The Best Free Christmas Light Displays in the Tampa Bay Area

The Holidays are upon us, and the kids are more excited then any other time of year. With Christmas festivities happening all around, It's hard to choose which ones to attend, and which ones to skip. There is nothing that screams Christmas like seeing beautiful light displays with your family. After all, for many looking at Christmas lights have become somewhat of a Holiday tradition. The youngest of babies are awestruck by the bright festive colors of Christmas lights, and display. Even the elderly enjoy the warm feeling that comes with every single twinkling light of joy.

It is unfortunate, that not everyone has the money that is required to see some of the more popular professional displays. Places like Walt Disney World offer millions of beautiful lights, display, and even parades. But, with the average cost of $250.00 per family and up, Disney Word is just unreachable for some. Other places such as Cypress Gardens, Silver Springs, Busch Gardens, also have remarkable displays, that come with a price tag. Lowry Park Zoo offers Wild Wonderland, which had tons of lights, displays, Holiday music, and more. Priced at only $14.00 for adults, and $11.00 for children, it is perhaps the best valued light display in or near the Tampa Bay area. For more information of Wild Wonderland please visit Lowry Parks Zoo's website at

For the rest of us in the Tampa Bay area that rely on free light displays, there are only a handful of places we can visit. I have picked our three personal places, in which are well worth your time.

1. Carrolwood Village Luminaries - This event takes place on Christmas eve night, however the majority of families start participating a few days before. In this neighborhood you will find nearly every home tastefully decorated. In the 1960's the residents of Carrolwood Village started lining their drives with luminaries. Luminaries are small bags with tea light candles placed in them. With thousands of luminaries glowing, it's no wonder that visitors come from afar, to see this spectacular event take place. Carrolwood Village is just northwest of Tampa off if Dale Mabry Highway, and Lake Carrol Drive. Christmas Eve night after 6:30pm is the best time to witness this event. TIP: around 8:00pm of Christmas Eve the traffic flow gets heavy.

2. Roger's Christmas Village - Roger's Christmas Village is somewhat of a store / amusement park of lights. Located in Brooksville, it's about a 30 minute drive from Tampa. At Roger's Christmas Village you will find a large selection a lights, tree's, displays, gifts, and more. How Roger's Christmas Village differs from any other store, their merchandise is set up, with themes galore. Sure, they do have merchandise for sale, but that's only part of it. Roger's Christmas Village welcomes families to walk though, and enjoy the Holiday spirit with them. You will never be pressured by any sales staff at anytime. This is simply their way of sharing Christmas joy! Roger's Christmas Village is located at 103 South Saxton Ave in Brooksville Florida.

3. Botanical Christmas - I saved the best for last. The Florida Botanical Gardens is a huge garden full of exotic plants, and flowers rarely seen, along with native plants of Florida. Anytime during the year you will find the Botanical Gardens to be a very peaceful, and stress free place. I don't know exactly what it is, but these gardens are almost magic, and December is no exception. You will find over 450,000 lights among the most beautiful gardens you have ever seen. Botanical Christmas is a great romantic spot, even if you have the kids with you. While the kids enjoy the lights, you can walk freely hand in hand and enjoy the tranquility. The Florida Botanical Gardens are located in Pinellas County at 12520 Ulmerton Road, in Largo. It's about a 30 minute drive from Tampa, in which you can enjoy listening to holiday music, or caroling in the car. Botanical Christmas is open through January 3, 2008 from 6 pm until 10pm nightly. However, on every Friday in December the Botanical Gardens offers free entertainment, Holiday jazz bands, and your choice of hot cider, or cocoa. Please visit www.flbg.org for more information.

For driving directions please visit www.lowryparkzoo.com. www.mapquest.com . I hope that you enjoy these three places as much as my family does. Merry Christmas from my family to yours.