Switch it up this festive season and enjoy a sunshine filled Christmas in Florida.
[Image: St. Pete Pier decked out for the festive season]
The typical British Christmas features a warm cosy fire, the hope of snow settling on the windowsills, and a hearty meal with all the trimmings – but why not switch it up this festive season and opt for a spot of sunshine instead?
Whether you fancy lounging by the pool with a cocktail in hand, heading out into the warm Gulf Coast waters on a kayak or paddle board, discovering the latest art gallery opening or exploring downtown, there is so much to see and do in the Floridian hotspot St. Pete/Clearwater during the festive season.
The Sunshine City features plenty for the whole family to get involved in – think light show spectacles, boat parades, and even tobogganing in the snow (yes, really!)
Steve Hayes, President & CEO of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, says: “December in St. Pete/Clearwater is totally different to what Brits typically experience at home at this time of the year. We want to encourage people to switch things up and gain a new perspective on the festive season – we have so much on offer for Brits to enjoy a relaxing, family-friendly Christmas in the sunshine.”
Read on to find out what’s happening in St. Pete/Clearwater this upcoming festive season…
Enchant Christmas
When it comes to Christmas magic, nowhere does it better than Enchant Christmas, returning to St. Pete for this year’s festive season. Opening on 25 November and running through until 1 January 2023, this magical world is located in Tropicana Field in the heart of Downtown St. Pete. Featuring the world’s largest Christmas light maze, a chance for your little ones to meet Father Christmas himself and a unique ice-skating trail, you’ll be transported to a magical wonderland that includes some larger-than-life light displays as well as an epic 100-foot-tall Christmas tree. Tickets start at $35 for an adult and $20 for a child.
Holiday boat parades
No matter where you are in the destination, you’ll be sure to find a dazzling nautical spectacle on a nearby harbour. From Treasure Island to Dunedin, avid boaters and families alike gather for boat parades like no other. Watch as boats of all shapes and sizes take to the water, adorned with lights in some festive fun, Florida style! Expect sailing Santas and floating reindeers for good measure, in St. Pete Beach’s version of events on 2 December.
Holiday lights in the gardens
With one million twinkling lights in a multitude of colours filling the gardens, expect the already stunning Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo to be looking its magical best this December. The promise of a spectacular toy railway surrounding an 18-foot evergreen tree (and palms, of course) is set to make the gardens even more mesmerising this Christmas time. Entry to the gardens is free, with a suggested donated of $10 per person.
Snowfest
If for some reason you’ve had enough of St. Pete’s beautiful white sand beaches (which we highly doubt), then head to Snowfest, where children and adults alike will be transported to cooler climates as they take on tobogganing, inflatables, craft tents and so much more. Located in North Straub Park, just yards from the water, this snowy setting will feel a million miles away from the sunshine state, while still retaining all of that Florida-feel! Entry starts at $5.
St. Pete Pier festivities
St. Pete’s newest attraction for Brits, the St. Pete Pier will offer a whole host of events this Christmas time. From Holiday Putt Putt on The Pier for some mini golf fun to a Christmas Eve concert overlooking the bay and a New Year’s Eve celebration that will be sure to see 2023 in with a bang, this year the Pier makes for a one-stop shop when it comes to festive-fun. To find out more visit www.stpetepier.org.
British Airways Holidays and Virgin Holidays have launched flight and accommodation packages from the UK to St. Pete/Clearwater for this December:
British Airways: Enjoy a 7-night package holiday departing 8 December 2022. Return flights from London Gatwick to Tampa and accommodation at the Barefoot Beach Club, from £837pp. Room only. Based on two adults sharing. ba.com
Virgin Holidays: Enjoy a 7-night package holiday departing 12 December 2022. Return flights from London Heathrow to Tampa and accommodation at the Postcard Inn on the Beach, from £889pp. Room only. Based on two adults sharing. virginholidays.co.uk
Visit www.visitstpeteclearwater.com to get planning your next trip!
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Notes to Editors:
Holiday package pricing correct at the date / time of issue.
For further press information, please contact:
Charlotte Wright | Rosie Crass
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0)203 440 8930
E: [email protected]
About Visit St. Pete/Clearwater:
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater (VSPC) is the official destination marketing organisation of Pinellas County in Florida and covers 24 municipalities in the area. The region is located on the peninsula on Florida’s west coast, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and Tampa Bay to the east.
The area offers 35 miles of award-winning white-sandy beaches, exotic nature trails, culture and arts. It is home to independent restaurants, boutique shops and a unique craft beer trail running from Tarpon Springs to Treasure Island showcasing 40+ local breweries’ fresh artisanal beer. Both Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach have consistently been listed among the top 5 beaches in America, in the annual TripAdvisor Readers’ Choice Awards.
Boasting the largest collection of Dali artwork outside of Spain in the Dali Museum, the county has a significant art scene, with walking mural tours, regular exhibitions and the impressive Chihuly Collection of hand-blown glass sculptures.
The destination is renowned for sunshine and currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest run of sunshine days, a massive 768.
