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  • Writer's pictureSunshine City Kids

Weekend Guide: December 20 - 22

A list of kid-friendly events in St. Petersburg, Florida.

See snow every night at Sundial through Dec. 31.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. St. Pete is just brimming with all sorts of festive holiday events. And if that’s not enough to get you into the spirit of the season, scroll your way down to find some of the best things to do and places to go this weekend around the Sunshine City.


This is also the last weekend to get in your Santa visits if you haven’t had a chance to see the man in red. Find where he is any day of the week by using our Santa Calendar.


Friday, December 20th


Open Gym at Bayside Sports Academy

Open Gym is open to children ages 6 & under every Friday. $8/child. 9:00-11:00am.


Preschool Science at Highland Recreation Complex

Calling all mini scientists! Participants in Largo Rec's Preschool Science program will learn about a variety of science topics through exciting experiments and hands-on activities. Class starts at 9:30am and costs $5/residents and $10 for non-residents. 9:30-10:30am.


Babytime at Gulfport Public Library

If you have little ones under 2 years old, please join Gulfport Public Library for Babytime. There will be songs, books, lap bounce rhymes, and the opportunity to meet other caregivers with infants and young toddlers. Older siblings are also welcome. 10:00-10:30am.


Preschool Story Time at Gulf Beaches Public Library

Join Gulf Beaches Public Library for songs, stories, and crafts with a "Christmas/Giving" theme. 10:30am.


Master Builders at Barbara S. Ponce Public Library

Grades K and up can put their engineering skills to the test! Build with LEGO® bricks, KEVA® planks, and other fun materials. 3:30-4:30pm.


Enchant Christmas at Tropicana Field

Enchant is the creator of the World's Largest Christmas Light Maze and Market coming to Tropicana Field November 22 - December 29. The event is also host to a bustling artisan Christmas Market, an Ice Skating Trail, seasonal food and beverage, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, as well as exciting VIP and group experiences. It’s true - a world of Christmas wonder awaits! Tickets are on sale now. 4:00-11:00pm.


Santa Visits Childs Park Library

Join Childs Park Community Library for music, stories, and a visit from Santa. Each child who visits Santa will get a free book. 4:15-5:00pm.


Movie on the Beach at Archibald Beach Park

Come and join Madeira Beach Recreation for a FREE holiday movie on the beach! "The Santa Clause" will begin just after sunset. Bring your own chairs and blankets, or you can rent chairs through Saltwater Destination. Normal beach parking rates apply. 5:30-8:30pm.


Pajama Party at Romp n' Roll

Dress your child in their favorite pjs and bring them to Romp n' Roll for three hours of fun! There will be special holiday crafts and a pizza party while you get your last-minute holiday shopping done. 6:00-9:00pm.


Kids Night Out Sing-A-Long at St. Petersburg City Theatre

Drop off your kids ages 9-15 for a night of fun singing on the main stage. Pizza, fruits, veggies, and refreshments provided. Cost is $30; advanced registration required. 6:00-10:00pm.


Come sing Christmas carols with the live band (or just listen and enjoy), sip some hot cocoa, make a craft, watch the live nativity, and have a tasty cookie. All ages welcome. It’s a great night to be a part of the music under the stars! Donations of canned foods to benefit the Wesley UMC food pantry will be accepted (but not required). 6:00-8:00pm.


Holiday Lights in Central Park

One of the most spectacular displays of holiday lights in Pinellas County is back for another year. Come and take a stroll through over two million LED lights throughout Largo Central Park, for free! The Ferris Wheel and Carousel are available for just $5 per ride along with a campfire and food for sale each night, Nov. 28 - Jan. 1. 6:00-11:00pm.

Treasure Island’s Lighted Boat Parade is like Las Vegas on the water – dazzlingly decorated boats of all kinds circle the city on one special night in a friendly competition for top prizes. The parade departs The Club at Treasure Island at 6:20pm, arrives at TI Causeway Bridge at 7pm, and ends at 8:15pm at John’s Pass. 6:20-8:20pm.


