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Top things to do in Tampa Bay for Friday, Dec. 28

 
Photo by Linear Labs  Ali Shaheed Muhammad, left, and Adrian Younge, known collectively as the Midnight Hour, will perform at the Orpheum in Ybor City on Dec. 28.
Photo by Linear Labs Ali Shaheed Muhammad, left, and Adrian Younge, known collectively as the Midnight Hour, will perform at the Orpheum in Ybor City on Dec. 28.
Published Dec. 26, 2018

Sebastian Maniscalco: The comic with an observational style of humor was featured in Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show and in The House, starring Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler. 7 and 9:30 p.m. in Morsani Hall at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 MacInnes Place, Tampa. Tickets start at $43.50 (813) 229-7827. strazcenter.org.

The Midnight Hour: Funk, soul and hip-hop duo featuring Adrian Younge and A Tribe Called Quest's Ali Shaheed Muhammad will perform. 8:30 p.m., The Orpheum, 1915 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. $20-$33. (813) 248-9500.

Herobust: The Atlanta bass master performs at the Ritz Ybor, kicking off its four-night series of killer DJs leading up to 2019. Tickets are $15 and up. Doors open at 10 p.m. Ritz Ybor, 1503 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City. (813) 390-0397. ritzybor.com

Cocoa Brown: Best known for her lead role in Tyler Perry's The Single Mom's Club, the actor and comedian has appeared in acclaimed films and television shows, including American Crime Story, 9-1-1, Breaking Bad and Lakeview Terrace. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Improv Comedy Theater, 1600 E Eighth Ave, Tampa. $12-$17. (813) 864-4000. improvtampa.com

A Drag Queen Christmas: The Naughty Tour: Ferguson Hall will be filled with contestants from RuPaul's Drag Race performing live on stage and rocking the catwalk. It's an evening of holiday songs and drag performances with your favorite queens. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Presented by Murray & Peter. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. $41.20 (813) 229-7827. DragFans.com

Fourth Friday Downtown Tampa: Get a free wristband to enjoy discounts at downtown restaurants and other participating locations. 4 p.m. John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa. $5; 16 and younger free.

Winter Village: The riverfront park turns into a winter wonderland with a 360 degree light display set to holiday music, ice skating, the Winter Village Express, 10 pop-up boutiques, food and drink. Ice rink opens at 4 p.m. Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa. Free (skating/skate rental/trolley additional). (813) 221-3686.

Kids and family

Snow Days: Kids can have a flurry of fun in a real snow play area before touring the aquarium. Noon-5 p.m. And event the otters get to frolic in snow every day this week at 10:30 a.m. The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $23 and up for general admission; free for 2 and younger. (813) 273-4000. flaquarium.org.

Ice Skating in St. Petersburg: Balmy St. Petersburg has a real ice rink in Albert Whitted Park through Jan. 7. Closed on Christmas Day. Sessions are $10 for an hour and include ice skates. Bring your own socks, or you can purchase socks at the ice-skating rink for $2 per pair. 1 p.m. Albert Whitted Park, 480 Bayshore Drive SE, St. Petersburg. $10 per hour includes skate rental. (727) 893-7441.

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Sunset Cinema at Pier 60: Bring blankets or low lawn chairs to watch The Little Mermaid on a jumbo sized screen. No alcohol. Shows start around dusk.

River of Lights Christmas Cruise: Board the Pirate Taxi for a 45-minute cruise up the Hillsborough River to see festively lighted bridges and shimmering downtown skylines. Includes hot cocoa, cookies and Christmas carols. Departs hourly between 6 and 10 p.m. 6 p.m. Pirate Water Taxi, 333 S Franklin St, Tampa. $28, $18 children. (813) 223-7999.

Christmas in the Wild: The animals come out at night for the zoo's holiday party with carolers, a 50-foot animated Christmas tree, a holiday hoedown, storytime with Mrs. Claus and a Candy Cane Lane. Included with admission, or $24.95 after 4 p.m. on event days. 4 p.m. ZooTampa at Lowry Park, 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. Included with admission. (813) 935-8552. zootampa.org

Christmas Town at Busch Gardens: More than 2 million twinkling lights transform the park into a holiday wonderland with Rudolph, Christmas-themed entertainment and visits with Santa in his house. Included with admission through Jan. 6. 10 a.m. Busch Gardens, 10165 N McKinley Drive, Tampa. Included with admission. $89 online, 2 and younger free. (813) 884-4386. buschgardens.com

Holiday Lights at Largo Central Park: Millions of lights in the 70-acre park with a ferris wheel and a carousel. 5 p.m. Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, Largo. Free, rides additional. (866) 666-3247. largo.com

Friday Fun Night Shuffleboard: A new initiative from the Clearwater Shuffleboard Club brings free shuffleboard games every Friday night, welcome to all. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. to check out cues and discs and get some basic instructions. Play begins 7 p.m. The club has 52 courts, half of which are indoors. Free. 6:30-10 p.m. 1020 Calumet St. Clearwater. (727) 446-3306. i

Funny You Should Ask: A clean improv comedy show for all ages. 7:30 p.m. Spitfire Theater, 14 18th St .S, St. Petersburg. $15. (866) 811-4111. spitfiretheater.com

to watch

Great Performances, 9 p.m., PBS: To honor the 100th birthday of Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), watch a Boston Symphony Orchestra gala concert that celebrates the work of the fabled composer. Audra McDonald hosts.

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