Deck the Halls! Clearwater Hosts Several Holiday Festivities to Celebrate the Season

Join us for our annual tree lighting in Coachman Park to kick off the holiday season. This event will feature a snow machine, carolers, appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Claus and the lighting of our tree at 7 p.m. 

• Friday, Dec. 5
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 
• 400-500 blocks of Cleveland Street 

Celebrate the season at the 1st Friday Lunchtime Market Dec. 5, featuring local vendors, holiday gift shopping, Santa Claus, live music and adorable puppies for adoption. Join us on the 400-500 blocks of Cleveland Street for a festive midday outing. 

Join us at North Greenwood Recreation Center for a Winter Holiday Social. 

• Saturday, Dec. 6 
• 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Countryside Recreation Center, 2640 Sabal Springs Dr. 

This holiday event includes games, prizes, crafts, photo ops, and fun for the whole family! Santa will also make an appearance. This event costs $2 with pre-registration and $4 day of event. 

• Saturday, Dec. 6 
• 2-3 p.m. 
• Countryside Library, 2642 Sabal Springs Dr. 

Enjoy your favorite holiday songs with the barbershop-style quartets of the Florida Suncoast Chorus. The whole family will love this festive performance! Registration is not required; space is limited. 

• Sunday, Dec. 7 
• 4 p.m. 
• The BayCare Sound, 255 Drew St.

Come to the BayCare Sound for the Whoville Holiday at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. The event features The Grinch Movie Screening, a meet and greet, Christmas carols, hot chocolate and more. This event is free and welcome to all. Everybody who's any who will be there! 

• Monday, Dec. 8 
• 10:30-11:30 a.m. 
• Countryside Library, 2642 Sabal Springs Dr. 

Pop bubbles, shake shaker eggs, and dance along to the beat! Frosty the Snowman will join the fun for photos with the little ones. For babies and children up to age 4. Registration is required. 

• Tuesday, Dec. 9 
• 4 p.m.  
• Clearwater Beach 

This festive holiday parade will travel from Island Way Grill to North and South Clearwater Beach.

• Thursday, Dec. 11
• 2-4 p.m. 
• Countryside Library, 2642 Sabal Springs Dr. 

Create festive pinecone decorations to celebrate the season. Materials are provided. Registration is required; the event is now full. 

• Friday, Dec. 12 
• 5 to 7 p.m. 
• Ross Norton Recreation Center, 1426 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. 

Santa Claus is coming to the Ross Norton recreation center! The Lake Belleview Neighborhood Association and Ross Norton Recreation Center are hosting a free holiday celebration with fun for the whole family. There will be food, a DJ, bounce obstacle course, raffle, crafts, a tree lighting event, and more. The event is free. 

• Friday, Dec. 12 
• 5:30-8:30 p.m. 
• Morningside Recreation Complex, 2400 Harn Blvd. 

Join us for some magical, sparkling holiday spirit! Have your picture taken with Santa. Create a take-home craft, win prizes playing games, and enjoy some sweets and treats, including our hot cocoa bar. End your enchanted evening with a hayride around the neighborhood, taking in all the holiday lights and decorations. This event is $5 per person. 

• Saturday, Dec. 13 
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 
• Coachman Park 

Shop local at The Market Marie with more than 85 small business owners every second Saturday in Coachman Park. Enjoy live music, delicious food, art, clothing, jewelry, henna, handmade candles, soap, pet treats, home goods and more.

This month will feature a holiday theme with an appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

• Saturday, Dec. 13 
• 2-3:30 p.m. 
• East Community Library, 2465 Drew St. 

Celebrate the coming of Christmas and the Mexican tradition of Las Posadas! Enjoy music, crafts and piñatas. All ages are welcome. Registration is not required. 

• Saturday, Dec. 13 
• 3 p.m. 
• Moccasin Lake Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Lane

• Saturday, Dec. 13 
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 
• Countryside Recreation Center, 2640 Sabal Springs Dr. 

Bring your children to our Holiday Drop and Shop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 13. Children in grades 1-7 are welcome. Children will get to enjoy games, crafts, holiday activities and pizza, and parents will have an afternoon to shop or run errands. 

The cost per child is $20 with a recreation center card and $22 without. Children will need to be registered by Dec. 11. We hope to see you there! 

• Saturday, Dec. 13 
• 6-10:30 p.m. 
• Clearwater Yacht Club, 830 Bayway Blvd. 

Join us for the 51st annual holiday boat parade hosted by the Clearwater Yacht Club. This spectacular boat parade is a lighted, nautical event celebrating the spirit of the holidays on the water.

Save the date for a Hanukah celebration at Coachman Park! 

• Tuesday, Dec. 16 
• 10:30-11:15 a.m. 
• Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave. 

Enjoy a special Christmas-themed story time with stories, songs and jingle bells. Santa will be there for pictures and fun. This event is for toddlers ages 2-3. Registration is required. 

• Thursday, Dec. 18 
• 10:30-11 a.m. 
• Countryside Library, 2642 Sabal Springs Dr. 

All aboard! Come in your pajamas, bring a blanket, and enjoy a reading of “The Polar Express.” For ages 3-6. Registration is required. 

Celebrate the season by creating homemade ornaments. Make felt ornaments, wood slices, and more. Registration is not required; space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

• Saturday, Dec. 20 
• 2-4 p.m. 
• Countryside Library, 2642 Sabal Springs Dr. 

Learn to make unique, stitched holiday greeting cards. All supplies are provided. Registration is required; the program is now full. 

• Sunday, Dec. 21 
• 6 p.m. 
• Mercado, 1384 Gulf to Bay Blvd.

Join us at the Mercado for La Gran Posada at 6 p.m. Dec. 21. This event will feature music, food and more. This event is in collaboration with UNIMEX.

Winter holiday camps start at $108 per week and are Dec. 22 to 26 and Dec. 29 to Jan. 2, 2026, with no camps on Christmas or New Year’s Day. Camps run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. Children currently in kindergarten to seventh grade can attend.

Call or visit the recreation center of your choice for details and to register. 

• Monday, Dec. 29 
• 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 
• Hilton Clearwater Beach, 400 Mandalay Ave. 

Join the teams, their marching bands and cheerleaders as they enjoy the sun and beaches at the Hilton Clearwater Beach next to Pier 60. This fun day includes live music, a game of tug-of-war and other contests from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is sponsored by Visit St Pete-Clearwater, the Hilton Clearwater Beach, BayCare, Amplify Clearwater, the city of Clearwater, Allegiant, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, 93.3 FLZ, 970 WFLA and 620 WDAE Radio. 

After Beach Day, stick around for the Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival, featuring artisans, music and more, while you watch the sunset on the gulf.

• Tuesday, Dec. 30 
• 1-3:30 p.m. 
• North Greenwood Library, 905 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. 

Celebrate the New Year with games, crafts, and a screening of “How to Train Your Dragon” (rated PG). Registration is not required; space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

• Wednesday, Dec. 31 
• Midnight 
• Clearwater Beach 

Hosted by Amplify Clearwater, this event allows residents and visitors to ring in the New Year and relax with their toes in the sand. Watch one of Clearwater's world-famous sunsets, grab a bite to eat and then celebrate the New Year with fireworks!

Fireworks are launched from Sand Key Park at midnight, and the viewing location is the southern part of Clearwater Beach.