More than 1.5 million lights will be twinkling at the Tampa Bay Festival of Lights and Santa’s Village, where a sold-out line-up of gift-oriented vendors and competing youth-decorated Christmas trees will be among the featured sights.
Event dates over five festive weeks kick off 6 p.m., Thanksgiving Day at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, with special nights set aside for leashed and well-behaved pets (for photos with Santa Claus) and for heroes, homegrown and otherwise, including military, police, fire, rescue and additional first responders.
Gates open 6 p.m. Nov. 27 through Dec. 28 for the light-show drive-through. Santa’s Village will be open Nov. 27-30 and Dec. 4-7, 11-14 and 18-28. Santa’s last day in attendance will be Dec. 24.
Festival officials say this year’s event features more lights, an expanded Santa’s Village, and a return of wine and cider from Plant City-based Keel & Curley Winery. The self-guided tour through the Hometown Hillsborough Historical Village gives a glimpse into seasonal life in olden days…