Things to do with kids in St. Petersburg, FL
Checked · All times are local Eastern Time (St. Petersburg time)
Coming up in St. Petersburg: Thanksgiving 5K & Kids Untimed 5K at Tyrone Square (Nov 26), Holiday Lights & Displays on the Downtown Waterfront (from Nov 28), Santa Parade & Tree Lighting (Nov 28) and 5 more events. 8 always-open places, led by Great Explorations Children’s Museum and St. Pete Pier. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in St. Petersburg
Thanksgiving 5K & Kids Untimed 5K at Tyrone Square
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 8am
- Cost
- Kids Untimed 5K $0 registration; timed 5K $20 (price rises after Nov 22)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving-morning 5K presented by St Pete Running Company, with an untimed kids’ 5K option. Both start at 8am.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa, lights and tree lightings
Holiday Lights & Displays on the Downtown Waterfront
- When
- Sat, Nov 28 – Fri, Jan 1 (Nightly Nov 28–Jan 1)
- Cost
- No admission listed
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Stroll the waterfront to see thousands of holiday lights and decorations in North Straub Park, South Straub Park, Pioneer Park and the St. Pete Pier.
✓ 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
Snowfest
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 9am–2pm
- Cost
- $5 wristband includes all activities (food not included)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Festive fun with toboggan slides, inflatables, arts and crafts and food trucks. Wristbands are sold online, at city recreation centers until noon Dec 5, or at the event.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
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
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
Hot Chocolate Night Hike at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
- When
- Fri, Dec 18 · 6:30pm
- Cost
- See source for fees
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Join park rangers for a family night hike with hot chocolate.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes
Family Storytime at President Barack Obama Main Library
- When
- Thu, Nov 5 – Thu, Dec 3 (Thursday evenings (no session Nov 26)) · 6:30–7pm
- Cost
- No fee listed
- Ages
- Ages 1-8 · Indoor
Movement, music and crafts for ages 1–8 with a caregiver. Limited to 50 participants; tickets are handed out at the Youth Services desk from 6pm.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Great Explorations Children’s Museum
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Hands-on children’s museum next to Sunken Gardens
St. Pete Pier
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Waterfront pier with the Glazer Family Playground, a splash pad and the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center; opens 30 minutes before sunrise, closes 11pm
Sunken Gardens
- Price
- Adults $18, children (2–12) $8
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Historic tropical garden; Mon–Sat 10am–4:30pm, Sun noon–4:30pm (last admission 4pm)
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
- Price
- Adults $16, youth (7–17) $10, children 6 and under free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Waterfront art museum on Beach Drive
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
St. Petersburg Museum of History
- Price
- Adults $17, youth (7–17) $9, children 6 and under free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Local history museum at the St. Pete Pier; Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun noon–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
The Dalí Museum
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Salvador Dalí collection on the waterfront; daily 10am–6pm, Thursdays until 8pm
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
- Price
- Adults $3, children (3–16) $1.50
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Nature preserve with trails and a nature center; Nov–Feb open Tue–Sun 9am–6pm, closed Mondays
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
President Barack Obama Main Library
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
St. Petersburg’s main library with a Thursday-evening family storytime
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in St. Petersburg this weekend?
Great Explorations Children’s Museum, St. Pete Pier and Sunken Gardens are open most days, but we don't have a St. Petersburg event listed for this weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1). Next up: Thanksgiving 5K & Kids Untimed 5K at Tyrone Square (Nov 26) and Holiday Lights & Displays on the Downtown Waterfront (Nov 28).
What time is trick-or-treating in St. Petersburg?
Sunset on Halloween in St. Petersburg is at 6:47 p.m. St. Petersburg doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk.
What are free things to do with kids in St. Petersburg?
These are free according to their official sites: 1 upcoming event in St. Petersburg, including Holiday Movie in the Park: The Nightmare Before Christmas (Sat, Dec 12).
Where can kids play indoors in St. Petersburg when it's too hot or rainy?
We list 5 indoor places in St. Petersburg: Great Explorations Children’s Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg (kids 7–17 $10), St. Petersburg Museum of History (kids 7–17 $9), The Dalí Museum and President Barack Obama Main Library.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in St. Petersburg?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in St. Petersburg: Thanksgiving 5K & Kids Untimed 5K at Tyrone Square (Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the Tampa Bay area has more nearby.
When and where can kids see Santa in St. Petersburg?
We list 3 events with Santa in St. Petersburg, 1 free: Santa Parade & Tree Lighting (Nov 28), Meet Santa in North Straub Park (Dec 12 – Dec 23) and Holiday Movie in the Park: The Nightmare Before Christmas (Dec 12). Our Santa guide for the Tampa Bay area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in St. Petersburg?
We list 2 holiday light events in St. Petersburg: Holiday Lights & Displays on the Downtown Waterfront (Nov 28 – Jan 1) and Santa Parade & Tree Lighting (Nov 28). Our holiday lights guide for the Tampa Bay area has more nearby.
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in St. Petersburg?
We list 1 everyday program in St. Petersburg: Family Storytime at President Barack Obama Main Library (Thursday evenings, no session Nov 26).
What is there to do with toddlers in St. Petersburg?
We list 4 places in St. Petersburg that welcome kids under 2, including St. Pete Pier, Sunken Gardens and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. See all 4 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in St. Petersburg?
The best-known family attractions we list in St. Petersburg are Great Explorations Children’s Museum and St. Pete Pier. They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do St. Petersburg family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 4 places in St. Petersburg: Sunken Gardens (adult $18, kids 2–12 $8), Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg (adult $16, kids 7–17 $10) and St. Petersburg Museum of History (adult $17, kids 7–17 $9). See all 4 above. Confirm before you go; prices change.
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How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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