Whether you’re rushing to get that perfect photo with Santa or are wanting to take a moment and reflect on the deeper meaning of the holiday season Plant City is offering the perfect event to fit your needs.
Our reporting team at the Plant City Observer have compiled a list of some of the many holiday events headed to town. This list was based on submissions to our editors and staff writers. Happy holidays from our family to yours.
Thursday, Dec. 12
Plant City Chorale Christmas Concert
6:00 p.m. The Plant City Chorale will be at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., to perform holiday songs a cappella.
Christmas Lane
6 to 10 p.m. Experience the magic of Christmas Lane, a winter-wonderland extravaganza at the Florida Strawberry Festival Charlie Grimes Family Agriculture Center, 2508 W. Oak Ave. It features 1.5 million sparkling lights, decorated trees 40′ tall, a Christmas Castle, 10-foot-tall toy soldiers, larger-than-life reindeer, live entertainment, photos with Santa, Living Nativities with real animals, and a fun, activity-filled KidZone with face painting, ornaments, letters to Santa, and LEGO building station. Exciting carnival rides and food will be available for purchase. Christmas Lane runs Thursday – Sunday Nov. 29 – Dec. 22 and 6-10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday Dec. 23 and 24. Admission: $5 + tax 14 and up, $3 + tax 4–12, under 4, free. Tickets available online at www.christmaslane.com. Ride tickets: $3 each or unlimited ride armband $15. Free parking.
Friday, Dec. 13
Santa and the Red Caboose
5 to 8 p.m. The Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum Society, Inc. is opening up the depot, 102 N. Palmer St., for a fun and merry night. The depot has been transformed into a winter wonderland and the entire community is invited to come out and enjoy the festivities and get a picture with Santa. The pictures are free, but those who can are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for PCPD to distribute to local children.
Mystery Christmas Build
6 to 8 p.m. Brick City Bricks, 107 E. Reynolds St., is hosting a Mystery Christmas Build. Swing by for their mystery Christmas pizza and LEGO build. The event is $15 and covers the pizza, build and play.
Saturday, Dec. 14
Safe & Sound for the Holidays Celebration
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come on out to the Bing House Museum, 205 South Allen Street, for a day filled with soulful holiday music, food vendors, health living vendors, games for kids, CPR instructor demonstration and lots of fun. There will also be a Greek Christmas tree decorating contest.
Holidays on the Farm
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Rd., is bringing a winter wonderland to Plant City. Join them for Holidays on the Farm select Saturdays in November and December, including Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21. Admission is $5 per person and children ages 10 years old and under will be free. Admission includes hayride and kids activities. Get tickets at http://keelfarms.com/events/holidays-on-the-farm/. The event will feature Santa, u-picks, hayrides, vendors, farm animals, poinsettia sales, bounce houses and a life-size snow globe.
Jolly Holiday Christmas
2 p.m. ’Tis the season for a Jolly Holiday Christmas. Join Plant City Entertainment, 101 N. Thomas St., for two showings (Dec. 14 and Dec. 15) of a special musical Christmas production. The event will feature Santa, carolers, hot chocolate and more. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children (12 and under). Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 17
Holiday Crafts and Cocoa
4 to 7 p.m. The Plant City Family YMCA, 1507 YMCA Pl., is hosting a holiday crafts and cocoa night. Christmas time is a wonderful time of the year to enjoy with friends and family. The ‘Y hopes you’ll join them for treats, crafts, holiday Zumba and more family fun throughout the evening.
Christmas Light Run
6:30 to 8 p.m. Join the Plant City Running Club for a fun run around Downtown Plant City to see all the festive light displays. Come dressed in your holiday gear and wear some lights as well! This year they will be following a shorter route and starting and ending at McCall Park, 100 N. Collins St.
Wednesday, Dec. 18
Caroling on the Corner
6 to 7 p.m. Springhead United Methodist Church, 2301 Sparkman Rd., is hosting a Caroling on the Corner event. Come on out for some classic Christmas carols. Refreshments will follow.
Thursday, Dec. 19
The Lights of Christmas
6 to 9 p.m. Experience the magic of Christmas in a brand new way with City Pointe Church, 503 N. Palmer St. Come walk through the advent this holiday season each night from Dec. 19 to Dec. 21. The event is free and open to the entire community. The Lights of Christmas is an outdoor walk-through light experience depicting the Christmas story shared by the candles of the advent wreath. It includes advent candles that measure more than six feet tall along with lighted scenes that bring each candle’s meaning to life. City Pointe will be joined by a number of area churches and businesses to host the event.
Friday, Dec. 20
Santa is Coming!
1 to 4 p.m. Parkesdale Farm Market, 3702 W. Baker St., is offering a holiday experience unlike any other. The public is invited to come on out and take a picture with Santa in the legendary strawberry throne. The event will also be held on Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Festival of Trees
6 to 8 p.m. Grace Manor at Hunters Creek, 765 W. Grant St., is hosting a silent auction of Christmas trees. College Hunks has graciously offered to deliver the purchased trees to the homes of the winners of the auction on Dec. 21. A portion of the proceeds will bee going toward Operation Pay It Forward.”
Christmas Show with Valley’s End
6:33 to 8:33 p.m. Join Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., for an evening of worship and Christmas songs with Valley’s End. A love offering will be collected during the performance.
Saturday, Dec. 21
Santa Sled Fest
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The annual Santa Sled Festival is held at Marie B. Ellis Park, 601 E. Laura St. Registered attendees will receive a toy, food, clothing and possibly a bicycle. The Christmas giveaway is hosted by the Des Aime Social Club of Florida Inc. and Plant City Black Heritage and helps hundreds of families have a happy holiday.
Holidays on the Farm
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Rd., is bringing a winter wonderland to Plant City. Join them for Holidays on the Farm select Saturdays in November and December, including Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21. Admission is $5 per person and children ages 10 years old and under will be free. Admission includes hayride and kids activities. Get tickets at http://keelfarms.com/events/holidays-on-the-farm/. The event will feature Santa, u-picks, hayrides, vendors, farm animals, poinsettia sales, bounce houses and a life-size snow globe.
Cruising into Christmas
3 to 8 p.m. This month’s Strawberry Classic Cruise-In is sure to be a family favorite. On top of the beloved classic cars the free event will feature a free movie in the park, a life-sized snow globe, Santa and his reindeer and so much more! This is an event that you will not want to miss.
Trivia Night — Christmas Movies
8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Come on out to Krazy Kup’s monthly trivia night. This month they’re testing your knowledge of Christmas Movies! Grab your favorite sweet treat, one of their Holiday Drinks and compete for the title of Christmas Movie expert. The trivia night is free and open to anyone age six years old and up.