pete Pier with cheerful Christmas obstacles, sparkling décor, twinkling lights, and themed challenges at every turn. From putting through giant ornaments and candy-cane tunnels to navigating jholiday scenes and playful holiday characters, each hole brings a dose of festive fun.
Guests can enjoy classic and modern holiday music throughout the course, creating a warm and lively atmosphere perfect for families, date nights, friends, and visiting relatives. With plenty of photo moments against the backdrop of Tampa Bay, Putt the Pier is designed to become a beloved St. Petersburg holiday tradition—day or night.
3. Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
Dates:November 14, 2025, to January 5, 2026
Cost: Included in admission
Christmas Town is open until 10 p.m. on select dates.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town returns for its 13th year with millions of lights, festive shows, holiday treats, and family-friendly fun—all included with park admission. It’s a magical seasonal experience that’s great for families, date nights, and anyone looking to celebrate the holidays.
New this year are the Holiday Skies Spectacular drone show and the Serengeti Light Show, adding even more sparkle to the park. Guests can meet Santa, Rudolph & Friends, Sesame Street characters, and the Holiday Princesses, then enjoy favorites like Christmas on Ice, the Holly Jolly Express, and Storytime with Mrs. Claus.
Christmas Town Village features delicious holiday bites, giant cookies, hot cocoa, and specialty drinks—best enjoyed with a Sampler Lanyard. Throughout the park, dazzling light displays, tunnels, and themed zones create endless photo moments.
Weekdays offer lighter crowds, and upgrades like Priority Access or VIP seating can make your visit even smoother.
4. Holiday Lights in Largo Central Park
Dates: November 27, 2025-January 4, 2026
Time: 5-10 pm
Address: Largo Central Park
Cost: FREE to park and walk to the view lights, Amusement rides $6.00 for one ride, 10 rides for $50.00.
Largo Central Park transforms into a magical holiday wonderland each year, glowing with more than 2.5 million dazzling LED lights for families to stroll through and enjoy. This is a walking-only experience, with no golf carts or unauthorized vehicles allowed, creating a safe and festive environment for all visitors. Throughout the park, you’ll find food, beverage, and market vendors offering homemade items, delicious treats, and seasonal goodies. Leashed dogs are welcome to join the fun as well.
Classic rides like the carousel and Ferris wheel add extra holiday cheer. Carousel riders must be at least 36″ tall, with those between 36″–42″ requiring a ticketed adult. The Ferris wheel allows riders 56″ and taller to ride alone, while younger children—from infants to kids 36″–56″—may ride with a responsible, ticketed adult. Ride tickets are $6 each or 10 for $50, and all rides close promptly at 10:00 PM.
5. Winter Village at Curtis Hixon
Dates: November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Cost: Free to attend, pay for other activities
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park brings the holiday spirit to Tampa’s Downtown with twinkling lights, riverfront views, and festive activities for all ages. The park transforms into a seasonal wonderland featuring an outdoor ice rink, cozy cafés, local gift shops, themed skate nights, live ice-skating shows, and special family events. Guests can also enjoy the Winter Village Express streetcar ride, the River of Lights cruise, curling, holiday trivia nights, and plenty of photo ops. Throughout the season, the park hosts celebrations like Santa Fest, the annual tree lighting, Shop Small weekends, and Tampa’s iconic Holiday Lighted Boat Parade. Winter Village is free to enter, with food, drinks, shopping, and skating tickets available for purchase. Leashed dogs are welcome in most areas, making it a perfect festive outing for families, couples, and groups looking to enjoy Tampa’s holiday magic.
6. The Oakdale Christmas House Light Display
Dates: Nov 29, 2024 – Jan 3, 2025
Address: 2719 Oakdale St. S St. Petersburg, FL 33705
The 2024 Oakdale Christmas Light Displays are among the best in the U.S. and Tampa Bay. Holiday Light Display features 1/2 million lights. Only display to make HGTVs #1 & NBCs Today show top 3 the same year. Definitely add it to your bucket list of holiday light events. The light display covers approximately 1/2 acre. 2021‐Many major additions, upgrades and changes in both lights and displays.
7. Symphony in Lights at The Shops at Wiregrass
Experience the magic and whimsy of the holiday season with dazzling lights and soft snowflakes presented by AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. The Shops at Wiregrass hosts its annual Symphony in Lights Christmas tree light shows and snowfall this season. Don’t miss out on this classic holiday tradition.
8. Christmas Lane – Plant City
Dates: November 28th – December 24th 2025
Address: 2508 West Oak Ave; Plant City, FL 33563
Admission: 3 & Under…….FREE | Ages 4-12…………$10 | 13 & Older………..$12
Over 2000 volunteer hours have prepared the winter wonderland full of the magic of Christmas at every turn. With over 1.5 million lights, drawing more than 180,000 watts of power, and adorning over 200 Christmas trees from 4 to 40 feet, our scenes are built with lots of love!
Be sure to visit Santa and enjoy our live entertainment! Performs on select nights and area performers will entertain on the half hour! Welcome to our winter wonderland at the Florida Strawberry Festival! Have a question? Visit our Frequently Elfed Questions page here!
