Where to see Santa near Tampa Bay (2026)
Checked · Covers Oct 28 – Dec 24 · All times are local Eastern Time
We list 5 ways to see Santa around Tampa Bay for Oct 28 – Dec 24: 1 Santa set open most days and 4 events on select days. 2 list free admission. Hours change and Santa takes breaks, so check the linked schedule before you go.
Santa most days through Christmas Eve
Meet Santa in North Straub Park
- When
- Sat, Dec 12 – Wed, Dec 23 (Dec 12–13 and Dec 18–23) · 6–9pm
- Cost
- No fee listed
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A meet-and-greet with Santa in North Straub Park — bring your own camera.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Santa on select days: parades, tree lightings and more
Santa Meet & Greet at Glazer Children’s Museum
- When
- Sat, Nov 28 & Sat, Dec 19 & Mon, Dec 21 (Nov 28, Dec 19 and Dec 21) · Nov 28 & Dec 19 10:30am–1:30pm; Dec 21 noon–3pm
- Cost
- Museum admission applies (see site)
- Ages
- Ages 0-10 · Indoor
Meet Santa at the children’s museum on select dates: Nov 28 and Dec 19 (10:30am–1:30pm) and Dec 21 (noon–3pm).
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Santa Parade & Tree Lighting
- When
- Sat, Nov 28 · Parade 6:30pm; tree lighting after the parade
- Cost
- No tickets listed
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
St. Petersburg’s 98th Santa Parade steps off from Albert Whitted Park at 6:30pm, followed by the tree lighting in North Straub Park.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Santa Fest Parade, Park Festivities & Holiday Tree Lighting
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · Parade 1pm; park 1–5pm; tree lighting 6pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A full day downtown: the Santa Fest Parade at 1pm (Morgan & Madison streets to Ashley Dr & Cass St; Madison Street is a prime viewing spot), park festivities 1–5pm with holiday crafts, games and free photos with Santa, the 6pm lighting of seven Christmas trees, and a free outdoor holiday movie.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Holiday Movie in the Park: The Nightmare Before Christmas
- When
- Sat, Dec 12 · Activities 6:30pm; movie 7pm
- Cost
- Free event
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A free outdoor holiday screening with pre-movie festive activities, photos with Santa and concessions. Bring blankets or lawn chairs.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
When does Santa arrive near Tampa Bay in 2026?
Santa is at 1 spot on our list from these dates: Meet Santa in North Straub Park (St. Petersburg, from Dec 12).
Where can kids see Santa for free near Tampa Bay?
Santa Fest Parade, Park Festivities & Holiday Tree Lighting (Tampa) and Holiday Movie in the Park: The Nightmare Before Christmas (St. Petersburg) say they're free on the official page (2 of our 5 Santa listings).
Which Tampa Bay-area cities have Santa events?
We list Santa events in 2 cities, including St. Petersburg (3) and Tampa (2).
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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