Things To Do Around Tampa Bay For This Weekend
It’s the first weekend of December and it is officially the holiday season. This weekend there are a number of things to do to get the family into the holiday spirit.
Kids: A Retelling of a Christmas Carol begins Friday and runs through December 18th. An adaptation by Jim Russell of the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from an embittered, ungenerous creature into a giving, caring human at the hands of three spirits, who, one Christmas Eve, show him what life means. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 3 pm at the Carrollwood Players Theater. Tickets $23, $20 seniors, students, and military. Visit carrollwood-players-theatre.com for more information.
Theme Park: Christmas Town returns to Busch Gardens. Running until Dec. 31st two million twinkling lights, festive treats, holiday entertainment and unique attractions become part of Busch Gardens theme park. Meet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa while enjoying rides in the dark. Christmas Town is included with any annual pass, Fun Card or day admission and is open until 10 p.m. on select dates. Visit ChristmasTown.com for more information.
Parades: There are six boat parades coming to Tampa this weekend and many more to come. Before and after the Tarpon Springs boat parade there will be a downtown festival from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday. The parade starts at 8 p.m. at Craig Park, 100 Beekman Way.
• St. Pete Beach, 6 p.m. Friday, Horan Park, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive.
• Alafia Lighted Boat Parade, 5 p.m. Saturday, Williams Park Boat Ramp, 9425 U.S. 41 S, Riverview.
• Dunedin Holiday Boat Parade and Tree Lighting, 6 p.m. Saturday, Edgewater Park, 51 Main St.
• Pasco River Lights Boat Parade, 6:30 p.m. Saturday ending in Sims Park, 5547 Main St., New Port Richey.
• Pass-a-Grille Boat Parade and Holiday Festival, 5 p.m. Saturday, departs at dusk from Merry Pier, 801 Pass-a-Grille Way
Run: On Saturday the Color Run takes place as runs run through puffs pigment in Coachman Park, 301 Drew St. Clearwater. The race begins at 9 a.m. and ranges from $39-$59. Runners are urged to wear white and run through the finish line looking like a kaleidoscope. Visit thecolorrun.com for more information.
Chase the Dreidel Run also takes place this Sunday at 4 p.m. Runners chase a guy in a dreidel costume down the street. There will be a free bounce house, a Diaper Dreidel Dash and a potato pancake after-party to prep for the Hanukkah holiday. Congregation B’nai Israel, 300 58th St. N, St. Petersburg. $36 advance, $45 day of. (727) 648-6545.