Round Up of December Tidbits & Local News by Peter Roos
December is sparkling in Pinellas County, with plenty of local updates to know. Beachcomber Resort and Jimmy B’s Beach Bar have reopened as hurricane recovery continues. Postcard Inn is preparing for a full renovation into The Luce, a 200-room Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel scheduled to open in April 2026. Gulfport Merchants Chamber is inviting artists 18+ to apply for the 7th Annual Plein Air Festival taking place April 13–18, 2026. Gulfport Senior Center now offers a free Telephone Reassurance Program for residents 50+. Good Housekeeping Magazine named our area a top destination for 2026. spARK Labs recently launched a program supporting 25 local companies as they scale and grow.
Find all our December Local Tidbits at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/tidbits-december-2025/.
St. Pete Beach Holiday Boat Parade CANCELLED
MESSAGE FROM THE CITY OF ST. PETE BEACH: The City of St. Pete Beach knows how much our community looks forward to the annual Holiday Boat Parade. We appreciate the questions and messages that many of you have shared. This event has been a cherished tradition for families, friends, and visitors.
Unfortunately, despite early outreach and multiple calls for participation, we did not receive enough confirmed boater registrations to successfully host the parade this year. We understand this is disappointing, and we share in that disappointment with you.
Although our parade will not be held this season, we are very happy to share that South Pasadena will be hosting their annual boat parade on Friday, December 12. Viewing will be available from Horan Park at approximately 6:45-7:00.
Please know that our commitment to this event remains strong. City staff understands the deep community interest and will identify opportunities to boost participation for future events. Find more holiday events at paradisenewsfl.com/2025-holiday-events/.
Free GA for Ferg’s Wang Chung Holiday Show
This holiday season, Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill and Concert Pavilion invites the Tampa Bay community to join a festive, feel-good night of music, giving back, and old-school fun. On Monday, December 8, 2025, 80’s pop icons Wang Chung will perform live in Ferg’s Pavilion — and for this special holiday concert, General Admission is FREE for everyone. In the spirit of the season, Ferg’s is combining pop nostalgia with community generosity: fans are encouraged to bring canned food items, blankets, new toys or other non-perishable donation items for local families in need. Donation drop stations will be set up at the entrance and Ferg’s Box Office on Central Avenue for easy collection, drop offs and local charity distribution.
Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/wang-chung-at-fergs/.
HH with the Historian Celebrates 100 Years of The Vinoy
The St. Petersburg Museum of History and Southern Roots Realty invite you to join us on Thursday, December 11th, for Happy Hour with the Historian!
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS
The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club turns 100 this year, and the Museum will be honoring the grand hotel with a Happy Hour with the Historian featuring Niles J. Laughner.
Niles is the grandson of Aymer Vinoy Laughner, builder of the Vinoy, and fills the role of family historian. He has authored The Vinoy – A Family History, a book recounting family stories of the hotel. Learn more at paradisenewsfl.com/happy-hour-vinoy/
Reach Locals & Visitors with a Print Ad in Paradise News
Paradise News will print & distribute 30,000 copies monthly this winter, mailing 20,000 to some of the most affected homeowners & businesses In the Tampa Bay Area. Email Peter Roos at sales@paradisenewsfl.com about placing an ad in Paradise News for 2026. Learn more about the benefits of placing an ad in Paradise News in print or online at paradisenewsfl.com/reach-pinellas-county-locals-this-november/.
NEW TIDBITS:
- The Deccember Issue is NOW online. Read it here.
- Thank you to everyone shopping small and supporting local this holiday. Look back at our October 2025 article by Peter Roos for a reminder of why where you spend your dollars this holiday season means so much more- https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/businesses-on-the-beaches-need-and-deserve-your-support/.
- There’s nothing quite like the glow of holiday lights reflecting off the water on a cool December night. In true coastal fashion, Pinellas County celebrates the season with festive lighted boat parades—an annual tradition loved by locals, visitors, and snowbirds alike. Find where to catch the most magical Florida tradition on the water at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/2025-boat-parades/.
