Sports
Tampa Bay Lightning,
401
Channelside Dr., Info: www.nhl.com/lightning
Tampa Bay Buccaneers,
4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy., www.buccaneers.com
OCTOBER
Through October 26
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
Filled with clever wordplay and anything-goes pop culture references, it’s a
90-minute, quick-changing, laugh-out-loud reimagining of the gothic classic,
perfect for audiences of all blood types. A Bram-new comedy you can really sink
your teeth into! Tickets. Various show times take place at 1010 Macinnes Place.
Info: www.strazcenter.org
October 18
Pig Jig
Tampa: Go hog wild for delicious food, ice-cold beer, interactive games, live music
from Megan Maroney, Midland, Matt Nathanson, George Pippen, and more, and vote
for your favorite in the BBQ competition fundraiser for kidney disease. Tickets.
Takes place 1-10pm at 1001 N Boulevard. Info: www.tampapigjig.com/
October 25
Riverwalk Trick or Treat *New Location*
Trek along the ‘Trail of Treats’ while enjoying live music, photo ops, street
performers, and seasonal treats. Then settle in for a special screening of
‘Monsters, Inc.’ on the lawn at 7pm! Free. Takes place 4-9 pm at 601 Water St.
Info: https://thetampariverwalk.com
October 26
Ford’s Taste of Latino Food Festival
Enjoy a day of mouth-watering Latin food, live music, dancing, Cuban art, the
Empanada Smackdown, world’s largest Cuban Sandwich and Top Latino Chef contests,
Latin leader awards and more stretching over 3+ city blocks. Free. Takes place
11am-5pm at 1800 E 8th Ave. Info: www.tasteoflatino.com
October 25 & 26
Hyde Park Village Art Fair
Tampa: Stroll historic brick-lined streets and shop for life-size sculptures,
spectacular paintings, unique jewelry, photography, ceramics and more from more
than 100 artists in this open-air arts market. A must for any art enthusiast! Free.
Takes place 10am-5pm at 1622 Snow Ave. Info: www.artfestival.com
October 25 & 26
Craft Festival at the Shops at Wiregrass
Wesley Chapel: Delight in this outdoor artisan market experience offering a
variety of handcrafted fine art in a variety of mediums, unique soaps and
lotions, plants, handbags, pet accessories and more. Free. Takes place 10am-5pm
at 28211 Paseo Dr. Info: www.artfestival.com
October 26
Ford’s Taste of Latino Food Festival
Tampa: Enjoy a day of mouth-watering Latin food, live music, dancing, Cuban
art, the Empanada Smackdown, world’s largest Cuban Sandwich and Top Latino Chef
contests, Latin leader awards and more stretching over3+ city blocks. Free.
Takes place 11am-5pm at 1800 E 8th Ave. Info: www.tasteoflatino.com
NOVEMBER
November 5
Full Moon Paddle
Tampa: Get an up-close look at the Tampa’s spectacular urban downtown scene,
popular waterfront attractions with a guided paddle down the Hillsborough River
after sunset. Basic paddling skills required. Tickets. SUP boards included or
BYO board, lights required. Takes place 7-8:15pm at 301 W 7th Ave
#5404. Info: https://armatureworks.com
November
20
Centro Ybor Winter Spectacular
Ybor City: Deck the halls with live music and holiday fun as Ybor City welcomes
the holiday season with a magical Santa photo experience, enchanting snow
machines, a bustling holiday night market, tree lighting, and a cozy holiday
movie under the stars. Free. Takes place 6-8pm at 1600 E 8th Ave. Info: www.ybor.org
November 29
Thanksgiving Turkey Gobble Trot
Tampa: Before you dive into the stuffing and turkey this year, burn some caloriesand make memories with a run/walk with your family,
friends, and community in this 5K,10K or half marathon event. Register now,spots fill up faster than Grandma's gravy boat! Takes place 7:30-10:30am on the Upper Tampa Bay Trail-Montague St. Info: http://bit.ly/45IHp3D
November
28-30
A Christmas Story, The Musical
Follow young Ralphie Parker as he schemes his way toward the holiday gift of
his dreams and hilariously navigates an infamous leg lamp, outrageous pink
bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa and a triple-dog-dare to lick
a freezing flagpole along the way. Tickets. Various show times take place at
1010 Macinnes Place. Info: www.strazcenter.org
November
29
Holiday Tree Lighting
Kick off the holiday season in The Heights with Santa Claus and his merry elves
direct from North Pole! Enjoy live interactive entertainment, shop the Merry
Makers market and join the countdown to light the giant holiday tree. Free.
