Holiday Lights and Carnival Rides

5-10 p.m. Nov. 28-Dec. 29. Largo Central Park. This family-friendly tradition presented by the city of Largo features a spectacular holiday light display, with more than 2.5 million LED lights. Park admission is free. Carnival rides are $6 each or purchase a 10-ride pass for $50. Food and beverage vendors on site.

Holiday Lights in the Gardens

Oakdale Christmas Display

Thanksgiving Art & Craft Festival

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1. Downtown Tarpon Springs, 1 N. Pinellas Ave. The outdoor event showcases art and craft exhibitors along with a wide selection of offerings from local independent business owners and encourages customers to shop locally. The festival is located on Court Street, adjacent to Main Street, which features many independently owned shops and restaurants. Admission and parking are free. www.facebook.com/ThanksgivingArtCraftFestival/ or call 727-322-5217.

Santa Parade & Tree Lighting

6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Albert Whitted Park. Usher in the holiday season with the annual event. The fun begins with the Santa Parade at 6:30 p.m., starting at Albert Whitted Park and heading down Bayshore Drive to Fifth Avenue Northeast. Right after the parade, gather in North Straub Park for the tree lighting.

Gulfport Tree Lighting

6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2. Clymer Park. Enjoy music and good cheer during the tree lighting. Santa will visit and listen to little ones’ holiday wishes.

20th Annual Very Merry Christmas Party

5-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3. Largo Community Center, 400 Alt. Keene Road, Largo. Get into the holiday spirit at this heartwarming event that includes dinner, entertainment, door prizes and a visit from Santa. Pre-registration is required. Tickets are $20 a person. 727-518-3131. playlargo.com .

“Christmas with Nan Colton” Tales of the Season

6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5. Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Drive. The Greater Largo Library Foundation presents a performance by Nan Colton in Jenkins Room A & B at the library. Colton is an accomplished playwright, director, storyteller, actress and arts educator who has performed and lectured professionally on stages throughout South Africa, Great Britain and the U.S. Sponsored by The Sandy Hartmann Group – Coastal Properties Group. Tickets are $20 each and are available at the circulation desk at the library (cash/check only). Make checks payable to Greater Largo Library Foundation. Deadline to purchase tickets is Dec. 2. Tickets are also available online at www.gllf.org/donate-now . For information, call 727-586-7398. Proceeds benefit library programming.

Winter Wonderland Mini Screen Prints for Adults

5-6 p.m. Gulfport Arts Center, 2726 54th St. S., Gulfport. Trace a festive stencil onto a mini screen made from mesh and an embroidery hoop. Supplies limited. Registration required. Sign-up by emailing .

Holiday Movie on the Lawn

6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5. Morningside Recreation Center, 2400 Harn Blvd., Clearwater. Free. Get ready to have your hearts grow three sizes at this holiday movie night on the lawn. Don’t be a Grinch — cozy up with your own lawn chairs and blankets for a night of heartwarming holiday fun.

Snow Place Like Tarpon Springs

5-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Downtown Tarpon Springs, 100 E. Tarpon Ave. The event is held on Tarpon Avenue between Spring Boulevard and Ring Avenue and will feature a tree lighting at 6 p.m. in the Mother Meres parking lot. The boat parade will arrive in Spring Bayou around 8 p.m. Other activities include children’s crafts and activities, holiday performers, live music, holiday shopping, restaurants, food vendors, falling snow, outdoor movies, snow slide, and more. Santa will also be in attendance. Parking is limited downtown. A complimentary shuttle is offered from St. Timothy Lutheran Church, located on Tarpon Avenue just west of U.S. 19, and the Tarpon Tower, west of U.S. 19 off Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Shuttles will begin at 4:30 p.m. and continue until 10:30 p.m.

St. Pete Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony

5:30 p.m. Friday Dec. 6. Horan Park, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, St Pete Beach. Visit the park for the annual ceremony and a visit with Santa.

Safety Harbor Tree Lighting

6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Gazebo at John Wilson Park, 401 Main St., Safety Harbor. Come enjoy the lighting of Safety Harbor’s giant Christmas tree. Choirs will warm up the crowd for a visit from Santa Claus that is arranged by the Safety Harbor Fire Department.

Ride & Run With The Stars

Saturday, Dec. 7. Fort De Soto Park. Participants enjoy cycling and walking events as well as a certified 5K road race. With a visit from Santa Claus, food, and children's activities, there's fun for the whole family. Ride and Run With the Stars proceeds benefit the Pinellas County Sheriff's Christmas Sharing Project, which helps crime victims, children, and families through the holidays. Registration is open. The 10K Family Bike Ride, 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk/Skate, or 25-Mile Bike Ride is $50. The 5K Chipped race registration is $55. The registration fee includes a long-sleeve dry-fit shirt, food, and giveaways. Visit www.rideandrunwiththestars.com to register or for more information.

