The holidays are a traditional time for friends and families to gather, and to seek out ways to enjoy the lights, sounds and treats of the season.
If you’re looking to have some old-fashioned fun, to be inspired, or relax, there’s likely an option in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area to suit your fancy.
Here’s a listing of some of your options.
Lutz – Land O’ Lakes
Traditions on the Green holiday concert
When: Dec. 7 from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
Cost: Free
Details: Guests can enjoy live holiday performances from students of Land O’ Lakes High School, Pineview Middle School, Sanders Elementary, Lake Myrtle Elementary and Pineview Dance.
Info: Call (813) 996-3011.
Pancakes, PJ’s and Putt-Putt
When: Dec. 7 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Where: Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
Cost: $12 for age 13 and up; $10 for ages 4 to 12; $43 for family four pack (two adults, two kids); free for those age 3 and under
Details: Enjoy a pancake breakfast while in pajamas. The event also will offer miniature golf, photos with Santa and kids’ activities.
Info: Tickets can be purchased at EventBrite.com (Pancakes, PJ’s and Putt-Putt in search box).
Myrtle Lake Baptist Church Christmas dinner
When: Dec. 8 from noon to 2 p.m.
Where: Myrtle Lake Baptist Church, 2017 Reigler Road, Land O’ Lakes
Cost: Free
Details: The church will hold a special holiday dinner to ring in Christmas.
Info: Call (813) 949-5516, or visit MyrtleLake.org.
Harvester Community Church musicals and service
When: Dec. 8 at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Dec. 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Where: Harvester Community Church, 2432 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes
Cost: Free
Details: Dec. 8 will consist of holiday tunes put on by the church’s choir and contemporary ensemble. Dec. 15 will be an outdoor event where guests can partake in carols and firepits, accompanied with hot cocoa. The Dec. 24, 4 p.m. service, will be a family oriented service in the sanctuary and offer a “Happy Birthday, Jesus” party in the children’s wing. The 6 p.m. service will have a candlelit rendition of “Silent Night.”
Info: Call (813) 948-2311, or visit HarvesterUMC.com.
St. Timothy Catholic Church’s “Christmas in Ireland”
When: Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.
Where: St. Timothy Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Road, Lutz
Cost: $35 general admission; $50 (including meet-and-greet, which starts at 5:30 p.m.) Tickets can be purchased online or at the church office.
Details: Singer Emmet Cahill and the St. Timothy Choir will grace attendees with a rendition of classic Christmas carols. A portion of proceeds will go toward families in need.
Info: Call (828) 553-8553, or for ticket purchases, visit EmmetCahill.com/tour-dates/.
23rd Annual Christmas at the Old Lutz School
When: Dec.10, Dec. 12, Dec. 14, Dec. 17, Dec. 19, Dec. 20, Dec. 21, Dec. 26 and Dec. 27, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41, Lutz
Cost: Free
Details: Guests can enjoy entertainment in the outdoor tent, while the school’s interior will offer rooms with trees, decorations and a train setup. Refreshments also will be served. Breakfast With Santa will be on Dec. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. For a $4 ticket, children can enjoy a hearty meal and crafts. Voluntary donations for the needy also will be collected.
Info: Call (813) 310-8709, or visit OldLutzSchool.com.
Idlewild Baptist Church’s Christmas “Real to Real”
When: Dec. 13 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Dec. 14 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Dec. 15 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Idlewild Baptist Church, 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd., Lutz
Cost: Seating selection varies from $10, $15 and $20.
Details: The church function will recap the history of Christmas, as seen in classic movies.
Info: Call (813) 264-8707. Tickets can be purchased at the church’s event registration desk on Sundays and Wednesdays or at Idlewild.org/Christmas-presentation-tickets/.
Christmas Toy Drive
When: Dec. 14 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
Cost: Free
Details: Kids Helping Kids Pasco County Inc., will host the toy drive, where all are invited to contribute a donation. Aside from toys, clothing and shoes will be collected, as well.
Info: Call (813) 957-5711.
Keystone Community Church’s “Breath of Heaven”
When: Dec. 15 at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Keystone Community Church, 21010 State Road 54, Lutz
Cost: Free
Details: The event will be a biblical drama and musical, reenacting the story of Mary and Joseph that led to Jesus’ birth.
Info: Call (813) 948-4522.
Christmas Eve Communion Service
When: Dec. 24 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Myrtle Lake Baptist Church, 2017 Reigler Road, Land O’ Lakes
Cost: Free
Details: The public is welcomed to partake in a traditional communion service on the night before Christmas.
Info: Call (813) 949-5516, or visit MyrtleLake.org.
Lutz, Odessa, San Antonio, St. Petersburg and Palm Harbor
Tampa Bay Tour de Clay
When: Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and San Antonio Pottery exclusively from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where:
Wellman & Welsch Pottery, 17202 Whirley Road, Lutz
San Antonio Pottery, 11903 Curley St., San Antonio
Hidden Lake Pottery, 16705 Hutchison Road, Odessa
Schiemann Studio, 4635 Eighth Ave., St. Petersburg
Pottery Boys Studio, 30 Bogie Lane, Palm Harbor
Cost: Free
Details: The event will grant guests to tour the respective pottery studios, speak with potters, watch demos and purchase ceramic art.
Info: Call (407) 694-9622, or visit Tampa-Tour.SquareSpace.com.
Symphony in Lights
When: Through Dec. 31 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel
Cost: Free
Details: With a lit Christmas tree, patrons can enjoy live music, and a visit from Santa Claus, among other spectacles. Various shops and restaurants are open, too.