- Pinellas County’s Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo is celebrating 25 years of Holiday Lights. Experience the magic of a million twinkling lights from 5:30-9:30 p.m. every evening from Nov. 28 through Jan. 3. Bring the whole family and enjoy music, drinks and delights. There is something for everyone to do under the lights. Named one of the nation’s top 10 botanical light displays by USA Today, don’t miss the 25th Anniversary celebration of Holiday Lights in the Gardens. Learn more at www.flbgfoundation.org/holidaylights.
- Paradise News will print & distribute 30,000 copies monthly this winter, mailing 20,000 to some of the most affected homeowners & businesses In the Tampa Bay Area. Email Peter Roos at sales@paradisenewsfl.com about placing an ad in Paradise News this summer. Learn more about the benefits of placing an ad in Paradise News in print or online at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/reach-pinellas-county-locals-this-november/.
- Let us know what you are thinking about what is happening on our local beaches and St. Petersburg by submitting a Letter to the Editor at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/letter/. Letters will be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue of Paradise News.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Gulfport Night Market- First Friday & Third Saturday Every Month INFO
- Holiday Lights in the Garden- November 28, 2025- January 3, 2026 INFO
St. Pete Beach Boat Parade(CANCELLED) and Annual Tree Lighting- December 5 INFO- Holiday Sip & Shop in Downtown Safety Harbor- December 5 INFO
- Florida Botanical Gardens Plant & Gift Sale- December 5 INFO
- Honeymoon Island Bluegrass Festival- December 6 INFO
- 5th Annual Run for the Beaches 5K & Fun Run- December 6 INFO
- Pinellas County Sheriff’s Ride & Run with the Stars- December 6 INFO
- Sesame Street LIVE at The Mahaffey- December 7 INFO
- Vienna Light Orchestra at The Mahaffey Theater- December 10 INFO
- City of South Pasadena Boat Parade Viewing & Watch Party- December 12 INFO
- Merry Beach Market & Holiday Festival- December 12-13 INFO
- BCYC’s 39th Christmas Boat Parade- December 13 INFO
- St. Pete Beach Mistletoe Market- December 13 INFO
- St. Pete Beach Breakfast with Santa- December 13 INFO
- Madeira Beach Festival of Lights Holiday Boat Parade- December 13th INFO
- Boley Centers’ 43rd Annual Jingle Bell Run– December 13 INFO
- Angel Tree Toy Run- December 13 INFO
- We Belong Here: Music Festival at the Pier- December 13-14 INFO
- Treasure Island Holiday Lighted Boat Parade- December 20 INFO
- Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Lighted Boat Parade- December 20 INFO
- Downtown St. Pete Lighted Boat Parade- December 21 INFO
- St. Pete Indie Holiday Festival- December 21 INFO
- A Very Broadway Christmas at The Mahaffey- December 21 INFO
- A Drag Queen Christmas at The Mahaffey- December 22 INFO
- ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas at The Vinoy- December 24 INFO
- NUTCRACKER! at The Mahaffey- December 28 INFO
- ReliaQuest Bowl Clearwater Beach Day- December 29 INFO
- ReliaQuest Bowl- December 31 INFO
- The Vinoy Centennial NYE Celebration- December 31 INFO
- New Year’s Eve at the St. Pete Pier- December 31 INFO
- In the Mood for New Year’s Day with the Glenn Miller Orchestra- January 1 INFO
- Sun Bash Tampa Bay- January 1-3 INFO
- Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival- January 3-4 INFO
- Waves of Wellness- January 10 INFO
- The Coral Reefer Band at The Mahaffey- January 15 INFO
- MANIA: The ABBA Tribute at The Mahaffey- January 16 INFO
- Spirit Fest St. Pete: Holistic, Metaphysical, and Crystal Expo- January 17-18 INFO
- American Stage: The Scarlet Letter- January 21- February 15 INFO
- The Great Plate Fundraiser Dinner- January 23 INFO
- Pinellas TacoFest- January 24-25 INFO
- The Rocket Man Show at The Mahaffey- January 31 INFO
- Pink Floyd Laser Show at The Mahaffey- February 1 INFO
- Florida State Fair- February 5-16 INFO
- Shen Yun at The Mahaffey- February 7-8 INFO
- Annual Best Damn Race Safety Harbor- February 7 INFO
- Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta 2026- February 13-15 INFO
- St. Pete’s LOCALTOPIA- February 14 INFO
- Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival- February 14 INFO
- Festivals of Speed St. Petersburg- February 15 INFO
- Winter PRIDE St. Pete- February 15-22 INFO
- St. Petersburg Seafood & Music Festival- February 20-22 INFO
- Art & Seafood on the Waterfront- February 21-22 INFO
- Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg- February 27- March 1 INFO
- Gulfport’s Annual Get Rescued Festival- February 28 INFO
- The Sleeping Beauty by International Ballet Stars- March 5 INFO
- American Stage: Into the Woods- March 25- April 26 INFO
- Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival- Marhc 27- April 12 INFO
- A Night at the Brewseum- April 10 INFO
- Tampa Bay Blues Festival- April 10-12 INFO
REMINDERS
- The November Issue is NOW online. Read it here.
