--- title: Holiday Events Near MacDill AFB description: Discover festive holiday events near MacDill AFB in Tampa. If you're stationed in the MacDill area, there's no excuse for lack of holiday cheer! image: https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/All_images/Blog_header_images/Holiday%20events%20near%20MacDill.jpg --- [![MilitaryByOwner](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/MilitaryByOwner_February2020/Images/logo_header.png)](https://www.militarybyowner.com/) Member Login - [About Us](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/) - [About Us](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/) - [Company History](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/company-history/) - [Why Choose Us?](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about/why-choose-us/) - [Testimonials](https://www.militarybyowner.com/testimonials/) - [Advertise](https://www.militarybyowner.com/advertise/) - [Blog](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/) - [Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/) - [Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/) - [Ebooks](https://www.militarybyowner.com/ebooks/) - [Home Buying](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-buying-resources/) - [Home Decorating/Maintenance Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-decorating-and-maintenance-resources/) - [Home Financing](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-financing-resources/) - [Home Selling](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-selling-resources/) - [Military Life](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/military-life-resources/) - [PCS/Relocation Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/relocatingmoving-resources/) - [Property Management](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/property-management-resources/) - [Renting](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/renting-resources/) - [Website Help and Videos](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/website-help-and-videos/) - [Useful Links](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/helpful-resource-links/) - [About Us](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/) - [About Us](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/) - [Company History](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/company-history/) - [Why Choose Us?](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about/why-choose-us/) - [Testimonials](https://www.militarybyowner.com/testimonials/) - [Advertise](https://www.militarybyowner.com/advertise/) - [Blog](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/) - [Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/) - [Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/) - [Ebooks](https://www.militarybyowner.com/ebooks/) - [Home Buying](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-buying-resources/) - [Home Decorating/Maintenance Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-decorating-and-maintenance-resources/) - [Home Financing](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-financing-resources/) - [Home Selling](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-selling-resources/) - [Military Life](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/military-life-resources/) - [PCS/Relocation Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/relocatingmoving-resources/) - [Property Management](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/property-management-resources/) - [Renting](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/renting-resources/) - [Website Help and Videos](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/website-help-and-videos/) - [Useful Links](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/helpful-resource-links/) # Holiday Events Near MacDill AFB ![Jen McDonald](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/Blog%20Authors/Jen%20square%20profile.png) ## [Jen McDonald](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/author/jen-mcdonald) November 30, 2023 - [**](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/holiday-events-near-macdill-afb) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?url=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/holiday-events-near-macdill-afb) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/holiday-events-near-macdill-afb) - [**](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/holiday-events-near-macdill-afb) [Air Force Bases](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/topic/air-force-bases) ## Holiday Events Near MacDill AFB Florida doesn’t have the iconic white Christmas some people dream about, but what it lacks in sweater weather is offset by the many festive events in the area. Tampa started its holiday festivities during November, but there are still many more to come! If you’re in the [Tampa area](https://www.militarybyowner.com/fl/homes-in-tampa/), you'll find plenty of holiday fun both on base and in the nearby communities.  If you're not sure where to start, begin with a few from our list, and then branch out even further! ## ![Holiday Events Near MacDill AFB](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Holiday%20Events%20Near%20MacDill%20AFB.jpg?width=600&height=900&name=Holiday%20Events%20Near%20MacDill%20AFB.jpg)   ## 1. Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Nothing gets the family into the holiday spirit quite like a visit to [Christmas Town](https://buschgardens.com/tampa/events/christmas-town/), Busch Garden's award-winning holiday event. Enjoy animal encounters, holiday shows like Christmas on Ice, fireworks, thousands of twinkling lights, dining and shopping, Rudolph's Winter Wonderland, and the Holly Jolly Express. Christmas Town at Busch Gardens runs through January 7. ## 2. Holiday Light Limo Tours Enjoy the festive lights and local hot spots around Tampa Bay from the comfort of a luxury limo this holiday season! One option is to book your tour through [Showtime Transportation](https://www.showtimetampa.com/tampa-christmas-light-tours-limo.html) from December 1 - 29. ## 3. Christmas in the Wild Join the holiday cheer at the [Tampa Lawry Park Zoo Christmas in the Wild](https://zootampa.org/series/christmas-in-the-wild/). Santa will be visiting, and you can sample yummy treats, view one of Tampa's largest light displays, and experience the zoo’s wildlife at night. Select dates are available during November and December. Check the website for more details. ## 4. Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park Head to Curtis Hixon Park to enjoy ice skating, the village cafe, holiday shops, "silent disco" Fridays, a 360 degree light show, and numerous special events. The [Winter Village](http://www.wintervillagetampa.com/) is open until January 1.  [![View MacDill AFB Area Homes for Sale or Rent](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/131168/3a6bb667-7b2e-4d5a-9d6d-546cdd29c36f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/131168/3a6bb667-7b2e-4d5a-9d6d-546cdd29c36f) ## 5. Nutcracker at the Mahaffey Theater Bring the whole family for a Christmas celebration with an international cast and Ukrainian principal dancers for this year's Nutcracker Ballet on December 30. Visit the [Mahaffey Theater website](https://themahaffey.com/) for more info and show times.  ## 6. Tampa Hot Chocolate Run If you're a runner, this one's for you! On December 10,  join "America's Sweetest Run" and support the mission of the Special Olympics. You have the option to participate in [5k, 10k, or 15k races.](https://hotchocolate15k.com/city/tampa/) Enjoy sweet treats along the road, get amazing swag, and celebrate after you complete the race. ## 7. ReliaQuest Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade Formerly known as the Outback Bowl, the [ReliaQuest Bowl New Year's Eve Parade](https://www.reliaquestbowl.com/events) and Big Storm Pep Rally will take place on New Year’s Eve in historic Ybor City. Watch high school marching bands from across the country, floats, college bands, and cheerleaders. The Big Storm Pep Rally takes place at the end of the parade, and then the party moves to restaurants and night spots in Ybor City and Tampa. Parade starts at 5:30 p.m.  ### **What's your favorite holiday activity in the Tampa area? Let us know in the comments! ** *Check with individual venues and locations for the most updated information.* **[![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/131168/073807ea-d305-49f3-84c1-b0c65a30b1c4.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/131168/073807ea-d305-49f3-84c1-b0c65a30b1c4)** *** *** #### SHARE THIS ARTICLE - [**](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/holiday-events-near-macdill-afb) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?url=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/holiday-events-near-macdill-afb) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/holiday-events-near-macdill-afb) ![Jen McDonald](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/Blog%20Authors/Jen%20square%20profile.png) #### Author ## [Jen McDonald](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/author/jen-mcdonald) Jen McDonald is the Content Editor for MilitaryByOwner Advertising, where she manages the team of in-house and guest writers and creates resources that help military families navigate PCS moves, homeownership, renting, and military life. Originally trained as a registered nurse, she transitioned into publishing in 2008 and joined MilitaryByOwner in 2014. She also holds professional editing and marketing certifications, including credentials from the Poynter Institute, ACES (American Copy Editors Society), and HubSpot. As an Air Force spouse for over 30 years, Jen has spent much of her adult life moving between duty stations, managing deployments, and raising four children around the globe. She draws on those experiences to encourage and inform military families through her writing and speaking. Jen is the award-winning author of *You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse* and *Milspouse Matters: Sharing Strength Through Our Stories*. She also produced and hosted the Milspouse Matters podcast for five years, sharing stories and resources with military spouses worldwide. Her writing has earned numerous honors, including a Gold Medal from the Military Writers Society of America and a Silver Award from Foreword INDIES. Now settled in Texas, Jen is writing her debut cozy mystery series, enjoying time with her grandchildren, and appreciating a season of life that doesn't involve unpacking moving boxes every few years. Connect with Jen at [jen-mcdonald.com](https://jen-mcdonald.com/) and on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jenmcdonaldwriter), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jenmcdonald88/), and [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/jenmcdonald88/). ### OPT IN for our WEEKLY newsletter To be honest, we don’t do much outbound marketing. So if you give us your email, we’re unlikely to spam you. 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