Merry Christmas from the road! This edition of the Scoop is coming from chilly Maryland. We’re having a great time visiting family, but we’re excited to get back to Sunny St. Pete for all the New Year’s festivities. In this very Christmas edition of the Scoop, we have everything you need to get the most out of the last days of December, including a guide to help you plan your New Year’s Eve.

Here’s to wishing you and your families a Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and wonderful New Year. Thanks for spending some of your Christmas day here with me reading the Scoop!

With December coming to a close, there’s only a few more days to enjoy the Snowflake Vision experience at the Imagine Museum. For and additional $3.25, you get a pair of glasses that turn every point of light into a 3D snowflakes, giving the museum’s intricate glass sculptures and holiday decor an otherworldly atmosphere. Plus, you can take the glasses home with you to transform the city’s holiday lights into more snowflakes. Experience the shimmer.

Throwback Thursday—Christmas edition. In 1920, Christmas dinners citywide were in danger of ruin when collective demand from stoves dropped gas pressure so much that cooking flames could hardly be kept up.

If you’re making Christmas dinner today, I hope everything goes more smoothly for you than it did back in 1920!

From the pier to the beaches, here’s your list of New Year’s Eve events around town to match every energy level.

Links to the events can be found here.

Pro Tip: If you're heading to the beaches or downtown, the SunRunner and Downtown Looper are totally free on New Year's Eve, so you can skip the parking headache.

In case you want to get together with friends for NYE, but you don’t want to brave the crowds around town, here’s an idea for a fun, free game to play at home. It’s called Fishbowl (other names include Salad Bowl, Celebrity, or Monikers). Anytime we break this one out, it leads to lots of laughs and inside jokes for years to come! You can print out the cheat sheet below if you want a reference while you play.

🎄 Christmas Tree Disposal: when you’re ready to say goodbye to your Christmas tree, St. Petersburg residents can request a free special pickup for live trees through the SeeClickFix app or by calling 727-893-7398, but remember to remove all decorations first! There are also options for artificial trees if you prefer. Instructions here.

⛵️ John's Pass Dredging: city commissioners have approved a $1.3 million contract with Bayside Dredging to finally tackle the sand buildup that has been causing issues for safety and local businesses. The project is scheduled to begin in January and the dredged sand will be repurposed locally to grade a property recently acquired by the city of Madeira Beach. This clever solution should save nearly $1.7 million.

Want to spread the word about your business, a project you’re working on, an exciting event, a hiring opportunity, or just want to say hi to thousands of neighbors?

SUNNY ST. PETE SHOP - Shop the collection of St. Pete inspired apparel.

CATCH OF THE DAY: Adopt Howie the dog or Vulcan the cat.

FLIGHT DEAL: Fly out of PIE direct to Nashville for a Valentine’s week. Only $94 round trip, which is 35% less than the usual prices.

‘BURG ABODES: 1980s Florida Chateau in Pinellas Point. $795,000 | 3bd 2.5ba | 2,206 sqft. High & dry, with gorgeous indoor/outdoor finishes and features.

LAST WEEK’S SCRAMBLE - Reindeer

Kick off 2026 with a free waterfront NYE bash at the St. Pete Pier featuring live DJs, local food vendors, and a spectacular midnight fireworks show over Tampa Bay. While the party is open to all, you can elevate your night by snagging a reserved area ticket for prime views and a complimentary bubbly toast!

Wednesday, Dec 31, 8pm-12:30am @ St. Pete Pier

🎟️ GA is free, no ticket needed. Reserved area is $26.

Critical Mass Ride St. Pete | Williams Park | Dec 26, 7pm | Free

Winter Wonderland Market | Win! Derby | Dec 26-28, Hours vary | Free

Saturday Morning Market | Al Lang Stadium | Dec 27, 9am-2pm | Free

Winter Wonderland Market | Win! Derby | Dec 26-28, Hours vary | Free

Dueling Pianos | 3 Daughters Brewing | Dec 27, 8-11pm | Free

NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet at The Mahaffey | Mahaffey Theater | Dec 28, 12, 4, & 8pm | $40+ 🎟️

Kenwood Sunday Market | St. Pete High School | Dec 28, 10am-2pm | Free

Corey Ave Sunday Market | Corey Ave | Dec 28, 10am-2pm | Free

Winter Wonderland Market | Win! Derby | Dec 26-28, Hours vary | Free

ReliaQuest Bowl Weekend | Raymond James Stadium | Dec 31, Event hour vary | prices vary 🎟️
College football game: SEC vs. Big Ten.

Check out the top of the newsletter for the NYE guide or see the full list of New Year’s Eve events here.

In The Mood for New Year's Day with The Glenn Miller Orchestra | Mahaffey Theater | Jan 1, 3pm | $108+ 🎟️

Sun Bash Tampa Bay | Northside Christian School | Jan 1-3, all-day | pay at door 🎟️

Want to see events beyond the next week? Use the guide below.

Looking for details on markets this week?

$250 to use your PTO: Book a stay through VisitSPC and get $50 in Visa gift cards for every night booked (up to 5 nights). This deal has been extended, so you just need to book by Dec 31 and travel by Feb 28.

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Thanks so much for reading! As always, you can reply directly to this email with any feedback.

Stay Sunny,
Josh & the Sunny St. Pete team