- Reach snowbirds, locals & tourists in 2025 with a print ad in Paradise News! Email Peter Roos at sales@ParadiseNewsFL.com to place your ads in Paradise News in Print.
- Pinellas County Sheriffs Offices wants you to please lock your car doors and stow valuables out of sight.
- CLICK HERE to signup for ALERT PINELLAS to get vital updates during hurricane season.
- This year’s Sanding Ovations Master’s Cup: “The Gallery of Sand,” presented by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater will be partnering with The Dalí Museum! Get ready for a mind-blowing, art-inspired beach experience like never before. This year’s event is on November 20-23, with an encore November 29-30. Get all the details at SandingOvationsMastersCup.com.
- The City of Madeira Beach is making it easier than ever to stay connected! MGO Connect is your one-stop online portal for city services accessible anytime, anywhere, from your computer or smartphone. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/mgo-connect/.
- The City of St. Pete Beach has been made aware of a phishing scam targeting individuals who recently submitted planning or zoning applications. The scam involves sending applicants fake invoices requesting payment that appear to come from the City. Learn more at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/spb-phishing-scam-alert/.
- Here in Pinellas County, we’re known for sunshine, beaches, and a strong sense of community. But even in our beautiful corner of Florida, many individuals and families quietly struggle with something most of us take for granted — having enough to eat. Food insecurity affects thousands of our neighbors, from children and working parents to retirees living on fixed incomes. Learn ways you can help & who to donate to at https://www.paradisenewsfl.com/facing-food-insecurity-in-pinellas/.
- The Fresh Market offers visitors the opportunity for a relaxing day trip in a small town full of “Old Florida” charms every Tuesday this summer 9am-2pm. The Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market is open year-round. Parking in the village is free. Learn more at https://visitgulfportflorida.com/event/gulfport-fresh-market-2/.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest Pinellas County news by signing up for their new monthly newsletter- The Wave. From beach restoration to countywide road construction, The Wave will the most important news from Pinellas County Government to your inbox each month. Sign up now at https://pinellas.gov/the-wave.
- The Madeira beach social club is an active senior group located in Madeira Beach, Florida. Their club provides a wonderful opportunity for seniors to socialize, participate in various activities, and build lasting friendships within our community. Click here to learn more.
- The City of Gulfport Senior Center’s Telephone Reassurance Program is a free service for Gulfport Residents 50 years of age or older. Volunteers provide daily phone calls to registered members and provide comfort, security, and peace of mind to members and families. Registration is simple and free. If you or someone you know could benefit from this service during this difficult time, please call (727) 893-2237 and register today.
- Reminder to our residents and visitors. No Dogs On The Beach! If you see something, say something. Contact Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency Line at 727-582-6200.
- Connect with the City of Gulfport through their app! CLICK HERE to learn more and download it.
- The City of St. Pete Beach is now using See Click Fix for residents to submit issues to the city. Click here to learn more.
