★★★ GO TO 2015 HOLIDAY EVENTS ★★★
Tis the season for lots & lots of family fun! Here are all of the 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!
Tis the season for lots & lots of family fun! Here are all of the 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!
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!
Looking for the areas BEST Christmas Light Displays? CLICK HERE!
Looking for the areas BEST Christmas Light Displays? CLICK HERE!
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.
Ongoing Events
Christmas Lane 12/04 - 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
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.
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.
Tampa's Downtown on ICE -- Ice Skating 11/28 - 01/04
Enjoy ice skating in 80 degree weather under the palm trees seasonal ice rink
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. Watch as Center Court transforms into a Winter Wonderland of snow flurries
This amazing holiday light show, choreographed to music featuring Trans-Siberian Orchestra is Tampa’s newest holiday tradition. Watch as Center Court transforms into a Winter Wonderland of snow flurries
Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration 12/12 - 12/14 & 12/18 - 12/31
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
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
Wild Wonderland at Lowry Park Zoo 12/12 - 12/14 & 12/18 - 12/23
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
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
North Pole Express 12/11- 12/14 & 12/18 - 12/22
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
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
Enjoy The Best Local Light Displays :) 11/29 – 12/31
Santa Sightings
Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at Westfield Brandon 11/28- 12/24
Capture that perfect holiday memory with a photo and make sure you’re on the “nice” list this year!
FREE Breakfast with Santa at South Shore United Methodist 12/13
Enjoy a free breakfast with Santa! Bring the kids for a yummy breakfast and take holiday photos with Santa!
Capture that perfect holiday memory with a photo and make sure you’re on the “nice” list this year!
FREE Breakfast with Santa at South Shore United Methodist 12/13
Enjoy a free breakfast with Santa! Bring the kids for a yummy breakfast and take holiday photos with Santa!
Breakfast with Santa at the North Brandon YMCA 12/13
Breakfast, arts and crafts, photos with Santa and a dance performance by our dance company, cheer team and gymnastics team.
Breakfast, arts and crafts, photos with Santa and a dance performance by our dance company, cheer team and gymnastics team.
Breakfast with Santa at the Campo Family YMCA 12/13
Santa at the Farm -- Hydro Harvest Farms 12/13
Santa is at the Farm. You better watch out, he knows who has been good and who hasn't!
Get your picture taken with Santa during open playBreakfast, Arts & Crafts, Face Painting, Pictures with Santa & Other holiday activities
Santa at the Farm -- Hydro Harvest Farms 12/13
Santa is at the Farm. You better watch out, he knows who has been good and who hasn't!
Arts & Crafts
Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic 12/13
Holiday Train Engine
Cookie Decorating at Playtime 12/13
FREE activity during open play
Holiday Train Engine
Cookie Decorating at Playtime 12/13
FREE activity during open play
Holiday Arts & Crafts (5-11 years) at BFRC 12/22
Kids will enjoy projects which help develop their creative side
Holiday Movies
Holiday Movies
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.
Join us for a fun holiday movie, the title will be announced. Bring your snacks and drinks with you.
Tampa Theatre's Holiday Classics
12/14 White Christmas
12/19- 12/21 It’s a Wonderful Life
12/28 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Chanukah
Pre Chanukah Menorah Workshop at Home Depot 12/14
Have your kids make their very own Menorah this Chanukah, photo op with Juddah the Maccabbee, Hot latkes and drinks & receive your own Home Depot apron
Chanukah Menorah Car Parade & Menorah Lighting @ Westfield Mall 12/16
First ever Car Menorah parade in Tampa Bay! The lighting will be held in the outdoor Restaurant courtyard at Westfiels Town Center.
First Ever Public Menorah Lighting in Sun City Center! 12/18
Lighting of a 6' Menorah, Hot latkes, Dec-a-Donut, Guess the Dreidel competition, Chanukah music and dancing
Special Events
Puppet Show: Winter Tales -- Bloomingdale 12/11
Three favorite winter stories: ‘The Shoemaker and the Elves’ performed with hand puppets; ‘Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates’ with shadow puppets; and ‘Scrooge’s Sing-a-Long’ with marionettes
Three favorite winter stories: ‘The Shoemaker and the Elves’ performed with hand puppets; ‘Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates’ with shadow puppets; and ‘Scrooge’s Sing-a-Long’ with marionettes
Walk Through Bethlehem 12/11/2014 - 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.
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.
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.
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.
"Believe!" -- Bell Shoals Baptist Church 12/12
A full music and media presentation of the glory of Christmas. Featuring the Bell Shoals Worship Choir and Orchestra, “Believe” will present not only the familiar story of the baby born in Bethlehem, but the living hope that He continues to give today.
A full music and media presentation of the glory of Christmas. Featuring the Bell Shoals Worship Choir and Orchestra, “Believe” will present not only the familiar story of the baby born in Bethlehem, but the living hope that He continues to give today.
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.
Living Christmas Tree -- First Baptist Brandon 12/12- 12/14
presented by First Voice Choir & Orchestra
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.
Living Christmas Tree -- First Baptist Brandon 12/12- 12/14
presented by First Voice Choir & Orchestra
Celebrating the Holidays -- BFRC 12/13
The month of December brings celebrations filled with warmth and joy to each of the Children’s Board Family Resource Centers.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra The Christmas Attic LIVE 12/13
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) will wrap up 2014 by performing their rock opera The Christmas Attic live for the first time in arenas across the nation
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) will wrap up 2014 by performing their rock opera The Christmas Attic live for the first time in arenas across the nation
Mason Dixon 's Christmas Wish Car & Truck Show 12/13
Supports Mason Dixon Christmas fund. Food and product vendors. Classic Cars, music, charity and more
Supports Mason Dixon Christmas fund. Food and product vendors. Classic Cars, music, charity and more
Holiday $5 Day at MOSI 12/13
Access to MOSI exhibit galleries, including The Amazing You exhibition, Kids In Charge!, the largest children’s science center in the nation, and more than 450 hands-on, interactive exhibits
Access to MOSI exhibit galleries, including The Amazing You exhibition, Kids In Charge!, the largest children’s science center in the nation, and more than 450 hands-on, interactive exhibits
Kids, Cocoa & Crafts at TBHC 12/13, 12/27, 12/28
Create a unique Peanuts-themed holiday craft while celebrating the season and our newest exhibit, Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown. A special scavenger hunt guides you through our galleries to the holiday crafting fun and a cup of hot cocoa!
Create a unique Peanuts-themed holiday craft while celebrating the season and our newest exhibit, Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown. A special scavenger hunt guides you through our galleries to the holiday crafting fun and a cup of hot cocoa!
4th Annual Snow on 7th Holiday Parade - Ybor City 12/13
Parade and snow turning the city into a winter wonderland
Parade and snow turning the city into a winter wonderland
Every Kid Gets a Toy 12/18
Mangrove Software is giving from the heart to the children of the Tampa Bay & giving every kid a toy (ages 2-11, while supplies last) along with other festive activities.
Happy New Year!
Noon Year's Eve at Lowry Park Zoo 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
Noon Year's Eve at Playtime 12/31
Help us ring in the new year with special crafts & snacks
Mangrove Software is giving from the heart to the children of the Tampa Bay & giving every kid a toy (ages 2-11, while supplies last) along with other festive activities.
Happy New Year!
Noon Year's Eve at Lowry Park Zoo 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
Noon Year's Eve at Playtime 12/31
Help us ring in the new year with special crafts & snacks
