Verified Christmas event · Tampa, FL
Santa Fest & Tree Lighting 2026
Tampa's holiday kickoff on the first Saturday of December: a parade at 1 pm, Santa Fest all afternoon, a tree lighting at 6 pm and a holiday movie after. Free.
- Verified by the organizer
- Sat, Dec 5
- Best for young kids
- Free
No tickets are needed. Details come from Friends of Tampa Recreation. Rally Takes the Train doesn't sell tickets or take a cut.
Verified- Saturday, December 5, 2026Parade 1 pm, tree lighting 6 pm
- Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park600 N Ashley Dr, Tampa
- FreeFree photos with Santa
- Best for families with young kidsOutdoors, rain or shine
About this event
Friends of Tampa Recreation and the City of Tampa host Santa Fest & Tree Lighting at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park on Saturday, December 5. The day starts at 1 pm with a Christmas parade through downtown, and Santa Fest runs in the park from 1 to 5 pm.
Santa Fest has free photos with Santa, make-n-take crafts, reindeer games, face painting, a rock wall, bounce houses and live entertainment, with food for sale. From 6 to 6:30 pm the Mayor leads the countdown and lights seven Christmas trees, with Next Generation Ballet and Opera Tampa performing. A family holiday movie starts at 6:45 pm.
Parent tip: Bring a blanket or low back chairs for the tree lighting and the movie; both are welcome, and so are dogs on a leash. Visit Santa early in the afternoon, since Santa Fest ends at 5 pm.
What kids can do
On site
- Parking
- Downtown garages and lots
- Setting
- Outdoors, rain or shine
- Language
- English
- Tickets
- None needed, free
- Verified
- By the organizer,
Date
- Saturday, December 5, 20261 to 8:30 pm
1 pm parade, 1 to 5 pm Santa Fest, 6 to 6:30 pm tree lighting, 6:45 pm holiday movie. The organizer lists an end time of 8:30 pm. The event goes ahead rain or shine.
Prices
| Admission | Free |
|---|
Admission is free and no ticket is needed. Food and drinks are for sale on site.
Where it is
- Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
600 N Ashley Dr
Tampa, FL 33602
Directions to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (opens in a new tab)
The park is outdoors in downtown Tampa. Parking is in nearby downtown garages and surface lots; the City of Tampa lists them on its parking page. The organizer reports restrooms, stroller-friendly paths and transit nearby.
Good to know
Accessibility
- Accessible paths and seating
- Accessible restrooms
On stage
- Next Generation Ballet
- Opera Tampa
- Santa
If the weather turns
Santa Fest happens rain or shine.
Sponsors
City of Tampa, FE Lykes Family Foundation, Tampa Bay Rays & Rowdies, The Church at Channelside, WFLA News Channel 8, The Dove, WDUV 105.5, Clear Channel Outdoor.
Follow Friends of Tampa Recreation
Questions
When is Santa Fest & Tree Lighting in 2026?
Saturday, December 5, 2026. The parade starts at 1 pm, Santa Fest runs 1 to 5 pm, the tree lighting is 6 to 6:30 pm and the holiday movie starts at 6:45 pm.
Where is it?
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL 33602.
Is it free?
Yes. Admission is free, and so are the photos with Santa. Food and drinks are for sale.
What is there for kids?
Photos with Santa, make-n-take crafts, reindeer games, face painting, a rock wall, bounce houses, a parade, the tree lighting and a family movie.
Where do we park?
In the downtown garages and surface lots near the park. The City of Tampa lists them on its parking page.
What should we bring?
Blankets and low back chairs are welcome, and so are well-behaved dogs on a leash. It goes ahead rain or shine.
Verified by Friends of Tampa Recreation
The details on this page came from the organizer on November 13, 2026, and the organizer has committed to providing safe Christmas magic for kids. How verification works
More near Tampa
Organize a Christmas event for kids? Verify it for free and get a page like this one.