Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Tampa Bay (2026)
Checked · Covers Nov 25 – Nov 29 · All times are local Eastern Time
We list 8 family events around Tampa Bay for Nov 25 – Nov 29. Each listing links to the organizer's own page.
Thanksgiving week events
Winter Village Ice Rink at Curtis Hixon Park
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Daily Nov 20–Jan 3) · Check the Winter Village Facebook page for daily hours
- Cost
- Village free to attend; skating $17 per skater ($15 under 12), skates and 75 minutes included
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Outdoor holiday ice rink, shops and café on the riverfront downtown. Skating reservations are online (tickets go live Nov 6).
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Select nights Nov 13–Jan 4) · Select nights; check the park calendar
- Cost
- Included with Busch Gardens admission
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The park becomes a winter wonderland with dazzling lights, festive entertainment and family holiday traditions on select nights.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Gingerbread Village at Glazer Children’s Museum
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Nov 1–Dec 31 during museum hours) · During museum hours
- Cost
- Included with museum admission
- Ages
- Ages 0-10 · Indoor
A seasonal gingerbread village display at the children’s museum through December.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Tampa YMCA Turkey Gobble 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Plaza opens 5:30am; 5K 7am; 1-mile 8:15am
- Cost
- 1-mile fun run $25; 5K $35 (5K price rises after Oct 31)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving-morning 5K run/walk and untimed 1-mile fun run from the plaza at Benchmark International Arena, with designated corrals for walkers and families with strollers.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
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
Holiday Lights & Displays on the Downtown Waterfront
- When
- Sat, Nov 28 – Sun, Nov 29 (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 Meet & Greet at Glazer Children’s Museum
- When
- Sat, Nov 28 (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
Frequently asked questions
What can families do around Tampa Bay over Thanksgiving weekend?
We list 8 family events for Nov 25 – Nov 29, including Winter Village Ice Rink at Curtis Hixon Park (Tampa, Nov 25 – Nov 29), Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Tampa, Nov 25 – Nov 29) and Gingerbread Village at Glazer Children’s Museum (Tampa, Nov 25 – Nov 29). See all 8 above.
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near Tampa Bay need tickets or registration?
2 events on our list say on the official page that they need advance tickets, timed entry or registration: Winter Village Ice Rink at Curtis Hixon Park (Tampa) and Thanksgiving 5K & Kids Untimed 5K at Tyrone Square (St. Petersburg). Book through each official page.
Which Tampa Bay-area cities have Thanksgiving weekend events?
We list Thanksgiving weekend events in 2 cities, including Tampa (5) and St. Petersburg (3).
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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