Victorian Christmas Stroll 10am to 8pm Henry B. Plant Museum Experience the extravagance and grandeur of a Victorian Christmas at the former 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel. Decorations include vintage fashions, antique toys, locally sourced cigar boxes, and fanciful ornaments. Complimentary cider and cookies will be served on the veranda while holiday music floats through the air. Victorian Christmas Stroll
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park 4pm to 10pm Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park Celebrate the holiday season in Downtown Tampa at the Winter Village presented by USAmeriBank and brought to you by Tampa Downtown Partnership. The park will be transformed with the sights, sounds and activities of the holidays for children and adults of all ages. Skate around at the outdoor ice rink or get some gift shopping done at the Holiday Market. 2017-2018 Winter Village
3rd Thursdays 6pm to 10pm Grand Central at Kennedy Enjoy some gourmet food truck fun paired with Independent short flicks and live music! Pour House and City Dog Cantina provide micro brews and tasty cocktails. 10-15 gourmet food trucks will offer everything from burgers to vegetarian bites. 3rd Thursdays
Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker Begins 7pm Straz Center for the Performing Arts This production features internationally-renowned principal dancers from Miami City Ballet and New York City Ballet onstage with NGB’s award-winning young dancers. This family favorite transports audiences to a fantastical place where magic fills the theater and toys come to life. Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Ottawa Senators Begins 7:30pm Amalie Arena The Tampa Bay Lightning host the visiting Ottawa Senators. This is the first battle between these two teams in Downtown Tampa during the regular season. Cheer on your team and Be the Thunder! Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Ottawa Senators
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park 10am to 10pm Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park Celebrate the holiday season in Downtown Tampa at the Winter Village presented by USAmeriBank and brought to you by Tampa Downtown Partnership. The park will be transformed with the sights, sounds and activities of the holidays for children and adults of all ages. Skate around at the outdoor ice rink or get some gift shopping done at the Holiday Market. 2017-2018 Winter Village
Movies @ The Library Begins 2pm John F. Germany Public Library Head to the library for a free screening of Ghost in the Shell. In the near future, Major is the first of her kind: A human saved from a terrible crash, who is cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier devoted to stopping the world’s most dangerous criminals. Movies @ The Library
Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt – Adult Version Begins 4pm Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park This grown up scavenger hunt starts in the park and ventures out into Downtown Tampa to complete 15 riddles at participating bars and venues for a chance to win a Tampa Staycation and other local prizes. You’ll discover drink specials along the way and there may even be a few free shots if you’re nice! Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt – Adult Version
Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt – Family Edition Begins 4pm Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park Bring the kids to play this family friendly scavenger hunt in and around the Winter Village. It’s a fun activity to keep the whole family entertained while looking for hidden elves in the park. Participation is free and there will be small prizes for the kids and a raffle for everyone! Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt – Family Edition
Fourth Friday 4pm to 10pm Downtown Tampa and Ybor City When the sun goes down, the streets of Tampa and Ybor light up with music, laughter, art, friends and FREE fun. This evening of special offerings and programs by cultural venues, restaurants, and more takes place on the fourth Friday of every month! Fourth Friday
River of Lights Holiday Boat Tour 5:45pm to 6:30pm Pirate Water Taxi Cruise through Downtown Tampa on the water and enjoy the beautiful sights of the holiday season. Pass beneath the lighted bridges to enter Hillsborough River for a one-of-a-kind tour. Enjoy a whimsical narration on the first half of the cruise and then join in with Christmas Carolers while sipping on hot chocolate and nibbling on a delicious holiday cookie. There is no better way to experience the holidays in Tampa! River of Lights Holiday Boat Tour
