See large, shingle-style frame homes, traditional Victorian homes and smaller Florida bungalows in all their Christmas glory during Tarpon Springs Area Historical Society's annual Tour of Homes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The old homes were all constructed in the late 19th century or early 20th century, and are in the National Register Historic District north of Spring Bayou on Grosse Avenue and Tarpon Avenue downtown. The historical society wanted to represent the diversity of Tarpon Springs' early homes. Most have never previously been open to the public. You'll also be invited inside a large turn-of-the-century former home that now operates as an inn. That structure and the others include exceptional features such as fine wood molding, steeply pitched roofs and round rooms. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day-of-tour. The tour will begin at the Historical Society Museum in the former train depot on Tarpon Avenue. For information, call (727) 943-4624.

Happy Holly Days

Dunedin is doing the holidays up right with a weekend full of fun activities sure to put you in the Christmas spirit. From 6:30 to 8:30 tonight at Pioneer Park in downtown Dunedin, there will be an "Old Fashioned Holiday Celebration," featuring a winter wonderland complete with horse and carriage rides, visits with Santa, gift sharing and entertainment. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Edgewater Park, there will be the "Happy Holly Days Celebration" where you can enjoy Snow Mountain, an arts and crafts show, children's activities and other festive entertainment. But during the event at 11 a.m. take time out to see the "Season of Sharing" parade with its floats and bands as it makes its way from Alt. U.S. 19 and San Jose Drive to Edgewater Park. Admission is free.

HOLIDAY MUSIC SHOW AND BOAT PARADE: See performances by the Clearwater High School Concert Band, Spy vs. Spy and Trout Fishing in America from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Coachman Park in downtown Clearwater. At 8 p.m., after the last band has left the stage, look out onto the water and see the Island Estates illuminated Boat Parade, featuring 40 vessels ranging from 19 feet to 90 feet in length. Each will be dressed up for the holidays. Free. Coolers allowed. Call (727) 562-4813.

HOLIDAY PARADE: Clearwater's annual Holiday Parade featuring more than 125 floats and bands and of course, Santa, will begin at 7 tonight and make its way from Highland Avenue to Osceola Avenue. This parade is usually well attended, so be sure and get there early. Call (727) 562-4813.

HOLIDAY IN NEW YORK: The Sunday Goes Pop! series continues with a performance of holiday melodies at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive, south of East Bay Drive between Highland Avenue and Seminole Boulevard. The show will take audiences on a musical journey to New York at the most exciting time of the year. Tickets cost $9.50 reserved. Discounts for large groups are available. Call (727) 587-6793.

ELVIS COMES ALIVE: Enjoy Memories of Elvis, a tribute to the King by Jack Smink, 2001 finalist at the World Elvis Tribute Artist competition, at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Royalty Theater, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Tickets cost $16.50. Call (727) 441-8868 or (727) 738-8412.

HOLIDAY JAZZ: The Endangered Species Swing Band will play a free Christmas concert at 3 p.m. Sunday in the community room at the Palm Harbor Library, 2330 Nebraska Ave. Call (727) 784-3332.

SUNSETS AT PIER 60: Celebrate the end of the day with a festival of arts, crafts and entertainment from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Pier 60 Pavilion on Clearwater Beach. Tonight, it's the Surfing Raccoons (classic rock); Saturday, it's Feedback (rock); Sunday, it's Another Time (1960s rock). Free.

PLAY: Stage Agenda will present The Seagull at 8 tonight and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Studio One across from Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. Tickets are $10. Call (727) 562-4855.

HOLIDAY BALLET: The Miami City Ballet and the Florida Orchestra will present George Balanchine's The Nutcracker at 8 tonight, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. FYI: The Sunday show is selling out quickly. Tickets range from $20 to $38. Call (727) 791-7400.

HISTORY EXHIBIT: Beginning today, the Dunedin Historical Society will present a show called "Dunedin on the Homefront: 1941-1945" featuring selected items from that war-torn period. The hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The museum is at 349 Main St., Dunedin. Suggested donation is $2 (children under 12 are free). Call (727) 736-1176.

WINTER WONDERLAND: The Church of Scientology is putting on a holiday extravaganza featuring a brand new Swiss alpine village lit by more than 90,000 lights from 6 to 9 p.m. weeknights and from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The event kicks off tonight with a skating rink, pony rides, a petting zoo, carnival rides and photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Call (727) 442-2099.

ORIGINAL ART: Fine art and handmade gift items will be for sale at Studio 1212's "Holidays are for Sharing" show from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday until Dec. 22 at 1405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Admission is free. A portion of the proceeds from art sales will benefit Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. Call (727) 446-4566.

ART EXHIBIT: The works of five members of TESA, The Exhibiting Society of Artists, will be on display during regular business hours through Dec. 27 at The Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, 1130 Cleveland St. Free. Call (727) 768-0744.

ART EXTRAVAGANZA: The works of 19 members of the Creative Artists Guild as well as artists from St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church will be displayed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Saturday at the church, 10888 126th Ave. N, Largo. Free. Call (727) 581-1435.

OLD FASHIONED HOLIDAY: Members of the Orange Belt Quilt Club will show off their craft in the windows of select businesses from 6:30 to 8:30 tonight along Main Street in Dunedin. The event is part of Dunedin's annual Old Fashioned Christmas. It won't be hard to spot the quilters: They will be the one's in the old fashioned dresses.

-- Eileen Schulte can be reached at (727) 445-4153 or you can fax her material at (727) 445-4119.

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