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Get Away

Holiday calendar

A look at what's happening

By Times Staff
Published December 15, 2005

FAMILY HOLIDAY

Angels on High through Sat. With 70 handmade angels among the oak trees along a lighted trail at Spring Hill Community Association. Also visits with Santa and entertainment, 6:30-8:30 p.m. nightly on grounds at 1202 Kenlake Ave. (on the banks of Hunter Lake), Spring Hill. Free, but donations accepted for charity. (352) 666-4746.

Carrollwood Players Theater by Young People (ages 5-18) presents musical version of the Dickens' classic. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Carrollwood Playhouse, 4333 Gunn Highway, Tampa. $12, $10 seniors and students. RSVP, (813) 265-4000.

Lowry Park Zoo's evening winter festival with zoo-wide display of lights, live reindeer, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday-themed games and displays, Santa. 6-9 p.m. Fri.-Sun., Tue.-Wed. and Dec. 23 at the zoo, 7530 N Boulevard, Tampa. $13 adult, $11 ages 3-11. 813 935-8552; www.lowryparkzoo.com

Florida Botanical Gardens in Pinewood Cultural Park is illuminated by thousands of lights, 6-10 p.m. nightly. 12175 125th St. N, Largo. 727 582-2100; www.pinellascounty.org

Free photos with Santa, 5-8 p.m. today, Tue. and Dec. 22, noon-6 p.m. Sat., 1-4 p.m. Sun., 5-8 p.m. Dec. 23, noon-2 p.m. Dec. 24. Also carriage rides 7-10 p.m. today, Tue. and Dec. 22; $5 per person with $10 minimum. S Dakota Avenue near Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa. (813) 251-3500.

With larger-than-life ice monuments and sculptures, handcarved from 2-million pounds of ice by artisans from China. Includes ice forest, polar bears, Santa's workshop, nativity scene, Christmas Castle, slides and more. Closed-toe shoes and long pants required; parkas provided inside exhibit. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. daily, Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, 6000 W Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee. $16.99 Mon.-Thur. and $19.99 Fri.-Sun.; $7.99 ages 4-12 daily. Parking $7. 407 586-4423, www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordpalms

At 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. nightly in Channelside area, adjacent to cruise terminals two and three, downtown Tampa. (813) 223-4250. Free.

STREET AND BOAT PARADES

Begins 10 a.m. at Alt. U.S. 19 and Morgan Street; heads north on Alt. 19 to Lemon Street, east on Lemon to Ring Avenue, north on Ring to Tarpon Avenue, then west on Tarpon to Craig Park, where games and refreshments with Santa follow. (727) 937-6109.

With Santa and Mrs. Claus. Parade begins 1 p.m. and moves along Main Street, downtown. (727) 724-1530.

Begins 7 p.m. just south of Holiday Inn Harbourside, 401 Second St. and winds north to the northern side of the Harbor Drive inlet. (727) 595-6889.

Begins 6:30 p.m. behind City Hall, 300 Municipal Drive, to John's Pass and then back through area fingers and canals to the American Legion, 600 American Legion Drive, where refreshments will be served. (727) 391-9951.

Presented by Downtown Tampa Attractions Association. 6:30 p.m., can be viewed from the Wyndham Harbor Island Hotel, also Downtown Marriott Waterside, Florida Aquarium and other Channelside locations. (813) 471-1541.

Begins 5:30 p.m. on the Homosassa River at Marker 75, heads to Blue Water, then back to Magic Manatee Marina. (352) 628-2666.

6-8 p.m. Wallace Brooks Park on Lake Henderson. (352) 726-3913.

Begins 6 p.m. at north side of Madeira Beach Causeway Bridge, then heads north on the Intracoastal Waterway to the Pub restaurant dock around 8:30 p.m. Public viewing areas are DeBello Park, 17925 Gulf Blvd., Pinellas County Boat Launch at Park Boulevard and Estelle Harper Park behind Indian Shores Town Hall, 19305 Gulf Blvd. (727) 391-4848.

HOLIDAY TOURS & STROLLS

Exhibit galleries and Grand Hall of Henry B. Plant Museum, former turn-of-the-century Tampa Bay Hotel, are decorated in Victorian fashion for the holidays. With seasonal music by soloists and ensembles nightly. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily at museum, 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. $9, $3 for ages 12 and under. Special Family Day admission Monday, $5, $2 children; and Senior Day admission Tuesday, $5 ages 65 and older. (813) 254-1891.

20-room Mediterranean Revival Pinewood Estate mansion and gardens at the Historic Bok Sanctuary are decorated for the holidays. Tours available 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. and 1-5 p.m. Sun. closed Dec. 24-25; day tour admission (includes Pinewood Estate and Bok Sanctuary), $15, $8 for ages 5-12. 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales. (863) 676-1408; www.boksanctuary.org

OTHER HOLIDAY

Arthritis Foundation sponsors family-oriented 5K competitive run and 1-mile fitness walk. Participants encouraged to wear jingle bells. 6 p.m. registration, 7 p.m. start at the USF Soccer Stadium and track facility, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. $20 advance, $25 Fri. per event; discounts for students. (813) 968-7000 or toll-free 1-800-850-9455.

5K run, 1-mile fun run/walk and kids races ages toddler to 10. Also holiday festival with entertainment, games, arts and crafts, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Benefits Epilepsy and Tampa Bay Lightning Foundations. Registration begins 6 a.m.; 5K starts 8 a.m., 1-mile 9:15 a.m. and kids races, 9:45 a.m. St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $20 advance, $25 Sat. for 5K; $15 advance, $20 Sat. for 1-mile. $15 for kids races. (813) 301-6590; www.tampabaylightning.com

[Last modified December 14, 2005, 15:22:56]