The Best Christmas Light Displays in Tampa Bay

There are some really spectacular Christmas light displays that you should visit this year and with the tight budgets these are a great way to spend some family time doing something nice during this holiday season. So grab the kids, pack them in the car and head off to see some beautiful displays between now and the end of the year. Here's some suggestions on where to go.

A brand new display this year is at the new mall in Wesley Chapel near I-75 and State Road 56 in Pasco County. An easy drive from anywhere, take I-75 and head east on State Road 56 until you get to the current end of it at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. The Shops at Wiregrass are located behind the JC Penney on the Northeast corner of SR 56 and Bruce B. Downs. Every night through December 31, 2008 The Shops at Wiregrass will be putting on a Symphony of Lights show with over 250,000 LED lights that have been choreographed to the beautiful music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This display includes 47,000 miles of cable, 2,000 watts of sound and 10 tons of holiday decorations to enjoy. Visit The Shops between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. for a show every hour on the hour and all at no cost to you. Don't forget to have your kids bring their list for a visit with Santa. For more information visit www.TheShopsatWiregrass.com or call 813-994-2242.

Another free display can be found at the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo. More than 425,000 lights displayed around the gardens turning it into a holiday wonderland. The event runs November 29th through January 4, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The gardens are open all year round and admission is always free. Located at 12520 Ulmerton Road you can find it by heading west off of 275 at the Ulmerton exit and go past Seminole Blvd. For more information visit www.flbg.org or call (727) 582-2100.

The Lowry Park Zoo is doing their annual event which begins on December 5th this year and the admission is $13 for adults and $11 for children ages 3-11. If you visit the Zoo during the day, you can get a $3 discount on the Wild Wonderland event that runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The admission includes all rides with the exception of the Jingle Bell Carriage ride which is an additional $4. This is certainly worth the admission since your children can see Santa's reindeer up close as well as African Penguins. They can play at Frosty's Foam Factory which is Florida's alternative to snow. There are millions of lights illuminating the entire park and lots of holiday games for the kids to play. Parents can also do a little shopping at the special holiday gift shop while the kids visit Santa. Visit www.lowryparkzoo.com for more information.

Unfortunately, the Tampa Bay area is probably low on spectacular light displays since Orlando is only about forty minutes away and offers major displays at Walt Disney World, Universal and the fairly new addition of the Ice and light display at Gaylord Palms. These are certainly venues to check out if you don't mind the drive and the long lines. We attempted the Ice display at the Gaylord Palms a couple years ago and just couldn't bear to wait in line. However, it is certainly worth the wait if you have children to take along, especially if they never experienced the splendor of truly cold weather and beautiful ice sculptures.

One last thing you could do if you don't mind a little drive is the Christmas Boat Parade on Treasure Island in Pinellas County. Beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club with a holiday celebration and the boat parade starts at 6:20 p.m. Here's the trick though prior to attending this event. Stop by the recreation department at the City Hall or Treasure Bay on Paradise Blvd. between November 26th and December 7th, drop of a new toy and get a pass to one of the best viewing areas to see the gorgeous illuminated boats that travel down the inlets. This also gets you into the event at the yacht club. There will be holiday music, food and a visit from Santa. To get more information and directions call the yacht club at 727-367-4511.