TAMPA, Fla. – The City of Tampa is issuing a “nice list” of events for this Saturday, Dec. 20, but drivers who fail to plan ahead might find themselves stuck in a very naughty traffic jam.
With a convergence of festivals, markets, and the popular lighted boat parade all happening simultaneously, city officials are warning of heavy congestion and large pedestrian crowds throughout the downtown and riverfront areas.
The traffic squeeze is expected to center around major hubs including Benchmark International Arena, Julian B. Lane Park, Curtis Hixon Park, and the Tampa Convention Center. The sheer volume of overlapping start and end times means the roads will likely remain busy from late morning well into the night.
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Saturday’s Chokepoints and Road Closures
Several major draws are likely to test the patience of motorists. The Holiday Riverfront Festival at Julian B. Lane Park runs from 2:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., but road impacts will start earlier. Laurel Street, specifically the stretch between North Boulevard and Doyle Carlton Drive, will be closed to traffic starting at 1:30 p.m. and won’t reopen until approximately 10:30 p.m.
Just down the river, the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade kicks off at 6 p.m., an event that traditionally draws thousands of spectators to the Riverwalk and bridges, further slowing movement in the area.
Other events contributing to the density include:
- Candy Cane Lane Kids Market at Waterworks Park (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
- Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park (12 p.m. – 11 p.m.)
- Multiple shows at the Straz Center (2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.) and Tampa Theatre (3 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
- A large private event at the Tampa Convention Center (7 p.m. – 11:15 p.m.)
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How to Skip the Gridlock
City planners are strongly encouraging attendees to leave their cars at home or park once and use alternative transit to move between venues.
The free TECO Line Streetcar will be operating, providing a bypass to the street-level gridlock in Channelside and Ybor. The DASH service, HART buses, and rideshare options are also recommended. For those moving shorter distances between the parks and the arts district, rentable scooters and bikes will be available throughout the city.
Officials advise anyone driving into the city on Saturday to allow for significant extra travel time and to remain hyper-aware of increased foot traffic near crosswalks and event entrances.
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