9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Drive NE, St. Petersburg. Enjoy toboggan slides for adults and children, inflatables, arts and crafts tents, food trucks, and more. The $5 wristband includes all activities and can be purchased online or at a city recreation center until Dec. 1 at noon. Wristbands can also be purchased day of the event.

Holiday Tree Lighting & Strolling Market

5-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, Largo. Free to attend; $10 on-site parking and $5 off-site parking at Largo High School. The tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. Santa will make a visit for free Photos with Santa from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Food and beverage vendors will be on-site selling delicious treats and eats. The market will feature local artisans, crafters and businesses.

Holiday at Hogwarts

Noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. TECO Hall, Oldsmar Library, 400 St. Petersburg Drive E., Oldsmar. Free. Come dressed as your favorite Harry Potter character or in your best Muggle attire. Feast your eyes upon real live owls — courtesy of Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue — sample our butterbeer, and make your very own magic wand. This magical event also includes face painting, raffle prizes and more.

Breakfast with Santa

9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Dunedin Community Center, 1920 Pinehurst Road. Bring your wish list and join Santa for breakfast, crafts, and entertainment. Children must be accompanied by an adult. $8 person by Dec. 4 and $12 per person after. Children 2 years and younger are free. Register online or in person at Dunedin Community Center or MLK, Jr. Recreation Center.

Safety Harbor Holiday Parade

10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Main Street, Safety Harbor. Floats, old-fashioned cars, community groups and Santa are just a few of the highlights.

55th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes

10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. The Dunedin Youth Guild hosts the event. This year’s “Jingle Around Dunedin” theme reflects the unique Florida holiday season. The five homes on this year’s tour are a beautiful example of how our tropical Florida landscape combines with time-honored holiday favorites. Ticket price includes a visit to the Holiday Tea. Proceeds benefit the Dunedin Youth Guild’s youth scholarship program and other youth-focused community improvement projects. Advance tickets are $30 online at https://dunedinyouthguild.org or $35 the day of the event at the Hale Center, 330 Douglas Ave.

Tierra Verde Tree Lighting

Holiday Movie in the Park

5:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Craig Park, Tarpon Springs. Visit Craig Park for a free showing of “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.”

Christmas Golf Cart Parade

5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. VFW Post 2550, 360 Douglas Ave., Dunedin. Join Dunedin Goes Carting for their annual parade through downtown. The event also includes festive music, entertainment, a golf cart decorating contest, food, drinks, and a visit from Santa. The judging for the golf cart contest will take place in the staging area from 5:30-7 p.m. The parade will start the VFW Post 2550, travel through downtown Dunedin, and conclude after Mease Manor.

Merry Martini

PJs and Pizza with Santa

2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Southwest Recreation Complex, 13120 Vonn Road, Largo. For ages 6 months-7 years. Cost is $10 for children under 7, and $4 for adults. Children over 7 are not permitted. Call 727-518-3125.

TFO Holiday Brass Quintet Concert

Belleair Holiday Parade & Party

Holiday Sail-a-bration Waterless Boat Parade

6-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. 9100 113th St. N., Seminole. Seminole's best and brightest light up 113th Street for this one-of-a-kind parade. Parade begins at the Seminole Recreation Center and ends at Seminole City Center.

Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting

7-9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. Seminole City Center, 11201 Park Blvd., Seminole. After watching the Sail-a-bration parade, enjoy a tree lighting, trophy ceremony, pictures with Santa, music featuring Seminole high school bands. Bring or purchase an unwrapped toy or gift card supporting Seminole Lake Rotary’s Red Sled Initiative, a program dedicated to enriching the lives of foster children in Pinellas County.

DHS Holiday Coffee House Performance

6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11. Pioneer Park, 420 Main St., Dunedin. Join the Dunedin High School Chorus and Theatre Departments for their annual performance including performances by the Falconaires, Choirs and featured soloists accompanied by a live jazz band. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. 727-469-4100 or visit www.pcsb.org/dunedin-hs .

Sensitive Santa — ASL-friendly

Signing Santa — ASL-friendly

6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12. Ulmer Park, 301 W. Bay Drive, Largo. Celebrate the holidays in a truly inclusive and magical way at Ulmer Park's upcoming Signing Santa event. This special occasion is designed to provide families with a safe and accommodating environment to enjoy the festive season. Santa will be using sign language. There also will be a Christmas performance by the Hands of Praise choir using ASL. This event is for all ages and is free to attend. Call 727-587-6740, ext. 5009.

Holiday WinterFest and Tree Lighting

5:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. Seminole Recreation Center, 9100 113th St. N., Seminole. Get into the holiday spirit with the city of Seminole's free annual event that includes make and take crafts, a holiday craft market, live entertainment, a visit with Santa, snow hill sledding, and bounce house zone. $7 activity band available to purchase for the snow hill and bounce houses.

