Enjoy the holidays in St. Petersburg with our ultimate guide to festive fun. From St. Petersburg regulars to first-time tourists, this guide highlights the season's top events.
Popular Events: One of the standout experiences this holiday season is the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker, where the classic ballet comes to life with breathtaking performances and stunning visuals. In addition, ZooTampa Christmas in the Wild offers a unique blend of holiday lights and wildlife, allowing visitors to stroll through an enchanting setting filled with festive decorations and animal encounters. And the dazzling Enchant Christmas at Tropicana Field is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a spectacular light maze and ice-skating under the stars. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around St. Petersburg
- Enchant Christmas at Tropicana Field
- ZooTampa Christmas in the Wild (Tampa)
- Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
- Oakdale Christmas House
- The Florida Orchestra Presents Holiday Pops at The Mahaffey Theater
- NUTCRACKER Magical Christmas Ballet at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (Sarasota)
- Waterfront Lights and Santa Parade in St. Petersburg
- Holiday Lights Immersive Experience at FLORIDARama
- St. Petersburg City Theater presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical
- Victorian Christmas Stroll (Tampa)
See these and even more events listed below!
St. Petersburg Holiday Light Displays
Enchant Christmas at Tropicana Field
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light maze with interactive elements.
Description:
Enchant Christmas at Tropicana Field features a world's largest Christmas light maze, unique ice skating experiences, and a variety of festive attractions including seasonal food, drink, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and nightly caroling.
Where: St. Petersburg | More Info: Enchant Christmas at Tropicana Field
ZooTampa Christmas in the Wild
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with light displays and wildlife connections.
Description:
ZooTampa's Christmas in the Wild features Tampa Bay's largest light displays, delectable holiday treats, and amazing wildlife encounters. This year is bigger and better than ever, with festive entertainment for the whole family.
Where: Tampa | More Info: ZooTampa Christmas in the Wild
Oakdale Christmas House
What to Expect:
World-class holiday light display with a 70-foot tall Christmas tree and 18-train HO scale model railroad.
Description:
Oakdale Christmas House features an extensive 12-acre display of 609,751 lights, including fiber optics and 700 moving animated objects. The event includes a 70-foot tall Christmas tree light array, a 4-giant Christmas tree roof, and a 18-train HO scale model railroad. It also features bubble machines, outdoor TV presentations, inflatables, and a manger scene with over 150 pieces. The display is complemented by beautiful Christmas music and various interactive items for both children and adults.
Where: St. Petersburg | More Info: Oakdale Christmas House
St. Petersburg Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Florida Orchestra Presents Holiday Pops at The Mahaffey Theater
What to Expect:
Classical music performance with a holiday twist.
Description:
The Florida Orchestra presents a festive holiday concert featuring classical music and popular tunes, perfect for the holiday season.
Where: St. Petersburg | More Info: The Florida Orchestra Presents Holiday Pops at The Mahaffey Theater
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker is a timeless holiday classic featuring world-class ballet, elaborate sets, and stunning costumes.
Where: St. Petersburg | More Info: Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
St. Petersburg City Theater presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical
What to Expect:
Heartwarming holiday musical with a dazzling score featuring well-known standards.
Description:
St. Petersburg City Theater presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical, featuring 17 Irving Berlin songs and a book by David Ives and Paul Blake. The musical follows Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis as they follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, owned by their former army commander. With a dazzling score including well-known standards like “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” and the perennial title song, this heartwarming musical adaptation is an uplifting and wholesome celebration of the holiday season.
Where: St. Petersburg | More Info: St. Petersburg City Theater presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical
NUTCRACKER Magical Christmas Ballet at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall features an international all-star cast blending world-class ballet with whimsical puppets, lavish costumes, and stunning acrobatics. Celebrate America's favorite Christmas tradition with Tchaikovsky's timeless score, creating pure holiday magic for friends and family of all ages.
Where: Sarasota | More Info: NUTCRACKER Magical Christmas Ballet at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
St. Petersburg Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Lights Immersive Experience at FLORIDARama
What to Expect:
Interactive art exhibits celebrating Florida's unique stories.
Description:
At FloridaRAMA, immerse yourself in a vibrant, playful world celebrating original Florida stories through interactive art exhibits, dioramas, and multimedia installations. Explore artist-made environments, enjoy the sights, sounds, and even scents of Florida, and discover something new with each visit.
Where: St. Petersburg | More Info: Holiday Lights Immersive Experience at FLORIDARama
Waterfront Lights and Santa Parade in St. Petersburg
What to Expect:
Illuminated night parade with tree lighting.
Description:
The Waterfront Lights and Santa Parade in St. Petersburg feature a festive illuminated night parade, followed by the tree lighting in North Straub Park. The event includes entertainment, music, and concessions, with holiday activities and free admission.
Where: St. Petersburg | More Info: Waterfront Lights and Santa Parade in St. Petersburg
Victorian Christmas Stroll
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with live music and Victorian-era decorations.
Description:
The Victorian Christmas Stroll at the Henry B. Plant Museum is a beloved holiday tradition celebrating the warmth and spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas. Decorations include visitor favorites from past years along with new displays and themes, creating a festive atmosphere with complimentary cider and cookies, live music, and shopping in a Victorian setting.
Where: Tampa | More Info: Victorian Christmas Stroll
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Pinellas Park (5 miles)
- Largo (12 miles)
- Clearwater (15 miles)
- Town 'n' Country (18 miles)
- Tampa (18 miles)
- Bradenton (20 miles)
- Palm Harbor (22 miles)
- Riverview (23 miles)
- Brandon (27 miles)