Holiday Fun
in Tampa Bay

The Florida Botanical Gardens

The Florida Botanical Gardens are lit to perfection for the annual Holiday Lights in the Gardens display. Walk along the illuminated paths that highlight all types unique flowers and plants. Over 1 million LED lights are used to set the gardens aglow. Live nightly entertainment and a visit from Santa make this the perfect family-friendly event. Refreshments and holiday-themed gifts are available at the Gardens' gift shop. 

The display is on from November 23 through Dec. 30 every night from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. 

Zoo Tampa

Santa’s reindeer have flown in for Christmas in the Wild at Zoo Tampa’s and guests can see the reindeer along with more than a million twinkling lights, glimmering holiday displays, an animated Christmas tree, and of course, get photos with the big guy himself, Santa, in Santa's village. As a bonus, you'll get to see the zoo's animals at night.

Visit Christmas in the Wild Friday and Saturdays November 29-30, December 6-7, 13-15, and 20-23 from 4 to 9 p.m.

Largo Central Park

Largo Central Park is a beautiful, 70-acre park located in the heart of Largo, about a half hour's drive from Tampa. Its rolling grounds and fountains have set it apart as one of the finest parks in the county. During the month of December more than one million LED lights hang above the walkways creating an atmosphere perfect for a stroll with family, friends, and loved ones to get you in the holiday spirit. Make sure to bring a blanket or wear a sweatshirt, it gets cold! On December 16, you can even play in the snow (yes, really!) and greet Santa from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Snow Zone.

The lights are on Nightly from Nov. 22, 2018- January 1, 2019 from dusk until 9:30 p.m.

Santa Fest

Bring your friends and family to the 36th Annual Downtown Tampa Parade. Every year, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is transformed into a holiday wonderland. Enjoy holiday activities at the park like, Christmas crafts, free photos with Santa, and live entertainment. Then, watch the parade as it marches down Morgan Street and down Madison Street. 

The holiday festival and parade will take place on Saturday, December 7th from noon-4 p.m.
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Morgan Street. 

Christmas Town at Busch Gardens

Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, is a holiday extravaganza. One million lights, shopping, shows, Santa, and characters from the TV special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," are brought to life during this festive event. It's great holiday fun for kids of all ages.

Christmas Town takes place from November 16th-January 1st from 10 a.m. to 8/10 p.m. *(hours vary check to verify)

2019 Holiday Lighted Boat Parade

The Hillsborough River lights up every year with hundreds of holiday boats during Tampa's Lighted Boat Parade. View the brightly lit spectacle from venues along the Riverwalk as boats small and large in holiday dress sail by. It's a sparkling celebration that combines Christmas with the Tampa Bay lifestyle.

Be sure to look out for Tampa Bay's 35 foot LED lit Christmas tree that floats along the harbor. The tree will be on display from December 3rd - January 2nd. 

The boat parade takes place Saturday, December 21, 2019 from 6:30 to 9:30pm. 

Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park

Tampa's great weather can sometimes make it difficult to get into the holiday spirit for those used to the snow and cold. Inject a cheerful chill into your holiday celebrations at Winter Village located downtown along the beautiful riverfront. Consisting of an outdoor ice rink, cafe, and pop-up market, this event brings the sights, sounds, and tastes of the season. Enjoy some family ice time with a 90 minute skate costing $15 and includes skate rentals. The Cafe offers seasonal snacks and kid-friendly beverages to enjoy, and the pop-up market features local vendors and artisans with gift ideas including decorations, apparel, handmade toys, jewelry, dog accessories, and more!

This event takes place from November 22 through January 5 see below for the hours (hours vary check on website to verify)

In today's Tampa real estate market, sometimes a luxury listing may be a luxury lot waiting to be developed. In this case Tampa Bay Lightning right winger Nikita Kucherov, who has the richest contract in Lightning history, has purchased a waterfront home in South Tampa — a property that's a potential tear-down for redevelopment. Kucherov paid $2.95 million for a 1960s-built home in Sunset Park Isles on a finger of land that juts into Old Tampa Bay, in a deal that closed in late October, according to Hillsborough County property records.