Takes place 5-9pm at 1910 N Ola Ave. Info: https://armatureworks.com
DECEMBER
December 5
Full Moon Paddle
Tampa: Get an up-close look at the Tampa’s spectacular urban downtown scene,
popular waterfront attractions with a guided paddle down the Hillsborough River
after sunset. Basic paddling skills required. Tickets. SUP boards included or
BYO board, lights required. Takes place 7-8:15pm at 301 W 7th Ave
#5404. Info: https://armatureworks.com
December 14
Taste of Tampa Festival
Tampa: Discover Tampa’s best - delicious
food locally prepared by some of the city’s best chefs, live music and fun
activities, dancing, cultural entertainment, local celebrities and more – in an
event that combines the best of the local culinary scene and great
entertainment. Takes place 12-6pm at location TBA. Info: http://bit.ly/4mIQQpZ
December 19
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
Tampa: Experience the excitement as the top
teams from the AAC, ACC, or SEC conferences battle it out with action-packed
plays and unforgettable gridiron moments as they battle it out in a fierce
season- run/walk with your family, friends, and community in this 5K,10K or
half marathon event. Register now, spots fill up faster than Grandma's gravy
boat! Takes place 7:30-10:30am on the Upper Tampa Bay Trail-Montague St. Info: http://bit.ly/45IHp3D
December 30
Reliaquest Bowl Battle of the Bands
Tampa: Enjoy a high-energy performance by the Reliaquest Bowl college marching
bands as they square off in a thrilling musical showdown before the big game at
Busch Gardens’ Gwazi Park! Park admission required. Takes place TBD at 10165
McKinley Dr. Info: www.reliaquestbowl.com
December 30
Reliaquest Bowl Parade & Pep Rally
Tampa: Get fired up for the big game as football players and cheerleaders count
down to the big game with floats, beads, live music, a pep rally and fun in historic
Ybor’s Latin District. Catch some beads and stick around for a post-parade pep
rally for more pre-game family fun! Free. Takes place 5:30pm on 7th Ave. Info: www.reliaquestbowl.com
December 31
Reliaquest Pregame Bowl Bash
Tampa: Warm up for the big game with live music, interactive games, college
bands, cheerleaders and delicious food before heading inside for colorful pregame
show, featuring marching bands, military flyover and the coin toss to kick off
the big game! Free/tickets. Pregame bash: 9am; Pregame show: 11:20am at 4201 N
Dale Mabry Hwy. Info: www.reliaquestbowl.com
December 31
Reliaquest Bowl
Tampa: This exhilarating showdown features
teams from the SEC and Big Ten clashing for the national championship, while
college bands and dance troupes take center stage during an exhilarating
halftime display of spectacular talent
and school spirit. Tickets. Takes place 12:03pm at 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy. Info: www.reliaquestbowl.com
TBA-December 31
New Year’s Eve at Armature Works
Tampa: Ring out 2025 with an incredible farewell party featuring outdoor music
performances, skyline photo ops, pop-up bars, specialty cocktails, live DJs and
an exhilarating countdown to midnight featuring an explosive fireworks show!
Free. Takes place 7pm-1am at 1910 N Ola Ave. Info: https://armatureworks.com
JANUARY
January 24 & 25
Lakewood Ranch Fine Arts Festival
Lakewood Ranch: Explore this collection of unique outdoor galleries and meetthe artists featuring paintings, sculpture, jewelry, photography, glass,ceramics, fiber and wearable art, mixed-media, woodworking and more. Free. Takes place 10am-5pm at 8100 Lakewood Main St.Info: www.paragonfestivals.com
January 31
Gasparilla Invasion and Pirate Fest
Tampa: Ahoy mateys! Enjoy a day of fun and sun as swashbuckling pirates sail
into Tampa Bay in search of the key to the city before coming ashore for a
parade of pirates and a night of revelry, live music, and fun! Free. Takes
place 9am-10pm at various downtown locations. Info: https://gasparillapiratefest.com/
FEBRUARY
February 5 -16
Florida State Fair
Tampa: Celebrate the best in Florida agriculture, horticulture, crafts, cooking, livestock
and 4H, plus midway thrills, tractor pulls, sheep shearing and cow milking
contests, equestrian events, corn on the cob, lemon shakeups and fried fair
food! Takes place Mon-Thurs: 11am-9pm; Fri-Sun: 10am-9pm at 4800 US 301 N. Tickets
and Info: https://floridastatefair.com/
February 21
Fiesta Day
Ybor City: Immerse yourself in the in the vibrant culture and traditions of
Tampa’s Latin Quarter with authentic food and craft beers, live Latin music and
entertainment, arts, crafts and specialty gifts and more during this annual
lively street festival! Free. Takes place 11am-6pm on 7th Ave. Info: www.ybor.org