14 Christmas Things to Do with Kids in Tampa Bay for 2026
For Christmas with kids in Tampa Bay in 2026, start with Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa and Snowcat Ridge's snow tubing hill in Dade City. Santa visits are listed at MOSI, Enchant and the St. Pete waterfront.
The list also includes family shows, a tree farm and several free tree lightings. Age and height rules are noted where the organizer posts them.
1.Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Santa's Workshop, Rudolph and Friends and the Holly Jolly Express train, plus rides.
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens includes Santa's Workshop with photo ops, meet and greets with Rudolph and Friends, and the Holly Jolly Express train. The park's theme park rides and attractions also run, along with nearly 70 miles of lights.
- Know before you go
- Included with park admission. Extras such as Priority Access are sold separately.
- Best time
- Select dates from November 13, 2026 through January 4, 2027.
- Local tip
- Check the park's schedule for operating days before you go.
2.ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Christmas in the Wild adds Santa photos, family shows and winter animal experiences after 4 PM.
The zoo describes light displays, holiday music, a chance to get your picture with Santa and family shows. It also lists winter themed Wildlife Connections and Signature Animal Encounters.
- Know before you go
- Children 2 and under are admitted free. The event runs rain or shine and November 27 is a member preview night.
- Best time
- Select nights from November 27 to December 30, 2026, with admission after 4 PM.
- Local tip
- The public night calendar is an image on the zoo's page, so check it before planning.
3.Snowcat Ridge Alpine Snow Park
A snow park in Dade City with a 400 foot tubing hill, an igloo and Santa's Christmas Lane.
Snowcat Ridge lists Snowy Slopes, a 60 foot tall, 400 foot long snow tubing hill, plus the Arctic Igloo, Alpine Village, Crystal Ribbon ice skating and Santa's Christmas Lane. General admission includes a 2 hour snow tubing session.
- Know before you go
- General admission is required for guests 2 and older, and skating rental does not include it. The top of the hill is not accessible by strollers or wheelchairs.
- Best time
- The calendar posts daily hours for November 2026 through February 2027, for example November 15 is 10 AM to 10 PM. Some dates show no tickets.
- Local tip
- Single tubes require riders to be at least 6 years old and 42 inches tall. 10 person tubes allow riders as young as 2 and 32 inches tall.
4.Tropicana Field
Enchant has a light maze, a village and Santa visits in one big indoor stadium setting.
Enchant Christmas St. Petersburg includes a light maze, a shopping village with photo moments, live entertainment and caroling, and a chance to visit Santa. Theme nights such as Paws and Claus on December 6 are included with admission.
See Enchant dates, official tickets and resale options on Wayfind
- Know before you go
- Ice skating, parking and a Ferris wheel are add ons. Children under 5 must skate with a parent or guardian.
- Best time
- November 20 through December 27, 2026.
- Local tip
- Tickets have an arrival window. Once inside you can stay as long as you like.
5.MOSI
Santa in Space: Santa photos in Mission: Moonbase, planetarium shows and science experiments.
MOSI's Santa in Space includes festive planetarium shows, letter writing to send to the North Pole, shopping at the Merry Market, seasonal treats and science experiments. Santa photos are in Mission: Moonbase.
- Know before you go
- Included with general MOSI admission for the day. MOSI members get in free.
- Best time
- Saturday, December 12, 2026. Activities 10 AM to 4 PM, Santa photos 2 to 6 PM.
- Local tip
- Santa photos are first come, first served.
6.North Straub Park
Snowfest in St. Pete: toboggan slides, inflatables, crafts and food trucks on the waterfront.
The City of St. Petersburg's Snowfest at North Straub Park has toboggan slides, inflatables, arts and crafts and food trucks. A wristband covers all activities, though food is not included.
- Know before you go
- Wristbands are required for the activities. Food is separate.
- Best time
- Saturday, December 5, 2026, 9 AM to 2 PM.
- Local tip
- Wristbands can be bought online or at city recreation centers until December 5 at noon, or at the event.
7.North Straub Park
Meet Santa in the Park: evening meet and greets among the waterfront lights.
The City of St. Petersburg lists Meet Santa in the Park as a meet and greet with Santa at North Straub Park. Bring your own camera.
- Know before you go
- The city page does not state a cost.
- Best time
- December 12 and 13, then December 18 to 23, 2026, 6 to 9 PM.
