★★★ GO TO 2015 HOLIDAY EVENTS ★★★
Tis the season for lots & lots of family fun! Here's the start of our list (I wanted to get out as much as possible before Thanksgiving) of Events & activities to keep your family busy this holiday season. We will be adding and updating events as we find them! So check back often! This is only the beginning!
Tis the season for lots & lots of family fun! Here's the start of our list (I wanted to get out as much as possible before Thanksgiving) of Events & activities to keep your family busy this holiday season. We will be adding and updating events as we find them! So check back often! This is only the beginning!
If you find another FREE or inexpensive family event, please fill us in on the details. Either click submit an event or send info to catherinef@macaronikid.com
If you find the info in this article helpful and would like to receive weekly updates about the best family-friendly activities in Brandon and the surrounding communities, CLICK HERE to subscribe to Macaroni Kid Brandon!
If you find the info in this article helpful and would like to receive weekly updates about the best family-friendly activities in Brandon and the surrounding communities, CLICK HERE to subscribe to Macaroni Kid Brandon!
Always confirm events before attending. While every effort is made to ensure the most up to date event information is included on our calendar, events are subject to change.
Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at Westfield Brandon 11/15- 12/24 (except Thanksgiving)
Capture that perfect holiday memory with a photo and make sure you’re on the “nice” list this year!
Symphony in Lights at Wiregrass 11/15- 12/31
This amazing holiday light show, choreographed to music featuring Trans-Siberian Orchestra is Tampa’s newest holiday tradition. The 55' tree is trimmed top to bottom with over 250,000 lights, 47 miles of wire, 2,000 watts of sound, and 10 tons of holiday decor. Watch as Center Court transforms into a Winter Wonderland of snow flurries.
Tampa's Downtown on ICE -- Ice Skating 11/20- 1/4/15
The rink is open daily (except Thanksgiving) Enjoy ice skating in 80 degree weather under the palm trees seasonal ice rink. Tampa Downtown on Ice is the Bay area's only outdoor ice skating rink.
Frozen Sing-Along 11/21
Join us for an encore presentation of one of our most popular events: Frozen Friday Sing-Along. On Friday, November 21 meet our very own princess in the Children's Department to sing several songs Frozen, followed by a Frozen coloring activity.
Macy's Family Day Parade at Wiregrass 11/22
Join us for the Macy's Family Day Parade followed by children's activities in the Macy's Wiregrass Children's Department (2nd Floor).
Santa's Holiday Workshop 11/22
Come and join Center Place for a fun-filled day of cookie decorating and crafts in Santa's Workshop! With Santa's help you can make gifts for your entire family!
Ultimate Wish Saturday 11/22
Come and build an amazing winter city scene with LEGO® bricks and more!
Enchanted Tree Lighting Ceremony & Holiday Street Party 11/22
Don’t miss complimentary holiday treats and entertainment for the whole family including cookies, cider, train rides, a caricature artist, balloon artist, ice sculptor, face painters and a variety of holiday inspired activities by our event participants and sponsors
IKEA Tampa Kids Academy 11/24- 11/26
All participants will enjoy a FREE fun activity, receive a FREE IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy t-shirt, AND get a FREE kids meal in our Restaurant.
FishHawk Turkey Trot 2014 11/27
Jingle Bell 5k & Jr. Jingle Run 11/29
Be part of the largest holiday 5k race with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center!
Breakfast with Santa at Nights of Shimmering Lights 11/29
Come help us kick off the event this year with Breakfast with the Jolly One himself! That's right kids, come have a delicious pancake breakfast, hear wonderful tales of Santa's adventures, and tell him your Christmas wish! The morning will include some arts and crafts and pictures with Santa. Vendors will display an array of items so you can get your list checked off while you're there.
Nights of Shimmering Lights 11/29- 12/30
Drive your car, truck, van or bus through scenes while listening to the sounds of the season on your car radio. With more than a 750 larger-than-life lighted scenes, tunnels and twinkling light features, Nights of Shimmering Lights is unique in its custom-designed scenes to celebrate the joy of the season. Featuring local arts and crafts vendors, food, outdoor Christmas movies, pictures with Santa and the new Shimmering Light Show where mega-trees entertain you with their dancing antics animated to holiday music.
Christmas Lane 12/1-12/28
Come and enjoy our little slice of the North Pole. You'll enjoy a winter wonderland, full of new surprises. Fun for both young and old. Make it your Holiday tradition!
30th Annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree 12/3
Frozen Sing-Along 11/21
Join us for an encore presentation of one of our most popular events: Frozen Friday Sing-Along. On Friday, November 21 meet our very own princess in the Children's Department to sing several songs Frozen, followed by a Frozen coloring activity.
