St. Pete’s holiday display is going up this Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Mayor Rick Kriseman and Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin will light up the city’s giant Christmas tree and various other holiday displays at Vinoy and North Straub Parks at 7 p.m.
Festivities start at 5 with live music from the St. Petersburg Community Band, Musicstars and Expressions Dance Studio. Blanket seating is available in the park. There will also be interactive games for kids as well as concessions.
The display is part of the city’s parks and recreation department. It will be free and open to the public until January 1.
The city now has available its Park Once service – a free shuttle taking people from downtown parking garages to various destinations including the holiday displays. Typically visitors have to pay to park in one of those garages, but as a promotion for the tree lighting ceremony parking in the Sundial and South Core Parking garages will be free from 5 p.m. until midnight.
The Park Once shuttle drops visitors off at any of five stops including the Central Avenue Arts District, Beach Drive and Vinoy Park.
Also happening this holiday weekend in St. Pete is the Gem, Jewelry and Bead Show running at the Coliseum Friday through Sunday. The exhibit featuring exhibits from all over the country runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Admission to the event is $5. The exhibit will return to St. Pete again January 15-17.
And Shopapalooza Part II is also this weekend. Coinciding with Small Business Day, the event features unique gifts and some great stocking stuffers at a bargain from local vendors and artists. The event is Saturday at South Straub Park from 10 a.m. until dusk.
The Don’t Stop St. Pete Music and Arts Festival comes to the Grand Central District Saturday from 3 p.m. until 3 a.m. More than 30 regional and local musicians will be on hand to rock Central Avenue from the 1600 block West to 31st Street.
Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the event.
And finally, the Magic of Christmas featuring the New York Tenors is also Saturday. The show begins at 8 p.m.. Former ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons plays also at the Mahaffey Theater Sunday at 7 p.m. The Rock and Roll hall of famer is touring promoting his debut album.
