We’re less than a week away from Christmas and the holiday cheer in St. Pete, Florida isn’t slowing down anytime soon. If you’re looking for Santa-approved things to do, places to go and unique gifts to buy, look no further than #DTSP! Check out some of our favorite picks for St. Pete wintertime wonder and NYE excitement.
LIGHTS!
The best holiday light displays around St. Pete.
Enchant Christmas
TROPICANA FIELD / THROUGH DECEMBER 29, 2019
Touted as having “The World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze,” Enchant Christmas is a spectacle for all ages. Beautiful illuminated reindeer “sculptures” and installations make it very ‘Grammable. There’s also a market, live entertainment, overly priced but what the hell, it’s the holidays! drinks and—my favorite part—the ice skating loop. Did I bust my knee open trying to do some ice dancing with my nephew? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Just be prepared to say “there are so many people here” a lot.
Oakdale Christmas House
2719 OAKDALE STREET SOUTH / 6 P.M. DAILY THROUGH JANUARY 3, 2020
According to the Tampa Bay Times, “the 43rd annual light display with religious representations includes lit walkways, water fountains, a computerized light show, animated dolls, a three-story snowman and an 18-train model railroad.” Holy Christmas!
WATERFRONT LIGHT DISPLAY
STRAUB PARK, BEACH DRIVE & FIFTH AVENUE NE / THROUGH JANUARY 1, 2020
Stroll along the waterfront and feast your eyes on thousands of lights, decorations and a giant holiday greeting card display created by local teens and participants from St. Pete recreation centers.
CHRISTMAS BOAT PARTY
THE GETAWAY / 6 TO 10 P.M. • SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2019
If you’re all about that #SaltLife, this is the event for you. (And it’s free admission!) Do Christmas Florida-style while listening to live music, eating fresh seafood, drinking tiki cocktails and admiring docked boats that are decorated with a whole lotta holiday cheer!
CAMERA!
Where to catch holiday movies and snap photos with Santa!
HOLIDAY MOVIES IN THE PARK
VINOY PARK / 7 P.M. • DECEMBER 21, 2019
Grab your lawn chairs and blankets to get cozy on the grass for a viewing of 1994’s The Santa Clause starring Tim Allen. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
MEET SANTA
NORTH STRAUB PARK / 6 TO 9 P.M. DAILY THROUGH DECEMBER 23, 2019
Along with Holiday Movies in the Park, Meet Santa is part of the new Holidays in the Sunshine City event that incorporates all St. Petersburg’s holiday festivities sponsored by the St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department and the City of St. Petersburg. Traumatize Surprise your kids and get to know ol’ Saint Nick at this free event—cameras & photos welcome!
PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA
TYRONE SQUARE MALL / 9 A.M. TO 9 P.M. DEC. 20-23 & 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M. DEC. 24, 2019
Bring your pet to Dillard’s Court at Tyrone Square Mall for an extra-special Christmas photo op! The Jolly One will be there to sit for photos with your fur babies now through Christmas Eve. PRO TIP: Even Santa has to take breaks, so avoid 1:15 – 2:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 2:15 – 3 p.m. Sunday.
ACTION!
Christmas activities, New Year’s nightlife and last-minute holiday shopping destinations.
UGLY SWEATER PARTIES
DOG BAR / 6 TO 11 P.M. • DECEMBER 20, 2019
Live DJ, BBQ, raffles, JELL-O shots and adoptable pets! What more could you want out of a party?! Dress yourself and your pet in the gaudiest garb you can find and enter the contest!
3 DAUGHTERS BREWING / 8 TO 11 P.M. • DECEMBER 20, 2019
It’s time to get tacky! Enjoy live music from The Spazmatics from 8 to 11 p.m., but feel free to come early for this all-day event. Cold beer. Free admission.
MACDINTON’S ST. PETE / 7 P.M. TO 1:30 A.M. • DECEMBER 24, 2019
Grandma knitted you that sweater for a reason—to win MacDinton’s Ugliest Sweater Contest! (Sorry, Doris. Although the design is questionable, the garment is exquisitely crafted. Just like you.) (The “exquisite” part, not the “questionable” part.) Contest winners will receive prizes sponsored by Tito’s Vodka. Donate a brand new teddy bear for the Rough Riders Annual Holiday Teddy Bear Drive because a.) it’s a nice thing to do for a child this holiday season; and b.) for each bear you donate, you’ll receive a raffle ticket to win a Tito’s basket o’ holiday cheer(s)!
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
THE MAHAFFEY THEATER / 7 P.M. DEC. 26; 3 P.M. & 7 P.M. DEC. 27, 2019
Don’t miss the Moscow Ballet’s breathtaking interpretation of this quintessential holiday performance featuring an iconic score by Tchaikovsky. Dancers tell this timeless tale of a little girl’s Christmas Eve dreams through a fantasy of music and movement. Tickets start at $34.50.
NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATIONS
RED MESA CANTINA: RING IN THE ROARING TWENTIES / 8 P.M. TO 1 A.M.
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS: NYE@MFA | FLIGHTS OF FANCY / 9 P.M. TO 1 A.M.
THE VORTEX BAR & GAME ROOM: A ROARING 2020 NEW YEAR’S EVE / 8 P.M. TO 3 A.M.
THE MANDARIN HIDE: NYE DECADENCE 2020 / 8 P.M. TO 1 A.M.
THE ESTATE: NEW YEAR’S EVE 2020 | BUBBLES & BOTTLES / 9 P.M. TO 3 A.M.
ST. PETERSBURG COLISEUM: SWINGIN’ THE NEW YEAR / 7:30 P.M. TO 1 A.M.
RINGSIDE CAFE: NEW YEAR’S EVE | RJ DOES TALKING HEADS W/ ELLA JET & FUTURE SOUL / 9 P.M. TO 1:30 A.M.
… just to name a few.
LAST-MINUTE SHOPPING
We’re big fans of shopping locally—particularly in the Grand Central District—for holiday gifts. Here are our favorite selections for unique, intentional, hand-crafted goodies to fill stockings (or really any container or box you’d like).
Discover one-of-a-kind furniture and accessories for the home. The Bungaleaux carries industrial hand-crafted pieces by local artisans & eclectic home furnishings hand-picked from all over the world.
Patti, Pieces of a Dream’s owner, describes her store as “your destination to Celebrate Your Senses and find unique and distinctive ‘Gifts You’ll Love to Give and Receive’.”
Creative Clay‘s vision is to “make the arts accessible to all” by providing expressive, educational and vocational experiences for people with disabilities. The gifts you’ll find at their brick & mortar and online store are individually created by Creative Clay artists. From clothing to home decor to greeting cards, Creative Clay is sure to have something for everyone on your list.
With more than 300 craft beer offerings and 75 distinct wines, Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe is your resource for buying rare & craft libations like a local. Grab some lunch before you shop—they also have at least 10 beers on tap and 8 deli selections.
My last reason to spend your holidays in St. Pete goes out to my northern friends: IT DOESN’T SNOW HERE. I think I’ve proven my point.
There you have it! If you have other suggestions or recommendations for this holiday list, let us know in the comments or on our Facebook Page!
Happy Holidays from Media Garage Group and …