9. Holiday Lights at The Botanical Gardens
Dates: Friday, November 28, 2025, 5:30 PM until Saturday, January 3, 2026, 9:30 PM
Address: 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL
Cost: There is a suggested donation of $10 per person, with kids 12 and under free. Donations support our new Majeed Discovery Garden for children.
Holiday Lights in the Gardens transforms the Florida Botanical Gardens into a glowing winter wonderland, featuring more than a million colorful LED lights, vibrant laser displays, and whimsical illuminated figures. This family-friendly fundraiser invites guests to stroll the gardens, enjoy free kids’ activities on select evenings, and experience live entertainment throughout the season. Free parking is available at nearby lots, and well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to join the fun. A suggested donation helps support the gardens, with children 12 and under admitted free.
10. Nights of Shimmering Lights
Dates: November 28 to December 27, 2025
Time: Thursday through Sunday nights 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Location: Sunkissed Acres, 2302 N Dover Road, Dover, FL 33527
Tickets: $9.00 Thursday & Sunday, $9.50 Friday & Saturday per person ages 4 and up (ticket, cash, or card) Unlimited visit Season Pass $35
Shimmering Lights Winter Walk-Thru is a magical holiday experience where sparkling light displays, festive music, and family-friendly fun come together for an unforgettable night out. Stroll along glowing pathways, enjoy a bubbly foam play zone, play classic games, watch Christmas movies in the cozy mini theater, and savor seasonal treats like hot cocoa and mini donuts. Kids and adults can take on extra adventures such as the Gingerbread House escape room or gel-gun target shooting, and the holiday gift shop offers charming souvenirs to bring home. With shimmering displays, cheerful activities, and plenty of photo moments, it’s the perfect place to make bright and joyful holiday memories.
11. Lights of Love
Location: McCall Park
Date: Thursday, December 4th
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Cost: Free to visit
The 27th annual Lights of Love ceremony at McCall Park in downtown Plant City marks the beginning of the holiday season with a festive evening of community spirit and celebration. A 25-foot Christmas tree, adorned with lights purchased in honor of loved ones, will shine brightly in support of the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Guests can enjoy live holiday music performed by the First Baptist Church Christmas Band and Kids’ Choir, and capture special moments with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Held each year on the first Thursday evening of December, this cherished tradition offers residents and businesses a heartfelt way to give back while joining together for the magical countdown that lights up all of Plant City.
12. Holiday Lights in St. Petersburg
Dates: November 29 – January 1
Address: Downtown Waterfront Parks, FL 33701
Cost: Free
Take a stroll along the waterfront to see thousands of holiday lights and decorations in North Straub Park, South Straub Park, Pioneer Park, and the St. Pete Pier.
13. Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa
Dates: Selected Nights Nov – Dec 2025
Address: 1101 W Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
Cost: Included with ZooTampa Membership or Zoo Fun (Pay-For-A-Day) ticket; General admission after 4pm available for purchase
Ages: All ages welcome
Experience one of Tampa Bay’s largest holiday light displays as ZooTampa transforms into a festive wonderland filled with shimmering lights, cheerful realms, holiday shows, tasty seasonal treats, and unique wildlife encounters. Families can meet Santa, enjoy winter-themed animal experiences, explore glowing holiday zones, and indulge in special snacks and drinks throughout the zoo. Guests can also support animal enrichment through the Giving Tree and shop seasonal gifts that help wildlife conservation. A magical holiday celebration perfect for visitors of all ages!
14. Raprager Farms Winter Festival
Where: 16907 Boy Scout Rd., Odessa, FL
When: Select dates in late November & December (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays)
Times: Fridays: 4pm–8pm | Saturdays: 10am–8pm | Sundays: 10am–7pm
Cost: Free admission; Activity Wristband $15 (optional)
Enjoy a festive, family-friendly holiday celebration with lights, decorations, photo ops, and daily visits with Santa—all included with free entry. Guests can explore farm animals, enjoy a corn pit, giant slide, games, holiday décor, entertainment, and access to the Sweet Shop and restaurant.
For even more fun, the optional wristband adds access to Santa’s Workshop crafts, popcorn stringing, ornament making, the petting zoo, bounce pillow, axe throwing, mechanical bull, Mr. Grunch photo spot, and caroling hayrides. Extra-charge activities include pony rides, gem mining, face painting, sweet treats, and more.
A cozy, cheerful farm experience filled with lights, crafts, animals, treats, and endless photo moments—perfect for families celebrating the season.
15. Victorian Christmas Stroll at Henry Plant Museum
Location: Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL 33606
Dates: Nov 28, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cost: Adults $20, Seniors (65+) $18, Youth (4–18) $14, Infants (0–3) Free.
With a variety of enchanting displays in each exhibit room, the 44th Annual Victorian Christmas Stroll is sure to create lasting memories. Peek at one special Christmas morning as experienced by President Theodore Roosevelt and his family. Explore the true meaning of the holiday as hotel staff members take time from their duties to prepare gifts for needy local families.
Delight in the display of antique ornaments and Santa figurines. View authentic goosefeather trees and period fashions. Decorations include visitor favorites from years past as well as new marvels that are sure to amaze.
