TAMPA BAY AREA HOLIDAY EVENTS
Sweaters and scarves are just starting to come out, which can only mean that the holidays are upon us. With only 14 days until Thanksgiving there are lots of things that need to get gone and that includes spending time with the family. Whether you’re looking to go ice-skating, see a show or just enjoy the outdoors, there’s so much going on over the next month. Here are a few exciting happenings to check out.
PwC Math Mondays at MOSI
Nov. 4 – Dec. 9, Mondays
Mondays have never been so fun! Enjoy free museum admission and take part in interactive, hands-on career exploration and money management activities at MOSI in Tampa. Event is part of Pricewaterhouse Coopers’ Earn Your Future Commitment to support young people’s financial literacy. For more events happening at MOSI, visit TBParenting.com .
A Little Princess
Nov. 14-16 and 21-23, various times
Patel Conservatory Theater students in grades 5-8 present this musical story of Sara Crewe, orphaned and banished to the attic at Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies, her imagination, friends and the secret benefactor who mysteriously transforms her life.
Tampa’s Downtown on Ice
Nov. 21 – Jan. 5
Enjoy ice-skating in 80-degree weather under the palm trees seasonal ice rink. Tampa’s Downtown on Ice is the Bay area’s only outdoor ice skating rink. The rink is open daily (except Thanksgiving) from November 21, 2013 – January 5, 2014. Skating is still only $10 and includes skates.
Christmas at Gaylord Palms
Nov. 23 – Jan. 5
The magic of the Christmas season comes to Gaylord Palms Resort. With more than 2 million twinkling lights, an amazing 54-foot-tall Christmas tree, heartwarming visits with Santa, captivating musical events, ICE! featuring Frosty the Snowman, and exclusive holiday events and attractions, Gaylord Palms is like no other holiday destination. Discover all the ways you and your entire family can make memories at the Gaylord Palms Resort!
Signing Santa Day at International Plaza
Nov. 24, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
All children are invited to experience Signing with Santa in American Sigh Language at the Ice Palace at Grand Court. Professional interpreters will be on hand throughout the Ice Palace experience to enhance the enjoyment for deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
The Ice Palace features a 30-foot ice dome with falling snow, a light show and interactive fun for all ages. This year the free exhibit also delights with a 36-degree arctic immersion, via breathtaking video footage from BBC Earth and its award-winning program, Frozen Plant. Ice Palace will be open until December 24. For more information, visit TBParenting.com. And if you’re interested in having your pet’s photo taken with Santa at International Plaza and Bay Street, visit TBParenting.com .
IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy
Nov. 25 – 27, 11-12 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m.
When school is out, get in on the fun at the IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy! Academy features free activities, free meal and free Kids’ Academy t-shirt for kids under 12 while supplies last. Activities vary by day and will include Story Time, festive turkey decorations and build your own wrapping paper for the holidays.
Christmas Town
Nov. 29 – Dec. 23, various nights
Christmas Town transforms Busch Gardens Tampa into a holiday wonderland of wintry surprises and all things Christmas for 18 select nights, Nov. 29 through Dec. 23. Guests will be immersed in special Christmas entertainment, live music, festive treats, holiday shopping and more than a million twinkling lights, filling their senses with seasonal sights, sounds and flavors, and creating a beautiful tradition for Tampa’s families. Christmas Town is a separate-ticketed night event, and families with children ages 3 to 9 will enjoy special $10 advance tickets for their youngest members.
Fall Break Camps
Many kids in the bay area will have the majority or all of Thanksgiving week off from school. This means you’ll also want to start looking for week camps to keep the kids out of trouble. Here are a few Thanksgiving/Fall camps available the week of November 25.
Glazer Children’s Museum
Nov 25-27, Ages K-4
http://glazermuseum.org/play-discover/camps-and-stuff/camps/fallbreakcampconnect/
MOSI
Nov 25-27, Ages K-3 and 4-8
http://www.campfun.org/scoumoin.html
Florida Aquarium
Nov 25 – 27, Ages K-5
http://www.flaquarium.org/userfiles/files/DayCamp%20flier%2013_14(1).pdf
Lowry Park Zoo
Nov 25-27, Ages K-3 and 4-8
http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/_education/camps_and_classes.html
YMCA, Nov 25-27, all ages
Locations in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Citrus and Hernando County
http://www.ymcatampabay.org/index.php/find-your-y
For more November and holiday events, visit TBParenting.com.