The Shape of Water Shows at 6:30pm and 9:30pm Tampa Theatre An isolated mute woman working as a cleaning lady in a hidden, high-security government laboratory finds her life altered when she discovers a top secret in the lab. A mysterious, scaly creature from South America is being held in a water tank. As Elisa develops a unique bond with the captor, she soon learns that its life lies in the hands of a hostile government agent and a marine biologist. The Shape of Water
Carols in the City 7pm to 8pm The Portico Come-as-you-are Christmas caroling on the sidewalks of downtown Tampa. Come together, converse and share the joy of Christmas. All are welcome to join other carolers on the sidewalks of downtown. Carols in the City
Cirque Musica Holiday: Believe Live Begins 7:30pm Amalie Arena An all-new concert and visual experience where audiences journey into a world of high-flying adventure with amazing acrobats, aerialists, hilarious hijinks, and holiday cheer! The show blends the spellbinding grace and daredevil athleticism of today’s greatest circus performers with the sensory majesty of the greatest holiday music of all time. Cirque Musica Holiday: Believe Live
Avenue Q – The Return Begins 8pm Stageworks Theatre A laugh-out-loud musical that tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. There, he meets Kate and a handful of other colorful types who help him finally discover his purpose in life. Avenue Q – The Return
Saturday With Santa 10:30am to 1:30pm The Florida Aquarium Bring your family and friends to celebrate the holidays. Santa will be at the Aquarium for photos and general merriment. His elves will join him and dive in the Aquarium’s Coral Reef habitat during its regularly scheduled dive presentations. Saturday With Santa
Art Spot 11am to 2pm Tampa Museum of Art Let your imagination run free as the Museum’s art facilitators introduce exhibition-specific methods of art making filled with fun and creativity for you and yours. Art Spot
Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker Shows at 2pm and 7pm Straz Center for the Performing Arts This production features internationally-renowned principal dancers from Miami City Ballet and New York City Ballet onstage with NGB’s award-winning young dancers. This family favorite transports audiences to a fantastical place where magic fills the theater and toys come to life. Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker
The Shape of Water Shows at 2pm, 5pm, and 8pm Tampa Theatre An isolated mute woman working as a cleaning lady in a hidden, high-security government laboratory finds her life altered when she discovers a top secret in the lab. A mysterious, scaly creature from South America is being held in a water tank. As Elisa develops a unique bond with the captor, she soon learns that its life lies in the hands of a hostile government agent and a marine biologist. The Shape of Water
Avenue Q – The Return Shows at 3pm and 8pm Stageworks Theatre A laugh-out-loud musical that tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. There, he meets Kate and a handful of other colorful types who help him finally discover his purpose in life. Avenue Q – The Return
Lighted Boat Parade Begins 6:30pm Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park Line up along the river to see a beautiful parade of boats lit up with festive colors. This holiday tradition is a fan favorite in Downtown Tampa. Celebrate the holidays and enjoy the beautiful scene along the river. The top boats in the parade will win prizes, so get ready for some heavy competition! Lighted Boat Parade
Paddleboard Along the Holiday Boat Parade Begins 6:30pm Tampa Marriot Waterside & Marina Paddle your way down the river and enjoy your front row seats to the Holiday Boat Parade! There is no better way to experience the parade than to see it on the water! Light up your board and dress up in Christmas lights for the paddle downtown to see the beautifully decorated boats. Paddleboards will be available to rent. Paddleboard Along the Holiday Boat Parade
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Minnesota Wild Begins 7pm Amalie Arena The Tampa Bay Lightning host the visiting Minnesota Wild. This is the only game between these two teams in Downtown Tampa during the regular season. Cheer on your team and Be the Thunder! Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Minnesota Wild
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park Noon to 9pm Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park Celebrate the holiday season in Downtown Tampa at the Winter Village presented by USAmeriBank and brought to you by Tampa Downtown Partnership. The park will be transformed with the sights, sounds and activities of the holidays for children and adults of all ages. Skate around at the outdoor ice rink or get some gift shopping done at the Holiday Market. 2017-2018 Winter Village