Macy's Family Day Parade at Wiregrass 11/22
Join us for the Macy's Family Day Parade followed by children's activities in the Macy's Wiregrass Children's Department (2nd Floor).
Santa's Holiday Workshop 11/22
Come and join Center Place for a fun-filled day of cookie decorating and crafts in Santa's Workshop! With Santa's help you can make gifts for your entire family!
Ultimate Wish Saturday 11/22
Come and build an amazing winter city scene with LEGO® bricks and more!
Enchanted Tree Lighting Ceremony & Holiday Street Party 11/22
Don’t miss complimentary holiday treats and entertainment for the whole family including cookies, cider, train rides, a caricature artist, balloon artist, ice sculptor, face painters and a variety of holiday inspired activities by our event participants and sponsors
IKEA Tampa Kids Academy 11/24- 11/26
All participants will enjoy a FREE fun activity, receive a FREE IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy t-shirt, AND get a FREE kids meal in our Restaurant.
FishHawk Turkey Trot 2014 11/27
Calling all turkeys! The 6th Annual FishHawk Turkey Trot is open for registration. Cool T-shirts for adults and kids,, hand painted medals for winners and all kids in Fun Run.
Register your whole flock today.
Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration 11/28- 12/31 select dates
Christmas Town™ transforms Busch Gardens® Tampa into a holiday wonderland of wintery surprises and all things Christmas, filling guests’ senses with seasonal sights, sounds and flavors, and continuing a beautiful family tradition
Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration 11/28- 12/31 select dates
Christmas Town™ transforms Busch Gardens® Tampa into a holiday wonderland of wintery surprises and all things Christmas, filling guests’ senses with seasonal sights, sounds and flavors, and continuing a beautiful family tradition
Jingle Bell 5k & Jr. Jingle Run 11/29
Be part of the largest holiday 5k race with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center!
Breakfast with Santa at Nights of Shimmering Lights 11/29
Come help us kick off the event this year with Breakfast with the Jolly One himself! That's right kids, come have a delicious pancake breakfast, hear wonderful tales of Santa's adventures, and tell him your Christmas wish! The morning will include some arts and crafts and pictures with Santa. Vendors will display an array of items so you can get your list checked off while you're there.
Nights of Shimmering Lights 11/29- 12/30
Drive your car, truck, van or bus through scenes while listening to the sounds of the season on your car radio. With more than a 750 larger-than-life lighted scenes, tunnels and twinkling light features, Nights of Shimmering Lights is unique in its custom-designed scenes to celebrate the joy of the season. Featuring local arts and crafts vendors, food, outdoor Christmas movies, pictures with Santa and the new Shimmering Light Show where mega-trees entertain you with their dancing antics animated to holiday music.
11/30 Miracle on 34th Street
12/7 Holiday Inn
12/14 White Christmas
12/19- 12/21 It’s a Wonderful Life
12/28 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Christmas Lane 12/1-12/28
Come and enjoy our little slice of the North Pole. You'll enjoy a winter wonderland, full of new surprises. Fun for both young and old. Make it your Holiday tradition!
30th Annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree 12/3
Center Place will again be the site of the opening of the Christmas Season in Brandon!
Join us for an evening of entertainment and refreshments. The evening will conclude with the lighting of the Christmas tree. A visit from Santa will delight children of all ages.
Alafia Lighted Boat Parade & Chili Cook Off 12/6
The FishHawk-Riverview Rotary Club Presents - The 31st Annual Alafia Lighted Boat Parade and Chili Cook-Off. Door Prizes, Silent Auction, Entertainment, Food, Games and Music. Cash prizes for best decorated boats! Chili Contest Prizes! Come and join the celebration! FREE Face Painting, FREE Photos with Santa for kids
Wild Wonderland at Lowry Park Zoo December 6, 12-14, 18-23 & 26-30
The Zoo transforms into a whimsical world of holiday magic with 16 nights of holiday delights. Meet Santa and his merry mammals – REAL REINDEER, and jump for joy in the Reindeer Games area. More merriment awaits with a million twinkling lights, a charismatic colony of African penguins, charming animated displays, Florida “flurries,” free Zoo rides and traditional holiday treats.
Home Depot Kids Workshop 12/6
How to Build Holiday Yard Stakes
Michael's Kids Club 12/6 & 12/13
HAPPY HOLIDAY ELVES (12/6) CUTE YARN SNOWMAN CANVAS (12/13)
Simply Christmas at Horizon Christian Church 12/6
A family friendly holiday event: snow, animals, musical, games, bonfire
Family Holiday Movie -- Bruton/Plant City 12/11
Join us for a fun holiday movie, the title will be announced. Bring your snacks and drinks with you.
