Don’t miss out on a month packed of holiday festivities and cheer from a tree lighting to Santa Parade to Snowfest.
St. Petersburg, FL (November 21, 2017) – St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront will soon become a winter wonderland for the next month as St. Petersburg’s holiday festivities take place from Friday, Nov. 24, – Saturday, Dec. 23, in North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Dr. NE.
Tree Lighting Celebration – Mayor Rick Kriseman kicks off the holiday celebration with the lighting of St. Pete’s Christmas tree on Friday, Nov. 24, from 5 – 7:00 p.m. at North Straub Park. Before the tree lighting, enjoy entertainment provided by the City Dancers and the St. Petersburg Community Band. Children and teens can also enjoy activities and games. Hot chocolate, drinks and snack concessions will be available. Bring your blanket or lawn chair; seating is not provided. Free to the public. The waterfront lights and displays continue from Friday, Nov. 24, until Monday, Jan. 1, with unique snowflake lights in North and South Straub Parks and a giant greeting card display along Bayshore Dr. at Vinoy Park made by local teens from St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department’s recreation centers.
Santa Parade – St. Petersburg’s 91st Annual Santa Parade starts Saturday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. in downtown St. Petersburg. Find your perfect place along the parade route, which is from Central Ave. and 5th St. traveling east to Bayshore Dr. then turning north ending at 5th Ave. N. The event is free, and there will be fun for the whole family.
Snowfest – There is a 100 percent chance of snowfall in North Straub Park on Saturday, Dec. 2, as the annual holiday Snowfest celebration begins from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. There will be activities for the whole family that include toboggan slide, art tent, karaoke, moonwalk, giant slide and Glice® ice skating. Kids can enjoy the toy shop, bake shop and candy shop, and middle schoolers can enjoy video games, music and a charging station for their electronic devices provided by the TASCO Division of the St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department. The $5 wristband includes admission and all activities and can be purchased in advance at any St. Petersburg recreation center until Dec. 1. For center locations, visit StPeteParksRec.org/centers.html.
Glice® and Santa in the Park – You can visit Santa in the Park and Glice® ice skate on a simulated ice rink in North Straub Park from 6-9 p.m. on the following dates: Dec. 2-3, Dec. 7-10 and Dec. 14-23. Ice skating sessions are $5 for 30 minutes. Santa visits are free. Cameras are welcomed and encouraged.
The events are sponsored by St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department. The department is nationally accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and makes it a mission to preserve and enhance the city’s parklands and recreational facilities and engage the community in leisure activities.
For more information about the holiday festivities, visit www.stpeteparksrec.org/snowfest.html or call 727-893-7441.
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