Whimsical Winter: Community Art Show Reception

5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. Gulfport Arts Center, 2726 54th St. S., Gulfport. This winter-themed community art show will present the whimsicality of winter in original artwork in various media. Art work will be on display Dec. 13 through Jan. 24. Studio hours are Tuesday and Wednesday, 3-7 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Scenes on the Green

7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. Crest Lake Park, 201 S. Glenwood Ave., Clearwater. Free. Attendees enjoy a free magical movie night under the stars. Bring blankets and low-lying chairs. The featured film will be “The Polar Express.”

The Rudolph Limited

5:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 13-14; and Dec. 20-21. Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, Largo. Cost is $10 a person, with limited availability. Tickets will be available for purchase on-site beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Shelter 2. Attendees will enjoy an enchanting journey through a winter wonderland as a festive train whisks them around the park, dazzling with millions of twinkling lights. Rides are for ages 1 and older. Due to insurance liability, children under 1 and pregnant mothers are not permitted to ride the train. All riders must obtain a ticket to ride. Call 727-601-3168.

The Polar Express Experience

4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. The plaza at the BayCare Sound, at Coachman Park, 255 Drew St., Clearwater. Free. Enjoy falling snow on the plaza while enjoying a wide variety of family-friendly experiences for kids of all ages, including games, activities and crafts. At 6:30 p.m., the Ruth Eckerd Hall Chorus will take the stage for a Holiday Sing-A-Long. Then, enjoy a free screening of the Oscar-nominated animated movie, “The Polar Express.” Concessions and food trucks will offer a variety of food and drinks for purchase on the plaza.

Santa’s Holly Jolly Block Party

5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. Ross Norton Recreation Center, 1426 S M.L.K. Jr Ave., Clearwater. Free. Santa Claus is coming to town! The Lake Belleview Neighborhood Association and Ross Norton Recreation Center are hosting a free holiday celebration with fun for the whole family. There will be live music, food, a holiday tree lighting and other family-friendly activities.

Tarpon Springs Christmas Parade

10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Downtown Tarpon Avenue, Gather the family and head to beautiful downtown Tarpon Springs for a magical experience that will create lasting memories.

Holiday Concert in the Park

2-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Largo Community Center, 400 Alt. Keene Road, Largo. Cost is $5 a person. Get in the holiday spirit during an afternoon of live holiday music, make-and-take crafts, hot cocoa and holiday cookies. This event is outside, so don't forget your chair or blanket and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the Largo Community Center's park. Call 727-518-3131.

Holiday Parade & Old Fashioned Christmas

4-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Downtown Dunedin, Main Street and Douglas Avenue. Watch Santa arrive in downtown Dunedin as the holiday parade travels along Douglas Avenue, from Beltrees Street and heads north to Skinner Boulevard. The parade will feature holiday-decorated floats, bands, performers, and, of course, Santa Claus. Immediately after the parade, downtown is transported back in time as old-fashioned Christmas activities, entertainment and even snow are spread throughout downtown. Returning this year is an ice-skating rink. Free.

Madeira Beach Festival of Lights Holiday Boat Parade

6:15-9:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. The parade begins at ROC Park at 6:15 p.m., travels the majority of the finger canals through the city, and ends at John’s Pass at about 8:30 p.m.

Santa's Twilight 5K

7-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Safety Harbor Marina, 110 Veterans Memorial Lane, Safety Harbor.

Holiday Cosplay Tampa Bay 2024

Harbor Holiday Nights

6-9:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 19-21. Folly Farm Nature Preserve, 1562 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., Safety Harbor. There will be children's activities, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, farm friend encounters, and so many twinkling lights. Hop on the trolley and get whisked away to the Candy Cane Forest for even more magical holiday fun. Harbor Holiday at Folly Farm is free. The Candy Cane Forest is $5 per person.

Deck the Paws

6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19. Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, Largo. Don't miss this pawsi-tively memorable evening as SPCA Tampa Bay features pet photos with Santa. Also enjoy pet friendly vendors, food and music. As always, pets are welcome to the Holiday Lights, but please make sure they are leashed. SPCA Tampa Bay will also be on-site sharing adoption information. Call 727-587-6740, 5014.

Mistletoe Market

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. Horan Park, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, St Pete Beach. Shop around with vendors and purchase some of their amazing products.

Old Fashioned Christmas Parade

Noon. Saturday, Dec. 21. Downtown Largo. The Old Fashioned Downtown Christmas Parade is hitting the street again this year for this memorable annual tradition. Bring the family and find your spot along the parade route and cheer on the floats, old time cars, jeeps and more. This event is produced by the Rotary Club of Largo in cooperation with the city of Largo.

North Greenwood Holiday Social

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. North Greenwood Recreation Center, 900 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Clearwater. Free. This festive holiday celebration will feature games, prizes, hot cocoa, crafts and fun for the whole family. Santa will be joining attendees.