Walk Through Bethlehem 12/11- 12/14
With the help of over 300 workers, we give this wonderful free gift to the community called "Walk Through Bethlehem". Many have said that it was the best Christmas program they had ever seen. Walk Through Bethlehem is a re-creation of the town of Bethlehem as it existed during the time of Christ.
North Pole Express Dec 4-7, 1-14. 18-22
Christmas comes to life at the Florida Railroad Museum. We hope that you will join us on a magical train ride to see Santa at the North Pole
Tampa's Tree Lighting Ceremony 12/5Christmas comes to life at the Florida Railroad Museum. We hope that you will join us on a magical train ride to see Santa at the North Pole
Performances by the Winthrop Charter School Choir & Brandon Ballet. Movies on the lawn with popcorn following the tree lighting!
Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with the Karl & DiMarco Singers followed by the dynamic sounds of the Late Night Brass. Magic 94.9 will be on hand for the Secret Santa Giveaway.
The evening will include a countdown to light the tree with Mayor Buckhorn, a Christmas Market, and a free movie in the park featuring Arthur Christmas.
Merry Christmas! Enjoy floats, marching bands and a visit from Santa at the Plant City Christmas Parade!
If you bring a new and unwrapped toy to breakfast you get a FREE picture of your child with Santa.
Breakfast includes: eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, juice, milk and coffee.
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is transformed into a winter wonderland and Rough Rider's Holiday Parade
Winthrop Charter School 2nd Annual Winter Fair 12/6
Vendors, Santa, crafts for kids, Chili Cook Off, performing groups,cake walk and raffle
Winthrop Charter School 2nd Annual Winter Fair 12/6
Vendors, Santa, crafts for kids, Chili Cook Off, performing groups,cake walk and raffle
Alafia Lighted Boat Parade & Chili Cook Off 12/6
The FishHawk-Riverview Rotary Club Presents - The 31st Annual Alafia Lighted Boat Parade and Chili Cook-Off. Door Prizes, Silent Auction, Entertainment, Food, Games and Music. Cash prizes for best decorated boats! Chili Contest Prizes! Come and join the celebration! FREE Face Painting, FREE Photos with Santa for kids
Wild Wonderland at Lowry Park Zoo December 6, 12-14, 18-23 & 26-30
The Zoo transforms into a whimsical world of holiday magic with 16 nights of holiday delights. Meet Santa and his merry mammals – REAL REINDEER, and jump for joy in the Reindeer Games area. More merriment awaits with a million twinkling lights, a charismatic colony of African penguins, charming animated displays, Florida “flurries,” free Zoo rides and traditional holiday treats.
Home Depot Kids Workshop 12/6
How to Build Holiday Yard Stakes
Michael's Kids Club 12/6 & 12/13
HAPPY HOLIDAY ELVES (12/6) CUTE YARN SNOWMAN CANVAS (12/13)
Simply Christmas at Horizon Christian Church 12/6
A family friendly holiday event: snow, animals, musical, games, bonfire
Family Holiday Movie -- Bruton/Plant City 12/11
Join us for a fun holiday movie, the title will be announced. Bring your snacks and drinks with you.
Walk Through Bethlehem 12/11- 12/14
With the help of over 300 workers, we give this wonderful free gift to the community called "Walk Through Bethlehem". Many have said that it was the best Christmas program they had ever seen. Walk Through Bethlehem is a re-creation of the town of Bethlehem as it existed during the time of Christ.
Presents for Primates 12/12
Celebrate the season with the Zoo’s primate family! Watch the primates open special presents from Zoo staff and docents as part of their enrichment program.
Santa's Holiday Revue 12/12
Santa’s Holiday Revue is a fast paced rollicking musical that takes a joyous ‘round the world tour of the dances, songs and stories from Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and many more. Students will sing, clap and tap along as they learn new and old traditions, customs and folklore that instill the magic of the season. This wonderful jubilee creates a memorable and heart-warming experience that celebrates the true spirit of cultural diversity.
Every Kid Gets a Toy 12/18
The holidays are all about time spent together with your loved ones and giving from the heart. Mangrove Software is giving from the heart to the children of the Tampa Bay. On December 18th, we will be giving every kid a toy (ages 2-11, while supplies last) along with other festive activities.
Noon Year's Eve 12/31
Ring in the New Year family style at the annual “Noon” Year’s Eve daytime celebration hosted by the Zoo. The party begins when the Zoo opens with games, arts and crafts, live entertainment, educational displays and more. Families can ring in the New Year with noisemakers, hats and a juice toast as they watch the clock strike 12 NOON
