Festive Holiday Happenings at The Shops at Wiregrass
Symphony in Lights: The Symphony in Lights, presented by AdventHealth Wesley Chapel —witness magnificent trees, dazzling lights, holiday harmonies and nightly snowfalls, starting every hour at 6 p.m., through December 31.
Photos with Santa: Capture the magic of the holiday season with Santa photos, at The Shops at Wiregrass. Step into a winter wonderland and create cherished memories as your children meet Santa Claus and share their holiday wishes. Photos with Santa are available for purchase in Center Court. Click here to view Santa’s schedule and make a reservation.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides: Carriage rides are offered, free of charge, to patrons, every Wednesday in December, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Lighted Musical Performances: Experience the magic of music, in a whole new light, at the Illuminated Music Series. Performances are every Friday, from 6 to 8 p.m., near Pottery Barn, at Center Court.
December 1 – Wade Williams
December 8 – John Linton Jazz
December 15 – Rob Stoney
December 22 – Ona Kirei
December 29 – Vision Crystal
Mason Dixon’s Christmas Wish Fund: From now through Sunday, December 18, support local families in need through Mason Dixon’s Christmas Wish Fund. You can donate to the Mason Dixon Christmas Wish Fund directly, contributing to the Mason Dixon Gift Box, or gifting a Shops at Wiregrass gift card. Visit the link for more information on how you can help those in need this holiday season.
JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa: ‘12 Days of Christmas Cocktails’ and Festive Culinary Events
Celebrating its first holiday season, JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa is transforming into a winter wonderland with captivating decorations, culinary artistry, a special 12 Days of Christmas cocktail menu and a full calendar of culinary events at its signature Latitude 28° restaurant. Both Latitude 28° and its rooftop restaurant, The Deep End, will be offering the special 12 Days of Christmas cocktail menu. The festive lineup includes:
12 Days of Christmas Cocktails – Every Friday and Saturday evening, from November 24 through December 25, there will be a new holiday-inspired cocktail available at all restaurants and bars.
Gingerbread Village Display – Starting December 4, guests and locals can experience a gingerbread display, measuring 17 x 25 feet, depicting a winter wonderland.
Christmas Eve Dinner at Latitude 28° – Enjoy a three-course dinner including appetizer, entrée and dessert for $110 per adult (13+). A $10 to $20 a la carte children’s menu is also available. (Beverages, tax and gratuity not included.) Reservations are available from 3 to 10 p.m. on Sunday, December 24.
Brunch with Santa at Latitude 28° – Unwrap a brunch buffet for just $75 per adult (13+) and $50 per child (12 and under). Add bottomless mimosas for $25 per adult (21+). (Other beverages, tax and gratuity not included.) Reservations are available, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Monday, December 25. Santa will be there from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Christmas Dinner at Latitude 28° –Come in for another three-course dinner including appetizer, entrée and dessert for just $110 per adult (13+). A $10 to $20 a la carte Children’s menu is also available. (Beverages, tax, and gratuity not included.) Reservations are available, from 3 to 10 p.m., on Monday, December 25.
JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa’s Christmas culinary events take place Nov. 24 through Christmas Day. Book reservations on OpenTable, at OpenTable.com/latitude-28-clearwater.
2023 Lakeland Christmas Parade
When: 7 p.m., December 7, beginning with fireworks over Lake Mirror.
Where: RP Funding Center, and back, via downtown and a small bit of Lake Morton.
Route change: There’s a major route change this year, with the parade bypassing Lake Mirror. After the parade route progresses along Main Street past Munn Park, it will turn right on Massachusetts Avenue, instead of left as in the past. The parade proceeds from Massachusetts to Lake Morton, where it turns right for two blocks, before proceeding up Tennessee Avenue to Orange Street and back to the RP Funding Center.
Pop-up Xmas Bar in downtown St. Pete
Xmas Bar, a holiday-themed pop-up bar, is open, at 260 1st Avenue North, St. Petersburg.
The concept is from Forward Hospitality Group, which also created Goodnight John Boy, the 1970s-themed nightclub, at 16 2nd Street North, and Welcome to the Farm, at 242 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg.
The bar offers a selection of holiday-themed cocktails like Naughty or Nice Bubbly, Mistletoe’s Kiss, The Snowbird, Santa’s Lil Nightcap, Here To Sleigh, Jingle Juice, Drunken Gingerbread and the non-alcoholic Winter Wings. Cocktail prices range from $8 to $18.
Xmas Bar will be open until early January. Weekend hours are 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday, and 1 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.