We recognize that many people who come to the Tampa Bay area come here to get away from the rush and the slush and want nothing more than to lounge by a pool or on a sandy beach.
If that’s what you want, we’ll be more than happy to hand you a towel and a tube of sunscreen, fix you something cool to sip on surfside, and post “Do Not Disturb” signs around your sandy sanctuary. We’ll promise not to wake you until it’s time for you to go back home, and then we’ll do it reluctantly.
But while you’re slipping into la-la-land, please excuse us if we tiptoe off and party on without you.
We have much to celebrate here in the Tampa Bay area. Almost every weekend you’ll find us paying homage to something from seafood to strawberries, jamming with jazz greats, rejoicing in reading, or recreating the Renaissance. There are festivals and re-enactments for history buffs, ethnic festivals celebrating cultures from Celtic to Cuban, and festivals like Guavaween you have to see to believe. You can marvel as sheep dogs work a herd of sheep, shout “Opa!” as you cheer on Hellenic dancers, or watch a Japanese tea ceremony.
No real pirates in our history? We celebrate the power of a collective imagination by paying tribute to a pirate who, in all probability, never really existed. Different organizations create their own krewes, dress up in exotic costumes, parade and party, and generally carry on—and not just for one day. It’s a long story—one you’ll find spotlighted in this section.
We tend to party hearty day and night. Night parades and fireworks often cap off a full day or even weekend of activities. Some festivals span both sides of Tampa Bay.
Most events have activities for children ranging from face-painting to hands-on craft tables or story-telling centers. A few aren’t suitable for children, and we’ll tell you ahead of time. Many events are free, while some charge a nominal fee. Most include food vendors serving sweets and savories to munch while you stroll. Savvy shoppers know that festivals are some of the best places to buy truly one-of-a-kind gifts.
So come wander through tent mazes holding sculptures and other artwork by top-notch artists from around the world who come here during the winter months to display their creations in the Florida sunshine. Have your child’s face painted to resemble a tiger, or stuff yourself with strawberry shortcake.
There are even a few festivals out on the beaches. Just remember to respect those “Do Not Disturb” signs. Poor things. They just don’t know what they’re missing.
We’ve organized this chapter according to the calendar year, January to December, and then in alphabetical order. And we’ve noted where the event takes place right up front.
Some of these events are “moveable feasts,” meaning they may be held, for example, in late February one year and early March the next. We’ve tried to list them in the earlier month, but we can’t promise they will stay there.
Some events have multiple parts, often spanning more than one month. We’ve listed the main event under its proper month, and noted the peripheral events in the description.
Come join the party!