As the holiday season approaches, many individuals find themselves feeling stressed and overwhelmed – rather than joyful and grateful. If you are experiencing difficult emotions or struggling to find joy during the holiday season, you are not alone. Many individuals experience anxiety and stress associated with the holiday season due to grief, financial stress, family stressors, or mental illness. Taking part in fun activities may help you lean into the holiday spirit, receiving peace and joy. In this blog post, we will share several Christmas activities in Tampa, FL, that may help you find that joy and peace during the holidays. Please note that the free events can change or cancel at anytime so be sure to check out their websites before you head out!
Free Events in the Tampa Bay Area:
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
If you are looking for some outdoor, festive holiday cheer, look no further than the Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park. Here you will find an open-air ice skating rink, local vendors selling holiday treats and gifts, and even a huge Christmas tree. This is a great way to get outside and enjoy the festive season. Some events have a cost at this event but admission is free.
The Riverwalk Lighted Boat Parade
If you are looking to experience some of the unique Tampa traditions, then you cannot miss the Riverwalk Lighted Boat Parade. During this parade, the boats are decorated with festive lights, and the route is lined with food vendors and holiday treats. This is a fun way to celebrate the holidays near the water.
Countryside Mall
The Countryside Mall in Clearwater is transformed into a winter wonderland during the holiday season with more than 1.5 million lights and holiday decor. Plus, it is a great place to shop for holiday gifts from well-known stores.
Symphony of Lights at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel
Get ready to Sparkle and Shine at The Shops at Wiregrass this season! Each year they put on the Symphony in Lights presented by AdventHealth which includes magnificent trees, dazzling lights, holiday harmonies, and nightly snowfalls, starting every hour at 6 pm. And don’t forget the many stores and restaurants to enjoy while you are there!
Holiday Lights & Carnival Rides in Largo Central Park
This is put on as a family-friendly annual tradition presented by the City of Largo starting November 23-December 31 and it features a spectacular holiday light display, with more than two million dazzling LED lights. Walk around the park on the trail and enjoy the spectacular lights as you walk. Admission is free but carnival rides, food, and beverages have additional costs.
Budget Friendly Christmas and Holiday Events in the Tampa Bay Area:
Tampa's Downtown on Ice - Skating Rink
This festive attraction is a perfect opportunity to enjoy Florida's winter season with your family! Located in the park in front of Tampa's Downtown, the pop-up skating rink is open every day, with a $15 admission fee that includes skate rental. However, if you bring your own skates, admission is only $10 per person. Plus, if you choose to skate on a Tuesday, you will receive a 50% discount! This is an affordable and entertaining activity to enjoy the holidays with your loved ones.
Enchant Christmas at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg
Enchant Christmas is a holiday lights and market event that turns Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, into a captivating wonderland for the winter season! Take a stroll along a massive Christmas tree maze where visitors can explore three acres of mazes, Christmas lights, and ice skating rink, various food stalls, and Christmas markets. Prices start at $19.99, but there's also a kids' ticket discount.
Holiday Lights in the Gardens at the Florida Botanical Gardens
The Gardens will be alive with 1 million, twinkling, LED lights in a multitude of colors. They have an array of vibrant laser lights and lighted figures that wow guests of all ages. These are all located around the plants and flowers in the Gardens where you can enjoy the beauty of the Florida Botanical Gardens and all it has to offer.
BONUS Top Notch Christmas and Holiday Events in the Tampa Bay Area:
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
If you love theme parks, then you will definitely love Christmas Town at Busch Gardens. With over 2 million lights, plenty of Christmas decorations, and the opportunity to meet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, this is a fun way to feel the magic of the season. This is one of the best Santa experiences we have ever seen! Busch Gardens has over 25 rides, shows, and Elmo’s World open for the occasion as well.
Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa
If you are an animal lover, then you cannot miss Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa. This event offers more than a million twinkling lights, festive food and drinks, and opportunities to see some of your favorite animals.
Snowcat Ridge
The snow park offers an excellent opportunity for participants to experience winter in the heart of Florida. Theo park is an excellent place to escape the hot Florida sun while enjoying the snow, tubing down the slopes, and playing with snowballs.
Check out this article for more ideas: 10 of our favorite Tampa Bay holiday light displays
The holidays are a great time to have fun and relax, creating priceless memories with those we care for. We hope you've found our list of free and affordable Tampa Bay festivities useful in helping you find ways to maximize your holiday season and save on an enjoyable experience. No matter what your budget is, there's always a holiday activity for you! Whether you choose to skate on the Downtown holiday rink, stroll through the food stalls of Winter Village, or explore the Enchant Christmas at Tropicana Field, you can always enjoy a warm and cozy time with your loved ones by your side. As you carve out time for these special celebrations, remember that the true value of the holiday season lies in the moments we share with the people we cherish, and the joy we bring to this special time of the year. Remember to take care of your mental health too!
INTERESTED IN GETTING STARTED WITH A THERAPIST IN TAMPA, FL?
As the holiday season approaches, many individuals find themselves feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Balancing the demands of life during the holiday season may cause conflict or tension and at times have a negative impact on our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Our therapists can help you learn new coping strategies from our South Tampa, FL and North Tampa, FL office located in the Northdale neighborhood. To start grounding yourself throughout this holiday season and manage your symptoms, follow these simple steps:
Contact Christian Counseling of Tampa or call us at 813-254-3200
Schedule to meet with one of our counselors at our North or South office.
Start learning to clear out the noise and cultivate gratitude during this holiday season.
OTHER SERVICES OFFERED WITH CHRISTIAN COUNSELING OF TAMPA
Our Tampa, FL-based therapy practice offers a wide range of services to meet your specific needs. We understand the many ways your mental health may be impacted in life. As a result, our team is happy to also offer play therapy, anxiety treatment, premarital counseling, Christian counseling, counseling for teens and young adults, and therapy for depression. We use a variety of treatment modalities including CBT, EFT, grief therapy, and more! Feel free to learn more about us by visiting our FAQ or blog today.