Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
Winter comes to Florida -- well, at least to this 8-acre park along the Hillsborough River -- when the Winter Village opens Friday in Tampa. Festivities around Curtis Hixon Park include ice skating in the pop-up ice rink, sipping hot chocolate and Kahwa coffee at the Icicle Craft Kitchen, shopping for local Christmas gifts in pop-up PODS containers and taking a ride on the holiday-themed TECO Line Streetcar through downtown.
Admission is free, Merchandise, food and drink, the streetcar and ice skating rentals are priced separately. The Winter Village opening night starts at 5 p.m. Friday and runs through Jan. 5.
600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa. More information and schedules here.
Sanding Ovations
The 10th annual sand sculpting event continues this weekend through Sunday on Treasure Island. Several tons of sand and water are transformed into sandy masterpieces along the beach during the event which has grown into the largest masters competition in the southeast. Judging is Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. following by an awards ceremony at 7 p.m. and fireworks display at 10 p.m. There’s also a beach food court, an arts and crafts marketplace and live music all weekend.
Sanding Ovations is free, though food and drink is separate.
Where to park and where to catch the $1 shuttle to the event here.
PHOTOS: 10th Annual Sanding Ovations in Treasure Island
Christmas at the theme parks
Holiday festivities kick into high gear this weekend at Florida’s theme parks. Disney World has been celebrating Christmas since the beginning of the month, but Universal Orlando begins its Grinchmas, Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s and Christmas in the Wizarding World on Saturday. Busch Gardens Tampa kicks off Christmas Town on Saturday, too, with millions of twinkling lights and outdoor holiday kitchens. Also in Tampa is Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa, which transforms the park into a sparkling winter wonderland with holiday shows and chances to spot animals at night.
Check out our guide to holidays at the theme parks.
More holiday events around Tampa Bay.
PHOTOS: Busch Gardens decked out in holiday lights for Christmas Town
Shopapalooza Festival
One of the biggest local shopping events of the year is back for a ninth year this weekend -- just in time for the kickoff of the holiday shopping season. The free community celebration is held on two Saturdays this year -- Nov. 17 and Nov. 24 -- with entertainment, giveaways and more than 130 locally-owned businesses. The event brings together shops, restaurants, art galleries, non-profits and community organizations to South Straub Park in downtown St. Petersburg.
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, 198 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg.
More information here.
CraftArt Festival
Craft art is hot right now, but Florida CraftArt has showcased the work for the past 21 years with its annual CraftArt Festival. The event returns Saturday and Sunday along several blocks in downtown St. Petersburg starting at the crossroads of Central Avenue and 5th Street. More than 100 national and local artists and emerging artists will showcase their wares and compete for $10,000 in awards. The shopping fest features handmade ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal paper and other mixed media.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
More information and schedules here.
NPR’s Science Friday
The popular podcast brings a live show to the Tampa Theatre on Saturday night. Host Ira Flatow is a veteran science reporter and founder of the non-profit Science Friday Initiative, which is dedicated to increasing the public’s access to science. Flatow has shared his passion for science through public radio and television for more than four decades. He event guest starred on The Big Bang Theory.
Tickets for Science Friday start at $25.
8 p.m. Saturday, 711 N Franklin St., Tampa
Chillounge Night
The weather in Tampa Bay this weekend is expected to be perfect for the 11th annual Chillounge Night. North Straub Park in St. Petersburg is decked out in comfy, glowing lounge furniture and some LED art installations. The relaxing night is capped by live entertainment, fire dancers and a fashion daybed parade with performers dressed in light-up feather costumes.
Advance tickets are $25 through the website. Tickets at the door start at $35 with a limited number of VIP tickets available.
400 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. Get tickets here.
Tampa Bay Times Festival of Reading
This year’s book fest at USF St. Petersburg features dozens of local and national authors talking about their work and meeting fans. Local celebrity author Ace Atkins will be on hand to discuss The Sinners while Christian Blauvelt will be talking all things Star Wars with his new works Be More Yoda and Be More Vader.
Find a list of authors and full schedule here.
Super American Circus with Bello Nock
The seventh-generation, crazy-haired circus performer returns to his home state for the new Super American Circus at the Florida State Fairgrounds. The hire-wire daredevil was born in Sarasota is best known for his time with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and on America’s Got Talent. This weekend’s event also features former performers from the Ringling Bros. Circus and Cirque du Soleil.
Tickets start at $25. Buy them here.
4800 US Hwy 301 N, Tampa.
Civil War re-enactments
Tour authentic Confederate and Union camps and interact with volunteers in character at the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City. History buffs get a chance to experience how 19th century Americans lived through craft demonstrations, a ladies period fashion show, live music and and battle re-enactments.
Gates open at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets $10 adults, $5 students, 5 and under are free. Parking is free.
15602 Pioneer Museum Rd, Dade City. More information and schedules here.
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