TAMPA – Downtown Tampa is celebrating the 10th anniversary season of Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park with new attractions, expanded accessibility and a record number of local small businesses.
Visitors can skate, shop and celebrate the spirit of the season from Nov. 21 to Jan. 4 at the Tampa Riverwalk.
“Winter Village has grown from a small community gathering into a cherished Tampa tradition that brings families, friends and visitors together in Tampa’s downtown,” said Kenyetta Hairston-Bridges, president and CEO of the Tampa Downtown Partnership.
Ten Years of Holiday Cheer: What’s New in 2025
- Time Capsule – Opening Day, Nov. 21, marks the start of the season with a special Winter Village Time Capsule celebration. Guests are invited to bring a photo from past visits or snap a new Polaroid on-site to include in a capsule that will be sealed until Winter Village’s 20th anniversary in 2035.
- River of Lights Boat Tours – In partnership with Pirate Water Taxi, guests can hop aboard the River of Lights cruise for a dazzling 45-minute journey down the Hillsborough River, now departing directly from Winter Village, with visits from Santa’s helpers. Kids can mail letters to Santa via Tampa’s only floating mail station, supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Tickets cost $35 for adults and $25 for children.
Skate, Sip, and Shop Local
- The real-ice skating rink returns as the centerpiece of Winter Village, offering 75-minute sessions for $17 per skater, including skate rental. Skating hours vary by school schedules and holidays, with extended hours during Hillsborough schools’ winter break. Tickets are available now at WinterVillageTampa.com.
- Guests can refuel and relax at Icicles Craft Kitchen & Bar, Mi Cafecito Coffee, Gourmet Crepes and Whatever Pops.
- The Shops of Winter Village, delivered by PODS, will spotlight 70 local small businesses this year (up from 41 last season), with 10 full-season retailers, seven partial-season shops, and more than 30 rotating vendors through the holidays. Visitors can shop for handmade gifts, apparel, art and treats daily from Nov. 21 to Jan. 4 (hours vary by day).
- Celebrate Shop Small Weekend, unboxed by PODS, Nov. 28 to 30 from noon to 4 p.m., with 18 additional small businesses, including little entrepreneurs and local artists. The first 100 shoppers will receive an “I Shopped Small at Winter Village” tote bag.
Accessibility Enhancements
This year, Winter Village introduces new features designed to ensure everyone feels welcome and comfortable:
- Sensory Relief Zone: A quiet retreat space for neurodiverse guests or those with sensory processing differences, equipped with calming sensory items.
- CARD-Certified Staff: All staff and attendants have completed training from USF’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities.
- Enhanced Accessibility: Widened pathways, improved ADA access and multilingual signage (English, Spanish and low-visibility enhanced text).
Daily Programming and Seasonal Fun
From themed skate nights to silent discos, Winter Village is packed with activities for all ages:
- Tuesdays – Theme Skate Nights: Enjoy rotating themed nights like Grinchmas, Ugly Sweater and Lightning Bolts & Snowflakes, including photo ops by Tampa General Hospital.
- Wednesdays – Trivia and Holiday Game Night: Test your knowledge at trivia from 2 to 4 p.m. and enjoy additional holiday games when the shops and cafe are open.
- Thursdays – Thunderstruck Thursdays: Celebrate Tampa Bay Lightning pride by purchasing themed menu items for the chance to win Tampa Bay Lightning tickets.
- Fridays – Silent Disco: Dance under the stars with headset rentals from 6 to 9 p.m.
- Saturdays – Shop Small Saturdays: Surprise tote giveaways and local vendor spotlights.
Visit WinterVillageTampa.com for the full event schedule, tickets and updates.
