14 Christmas Parades, Tree Lightings and Boat Parades in Tampa Bay for 2026
Tampa Bay's 2026 holiday season starts with Water Street's Season Spectacular on November 12 and runs through the Tampa Riverwalk boat parade on December 19. Most parades and boat parades cluster on Saturday, December 12.
The list covers Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Gulfport, Wesley Chapel and Dade City. Dates and times come from organizers, and a few pages do not yet say whether viewing is free.
1.Water Street
Season Spectacular: the neighborhood lighting, a 35 foot tree and Santa photos.
Water Street's fifth annual Season Spectacular is the official lighting of the neighborhood and the start of the holiday season, with about 500,000 lights and a 35 foot tree. Activities include Santa Snaps photos, Mrs. Claus Cookie Workshop, a Kids Workshop, a North Pole Post Office and Candy Cane Lane.
- Know before you go
- Free. A portion of bar sales benefits the Children's Dream Fund.
- Best time
- Thursday, November 12, 2026, 5 to 9 PM.
- Local tip
- The event is at 971 Water St.
2.The Shops at Wiregrass
Wesley Chapel's Symphony in Lights kickoff: Santa on a fire truck, drones and a tree lighting.
The Symphony in Lights kickoff has Santa arrive on a Pasco County Fire Rescue fire truck, then a 300 drone show followed by a tree lighting. There is also a holiday market, live big band music and strolling characters.
- Know before you go
- The page does not say whether admission or any activity has a charge.
- Best time
- Saturday, November 14, 2026, 5 to 9:30 PM.
- Local tip
- Musical light shows run nightly from November 15 through December 31 at 6, 7, 8 and 9 PM.
3.Hyde Park Village
Tree lighting with food trucks, live entertainment, games and photos with Santa.
Hyde Park Village hosts its annual tree lighting as a street wide family event. Guests can enjoy craft beer and wine, food trucks, live entertainment, games and photos with Santa.
- Know before you go
- Free, described by the organizer as a free family friendly event.
- Best time
- Thursday, November 19, 2026, 5:30 to 8:30 PM.
- Local tip
- Arrive early for the evening, since the whole street is the venue.
4.North Straub Park
St. Pete's 98th Annual Santa Parade ends with the tree lighting on the waterfront.
The City of St. Petersburg's 98th Annual Santa Parade and Tree Lighting starts at Albert Whitted Park and the tree lighting follows at North Straub Park. The city's Holiday Lights and Displays begin the same day.
- Know before you go
- The city page does not state a cost for the parade.
- Best time
- Saturday, November 28, 2026, 6:30 PM.
- Local tip
- The route follows the downtown waterfront, so plan to walk along the bayfront.
5.Vinoy Park
Shopapalooza: more than 350 vendors on the waterfront, with a kids zone and live entertainment.
Shopapalooza Festival fills Vinoy Park with local makers and small businesses, four food zones, a beer and wine garden, live entertainment and a kids zone. It is family and pet friendly.
- Know before you go
- Free admission.
- Best time
- Saturday and Sunday, November 28 and 29, 2026, 10 AM to 5 PM.
- Local tip
- Come early on Saturday if you want to browse the vendors before the evening Santa Parade.
6.Coachman Park
Clearwater's Bright and Beautiful Tree Lighting, with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and a snow machine.
Clearwater's Bright and Beautiful Tree Lighting at Coachman Park has Christmas carolers, dance groups, food trucks, inflatables and merchants. Mr. and Mrs. Claus are there for photos.
- Know before you go
- Free.
- Best time
- Sunday, November 29, 2026, 5 to 9 PM.
- Local tip
- The city page lists the event window but no separate tree lighting time.
7.Tampa Convention Center
Holiday Harbour Tree Lighting: the mayor arrives by water taxi to light a 35 foot floating tree.
The annual Tampa Riverwalk tree lighting is billed as the official start of the holiday season. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor arrives by water taxi at the Convention Center docks, lights a 35 foot floating Christmas tree and starts the Holiday Spectacular.
- Know before you go
- The page does not say whether the event is free or ticketed.
- Best time
- Sunday, November 29, 2026, 4 to 7 PM, at the Tampa Convention Center and The Sail Plaza.
- Local tip
- The venue address is 333 S. Franklin Street.
8.Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Tampa's Santa Fest: a downtown parade, Santa Fest and the tree lighting.
Tampa's Santa Fest and Tree Lighting is the city's holiday kickoff. The parade begins at 1 PM along downtown streets near Gasparilla Plaza, and Santa Fest begins at 1 PM in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
- Know before you go
- The city's application states the event is free and open to the public. The tree lighting time was not stated in the document.