Parents Night Out/Friday Night Fun at Highland Recreation Complex

Kids will have a blast playing fun games throughout the facility including the gym, PlayWorld, and the game room. The snack shop will be open for purchases. Younger children are offered separate activities in the preschool room and must be potty trained. Cost: HC $70/$140 per season, Drop-in fee: $7/$14. 6:30-9:30pm.


Friday Night Shuffle at St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club

Friday nights are free and open to the public at the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club! Bring your own food and beverages and enjoy the courts. 7:00-10:00pm.


Bring the kids and some old sheets for Gulfport Public Library's 6th annual “Blanket Fort Night" where you and your family can build some awesome blanket forts and watch a family holiday movie. Feel free to wear your best holiday pajamas. Popcorn and drinks provided. 7:00-8:30pm.


SPBC Nutcracker at St. Petersburg Ballet Conservatory

SPBC Nutcracker by Servy Gallardo is coming Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-22! Get your tickets now at www.spbc.dance. 7:00pm.


Polar Express on the Beach at Caddy's Treasure Island

Caddy's Treasure Island Presents a holiday film for the whole fam! Watch The Polar Express on the beach, and celebrate the holidays with this heartwarming movie. 8:00-10:00pm.


Holiday Movie Night at Caddy's Indian Shores

Caddy's Indian Shores Presents: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Celebrate the holidays with Jim Carrey in this classic movie and enjoy an evening full of laughter. 8:00-11:00pm.


Saturday, December 21st


Weedon Walkabout at Weedon Island Preserve

Join in for a guided hike through the mangrove and upland ecosystems of Weedon Island Preserve. Learn about the coastal environment, native wildlife, and early history of the Preserve. This hike may be up to 2 miles (round trip). All ages are welcome but children younger than 6 years old may find this hike challenging. 9:00-11:00am.


Saturday Morning Market at Al Lang Stadium

Find St. Petersburg's Saturday Morning Market in the parking lot of Al Lang Stadium every Saturday from October to May. This market is an extraordinary ode to great food, creative expression, and our wonderfully vibrant community. Come see what happens when you combine a Farmers Market, a Craft Fair, and a Festival into an amazing weekly gathering. 9:00am-2:00pm.


Mini & Me Yoga at The Studieaux

This kidding around class is designed to get everyone moving! Little ones will be exposed to the basics of yoga and meditation through movement, songs, games, breathing exercises, and lots of imagination. Parents are highly encouraged to get on the floor, be silly, and let their inner mini out. Cost is $20/non-members, $10/members, kids are free. 9:30-10:30am.


Breakfast with Santa at Largo Community Center

This is a breakfast event where children will complete crafts, eat breakfast, and have the opportunity to visit Santa and take a photo. Open to ages 8 & under and adults. Register for this event at Highland Rec or at the Community Center. Cost is $8/child, $5/adult before 12/14 and $10/child, $8/adult after 12/14. 9:30-11:00am.


Come meet, greet, and jump with your favorite Toy Story characters and special guest Santa Claus Mickey! Cost is $18 per child with free accompanying adults. 9:30-11:00am.


Saturdays at the Morean Arts Center

Saturdays @ the Morean is a free family drop-in art studio hosted by the Morean Arts Center. Art activities are geared toward children ages 5 to 10. 10:00am-12:30pm & 1:00-3:30pm.


Open House at HR Trains & Toys

Come by HR Trains & Toys to help celebrate one year in their new location. There will be door prizes, surprise giveaways, cookies, coffee, and punch (all while supplies last.) 10:00am-6:00pm.


Skate with Santa at Astro Skate

Come skate with Santa at Astro Skate! Open skate hours are 10am-7pm; Santa will skate at 11am and 2pm. 10:00am-7:00pm.


Elf Jr. the Musical at Central Park Performing Arts Center

Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. Showtimes are at 11am and 3pm on 12/21 and 2pm on 12/22. Admission is $8.50. 11:00am.


Little Surrealists Tour at The Dali Museum

Kids ages 4-11 are invited to bring their families on a special 1-hour Museum tour. Free with museum admission. 11:00am-12:00pm.


Storytime at Barnes & Noble

Join Barnes & Noble for a storytime and activities featuring "Construction Site on Christmas Night." 11:00am-12:00pm.


