Clearwater is dialing up its holiday charm with a series of events that will ensure the city is awash with festive spirit well into the new year. According to an announcement on the city's official website, residents can look forward to a variety of activities ranging from a holiday ferris wheel at Coachman Park to a Lighted Boat Parade and numerous local markets.
Those looking to take in panoramic views of the city can make their way to Coachman Park starting on Friday. The observation wheel promises to offer a new perspective to experience Clearwater, open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., for a ticket price of $8 per person. In another bid to to truly embrace the holiday spirit, Coachman Park will also play host to Clearwater's very own tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, complete with a snow machine, carolers, and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Local vendors and artisans won't be left out in the cold either, as the 1st Friday Lunchtime Market next Friday and The Market Marie on Dec. 13 offer ample opportunity for holiday gift shopping accompanied by live entertainment and appearances from Santa Claus himself. Families can also look forward to enriching their kids’ holiday season with activities such as the Reindeer Lane next Saturday, featuring games and crafts, or engaging in holiday nature crafts on the same day at Moccasin Lake Nature Park. All of these events are sprinkled across the city, ensuring that every neighborhood has a chance to join in the celebrations.
The festivities don’t stop there. On Dec. 13, Clearwater Yacht Club’s 51st Annual Holiday Lighted Boat Parade will illuminate the city’s waterways—a tradition that continues to attract locals and tourists alike. The parade is set to sail through the Mandalay Channel and along other waterways, delighting onlookers and setting the Clearwater night alight with holiday displays. Adding to the holiday cheer, the city will also celebrate Hanukkah with a community event in Coachman Park on Dec. 14, as well as a La Gran Posada on Dec. 21 at Mercado, featuring music, food, and cultural festivities.
Moving towards the end of the year, the excitement reaches a crescendo with the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on Dec. 29, offering a day of fun in the sun with live music and team activities. Meanwhile, families looking to wrap up their year with a bang can do so at the Light It Up, Clearwater! New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show, set to take place at Clearwater Beach. Fireworks will be launched from Sand Key Park as the clock strikes midnight, allowing residents and visitors to ring in 2026 against the backdrop of the Gulf's shimmering waters.