In 2017, Kucherov bought the home of another household name in Tampa Bay professional sports: former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter's home in nearby Culbreath Isles.

Craig’s Take:
The property was purchased for its land value. It sets at the very end of Dundee Street giving it a massive 250 feet of water frontage. It also offers incredible views of Old Tampa Bay and spectacular sunset views with its western exposure. There’s a reason they call this neighborhood Sunset Park Isles. The name doesn’t disappoint. The highest lot sale in Sunset Park Isles over the past year was $1.495 million. That lot was far inferior to the Kucherov’s purchase. Hence the reason for the massive difference is purchase price. Kucherov’s home sold last January for $2.495 million. This is just more evidence of the land grab for incredible South Tampa waterfront lots. In the past years we have seen some of the Tampa Bay area’s highest priced land sales many of which are in South Tampa. From the Bucs co-owner double lot sale of $16 million, to my friend Greg Margliano’s sale on Davis Island of $6.26 million back in April, to several others. One interesting thing to point out is many of these recent lot sales were previously sold not long ago for far less money. The Davis Island sale of $6.26 million sold in 2015 for only $3.4 million. In less than four years the price nearly doubled. We have all heard the adages:  There’s only so much waterfront real estate. They are no longer making waterfront real estate. The most famous of all real estate is about location, location, and location.  Many owners of waterfront real estate are aware of this land grab and are testing the market. There are currently 5 lots listed in South Tampa for over $2.0 million. With the highest being $4.995 million. Many of these lot deals are put together as what we in the industry call off-market deals. That simply means the property was not listed on the MLS and marketed using traditional methods. These deals in many cases are put together the old fashion way through the Realtor’s network.

 

Jimmy Rollins is swinging for the fences in Florida. The retired baseball star is asking $6.875 million for his waterfront home in Tampa, more than double the $3 million he paid for it five years ago. Built in 2008, the house sets on a narrow inlet of Tampa Bay on a 0.4-acre lot in Culbreath Isles, a guard-gated community on the west side of the city. Luxe amenities include an office, home theater, and wine cellar. The outdoor space includes a living area on the water, as well as a pool and spa.

Rollins, 40, is a three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award-winner who played 17 seasons for the Philadelphia Phillies, Dodgers and Chicago White Sox. He won the NL MVP award in 2007 and led the Phillies to a World Series title a year later. Rollins is busy in the real estate game. He listed his New Jersey mansion in 2017 for $799,000. It sold last year for $687,000. And he reportedly broke a record in Encino, CA, with his purchase of a $10.65 million, the highest price paid in the city at the time.

Craig’s Take:
Jimmy and his wife Johari purchased the home for $3.0 million in 2012. At the time the Tampa market was at its low. The home was built in 2008 by Windstar Homes. Windstar Homes has been one of Tampa Bay’s premier homebuilders since 1996. They have a track record of building some of Tampa Bay’s most impressive estates that set on some of the Bay areas most caveated homesites. The home has not seen too many upgrades or changes since the time of its last sale. The home’s current list price of $6.875 is a cool $3.875 million more than what the Rollin’s family paid for it just seven years ago. The highest sale in Culbreath Isles over the past two years sold for $5.175 million. That estate was built in 1976, boasted 9,551 heated sqft, yet needed significant updating. The things you can’t change this home has in tens. It has 176 feet of water frontage, large pie shape lot, incredible privacy, and unrivaled open Tampa Bay views. In fact, this estate sets on the most coveted homesite in all of Culbreath Isles. That is in stark contrast to the Rollin’s estate setting on an inlet with homes across the way that obstruct the Bay views and doesn’t allow for optimal privacy. The wealthy pay high premiums to have the best in the things you can’t change.  The next highest sale in Culbreath over the past 2 years drops all the way down to $2.650 million. Homes above $2.0 million in Culbreath Isles are selling on average in 186 days and sellers are getting 88% of their asking price. As exquisite of an estate this is, I believe it will sell between $4.75-$5.0. That is far cry from the current asking price of $6.875. Don’t feel sorry for the Rollins’ family it is still a heathy increase of $1.75-$2.0 million from the $3.0 million they paid back in 2012.