Things to do around Hillsborough

Showcase | Canceled boat parade to sail this weekend

BRIAN CASSELLA | Times (2003)

Lighten up your mood by watching the illuminated holiday boat parade sail across Garrison Channel from aboard the SS American Victory at 6:30 p.m. at 705 Channelside Drive. The cost is $12; $7 for ages 4 to 12. Tickets from the canceled Dec. 4 event will be honored. You can also view the boats from Channelside Bay Plaza, the Florida Aquarium, the Tampa Bay History Center and the Convention Center's Sail Pavilion. Call (813) 228-8766 or visit funintampabay.com.

18 Today

'It's a Wonderful Life': It's a whole weekend of the 1946 classic holiday film from director Frank Capra starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, 7:30 p.m. today, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St. Tickets are $8.50 for adults and $6.50 for theater members. Call (813) 274-8286.

Dance performance: The Dance Theatre of Tampa presents The Nutcracker, 7 p.m. today, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the University of South Florida College of the Arts, Theatre I, 4202 E Fowler Ave. Tickets are $24/$20 for adults, $20/$15 for children ages 3 to 12 and free for children under 3. Discounts available. Call (813) 994-6838.

Comedy show: The Tampa Underground's Dear Aunt Gertrude presents Figgy Pudding, a holiday improv show appropriate for ages 12 and up, 8 p.m. at the Box, 1300 E Seventh Ave. Admission is $5. Seating is limited. Call (813) 248-3301.

Holiday Inc.: Dorene Collier's Event Show Productions presents this full length theatrical collaboration filled with costumes, dance numbers and music, 8 p.m. today; 1:30, 4:30 (sign translator for hearing impaired at this show) and 8 p.m. Saturday; 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday at Friday Morning Musicale, 809 Horatio St., Hyde Park. Tickets are $25 or $30 for VIP seating. Group discounts available. Call (813) 251-8866 or visit holidayinctheshow.com.

19 Saturday

Train show: Dealers from across the nation set up with 350 tables of model trains, supplies in all gauges and antique trains for sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Special Events Center of the Florida State Fairgrounds at Interstate 4 and U.S. 301 N. Admission is $8. Children 11 and younger admitted free. Call (813) 949-7197.

Talent showcase: Youth and adult students in fall classes at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts' Patel Conservatory will be featured in showcases at noon, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the TECO Theater, 1010 N MacInnes Place. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 day of show. Call (813) 229-7827 or visit tbpac.org.

Sushi and sake: Roll your eyes over a sushi-making demonstration and then sample sakes paired with the sushi, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Whole Foods Market, 1548 N Dale Mabry Highway. Free. Call (813) 874-9435.

20 Sunday

Wild Wonderland: Lowry Park Zoo closes at 5 p.m. and reopens from 6 to 9 p.m. for the annual evening winter festival featuring holiday lights, reindeer and penguins, visits with Santa, Frosty's Foam Factory, free rides and Jingle Bell horse-drawn carriage rides, at 1101 W Sligh Ave. Admission is $13, $11 for ages 3 to 11, free for ages 2 and younger. Call (813) 935-8552.

21 Monday

Monday Night RAW: WWE presents the main event match, the Raw 6-Man Tag Match featuring John Cena, DX's Triple H and Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton, Chris Jericho and Big Show, 8:15 p.m. at the St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive. Also scheduled to appear are Kofi Kingston, MVP, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, Mark Henry, Evan Bourne and Melina. Match schedule may change. Tickets are $20-$70. Call (813) 301-2500.

23 Wednesday

Victorian Christmas Stroll and Santa: Give a child the experience of talking with Santa in a Christmas wonderland at the Victorian Christmas Stroll from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W Kennedy Blvd. Admission is $10 and $5 for children 12 and younger. Call (813) 258-7302.