Tampa Riverwalk's holiday season opens with light cruises Nov. 20 and a tree lighting Nov. 29

TAMPA - The Tampa Riverwalk's holiday season begins Friday, Nov. 20, when River of Lights cruises start leaving from the Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park, according to event pages posted by Friends of the Riverwalk.

River of Lights cruises

The Pirate Water Taxi cruises run along the Hillsborough River past holiday lights, with family departures at 5:15, 6:15, 7:15 and 8:15 p.m. and an adults-oriented happy hour cruise at 9:15 p.m. The Riverwalk calendar lists cruise nights on Nov. 20 to 25 and Nov. 27 to 29. Ticket prices and booking details are not listed on the Riverwalk pages.

Holiday Spectacular and tree lighting

The Holiday Spectacular, with light displays and holiday decor at several spots along the Riverwalk, runs Nov. 27 through Jan. 3. The sixth annual Riverwalk Holiday Tree Lighting is Sunday, Nov. 29, from 5 to 8 p.m., according to the event page (the Riverwalk calendar lists 4 to 7 p.m.), at the Tampa Convention Center and The Sail Plaza, with a rain date of Dec. 4. Mayor Jane Castor is scheduled to arrive by water taxi and light a 35-foot floating tree.

Source: Tampa Riverwalk event calendar, Holiday Tree Lighting and Holiday Spectacular pages, opened Nov. 4, 2026.