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Holiday Events



Holiday Lights, Music and More

Take a stroll along the waterfront to see thousands of holiday lights and decorations in North Straub Park, South Straub Park, Pioneer Park and Vinoy Park from Saturday, November 30, through Tuesday, January 1.

Enjoy live music in North Straub Park nighlty, and join us for a special performance from the Lakewood High School Jazz Ensemble on December 21 from 6 - 9 PM in North Straub Park.

Continue the holiday fun with a train ride for only $1 per person in North Straub Park on December 21 and December 22 from 6 - 9 PM.

Don’t miss the giant greeting card display along Bayshore Dr. at Vinoy Park made by local teens and participants from St. Petersburg’s recreation centers.



About the Holidays in the Sunshine City

The City of St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department are excited to present the Holidays in the Sunshine City!

Join us on St. Petersburg's downtown waterfront for this year's holiday festivities, including Santa Parade + Tree Lighting, Snowfest, Meet Santa, Holiday Movies in the Park, and more!

Santa Parade + Tree Lighting

Tree with lighting and decorations in downtown St. Petersburg.

Saturday, November 30
6:00 p.m.
St. Petersburg Downtown Waterfront


The illuminated Santa Parade + Tree Lighting returns to kick off the Holidays in the Sunshine City!

The Santa Parade begins at Albert Whitted Park and runs along Bayshore Dr. and 5th Ave. NE.

The Tree Lighting will follow immediately after the Santa Parade in North Straub Park at around 7 p.m. (time is tentative and dependent upon Santa Parade end time) with Santa, Mayor Rick Kriseman, and New York Times Bestselling Author Randy Wayne White lighting up the St. Petersburg downtown waterfront.

Stay after the Tree Lighting to enjoy entertainment, children’s activities, music and more in the park. Food concessions will be available for purchase. Bring a chair or blanket. Admission is free and open to the public.

Snowfest

A girl going down a toboggan slide.

Saturday, December 7
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
North Straub Park


The popular Snowfest celebration is back!

Activities include a big and kiddie toboggan slides, art tent, karaoke, inflatables, Nomad Art Bus, food trucks and more. Teens can stop by TASCO’s Teen Area to play video games, charge their phones, listen to music and hang out with their friends.

Wristbands are $5 and are required for all activities. Save time from waiting in line, and purchase wristbands in advance from Monday, November 25, through Friday, December 6 at any St. Petersburg recreation center.

Meet Santa

Santa waving to the camera.

December 7 & December 8 and
December 12 through December 23
6 - 9 p.m.
North Straub Park


Enjoy a meet-and-greet with Santa in North Straub Park! Cameras welcomed.

Holiday Movies in the Park

A line of people walking with their garden wagons

Saturday, December 14 & December 21
7:00 p.m.
Vinoy Park


Movie schedule:

  • December 14: The Search for Santa Paws
  • December 21: The Santa Clause

Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to settle in for a holiday movie! It’s sure to be a fun evening for the entire family. Admission is free and open to the public.


About Holidays in the Sunshine City

Holidays in the Sunshine City is a month-long celebration of holidays festivities in the city of St. Petersburg, also known as the Sunshine City.

The celebration runs from November 30 to January 1 with several festivities occuring during the month.

The Holidays in the Sunshine City is sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department.

For more information, contact the St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department at 727-893-7441.



Sunshine City Events

There's always something happening in the Sunshine City!

Click here to see what's happening around the city. #FunShinesHere