13 Holiday Date Night Ideas in Tampa Bay for 2026
For a holiday date night in Tampa Bay in 2026, look to Enchant at Tropicana Field, the Christmas Eve and boat parade dinner cruises from Tampa, or an evening at the Straz Center and Ruth Eckerd Hall. Miracle holiday pop up bars are also listed in Tampa and St. Petersburg.
The list mixes ticketed shows with bars and cruises. Dates come from each organizer, and the Miracle bars had not posted their 2026 dates yet.
1.Tropicana Field
Enchant's light maze and village, with theme nights and an ice skating add on.
Enchant Christmas St. Petersburg pairs a light maze with a shopping village, live entertainment, caroling and a light up dance floor. The organizer lists Friends Night Out and theme nights such as Country Christmas on December 4.
See Enchant dates, official tickets and resale options on Wayfind
- Know before you go
- Ice skating, parking and a Ferris wheel are add ons.
- Best time
- November 20 through December 27, 2026.
- Local tip
- Tickets carry an arrival window. Theme night dates are on Enchant's calendar.
2.Williams Park
Skate under the lights at Tampa Bay's only open air ice rink, per the organizer.
Winter Wonder in downtown St. Petersburg bills itself as Tampa Bay's only open air ice skating rink, surrounded by holiday lights, with a curated market of local small businesses and food and drinks.
- Know before you go
- Monday to Wednesday is skating only, with the market and food closed.
- Best time
- November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027. Thursday and Friday 6 to 10 PM, weekends 2 to 10 PM.
- Local tip
- Skate reservations must be made online or by scanning on site QR codes. Advance reservations are recommended.
3.Star Trolley St. Pete Holiday Lights Tour
A 21 and over Jingle Juice Express trolley ride through St. Pete's holiday displays.
Star Trolley's 10 PM Jingle Juice Express is a 21 and over holiday lights ride on a handpicked route of neighborhood displays, with BYOB beer and wine. Earlier 6 and 8 PM rides are for all ages.
- Know before you go
- The 10 PM ride uses a separate reservation link. Seats are limited and specific dates were not posted on the page.
- Best time
- December 2026. The late ride departs at 10 PM from ArtsXchange at 2215 6th Avenue South.
- Local tip
- Check in opens 30 minutes before departure. Rides run 60 to 90 minutes.
4.Strandhill Public (Tampa Heights)
Miracle at Strandhill Tampa is the holiday pop up bar listed for Tampa in 2026.
Miracle, the holiday pop up bar brand, lists Strandhill Public as its Tampa location for 2026. The brand's page also says locations, dates and hours are subject to change.
- Know before you go
- Dates were not announced on the Miracle page when this was written.
- Best time
- The Miracle 2026 locations page does not list dates or hours for this bar.
- Local tip
- Check Strandhill Public's website or Instagram for opening dates and hours.
5.Bar Mezzo
Miracle at Bar Mezzo is the holiday pop up bar listed for St. Petersburg in 2026.
Miracle lists Bar Mezzo as its St. Petersburg location for 2026. The brand's page directs guests to the venue's website and social accounts for current details.
- Know before you go
- Dates were not announced on the Miracle page when this was written.
- Best time
- The Miracle 2026 locations page does not list dates or hours for this bar.
- Local tip
- Check Bar Mezzo's website or the miracleatmezzo Instagram account for dates.
6.Yacht StarShip Cruises & Events
A Christmas Eve dinner cruise with a holiday buffet, DJ and views of downtown Tampa.
Yacht StarShip's Tampa Christmas Eve Dinner cruise includes a holiday dinner buffet, two complimentary house drink tickets, DJ entertainment and views of downtown Tampa. It departs from 603 Channelside Dr.
- Know before you go
- Complimentary coffee, tea and water are included. Child tickets are for ages 2 to 12.
- Best time
- Thursday, December 24, 2026. Boarding 5 PM, cruise 5:30 to 7:30 PM.
- Local tip
- A full bar is available for purchase on board.
7.Yacht StarShip Cruises & Events
A dinner cruise timed to watch the Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, with dancing on the top deck.
Yacht StarShip's Holiday Lighted Boat Parade Dinner Cruise includes a holiday buffet dinner, two house level drink tickets per person for guests 21 and over, and views of the Downtown Tampa parade. DJ entertainment and dancing are on the top deck.
- Know before you go
- Complimentary water, coffee and iced tea are included.
- Best time
- Saturday, December 19, 2026. Boarding 4:30 PM, cruise 5 to 7:30 PM.
