Where to find dazzling Christmas light displays in the Tampa Bay area

We don’t have snow in Florida, but we do have lights, and maybe that’s why some places go over the top with their displays. Here are some vacation gems that locals love:

Chick-fil-A on Waters Avenue: This Tampa fast food joint has become a Christmas institution after more than 25 years of decorating its driveway, parking lot and building with nearly a million lights. There are even visits from Santa Claus on Friday evenings. The lights can be seen Monday through Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. at 6299 W. Waters Ave., Tampa.

River of Lights Tour: Why not take a look at the Christmas decorations from the river? The Pirate Water Taxi offers a River of Lights tour from downtown Tampa that includes a look at the waterfront holiday displays as well as storytelling and sing-alongs. Tickets start at $25 for children and $35 for adults. Children receive a Christmas present during the trip. 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa. Piratewatertaxi.com.

Christmas lights in the gardens: The already lush Florida Botanical Gardens gets even more beautiful for the holidays as the attraction gets decked out for its annual Christmas lights event. It features 1 million twinkling LED lights in a variety of colors. Vibrant laser lights and illuminated figures complete the display. There are also free activities for children in the new Majeed Discovery Garden. The suggested donation for entry is $10 and is free for children 13 and under. Pets welcome. 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo.

Marie Selby Gardens: The beautiful garden’s annual “Lights in Bloom” holiday show was ranked by USA Today as one of the top 10 botanical garden light shows in the country. The walk-through exhibit features more than 2 million lights and other holiday and botanical decorations along the sidewalks and gardens of the 15-acre campus in downtown Sarasota. The event takes place on select evenings from December 6th to January 1st. Tickets can be purchased online at selby.org or in person at the Welcome Center. $30; $15 for children ages 5 to 17. 1534 Mound St., Sarasota.

Tampa Bay Festival of Lights: From Thanksgiving Day through New Year’s Eve, the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds takes visitors on a 2-mile ride through more than 1 million lights. Favorites like the Tampa Pirates guarding the entrance to the 110-foot-long animated drive-thru tunnel, Florida-themed alligators and airboats, and happy animals frolicking are joined by an “Under the Sea” spectacle with blue lights and playful aquatic creatures. Weekends feature visits from Santa, Christmas movies and live entertainment. $30 per car. Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Road, Dover.

Largo Central Park: One of Pinellas County’s most lush public parks is filled with more than 2 million lights over 70 acres and is perfect for strolling from Thanksgiving Day through New Year’s Eve. There’s also a Ferris wheel and carousel ($6 or 10 rides for $50), as well as food and drinks for sale during the evening’s festivities. 101 Central Park Drive, Largo. playlargo.com.

Symphony in light: The Shops at Wiregrass Christmas Light Show features hourly “snowfall” and more than 250,000 LED lights choreographed to holiday favorites by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The show runs hourly from 6 to 9 p.m. until December 31st. For free. 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel. theshopsatwiregrass.com.

Christmas Alley in Plant City: Each year, the Florida Strawberry Festival fairgrounds is transformed into a place to stroll and marvel, creating a festive atmosphere with 1.5 million lights and more than 200 Christmas trees ranging from 4 to 40 feet tall. In addition to an elaborate light maze, there are also rides, food, live entertainment and a children’s area. Santa Claus, Santa Claus and Rudolph will also be there for photos. Admission is $12 and $10 for children ages 4 to 12. It is open from November 29th to December 29th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 24. Parking is free at the festival site at 2508 W. Oak Ave., Plant City. Christmaslane.com.

Neighborhoods

Hyde Park: The homes on Bayshore Boulevard and Hyde Park are beautiful to see at any time of year, but during the holidays it’s extra special. The best street is South Boulevard between Swann Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard.

Lake Park Lights: For more than 30 years, a route of ornately decorated homes has raised funds for Suncoast Hospice in memory of a neighbor who died of cancer. Drivers dropped more than $1 million as they drove a 3-mile route through the Lake Park Estates and Lake Seminole Village neighborhoods. Runs from December 1st to 31st every evening from 6pm to 10pm. The route begins at 10742 95th St. N., Seminole. 727-523-3420. Lightsoflakepark.com.

Indian trails: This Palm Harbor neighborhood prides itself on offering one of the best Christmas displays; This has been going on for two decades. You can drive down any street in this neighborhood southwest of Belcher and Alderman streets and find all the houses lit up with lights.

Meadow Hill Drive: When you deal with LEDs big enough — like the estimated half-million lights that adorn the award-winning Ultimate Christmas Lights House in Clearwater — the electric bills eventually add up to something significant. The exhibit has been a family tradition for 35 years, the last 22 years at its current location at 2833 Meadow Hill Drive, Clearwater.

Oakdale light indicator: The annual Christmas display (also known as the Kresge House) includes 10 trucks full of lights, an 18-train model train, inflatables, flying planes, water fountains, a working carnival, bubble machines, games and a pond. Free. Until January 3rd every day from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 2719 Oakdale St. S., St. Petersburg. 727-822-5562.

Temple terrace: At dusk, the Temple Terrace River Run neighborhood lights up and transforms into a Christmas wonderland. They begin work in September to prepare for the holiday season. 7804 River Ridge Drove, Temple Terrace.

Streamside Drive in Carrollwood: Located on Anderson Road in Carrollwood, residents of Streamside Drive have more than 55,000 lights that are accompanied by music on the radio every evening starting at 6 p.m. The exhibition also features giant inflatable boats with Santa Claus, Mickey Mouse and lots of snowmen.

Attractions

Christmas in the Wilderness: ZooTampa at Lowry Park is bringing back a family favorite with the entire place bathed in lights. They offer dazzling animal sculptures, festive light shows, special wildlife encounters, festive treats and a visit with Santa. It’s free for members and Pay For a Day ticket holders. General admission after 4 p.m. is $29.95. Until December 23rd. 1101 Sligh Ave., Tampa.

Christmas town: Since 2012, the Tampa theme park has been open to family photo ops by lighting up 70 miles of the park in lights and adding special holiday foods and meet-and-greets with characters from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Until January 5th. Included in entry. Information and tickets can be found at bushgardens.com.