Tampa’s December Holiday Magic: The Best Local Events Happening Across Hillsborough County
Cassandra Currier
Friday, December 5, 2025
This year, Tampa and Hillsborough County are rolling out a full calendar of holiday markets, magical festivals, and our signature boat parades and I’ve rounded up the best of the best to make your planning easy.
Holiday shopping kicks off at Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park, where the Riverwalk transforms into a cozy winter wonderland. Local vendors line the park with handmade goods, ornaments, candles, sweets, and the kind of unique gifts you won’t find online. Over in Hyde Park Village, the Holiday Market Weekend brings upscale charm with curated vendors and plenty of festive photo spots perfect for your Instagram grid. And if you love supporting local makers, don’t miss Indie Flea, a Tampa staple known for artisan goods, vintage treasures, and creative holiday finds.
For festive family fun, Tampa delivers in a big way. Busch Gardens Christmas Town dazzles with millions of lights, holiday shows, and seasonal food it’s practically a right of passage in December. ZooTampa’s Christmas in the Wild brings glowing realms, wildlife encounters, and just the right amount of holiday magic for families with younger kids. And for a classic Tampa holiday experience, mark your calendar for Snow on 7th in Ybor City, where the historic district comes alive with a parade, performers, and a dusting of “snow” that always brings smiles.
No Tampa holiday season is complete without the boat parades our very Floridian twist on Christmas cheer. The Hillsborough River Holiday Boat Parade is the can’t-miss event of the year, featuring festively lit boats cruising through Downtown Tampa as crowds gather along the Riverwalk to watch. For waterfront communities, the Riverview and Apollo Beach parades bring small-town charm to our coastal holiday celebrations.
Whether you’re searching for gifts, planning festive outings with family, or exploring Tampa as your next home base, the holidays are the perfect time to experience the lifestyle and community spirit that make our city shine. I love helping people not just find a home but fall in love with Tampa. And December is the perfect time to do just that.
Happy holidays, Tampa! let’s make this season magical.
Holiday shopping kicks off at Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park, where the Riverwalk transforms into a cozy winter wonderland. Local vendors line the park with handmade goods, ornaments, candles, sweets, and the kind of unique gifts you won’t find online. Over in Hyde Park Village, the Holiday Market Weekend brings upscale charm with curated vendors and plenty of festive photo spots perfect for your Instagram grid. And if you love supporting local makers, don’t miss Indie Flea, a Tampa staple known for artisan goods, vintage treasures, and creative holiday finds.
For festive family fun, Tampa delivers in a big way. Busch Gardens Christmas Town dazzles with millions of lights, holiday shows, and seasonal food it’s practically a right of passage in December. ZooTampa’s Christmas in the Wild brings glowing realms, wildlife encounters, and just the right amount of holiday magic for families with younger kids. And for a classic Tampa holiday experience, mark your calendar for Snow on 7th in Ybor City, where the historic district comes alive with a parade, performers, and a dusting of “snow” that always brings smiles.
No Tampa holiday season is complete without the boat parades our very Floridian twist on Christmas cheer. The Hillsborough River Holiday Boat Parade is the can’t-miss event of the year, featuring festively lit boats cruising through Downtown Tampa as crowds gather along the Riverwalk to watch. For waterfront communities, the Riverview and Apollo Beach parades bring small-town charm to our coastal holiday celebrations.
Whether you’re searching for gifts, planning festive outings with family, or exploring Tampa as your next home base, the holidays are the perfect time to experience the lifestyle and community spirit that make our city shine. I love helping people not just find a home but fall in love with Tampa. And December is the perfect time to do just that.
Happy holidays, Tampa! let’s make this season magical.
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