Tampa residents and visitors should gear up for a bustling downtown area this Sunday, December 14, as the city anticipates heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic due to several back-to-back events. According to an advisory from the City of Tampa's official website, the 2025 Hot Chocolate Run is kicking off at 6 AM around Cotanchobee Park and Bayshore Boulevard, with street closures beginning as early as Saturday, December 13, at 9 AM, and stretching until Sunday afternoon at 2 PM. Travelers can find detailed information on the impacted areas by visiting tampa.gov.
Alongside the sweet allure of the Hot Chocolate Run, sporting professionals will converge at the Tampa Convention Center for the National Athletic Directors Conference starting at 8 AM. Later in the day, over at the Benchmark International Arena are slated two performances of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, with shows at 3 PM and again at 7:30 PM. Bound to draw in crowds, these events, located in proximity to each other, are expected to contribute greatly to the day's traffic surge.
Event organizers and city officials are encouraging those planning to attend any of these engaging activities to consider alternative forms of transportation. Downtown Tampa will offer a range of options including the free TECO Line Streetcar, DASH service, HART buses, alongside rentable scooters and bikes. For those inclined towards rideshares, the city suggests leveraging rideshare platforms as a means to reduce congestion and ease the travel woes of many a commuter.
