Ho Ho Hold Up Christmas Is Coming to Tampa This Weekend (Yes, in July) Florida State Fairground
Cassandra Currier
Friday, July 24, 2026
It is the middle of July in Tampa, which means it is 95 degrees outside and the last thing on most people's minds is Christmas. And yet here we are, because the Tampa Christmas in July Arts and Craft Show is happening this Saturday and Sunday at the Florida State Fairgrounds and it might just be the most refreshingly fun weekend event of the entire summer. Air conditioning, 175 vendors, Santa Claus, door prizes, and a free tote bag if you show up early enough. Florida is always doing something unexpected, and this weekend it is doing it in a big red bow.
The first ever Tampa Christmas in July Arts and Craft Show takes place Saturday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. Highway 301 North in Tampa. The event features 175 plus vendors showcasing handcrafted gifts, home décor, jewelry, holiday items, treats, and more the perfect place to start your holiday shopping or find something unique. And because it is fully indoors, it is also the perfect excuse to escape the heat for a few hours and actually enjoy yourself without melting on the pavement.
Let's be honest about something: the holidays sneak up on everyone. Every single year, November arrives and suddenly there are 47 people on your gift list and zero ideas. Tampa Christmas in July exists to solve that exact problem. Shopping for handmade and artisan gifts in July means you have five months to store them, zero holiday shipping stress, and the rare satisfaction of being the most prepared person in your family. The vendors here are local makers and independent artists, which means everything you find is thoughtful, one of a kind, and not something people can just order off a big box retailer's website. That matters when you are trying to give a gift that actually means something.
The first 250 guests each day will receive a free tote bag, and Santa Claus himself will be on hand for photos during his special summer stop in Tampa. Door prizes will be given away throughout the weekend. Admission is $5.50, with parking available for $10 in advance or $12 on site. It is genuinely one of the most affordable and well-rounded ways to spend a weekend morning in Tampa right now, and the indoor setting means kids, grandparents, and anyone who has had enough of the Florida sun can all enjoy it equally.
From South Tampa, the Florida State Fairgrounds is less than 20 minutes away via I-4 or U.S. 301. Get there when the doors open on Saturday to secure your free tote and have first pick of the vendor booths before the crowds fill in. Whether you are a planner who loves getting ahead on holiday gifting, a fan of handmade goods, or simply someone who wants to do something different this weekend, Tampa Christmas in July is worth every penny of that $5.50 admission. Ho ho hold up your weekend plans just changed.
The first ever Tampa Christmas in July Arts and Craft Show takes place Saturday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. Highway 301 North in Tampa. The event features 175 plus vendors showcasing handcrafted gifts, home décor, jewelry, holiday items, treats, and more the perfect place to start your holiday shopping or find something unique. And because it is fully indoors, it is also the perfect excuse to escape the heat for a few hours and actually enjoy yourself without melting on the pavement.
Let's be honest about something: the holidays sneak up on everyone. Every single year, November arrives and suddenly there are 47 people on your gift list and zero ideas. Tampa Christmas in July exists to solve that exact problem. Shopping for handmade and artisan gifts in July means you have five months to store them, zero holiday shipping stress, and the rare satisfaction of being the most prepared person in your family. The vendors here are local makers and independent artists, which means everything you find is thoughtful, one of a kind, and not something people can just order off a big box retailer's website. That matters when you are trying to give a gift that actually means something.
The first 250 guests each day will receive a free tote bag, and Santa Claus himself will be on hand for photos during his special summer stop in Tampa. Door prizes will be given away throughout the weekend. Admission is $5.50, with parking available for $10 in advance or $12 on site. It is genuinely one of the most affordable and well-rounded ways to spend a weekend morning in Tampa right now, and the indoor setting means kids, grandparents, and anyone who has had enough of the Florida sun can all enjoy it equally.
From South Tampa, the Florida State Fairgrounds is less than 20 minutes away via I-4 or U.S. 301. Get there when the doors open on Saturday to secure your free tote and have first pick of the vendor booths before the crowds fill in. Whether you are a planner who loves getting ahead on holiday gifting, a fan of handmade goods, or simply someone who wants to do something different this weekend, Tampa Christmas in July is worth every penny of that $5.50 admission. Ho ho hold up your weekend plans just changed.
We would like to hear from you! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always looking forward to hearing from you! We will do our best to reply to you within 24 hours !