Waterfront holiday lights Nov. 28 to Jan. 1, Snowfest Dec. 5, Santa in North Straub Park, free holiday movies and the Nutcracker in St. Pete for 2026.

Last checked 2026-10-10. Facts come from the city’s Holidays in the Sunshine City page, the City of St. Petersburg calendar and each venue’s own page. This page is updated each year.**

St. Petersburg lights up its downtown waterfront from Saturday, Nov. 28, to Friday, Jan. 1. The city’s Holidays in the Sunshine City season starts with the Santa Parade and Tree Lighting on Nov. 28 and runs through December with Snowfest, Santa in North Straub Park, free movies in the park and a campfire with Santa at Boyd Hill.

The parade and the tree lighting have their own page: Christmas parade and tree lighting.

Who to call

  • St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation (holiday events): 727-893-7441
  • Holiday Movies in the Park: 727-892-5060
  • Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (S’mores with Santa): 727-893-7326
  • City information line: 727-893-7111

Holiday lights

  • Holiday Lights and Displays, Nov. 28 to Jan. 1. The city says thousands of lights and decorations line the waterfront in North Straub Park, South Straub Park, Pioneer Park and the St. Pete Pier. It is a free walk; North Straub Park is at 400 Bayshore Drive NE.

Know of a public light display or a decorated neighborhood that welcomes visitors? Send it through our contact page and we will check it and add it.

Santa visits

Event When Where
Meet Santa in the Park 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13, and Dec. 18 to 23 North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Drive NE
S’mores with Santa; $5 a person, registration only Friday, Dec. 11, 5 to 7 p.m. Pinellas Pioneer Settlement at Boyd Hill, 3010 31st St. S
Santa’s Calling; free phone calls for children 8 and younger Dec. 8 to 10 By phone; register on the city’s page

S’mores with Santa is built for families who need small crowds and a calm setting, the city says: a campfire with Santa, his elves and the preserve’s rangers, and a photo set at the Pioneer Settlement.

Snowfest and holiday movies

  • Snowfest, Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., North Straub Park. Toboggan slides, inflatables, arts and crafts and food trucks. A $5 wristband covers all activities (food is extra); buy it online or at any city recreation center until noon Dec. 5, or at the event.
  • Holiday Movies in the Park, free. Activities and photos with Santa from 6:30 p.m.; the film starts at 7 p.m. Bring blankets or lawn chairs.
  • Saturday, Dec. 5: Christmas with the Kranks, Huggins-Stengel Field
  • Saturday, Dec. 12: The Nightmare Before Christmas, Vinoy Park

Holiday markets and shows

  • Cool Art for the Holidays, Dec. 5 and 6 at the St. Petersburg Coliseum, and the other markets: see Black Friday and holiday shopping.
  • Santa Paws, Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1400 N. Shore Drive NE: timed dog races and contests with a Christmas shopping and food expo, from Unity Timing and Events.
  • Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, Sunday, Dec. 27, at the Mahaffey Theater, 400 1st St. S. Times and tickets are on the theater’s page.

Hanukkah and Kwanzaa

  • Hanukkah begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4, 2026. As of Oct. 10 no public menorah lighting in St. Petersburg had posted a 2026 date; we will add lightings as organizers announce them.
  • Kwanzaa: the city held a Kwanzaa Community Celebration at the Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. S, on Dec. 27, 2025, according to the city calendar. The 2026 date is not posted yet.

What this means for you

  • The free picks: the waterfront lights, Santa in North Straub Park and the two movie nights.
  • Buy a Snowfest wristband online or at a recreation center before noon Dec. 5 to skip the line at the gate.
  • Downtown parking is tight on parade night, Nov. 28; see getting around St. Petersburg.

Related: Christmas parade and tree lighting, New Year’s Eve in St. Petersburg and Black Friday and holiday shopping.

Frequently asked questions

When do the St. Pete waterfront holiday lights go up?

The city lists its Holiday Lights and Displays from Nov. 28 to Jan. 1 in North Straub Park, South Straub Park, Pioneer Park and on the St. Pete Pier. They are free to walk through.

Where can kids see Santa in St. Petersburg?

Santa is in North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Drive NE, from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13 and Dec. 18 to 23, according to the city. Bring your own camera.

When is Snowfest 2026 in St. Pete?

Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in North Straub Park. A $5 wristband covers toboggan slides, inflatables and crafts; food is extra.

Can Santa call my child?

Yes. The city’s free Santa’s Calling program runs Dec. 8 to 10 for children 8 and younger. Parents fill in one form per child on the parks department’s site.