Join the MFA every third Saturday of the month for a special day of family fun! With arts and crafts, family tours, and other special programming, there is so much to do at the MFA. Each month will feature a different theme so your family can explore again and again! Free for members or included with the cost of admission. 11:00am-2:00pm.


Indie Flea is teaming up with Bandit Coffee Co. for a morning of holiday shopping! There will be handmade goods for sale as well as music, brunch, coffee, and drinks! Free and dog-friendly at the faire and on the patio. 11:00am-3:00pm.


Come enjoy the City of Largo's annual Old Fashioned Christmas Parade in Downtown Largo. This neighborhood parade is the perfect way to ignite your Christmas spirit! Follow parade updates on Facebook. 12:00pm.


Children ages 4-11 can discover the creative world of Dali through games, puzzles, and arts + crafts activities that educate and encourage family interaction. Cost is free. 12:00-2:30pm.


Classic Holiday Movie Series at Regal Park Place

Between November 30 - December 21, enjoy a Classic Holiday Movie each Saturday for just $5 per ticket! "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" is on the big screen this week. 1:00pm.


The Saturday before Christmas makeme holds its annual Kid Made Gifts Workshop.  It's like a little Santa's workshop for kids ages 5 & up. They'll create (AND WRAP) a selection of beautiful and meaningful handmade gifts that any mama, dad, grandma, or grandpa would love to receive.  Simply drop them off and makeme will take care of the rest! Cost is $25. 1:00-3:00pm.


Holiday Marketplace in Downtown Gulfport

The Gulfport Merchants Chamber presents the inaugural Holiday Marketplace in conjunction with the Third Saturday Art Walk. Holiday Marketplace will be a celebration of arts, crafts and holiday excitement. Stroll the decorated streets filled with exhibitors and unique shops and galleries. Selfies with Santa will be entertaining for the whole family, including furry members, from 2-6 PM. The Gulfport Gecko Amalgamated Marching Band will make special appearances at several venues throughout the arts district. 2:00-10:00pm.


Holiday Art Walk at Pinellas Arts Village

Come celebrate the holidays with the artists and vendors or the Pinellas Arts Village. Discover new art, gifts, live music, free pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus, and Pompei Monster Factory's Christmas ride! 4:00-9:00pm.


Holidays in the Sunshine City is excited to bring you Holiday Movies in the Park! "The Santa Clause" starts at 7pm. Admission is free. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to settle in for a holiday movie. 7:00-9:00pm.


Sunday, December 22nd


Family Yoga Class at Peace of Yoga

Kidding Around Yoga Classes with Desiree utilize yoga poses creatively tucked into partner yoga, games and activities, original music, stories and more. This yoga class is specifically designed for kids (2 and older), but moms, dads, grandparents, and other caregivers are welcome! Donations accepted. 10:00-11:00am.


Corey Avenue Sunday Market at St. Pete Beach

Find this market located on Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach. This market hosts 70+ local vendors selling local and conventional produce, plants, herbs, raw honey, take-home foods, artisan products, fresh baked goods, lunch bites, local art, handcrafts, and more! Fun for all ages and dog-friendly. 10:00am-2:00pm.


Chanukah in the City at South Straub Park

Join Chabad Jewish Center for the 17th annual Chanukah in the City! The event features a Chanukah Gelt Drop, Menorah Lighting with local dignitaries, entertainment by Guinness world juggler- Bruce Sarafian, live music, FREE hot Latkes & Donuts, Kosher BBQ, Raffle, & Chanukah Crafts! 5:00-7:00pm.


Santa Reads the Polar Express at HR Trains & Toys

All aboard! Santa will arrive at HR Trains & Toys around 5:45 pm to start reading the Polar Express. After reading, families and their Little Engineers will have an opportunity to take photos with Santa. Hot chocolate and cookies available. 5:30-6:45pm.

The Redington Beaches/Indian Shores Annual Lighted Boat Parade is an event you don’t want to miss! Start planning your party waterside. The parade will navigate through the intracoastal waterways, starting at the south end of Redington Beach, approximately 6pm and head north through the waterways of Redington Beach, North Redington Beach, and Redington Shores ending at Caddy’s Pub Indian Shores. 6:00pm.


View our full calendar.


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