Christmas Light Displays 2017: What To Know Before You Go

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – The Tampa Bay area is getting into the Christmas spirit, and there’s no better way to show off holiday pride than with light displays.

Whether its individual houses or the entire Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, holiday light displays are spreading cheer from St. Petersburg Temple Terrace and everywhere in between.

Here’s what area residents and visitors need to know before you go to any of the Tampa Bay area’s Christmas Light Displays:

The Oakdale Christmas House

2719 Oakdale St. S., St. Petersburg

Since 1977, Ted Kresge has turned his Oakdale Street home into an amazing spectacle of lights. On his half-acre property, Kresge puts up approximately 250,000 lights in various displays. The Christmas display features an 18-train HO scale model railroad, a three-story high snowman, a 70-foot Christmas tree, inflatables and much more. The display, which has been featured on national television and publications, takes three electrical meters to run and has come with as much as a $4,000 electric-bill price tag.

The 2017 Oakdale Christmas House display runs nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly until Wednesday, Jan. 3. For more information, visit www.ChristmasDisplay.org.

Wonderland of Lights

Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Road, Dover

Click here for more information about the 2017 Wonderland of Lights of Tampa Bay.

Christmas Lights at Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A, 6299 W. Waters Ave., Tampa

What started as a Christmas tree on top of a Tampa Chick-fil-A franchise has exploded into a winter wonderland. Franchisee Jason Dittman has turned his Carrollwood-area restaurant into a drive-through display, as well as an outdoor setting to enjoy the holiday fun. With approximately 1 million lights, the Chick-fil-A lights up the West Waters area. It also features bleachers for fans to hear elementary school choirs, watch movies and other holiday-themed events.

Holiday Lights in the Gardens

Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo

The Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation has hosted Holiday Lights in the Garden since 2000. The foundation's largest fundraising event of the year, Holiday Lights in the Garden helps fund maintenance and improvements to the gardens as well as maintaining and adding new displays for the next year's Holiday Lights event.

The event runs through Sunday, Dec. 31 nightly from 5 to 9:15 p.m. The suggested donation is $4 for people 13 years and older.

Christmas Lane

Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, 2508 W. Oak Ave., Plant City

What started in the community of Dover 34 years ago has grown enough to move to the Florida Strawberry Festival ground. Christmas Lane is in its third holiday season of its move to Plant City, allowing organizers to provide a bigger and better experience. The display features more than 1.5 million lights on more than 200 Christmas trees. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive nightly on their sleigh, and there are several rides for children to enjoy.

The event runs Thursday through Sunday through Sunday, Dec. 24 from 6 to 10 p.m. For more information and a list of live entertainment, visit http://www.christmaslane.com/.

2017 Largo Holiday Stroll

Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, Largo

Click here for more information about the 2017 Largo Holiday Stroll.

Christmas in the Wild

Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa

Lowry Park Zoo lights up for Christmas during Christmas in the Wild. The event features a 50-foot animated Christmas tree, seasonal treats and entertainment. Santa Claus will be on hand in Santa’s Village. Guests also can visit Holiday Hoedown, Polar Paradise and Candy Cane Lane.

For more information, visit http://www.lowryparkzoo.org/events/christmas-in-the-wild.

Did we miss a display? Tell us in the comments section!

Image and video via Oakdale Christmas YouTube channel