Holiday Lights in the Gardens 2024
2024-12-12 17:30 - 21:30, 2024-12-13 17:30 - 21:30, 2024-12-14 17:30 - 21:30, 2024-12-15 17:30 - 21:30, 2024-12-16 17:30 - 21:30, 2024-12-17 17:30 - 21:30, 2024-12-18 17:30 - 21:30, 2024-12-19 17:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) and 10 more dates | Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL, 33778, United States
This winter fundraiser runs from Friday, November 29th, 2024-Saturday, January 4, 2025 from 5:30-9:30 PM nightly.
There is a suggested donation of $10 per person, with kids 12 and under free.
The Florida Botanical Gardens will sparkle with 1 million, twinkling, LED lights in a multitude of colors. Vibrant laser lights and lighted figures round out our display to wow guests of all ages. The opening of our new Majeed Discovery Garden will take this already awesome event to the next level. You won’t want to miss it! Interested in being a sponsor? See the information below.
Kids Activities
There will be free kids activities in the Majeed Discovery Garden every Sunday and Thursday evening throughout the month of December.
Participate in this community event while enjoying the twinkling lights. Learn more about volunteering here: www.flbgfoundation.org/volunteer.

S'mores with Santa
2024-12-13 17:00 - 19:00, 2024-12-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Boyd Hill – Pioneer Settlement, 2900 31ST ST S Gate 2, St. Petersburg, FL, 33712, United States
You’ve had cookies with Santa, but have you had s’mores? Join the rangers, Santa, and his elves as we hang around the campfire making some yummy s’mores.
Take photos with Santa in the decorated Brantley Building at the Pioneer Settlement. There will be additional photo ops as well.
Register here

Beginning Bird Walk @ Lettuce Lake Park
2024-12-14 09:00 - 12:00 | Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, 6920 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33637, United States
Important! Pre-registration is required and participation is limited to the first 10 people who sign up. Please do not attend this or any Tampa Audubon Society events if you have flu, cold, or covid symptoms. Tampa Audubon is committed to reducing the spread of illnesses. The health and safety of our members is of the highest priority.
Entrance fee for park $2. Meet in the parking lot by the Visitor’s Center in Lettuce Lake Park at 9 am. We’ll walk the boardwalk or trails, depending on where the best birds are. We have binoculars to loan, and someone will have a spotting scope so you can get up really close and personal! Bring water and a snack.
RSVP to trip leader Jim Hengelbrok at jim.hengelbrok@tampaaudubon.org

Counting with the Birds
2024-12-14 11:30 - 13:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Have you heard of the Christmas Bird Count? It began in 1900—yes, that’s right, 1900—and is the longest-running national citizen science project organized by the Audubon Society. Join us to learn about the CBC, discover how to count birds, and take part in a hike to apply your new skills. This is an educational program, and the birds counted will not be evaluated by Audubon.
All ages welcome with a registered adult.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Backyard Landscaping for Wildlife
2024-12-17 11:00 - 12:30 | Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™:
Backyard Landscaping for Wildlife
Learn how to make your yard suitable for wildlife!
Manatee County is urbanizing rapidly and as natural areas vanish, it becomes more and more important to provide suitable habitat for native wildlife in our own backyards and established communities. This workshop will help guide you in landscaping your property in a Florida-friendly manner that will benefit many different species of wildlife while providing you with additional viewing opportunities.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Special Accommodations:
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Farming at Boyd Hill Garden
2024-12-19 15:30 - 17:00, 2024-12-26 15:30 - 17:00 | Pinellas Pioneer Settlement, 3130 31st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33712, United States
Fun, hands-on education on organic gardening, raising chickens, and fun activities from 4-H curricula.
Ages 7 yrs – 11 yrs
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Tot Time
2024-12-20 10:30 - 11:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Families with little ones can enjoy nature-themed stories and crafts at the Weedon Island Preserve.

Families of pre-school aged children are invited to explore the wonders of the natural world at the Weedon Island Preserve. Families will be treated to rhymes, stories, songs, crafts, and other activities that connect them to our environment. Activities are intended for youth aged 3-5.
Parents or guardians only need to register the youth(s) attending, but must accompany them for the duration of the program. This program will take place inside the Cultural and Natural History Center unless otherwise specified.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
Proceeds will support the Friends of Weedon Island, a non-profit organization that work to promotes education and conservation of the Weedon Island Preserve.

Third Saturdays at Pinewood Cultural Park
2024-12-21 07:00 - 17:00 | Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL, 33778, United States
Three for one fun at the Florida Botanical Gardens, Creative Pinellas and Heritage Village!
Celebrate at Pinewood (Florida Botanical Gardens, Creative Pinellas, Heritage Village) every Third Saturday of the month.
At the Florida Botanical Gardens (Open 7 AM-5 PM):
Visit the new Majeed Discovery Garden, a 2+ acre addition, connecting children to nature. Our Children’s Garden Educator is hosting a variety of preschool and family programs in the Majeed Discovery Garden on topics like sustainability, sensory exploration, and more. Visit the Event Calendar on our website at www.flbgfoundation.org/events to view all of the programs offered in our Majeed Discovery Garden. For more information, visit www.flbgfoundation.org/childrensgarden.
At Creative Pinellas (Open 10 AM-5 PM):
Visit the Gallery at Creative Pinellas for two must-see exhibitions! Catch the 2024 Emerging Artist Exhibition before it ends on July 21st. Also on display is Threads of Nature: Art Inspired by the Florida Botanical Gardens, featuring works by the Tampa Bay Surface Design Guild that capture nature’s beauty. Feeling inspired? Stop by our drawing room to unleash your inner artist. Free admission and fun for the whole family! For more information: www.creativepinellas.org.
At Heritage Village (Open 10 AM – 4 PM):
Explore the past at Pinellas County’s 21-acre living history museum! Step back in time and take a docent tour of select historic buildings, visit Pinellas County’s oldest structure, and peruse locally-made artisan gifts and souvenirs at the gift shop. Interested in learning more? The Heritage Village app features self-guided walking tours and archival photographs and information about your favorite Heritage Village buildings, historic figures, and artifacts! Download the app for free in your preferred mobile app store by searching “Heritage Village”. Heritage Village is free to visit, pet-friendly, and perfect for all ages! For more information: www.heritagevillagefl.org/

Gingerbread Habitats
2024-12-21 10:30 - 12:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Enjoy a day of gingerbread fun as your family creates a habitat for your favorite animal friends! Will you build an aviary for birds, a mountain for goats, or a grassland for lions? The possibilities are endless with our decorating supplies!
Ages 6 yrs +
Fee includes one house with a maximum of four customers per house.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Winter Solstice Hike
2024-12-21 13:00 - 14:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Take advantage getting outside on the shortest daylight of the year. Join our rangers for a hike throughout the Preserve.
All ages welcome with a registered adult.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Elemental Seasons Camp
2024-12-30 08:00 - 2025-01-03 17:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Ages 6 yrs – 11 yrs
Celebrate the winter season of Florida with an experiential look at the winter changes, celebrations, and cultures around the world throughout time.
Nature hikes, handcrafted items to take home, and interactive experiences occur each day.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