The Shape of Water Shows at 3:30pm and 6:30pm Tampa Theatre An isolated mute woman working as a cleaning lady in a hidden, high-security government laboratory finds her life altered when she discovers a top secret in the lab. A mysterious, scaly creature from South America is being held in a water tank. As Elisa develops a unique bond with the captor, she soon learns that its life lies in the hands of a hostile government agent and a marine biologist. The Shape of Water
Fireworks at Cotanchobee Park
Amalie Arena Tampa Bay Lightning vs Ottawa Senators – December 21 Tampa Bay Lightning vs Minnesota Wild – December 23 Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens – December 28 Tampa Bay Lightning vs Philadelphia Flyers – December 29 Jim Gaffigan – December 31 Tampa Bay Lightning vs Carolina Hurricanes – January 9 Tampa Bay Lightning vs Calgary Flames – January 11 Tampa Bay Lightning vs Las Vegas Golden Knights – January 18 US 103.5’s Throwdown by the Bay – January 20 Tampa Bay Lightning vs San Jose Sharks – February 8 Billy Joel – February 9 Tampa Bay Lightning vs LA Kings – February 10 Andrea Bocelli – February 14 Tampa Bay vs Detroit Red Wings – February 15 Tampa Bay Lightning vs New Jersey Devils – February 17 Tampa Bay Lightning vs Toronto Maple Leafs – February 26 Tampa Bay Lightning vs Buffalo Sabres – February 28
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts By the Yard, Cirkut Camera Photography – Through December 31 Under the Cuban Sun – Through December 31 Photograph 101: January 3 to 24 Composition Principles: From Basics to Advanced – January 4 to 18 iPhoneography – January 14
Glazer Children’s Museum Make it Monday – Weekly Toddler Tuesday – Weekly Worldly Wednesday – Weekly Tinker and Tech Thursday – Weekly Fun Fridays – Weekly Gingerbread Village Cardboard Challenge – Through December 23 Sorting Ceremony Dinner: A Magical Holiday Feast – December 16 Closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – December 24 and 25 Winter Maker Workshops – December 27 to 29 Downtown Countdown – December 31 Check the Museum’s website for a full list of weekday programming.
Henry B. Plant Museum First Fridays – First Friday of the Month Menus: The Epicurean Experience – Through December 23
Jobsite Theater The Tempest – January 19 to February 18 HIR – March 19 to April 1 1984 – April 27 to May 20 Dancing at Lughnasa – June 15 to July 8
The John F. Germany Public Library Walk-In Tech Help – Wednesdays Toddler Time – Wednesdays Crafternoon – Thursdays Baby Sign – Thursdays Holiday Early Closings – Through December 28 Movies @ the Library: Ghost in the Shell – December 22 Closed for Holidays – December 23 to 26
Patel Conservatory Disney’s The Aristocats Kids – February 15 to 18 Peter Pan, Jr. – April 26 to 29
Stageworks Theatre The Speak! Tank: Spoken Word Sundays – First Sunday of every month Christ Fellowship – Wednesdays Avenue Q – The Return – Through December 23 Corey Van Valin – Redefining Magic – January 7 Keely and Du – January 12 to 21 The Got Jokes? Improv Experience – February 3 brownsville song (b-side for tray) – February 8 to 25
Straz Center for the Performing Arts Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker – December 21 to 23 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – In Concert – December 28 to 30 School of Rock – January 2 to 7 Classical WSMR presents The Florida Orchestra featuring Jahja Ling conducting Beethoven and Sibellus – January 5 Forever Plaid – January 12 to March 11 The Florida Orchestra – Rodgers & Hammerstein – January 12 Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow Youth America Grand Prix Gala – January 13 The Sibling Rivalry Tour featuring Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stones and The High Divers – January 15
Tampa Bay History Center Walk Tampa: Tampa Bay Black History Tour – December 30 Old Glory – February to July 2018
Tampa Museum of Art The Classical World: Selections from the Permanent Collection – Ongoing The Classical World in Focus: Animals in Ancient Art – Ongoing Monday Meditation at the Museum – Mondays Art on the House – Fridays Art Spot – Saturdays Mernet Larsen: Getting Measured, 1957-2017 – Through February 11 Made in Tampa: From the 1970s to Now – Through April 1 Claudia Ryan and Rob Tarbell: Skyway Curators’ Choice – Through April 1 Elisabeth Condon and Bruce Marsh: Skyway Audience Choice – Through April 1 Thirty on Thursday – December 14 Tiny Masters – December 20
Tampa Theatre The Shape of Water – December 22 to January 4 NYE Wrap Party 2017 – December 31 Darlene Love – January 18 In the Mood – February 3 Iliza Shlesinger Live – February 17 Wayne’s World – March 1 Winefest 2017: Wine’s World – March 2 Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live – April 5
Downtown After Hours – Downtown After Hours is a weekly arts and entertainment guide to help you plan your upcoming weekend. Published every Thursday, it provides information on outdoor events, museum exhibits, live performances, movies and more! Subscribe to receive this weekly newsletter.