Info: Contact Deborah Detweiler at (813) 994-4010 or .
Wesley Chapel
Family Pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus
When: Dec. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
Where: Cypress Creek Church, 5585 E. County Line Road, Wesley Chapel
Cost: Free
Details: Guests will not only get to take snapshots with Santa and Mrs. Claus, but also engage in ornament making. Kids also will have classes designated for them.
Info: Call (813) 909-4080, or visit CypressCreekChurch.org.
Avalon Aglow
When: Dec. 14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Avalon Park West Community Center, 5227 Autumn Ridge Drive, Wesley Chapel
Cost: Free
Details: Guests can enjoy live performances, food trucks, vendors, and take a picture with Santa.
Info: Call (813) 783-1515, or visit AvalonParkWest.com/AvalonAglow2019/.
Christmas in the Park
When: Dec. 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road, Wesley Chapel
Cost: Free
Details: Guests are welcomed to the park for a night of singing carols and enjoying s’mores.
Info: Call (813) 602-1104.
Symphony in Lights
When: Through Dec. 31 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel
Cost: Free
Details: With a lit Christmas tree, patrons can enjoy live music, and a visit from Santa Claus, among other spectacles. Various shops and restaurants are open, too.
Info: Contact Deborah Detweiler at (813) 994-4010 or .
Zephyrhills
Christmas Tree Lighting
When: Dec. 5 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Main Street Zephyrhills, 38537 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
Cost: Free
Details: Attendees can help to usher in the Christmas season with the official tree lighting in downtown Zephyrhills.
Info: Call (813) 780-1414, or visit MainStreetZephyrhills.org.
Festival of Lights
When: Dec. 7 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Main Street Zephyrhills, 38537 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
Cost: Free
Details: The event will be comprised of live musical entertainment, food, multiple vendors and free photos with Santa.
Info: Visit MainStreetZephyrhills.org/Festival-of-Lights/.
35th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
When: Dec. 8 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: AdventHealth Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills
Cost: Free
Details: From 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the hospital will have a visit from Santa, bounce houses and a Christmas-oriented picture booth. From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., there will be several musical performances. It will be followed by lighting 53 Christmas trees and setting off fireworks.
Info: Call Jane Freeman at (813) 787-2082.
Dade City
Dade City Christmas Parade
When: Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.
Where: Historic Downtown Dade City on Seventh Street, Dade City
Cost: Free
Details: Spectators can view the parade consisting of decorated floats, dancers, marching bands and Santa Claus.
Info: Call (352) 567-3769, or visit DadeCityChamber.org/Christmas-Parade.
Country Christmas & Vintage Market
When: Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
Cost: $10 per adult, $5 per student, and free for those age 5 and under; $5 adult admission in exchange for an unwrapped stocking stuffer donation toward senior citizens.
Details: In addition to visiting the historic museum, patrons can visit an array of vendors for holiday gifts. There also will be live performances, kids’ activities and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Info: Call Brenda Minton at (352) 206-8889.
34th Annual Country Christmas Stroll
When: Dec. 7 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Downtown Dade City, Seventh Street and Meridian Avenue, Dade City
Cost: Free
Details: Attendees can sing carols while visiting numerous downtown restaurants and shops. Santa Claus also will make a special appearance.
Info: Call (352) 567-3769.
Dade City Symphony Holiday Concert
When: Dec. 14 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Pasco Middle School Auditorium, 13925 14th St., Dade City
Cost: Free
Details: The public is welcomed to hear live instrumentation to usher in the Christmas season.
Info: Call (352) 567-3769, or visit DadeCitySymphony.com.
Church Street Christmas
When: Dec. 21, Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Church Avenue in Dade City (the road will be closed off at 6 p.m.)
Cost: Free
Details: Attendees can stroll down Church Avenue, gazing at decorated homes, Christmas cards, and listen to live music from local churches and musicians.
Info: Visit ChurchStreetChristmas.org.
New Year’s Eve at the Speakeasy
When: Dec. 31 at 8 p.m.
Where: GFWC Dade City Woman’s Club, 37922 Palm Ave., Dade City
Cost: $75 per ticket
Details: The 1920s-themed charity event will give attendees the opportunity to come dressed in gangster and flapper attire. The function will have an array of options from food, an open bar, a silent auction, dancing, casino games and prizes.
Info: Call the Dade City Woman’s Club at (352) 521-0766. To purchase tickets, visit EventBrite.com.
San Antonio
Christmas in the Park
When: Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.
Where: San Antonio City Park, 32819 Pennsylvania Ave., San Antonio
Cost: Free admission; Raffle tickets can be purchased at the event for $1 each or $5 for six.
Details: The function will consist of the Christmas cards lighting, live performances and a gift basket drawing, with raffle tickets. Refreshments and coffee will be available, and attendees are encouraged to bring folding chairs and flashlights.
Info: Call Donna Stewart at (352) 588-3631.
St. Leo
A Saint Leo Christmas
When: Dec. 3 and Dec. 4 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Saint Leo University’s Black Box Theatre, 33701 State Road 52, St. Leo
Cost: Free, but an RSVP is required.
Details: The concert will have a score of musical performances, and offer cider, cookies and hot chocolate. Handmade ornaments can be purchased by adults and given free for children. Guests are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes prior to concert.
Info: To RSVP seats, call (352) 588-8401, or email .
Published November 27, 2019
