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Top things to do in Tampa Bay on Saturday, Dec. 16

 
Gardner Thor Cortes and Meghan Picerno star as the Phantom and Christine Daae in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies. Photo by Joan Marcus.
Gardner Thor Cortes and Meghan Picerno star as the Phantom and Christine Daae in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies. Photo by Joan Marcus.
Published Dec. 15, 2017

Love Never Dies: Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. 2 and 8 p.m., Carol Morsani Hall at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. Start at $45. (813) 229-7827.

Ice Skating at Tampa's Winter Village: Even in Florida, you can get in the holiday spirit by ice skating on an outdoor rink in the park. Each 90-minute session includes skate rental. Stop by the cafe for themed drinks and holiday snacks. 10 a.m., Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa. $13. (813) 221-3686.

Santa's Milk and Cookie Fun Run: A holiday themed 5K run/walk to help Santa find his cookies at the finish line. 8 a.m., Highland Recreation Complex and Family Aquatic Center, 400 Highland Ave. NE, Largo. $10, $20 entire family. (727) 518-3016.

Santa's Workshop: MOSI's Idea Zone is transformed into a video game and animation inspired winter wonderland where "elves" create mini movies, glowing cards and wood works. Daily through Dec. 31. Included with admission. 10 a.m., Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), 4801 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. $12.95, $10.95 seniors, $7.95 ages 3-12, 2 and younger free. Member discounts available. Ropes course is $7. Free parking. (813) 987-6000.

Saturdays with Santa: Santa's Scuba elves take a mischievous dive in the Coral Reef habitat while he visits with children. Included with admission. 10:30 a.m., Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $28.95, $26.95 seniors, $23.95 ages 3-12, 2 and younger free. Prices are generally about $2 cheaper if you buy them online at the aquarium's site. (813) 273-4000.

Crafty Fest: This monthly market with an artsy slant includes local arts, etsy crafters, vintage and retro goods, jewelry and plants. 11 a.m., ARTpool Gallery, 2030 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Free. (727) 324-3878.

Holizaar: The 10th annual hand-made holiday bazaar features 30 vendors selling a wide variety of unique crafts. 11 a.m., Studio@620, 620 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Free. (727) 895-6620.

Fringe Holiday Market: Grab a beer and shop among more than 30 local makers, artists and small businesses. 12 p.m., 81Bay Brewing Company, 4465 W Gandy Blvd., Tampa. No cover. (813) 444-3307.

Let It Snow: The planetarium's 32-minute holiday show features festive classics from Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry to Burl Ives and Brenda Lee, with a multi-media finale by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Included with museum admission. 12:30 p.m., Bishop Planetarium at the South Florida Museum, 201 10th St. W, Bradenton. $19, $17 seniors, $14 ages 4-12, 3 and younger free. (941) 746-4131.

Dali and Beyond Film Series: Moulin Rouge (1952): This surreal film series lets you see a film for free in the museum's lobby theater. Schiaparelli designed Zsa Zsa Gabor's costumes in the 1952 version of Moulin Rouge. 1 p.m., Dali Museum, 1 Dali Blvd. (Bayshore Drive SE and Fifth Avenue SE), St. Petersburg. Free. (727) 823-3767.

An Afternoon at the North Pole: Santa Claus visits for an afternoon of cookie decorating, holiday themed arts and crafts, train rides, face painting and holiday shows. 1 p.m., Treasure Island Community Center, 154 106th Ave., Treasure Island. Free. (727) 547-4575.

The Little Prince: Based on Antoine de Saint-Exupery's novella, an aviator who crashed in the Sahara Desert meets a little prince who has left his home on Asteroid B-612, leaving behind its only inhabitant, a single rose. Through Dec. 24. 2 and 8 p.m., Freefall Theatre, 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $25-$37. (727) 498-5205.

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live stage adaptation of the classic animated television special follows Charlie Brown, Lucy, Snoopy, Linus and the gang on a journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. 2 and 7:30 p.m., Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. $35-$100. (727) 791-7400.

Star Wars Bar Crawl: Get dressed as your favorite Star Wars character and get to Hofbrauhaus St. Petersburg to celebrate opening weekend of The Last Jedi. Then, hop aboard a bus for a guided drinking tour with stops at the Lure, Grateful Fed Pub and Red Mesa Cantina. 2 p.m., Hofbrauhaus St. Petersburg, 123 Fourth St. S, St. Petersburg. $20-$120. (813) 955-2861.

Dover Street Trio: Carol Skey on the piano, Julie Tollen a violinist and Jillian Emerson a cellist will present aa program of classical favorites and a medley of holiday songs. 2 p.m., St. Petersburg Main Public Library, 3745 Ninth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. free. (727) 893-7724.