- Best time
- Saturday, December 5, 2026. Parade at 1 PM.
- Local tip
- The city's paperwork lists route streets closing at noon, so plan your parking early.
9.St. Petersburg Municipal Marina
The Downtown St. Pete Lighted Christmas Boat Parade passes the Pier and the Vinoy basin.
The parade departs from the St. Pete Municipal Marina. Boats can be seen near the St. Pete Pier and in the Vinoy yacht basin, and from North Shore Park and Flora Wylie Park.
- Know before you go
- Free admission, per the Visit St. Pete Clearwater listing.
- Best time
- Saturday, December 12, 2026, beginning at 6:30 PM.
- Local tip
- Viewing spots listed by the tourism board are the Pier, the Vinoy basin, North Shore Park and Flora Wylie Park.
10.Gulfport Municipal Marina
Gulfport's Boca Ciega Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade starts at the municipal marina.
The Boca Ciega Yacht Club's Christmas Boat Parade begins at the Gulfport Municipal Marina at 5500 Shore Blvd S. It supports Operation Santa, and unwrapped toy donations are encouraged.
- Know before you go
- The parade is free to attend.
- Best time
- Saturday, December 12, 2026, 6 to 8:30 PM.
- Local tip
- Boats gather at 5:30 PM before the parade.
11.Clearwater Beach Marina
The 52nd Annual Holiday Lighted Boat Parade ends at the Clearwater Beach Marina.
The Clearwater Yacht Club's parade launches just north of the Mandalay Channel Bridge and cruises around Island Estates. It passes Coachman Park and heads toward the Sand Key Bridge before it ends at the Clearwater Beach Marina.
- Know before you go
- The page does not say whether spectator viewing is free. Boater entry is free.
- Best time
- Saturday, December 12, 2026, 6 PM.
- Local tip
- The route passes Coachman Park, a mainland spot for watching.
12.Historic Downtown Dade City
The 42nd Annual Christmas Stroll takes over Meridian Street in downtown Dade City.
Historic Downtown Dade City hosts its 42nd Annual Christmas Stroll, an evening of festive activities for families at Meridian Street and 7th Street.
- Know before you go
- The listing does not say whether admission is free.
- Best time
- Saturday, December 12, 2026, 5 to 9 PM.
- Local tip
- The Stroll is at Meridian St. and 7th St.
13.Avalon Park Wesley Chapel
Avalon Aglow: Santa pictures, live music, a bounce park and a closing fireworks show.
Avalon Aglow is a holiday extravaganza in the heart of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. It has pictures with Santa, a bounce park, vendors, live music and performances, food trucks and a fireworks show to close the evening.
- Know before you go
- Free and open to the public.
- Best time
- Saturday, December 12, 2026, 5 to 9 PM.
- Local tip
- The event is at 4424 Friendly Way. A Kids Market is listed as a separate event.
14.Tampa Riverwalk
Tampa's largest lighted boat parade runs the Hillsborough River downtown.
The Holiday Lighted Boat Parade kicks off near Sparkman Wharf, heads through the Convention Center Basin and finishes at Armature Works. A VIP viewing experience at Sparkman Wharf is offered separately.
- Know before you go
- The page does not say whether public viewing is free. The VIP viewing is ticketed.
- Best time
- Saturday, December 19, 2026. The parade kicks off at 6:15 PM.
- Local tip
- The Riverwalk follows the river, so you can pick a spot along the route.
Find more seasonal plans at Christmas in Florida on Wayfind. Parade routes and road closures can change, so check the organizer's page the week of the event.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Tampa Santa Fest parade in 2026?
The city's paperwork lists Tampa's Santa Fest and Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 5, 2026, with the parade beginning at 1 PM.
When are the Tampa Bay Christmas boat parades?
Downtown St. Pete, Gulfport and Clearwater are listed for Saturday, December 12, 2026. The Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Lighted Boat Parade is Saturday, December 19, 2026, at 6:15 PM.
When is the St. Petersburg Santa Parade?
The 98th Annual Santa Parade and Tree Lighting is Saturday, November 28, 2026, at 6:30 PM, starting at Albert Whitted Park with the tree lighting at North Straub Park.
Where can I see a tree lighting in Tampa Bay?
Hyde Park Village on November 19, Clearwater's Coachman Park on November 29 and the Holiday Harbour Tree Lighting at the Tampa Convention Center and The Sail Plaza on November 29 are all listed for 2026.
Are there holiday markets in Tampa Bay in 2026?
Shopapalooza Festival at Vinoy Park runs November 28 and 29 with free admission, and the Symphony in Lights kickoff in Wesley Chapel includes a holiday market on November 14.
