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Santa Parade, Tree Lighting Kick Off Holiday Season in St. Pete

Santa Claus | Holidays | Events

The events for Holidays in the Sunshine City start tonight and run through Jan. 1.

ST. PETERSBURG – This city’s celebration of Holidays in the Sunshine City in the downtown waterfront kicks off tonight (Nov. 24) with an illuminated parade and tree lighting.

The festivities incorporate all of St. Petersburg’s holiday programs, including the Santa Parade and Tree Lighting, Snowfest, Meet Santa in North Straub Park, Holidays Movies in the Parks, ice skating and waterfront lights and displays. Events will run through Jan. 1.

Santa Parade and Tree Lighting – Kick off Holidays in the Sunshine City with the all new Santa Parade and Tree Lighting. The new illuminated night parade begins at 5:30 p.m. tonight in Albert Whitted Park, 480 Bayshore Drive SE and runs to Fifth Avenue NE. Then, Santa and St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman light the tree at 8 p.m. in North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Drive NE. Stay after the tree lighting to enjoy a night in the park with entertainment, children’s activities, music and more. Concessions will be available. Bring your blanket or lawn chair; seating is not provided. Admission is free and open to the public.

Snowfest – The holiday celebrations continue with Snowfest on from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 1) in North Straub Park. There will be toboggan slides for adults and children, karaoke, inflatables, and an art tent. While younger children play at the different activity stations in Kiddyland, teens can stop by the teen area to play video games, listen to music and charge their electronics at the charging stations. Teen area is provided by the TASCO Division of the St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department. The $5 wristband includes all activities and can be purchased at any St. Petersburg recreation center through Friday (Nov. 30). Admission is free. For center locations, go to StPeteParksRec.org.

Meet Santa in North Straub Park – Come out to North Straub Park to meet Santa from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 1) and Dec. 6 through Dec.9,  and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 13 through Dec. 23. Visits with Santa are free. Cameras are welcomed and encouraged.

Holiday Movies in the Park – Bring your blanket or lawn chair and settle into a comfy spot in Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Drive NE off Fifth Ave. NE for Holiday Movies in the Park. It’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit with family and friends. Movies start at 7 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Go to StPeteParksRec.org for the movie lineup.

Waterfront Lights and Displays – Stroll through the downtown waterfront enjoying thousands of holiday lights and decorations through Jan. 1. Don’t miss the giant greeting card display along Bayshore Drive NE at Vinoy Park made by teens from the St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department’s recreation centers.

Ice Skating – Enjoy real ice skating in Albert Whitted Park. Dates and times to be announced soon. Go to StPeteParksRec.org to stay posted.

For information, contact the St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department at (727) 893-7441 or go to StPeteParksRec.org. Holidays in the Sunshine City is sponsored by the St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department and the city of St. Petersburg.

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