- Local tip
- Views of the parade depend on weather.
8.Tampa Pirate Ship - The Lost Pearl
A two hour pirate ship cruise to watch the Tampa lighted boat parade, with a house bar.
The Lost Pearl's Holiday Lighted Boat Parade Cruise includes holiday music, views of the parade and a house bar with soda, domestic beer, house wine and house liquor.
- Know before you go
- Premium bar drinks, snacks and souvenirs are for purchase. Child tickets are for ages 2 to 12.
- Best time
- December 19. The page does not print the year, but the date matches Wayfind's 2026 parade listing. Boarding 5:45 PM, cruise 6 to 8 PM.
- Local tip
- Allow extra time for parking and street closures, since parking is not included.
9.Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Next Generation Ballet's Nutcracker in Morsani Hall, with five performance days.
Next Generation Ballet presents The Nutcracker in Morsani Hall at the Straz Center. Wayfind's records list multiple performances from December 18 to 22.
- Know before you go
- Ticketed. The Straz page could not be read directly, so confirm times with the Straz Center.
- Best time
- December 2026: Dec 18 at 7 PM, Dec 19 at 2 and 7 PM, Dec 20 at 1 and 6 PM, Dec 22 at 2 PM.
- Local tip
- Pick an evening performance for a date night.
10.Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Miracle on 34th Street, staged as a live radio play at the Shimberg Playhouse.
Tampa Rep's Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play is a festive holiday story with original songs and arrangements. Opening night on December 4 has a pre show celebration at 6 PM.
- Know before you go
- Ticketed. Previews start December 3.
- Best time
- December 3 to 23, 2026. Thursday to Saturday 7:30 PM, with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 PM.
- Local tip
- Seating begins 30 minutes before showtime.
11.The Florida Orchestra
Holiday Pops plays three Tampa Bay halls in four days, including Sleigh Ride.
The Florida Orchestra's Holiday Pops brings seasonal favorites such as Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride, with dancers and special guests. The organizer calls it the most cherished holiday tradition in Tampa Bay.
- Know before you go
- Tickets are available only through The Florida Orchestra Ticket Center.
- Best time
- December 10 and 11, 7:30 PM at the Straz Center. December 12, 2 and 7:30 PM at the Mahaffey Theater. December 13, 2 and 7:30 PM at Ruth Eckerd Hall.
- Local tip
- Choose a 7:30 PM show for an evening out.
12.Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater
The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert: the orchestra plays Danny Elfman's score live to the film.
The Florida Orchestra performs the score while the 1993 film plays on screen. The organizer calls it the contemporary holiday classic in full symphonic glory.
- Know before you go
- Ticketed.
- Best time
- Saturday, December 5 at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, December 6 at 2 PM. The page does not print the year, but the dates fit 2026.
- Local tip
- Choose the Saturday night show for a date night.
13.Ruth Eckerd Hall
Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour on its 29th anniversary.
Saxophonist Dave Koz returns with Jonathan Butler and special guests Haley Reinhart, Dylan Chambers and Erin Stevenson. The program has Christmas classics, a Chanukah medley and hits from each artist.
- Know before you go
- Ticketed.
- Best time
- Friday, December 4, 2026. Doors 7 PM, show 8 PM.
- Local tip
- Doors open an hour before the show.
Plan more of your season on Wayfind at Christmas in Florida. Confirm reservations, ages and times with each organizer before you book.
Frequently asked questions
What holiday pop up bars are in Tampa Bay in 2026?
Miracle lists two Tampa Bay locations for 2026: Strandhill Public in Tampa and Bar Mezzo in St. Petersburg. The brand had not posted dates or hours when this was written.
Are there holiday dinner cruises in Tampa?
Yacht StarShip lists a Christmas Eve dinner cruise on December 24 and a Holiday Lighted Boat Parade dinner cruise on December 19. The Lost Pearl also lists a boat parade cruise on December 19.
Where can I see The Nutcracker in Tampa in 2026?
Next Generation Ballet's Nutcracker is listed at Morsani Hall in the Straz Center from December 18 to 22.
Is there a late night holiday lights ride in St. Pete?
Star Trolley's 10 PM Jingle Juice Express is 21 and over with BYOB beer and wine, during December 2026.
What holiday concerts are there for a date night?
The Florida Orchestra's Holiday Pops runs December 10 to 13, Dave Koz plays Ruth Eckerd Hall on December 4, and The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert is at the Mahaffey Theater on December 5 and 6.
