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Boat parades, Christmas in the Country, Snow Blast: 10 things to do this weekend in Tampa Bay

The Florida State Fairgrounds and Tarpon Springs also have old-fashioned holiday events like Christmas in the Country and a Victorian Christmas open house.
Boats lit up with Christmas lights in Venice, Florida. Getty Images

It's gearing up to be a beautiful weekend to get out and enjoy holiday events in Tampa Bay, including at least nine lighted boat parades.

You can also turn back the clock and celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way with Cracker Country's Christmas in the Country and Tarpon Springs' Victorian Christmas open house.

Florida Winter Bucket List: 10 things you must do this season

10 things to do this weekend in Tampa Bay

Lighted boat parades

A quintessential part of the holiday season in Florida is catching a lighted boat parade. Nothing says Christmas in the Sunshine State quite like a fleet of boats decked out in colorful, twinkling lights. There are at least nine boat parades coming up this weekend and next in the Tampa Bay area.

Find a lighted boat parade near you.

Snow on 7th Parade

Now in its eighth year, the Snow on 7th Parade features 10 middle and high school bands, local dance teams and krewes marching under a “sky of snow.” Mayor Bob Buckhorn will kick off the parade and snowfall. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be the finale of the annual tradition in Ybor City. The parade is free to attend.

A pre-show begins at 6 p.m. and the parade begins at 7 p.m.

More information here.

Holiday Extravaganza at Seminole City Center

Get another taste of the holidays at Seminole City Center with meet-and-greets with Santa, holiday workshops, a hot chocolate station, a fashion show, a kids zone and raffles. There will also be a cookie decorating station and a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Saturday.

4-7 p.m. Saturday, 11201 Park Blvd N, Seminole

More information here.

Christmas in the Country at Florida State Fairgrounds

Experience the Christmas season in 19th century Florida during Christmas in the Country at the fairgrounds’ Cracker Country. The living history museum at the Florida State Fairgrounds gets festive this weekend with chances to create salt dough ornaments, beeswax candles, sachets and cornucopias. There’s also an exhibit of Victorian holiday cards, popular during the late 1800s, and chances to help with everyday chores like churning butter and doing the laundry with a washboard. The grounds will also be covered in old-fashioned holiday decor with live music playing throughout the day.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 4800 Hwy 301 N, Tampa

Tickets $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and children ages 6-12. Children under 5 are free. Parking is $8 per car.

More information here.

Victorian Christmas

The restored historic Safford House in Tarpon Springs is decorated for the holiday season and opens up to guests for two sessions this weekend. Actors will be playing the Safford family, the original owners of the home built in 1883, dressed in Victorian-era clothing while giving tours of the house. There will also be live classical and holiday music by Tarpon Sings!, a harpist in the parlor, holiday storytelling, children’s crafts and cider and cookies for everyone.

The first session is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the second is 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tickets $16 adults, $8 for children.

23 Parkin Court, off of Grand Boulevard, Tarpon Springs.

More information here.

Snow Blast Florida

The southeast lot of Tyrone Square Mall in St. Petersburg is turned into a literal winter wonderland with four areas of snow. Each day, 100 tons of snow are pumped into the Enchanted Snow Pavilion for snow tubing, snowman building and snow angel-making. Outside the pavilion, there are craft stations, live entertainment and holiday vendors.

Admission is $25 and gets you an hour and a half to enjoy Snow Blast Florida. Sessions begin every two hours beginning at 10 a.m.

Snow Blast Florida runs through Jan. 7.

More information here.

Previous: Snow is in the forecast at Snow Blast Florida

Venice Museum Open House and Annual Tree Lighting

The Venice Museum & Archives hosts its annual open house on Saturday night along with a tree lighting celebration. Before the tree lighting, check out the permanent exhibit, “Venice’s Inhabitants,” showcasing the history of the city from the early Native Americans to modern development. The season exhibit, “Snook Haven: The History of Movies, Mischief, and Music on the Myakka,” tells the story of the legendary fish camp-turned-restaurant. Refreshments and museum admission are free.

5-7 p.m. Saturday, 351 Nassau St. S, Venice

More information here.

Drive-through Nativity scene

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Tampa brings back its live drive-through Nativity event this weekend. Cars enter through Cain Road and drive through eight different lit-up scenes that depict the birth of Jesus. Scenes include “The angel appears to Mary,” “A manger scene with Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus” and “The Wise Men appear offering gifts.” All of the scenes include actors in colorful costumes. It takes about 10 minutes to drive through, and hot chocolate and cookies will be available at the end.

Admission is free.

13312 Cain Rd, Tampa.

More information here.

Mars movies at MOSI

The Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa showcased the winning short films from Project Mars International Film and Art Competition earlier this month. The winning creative works were picked from more than 570 entries from around the country that showcase messages and stories about humans venturing to Mars. Many of these short films are being shown at MOSI through Feb. 2, including grand prize winner “Rendezvous With Mars.” The film from three New York creators tells the story of how childhood experiences led one astronaut to be on a mission to the red planet.

The films show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free with MOSI admission.

4801 East Fowler Ave., Tampa

More information here.

Death by Chocolate

The annual fundraiser from the Rotary Club of Largo returns Friday night. The club raises about $20,000 each year for local youth programs. Guests can indulge in dozens of dessert samples from local restaurants while strolling through the holiday light displays at Largo Central Park. This year’s event includes live entertainment, a silent auction, complimentary champagne and coffee and selfies with Santa.

Tickets are $20.

7-9 p.m. Friday, 105 Central Park Drive, Largo

More information here.

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