Preserve daily 7am–sunset; center Thu–Sat 9am–4pm, Sun 11am–4pm
Weedon Island Preserve · St. Petersburg
A 3,195-acre coastal preserve on Tampa Bay with boardwalks and trails, well known for birding and fishing, and a Cultural & Natural History Center with hands-on exhibits about the area's ecosystems and the Indigenous peoples who lived here for thousands of years. The preserve is open daily from 7am to sunset; the center is open Thursday to Saturday 9am–4pm and Sunday 11am–4pm. Guided hikes and birding tours run too.
The MFA's global collection spans 5,000 years, from ancient Greek and Roman art to Monet, O'Keeffe and Kehinde Wiley, plus one of the Southeast's biggest photography collections. Admission is free with a SNAP EBT card (Museums for All) and always free for kids 6 and under. Docent tours run Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm.
Verified Oct 27 · mfastpete.org
Catch: Only for: SNAP EBT cardholders (show card) and children 6 and under
Pinellas County Solid Waste, Tour Classroom · St. Petersburg
See where your trash goes: a free tour of about 90 minutes at the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex, with a classroom session and a driving tour (you stay in the tour vehicle) past the Waste-to-Energy Facility, the landfill and the yard-waste-to-mulch area. For ages 8 and up; reserve a spot on the county page. More dates: Dec. 11 and Jan. 29.
Verified Oct 27 · pinellas.gov
Catch: Free reservation required: spaces are limited · Only for: ages 8 and up
North Straub, South Straub and Pioneer parks and the St. Pete Pier · St. Petersburg
Thousands of holiday lights and decorations fill North Straub Park, South Straub Park, Pioneer Park and the St. Pete Pier from Thanksgiving weekend through New Year's Day. Stroll the waterfront any evening.
Downtown St. Petersburg waterfront (Albert Whitted Park to North Straub Park)
St. Petersburg kicks off the holidays with its illuminated Santa Parade, which starts at Albert Whitted Park and rolls along the downtown waterfront, followed by the tree lighting in North Straub Park right after the parade. Free to watch from the curb.
St. Pete Parks & Recreation screens Christmas with the Kranks outdoors at Huggins-Stengel Field. Festive activities start at 6:30pm and the movie starts at 7pm.
An outdoor screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas in Vinoy Park on the downtown waterfront. Pre-movie activities start at 6:30pm and the film starts at 7pm.
President Barack Obama Main Library · St. Petersburg
Music, stories and a visit from Santa at the President Barack Obama Main Library, and every child who visits Santa gets a free book. Bring your camera. The city runs the same visit at four other libraries that week (West, North, South and Johnson); see the city page for times.
Verified Oct 27 · stpeteparksrec.org
No catch
Get my FreeBee list
A free account saves favorites and picks free things in St. Petersburg for you, plus the best ones every Thursday if you want them. No payment, ever.