Florida Orchestra Pops Series: Holiday Pops: Limited seats available: Under the direction of William Waldrop, with guest vocalist Camille Zamora, the orchestra presents a collection of yuletide favorites and a holiday sing-along. The Mahaffey shows were close to being sold out at press time. 2 p.m., Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. $15-$45. (727) 893-7832.

Jazz Workshop Concert : Grammy award-winning jazz trumpeter and artist will perform with the Village Vanguard Orchestra in a celebration of the Jazz Centennial and a tribute to New Orleans. 3 p.m., Tarpon Springs High School, 1411 Gulf Road, Tarpon Springs. $5. (727) 248-9441.

Balloonapalooza: Hot air balloons will come to life with brightly glowing colors. Each evening features a carnival of food, arts and crafts, tethered balloon rides, musical entertainment, Santa visit, the USF Chamber Choir, Christian artists Javier, Albert Sanchez and a nightly balloon glow show. 4 p.m., Florida State Fairgrounds, 4802 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. $15, $10 seniors/ages 3-11; $35-$75 VIP. (469) 288-0460.

Victorian Christmas at the Safford House: Enjoy refreshments and live performances as you take a stroll through the 1883 Safford House decked out in Victorian era holiday decorations. Includes photos with Victorian Santa, craft activities, carolers and a gift shop. 5 p.m., Safford House Museum, 23 Parkin Circuit, Tarpon Springs. $18, $14 members, $8 children through 6th grade. (727) 942-5605.

I Am JahSon: Celebration for the release of hip-hop artist and producer's third album featuring performances by himself amongst Demi Novi and Jai Price, and an art exhibit. 6 p.m., Lot 1901, 1901 E Second Ave., Ybor City. Free. (813) 892-7525.

Sunset Cinema at Pier 60: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (PG-13): Bring blankets or low lawn chairs to watch free movies on a jumbo sized screen. No alcohol. Shows start around dusk. 6 p.m., Pier 60, 10 Pier 60 Drive, Clearwater Beach. Free. (727) 449-1036.

Beers on the Pier: Craft beer festival overlooking downtown waterfront features brews from more than 24 beer crafters and breweries, including local favorites, with more than 70 beers and brews to sample while enjoying the museum exhibits, plus food trucks, wine tastings, live music, 'mermaids' and body painting. Includes unlimited beer sampling, commemorative sampling cup; proceeds benefit the museum. Must be 21 or older. 6 p.m., St. Petersburg Museum of History, 335 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. $35 advance, $45 day of. (727) 894-1052.

Winter Wonderland: A playground of holiday fun with cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus, a visit with Santa, baby animals, pony rides, the Holiday Express train, a 20-foot slide and bouncy house. 6 p.m., Downtown Clearwater (Drew Street and Fort Harrison), Drew Street and Fort Harrison Avenue, Clearwater. Free admission, fee for some activities (donations appreciated). (727) 442-2099.

Gilbert Gottfried: Don't let the voice behind Aladdin's Iago and the Aflac duck fool you, the comedian told the dirtiest joke in The Aristocrats, a documentary about the world's dirtiest joke. He has appeared on numerous Comedy Central roasts, and Gen Xers remember him as the host of USA's Up All Night. 6 and 8 p.m., Side Splitters Comedy Club, 12938 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. $20-$25. (813) 960-1197.

Holiday Trolley Light Tour: Sit back, sip on egg nog and let the trolley take you to some of Tampa's best light displays. 6:30 p.m., OMG Trolley Company, 601 S Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa. $21.40, $18.20 seniors, $16.05 ages 12 and younger. (855) 664-8765.

Valerie Gillespie Holiday Jazz Ensemble: Jazz musician who has performed with icons Diana Ross and Joan Rivers brings her own group to perform a holiday jazz concert. 7:30 p.m., Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 First Ave. NE, Ruskin. $18-$28. (813) 645-7651.

Ella Jet & Future Soul and Ari & The Alibis: Two music groups join for double concert featuring a mixture of neo-soul and funky blues music. 8 p.m., The Hideaway Cafe Listening Room, 1756 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $10-$15. (727) 644-7895.

Florida Orchestra Pops Series: Holiday Pops: Under the direction of William Waldrop, with guest vocalist Camille Zamora, the orchestra presents a collection of yuletide favorites and a holiday sing-along. 8 p.m., Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. $15-$45. (727) 893-7832; mahaffeytheater.com.

Cedric Gervais: One of the top names in EDM has played at festivals around the world. 10 p.m., Ritz Ybor, 1503 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. $15. (813) 247-2555.

KIDS AND FAMILY

Sorting Ceremony Dinner: Dress your child as their favorite witch, wizard or fantastic beast for a magical holiday feast where they enter through platform 9-3/4, get sorted into a Hogwarts house, eat a wizard themed meal and toast with butter beer. 6:30 p.m., Glazer Children's Museum, 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. $65, $55 members. (813) 443-3861.

MORE TO EXPLORE

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