- Local tip
- The city's holiday lights are in the same park, so you can walk them afterward.
8.Water Street
Season Spectacular has a Kids Workshop, Mrs. Claus Cookie Workshop and North Pole Post Office.
Water Street's Season Spectacular offers Santa Snaps photos, a Mrs. Claus Cookie Workshop, a Kids Workshop, a North Pole Post Office and Candy Cane Lane, along with the neighborhood lighting and a 35 foot tree.
- Know before you go
- Free.
- Best time
- Thursday, November 12, 2026, 5 to 9 PM.
- Local tip
- The event is at 971 Water St.
9.Avalon Park Wesley Chapel
Avalon Aglow: Santa pictures, a bounce park and a fireworks finish.
Avalon Aglow has pictures with Santa, a bounce park, vendors, live music and performances and food trucks, ending with a fireworks show. A Kids Market is listed as a separate event.
- 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.
10.Ruth Eckerd Hall
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage, billed as a gift the whole family can enjoy.
This touring stage production adapts the Peanuts holiday special, with Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang staging their own Christmas play, set to Vince Guaraldi's music.
- Know before you go
- Ticketed. The hall describes the show as family friendly.
- Best time
- Sunday, November 15, 2026. Doors 6 PM, show 7 PM.
- Local tip
- Doors open an hour before the show.
11.Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Miracle on 34th Street, told as a live radio broadcast, with matinees.
Tampa Rep's Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play is described as a festive, family friendly holiday story. It is staged at the Shimberg Playhouse in the style of a live radio broadcast.
- Know before you go
- Ticketed. Running time was listed as to be announced.
- Best time
- December 3 to 23, 2026. Thursday to Saturday 7:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday matinees 3 PM.
- Local tip
- Seating begins 30 minutes before showtime.
12.Ergle Christmas Tree Farm
Pick a Florida grown tree, with weekend train rides when weather allows.
The Dade City farm lets you walk the property with no admission charge. You can cut your own Florida grown tree with saws and string provided, or buy a pre cut one. Weekend train rides are listed.
- Know before you go
- The train runs on weekends when weather allows, but the page also shows an older notice that the train is off the track, so call ahead.
- Best time
- Open seven days a week from November 14 through December 20, 2026, 9 AM to 7 PM.
- Local tip
- The fields are not lit after dark, so plan to cut a tree in daylight.
13.Coachman Park
Clearwater's tree lighting has Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a snow machine and inflatables.
The free Bright and Beautiful Tree Lighting at Coachman Park includes carolers, dance groups, food trucks, a snow machine and inflatables. Kids can get a picture with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
- Know before you go
- Free.
- Best time
- Sunday, November 29, 2026, 5 to 9 PM.
- Local tip
- The city lists the event window but no separate tree lighting time.
14.The Shops at Wiregrass
The Symphony in Lights kickoff adds Santa on a fire truck, balloon artists and two alpine tubing slides.
The Wesley Chapel kickoff lists Santa's arrival on a Pasco County Fire Rescue truck, a 300 drone show, strolling characters and stilt walkers, balloon artists, face painters and two 50 foot Alpine Tubing Slides.
- 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.
Find more family plans at Christmas in Florida on Wayfind. Ticket details and hours can change, so check each organizer's page before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Where is there real snow in Tampa Bay?
Snowcat Ridge in Dade City lists a 400 foot snow tubing hill, the Arctic Igloo and Santa's Christmas Lane. Its calendar posts hours for November 2026 through February 2027.
Where can kids meet Santa in Tampa Bay in 2026?
Options include Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, ZooTampa's Christmas in the Wild, Enchant St. Petersburg, MOSI's Santa in Space on December 12 and Meet Santa in the Park at North Straub Park.
Are there Christmas train rides near Tampa?
Busch Gardens lists the Holly Jolly Express train in Christmas Town. Ergle Christmas Tree Farm lists weekend train rides when weather allows, but the page also shows a notice that the train is off the track.
How old do kids need to be for Snowcat Ridge tubing?
Single tubes require riders to be at least 6 years old and 42 inches tall. 10 person tubes allow riders as young as 2 and at least 32 inches tall.
Is there a kid friendly Christmas show in Tampa Bay?
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage is at Ruth Eckerd Hall on November 15, and Miracle on 34th Street runs at the Straz Center's Shimberg Playhouse from December 3 to 23.
