Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, step right up to one of the most wildly twisted and bizarrely strange shows Tampa has seen! The Tampa Oddities & Curiosities Expo is bringing you weirdlly wonderful out-of-the-box date idea. Taking place November 11 at the Tampa Convention Center, this event brings together all things quirky, odd, and bizarre.

The event will include hand-selected vendors, dealers, artists, and small businesses with all things weird. You can check out oddities like taxidermy, preserved specimens, original artwork, horror/Halloween inspired pieces, antiques, handcrafted oddities, quack medical devices, creepy clothing, odd jewelry, skulls/bones, funeral collectibles, and more.

By the way, if you're into spookiness and macabre then check out our Halloween date ideas.

*All items you'll see are legal to own and sustainably sourced

How to Attend Tampa Oddities & Curiosities Expo

Oddities & Curiosities Expo Info

Where: Tampa Convention Center
333 S. Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602

When: Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 10:00 am-6:00 pm

Special Events

The Oddities Museum presents: The Cryptic Collection of a Mad Clown

Imagine wandering the remnants of a sideshow tent from years gone by in the middle of an abandoned carnival. The inside is dimly lit by candles and you discover the cast away remains of a ostracized clown and his unique collection.

You stumble along a collection of taxidermied pets, the remains of carnival animals and patrons, and the remnants of a once happy place. Encounter terrifying beasts like a Real Mermaid, a Six-Foot Man-Eating Chicken, genetically engineered monsters and an old-school Freak Show as you experience the terror of a mad clown’s cryptic collection.

*CAUTION: The specimens in this year’s museum may not be appropriate for younger patrons or those with weak stomachs. 

Advance Price: $5 (must also have expo admission ticket)
Day Of: $7 (must also have expo admission ticket)
Kids 5 and under are free.

Full Mount Rabbit Taxidermy Class

Get ready for a start to finish full body rabbit mount! You'll experiment with powdered pigments on white fur – the full spectrum of powdered pigment colors will be available to get creative with. You can also experiment with fun patterns. Choose to make antlers or not – they could even be baby jackalopes!

You'll have the option to create habitat build outs with fun foliage and elements from nature. Returning students will learn a whole new set of mounting skills.

Recommended for students 18 and up. Kids ages 16-17 are allowed with parental consent.

When: 10:00 am-4:00 pm with multiple breaks
Cost: $249.09 (includes expo entry)

No ticket sharing – each person must have their own individual ticket.

Email thesleepingsirens3@gmail.com to register.

Tampa Oddities & Curiosities Expo 2023 Tickets

Tickets are available online and can be purchased here.

General Admission:

Ages 13 and up: $11.55
Kids ages 12 and under: Free

Cryptic Collection of a Mad Clown:

Advance ages 6 and up: $5
Day-of ages 6 and up: $7
Ages 5 and under: Free

Does not include expo entry.

Full Mount Rabbit Taxidermy Class:

Ages 16 and up: $249.09 per person

Parking for Tampa Oddities & Curiosities Expo 2023

Parking at Tampa Convention Center is convenient and easily accessible with ample on-site parking options available for event attendees and visitors. There are multiple parking lots and garages nearby.

Parking Garages and Lots

• TCC Garage: 141 E. Brorein Street, 454 total spaces, 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations,Event Rate: $5.00 to $50.00
• Pam Iorio Garage: 301 Channelside Drive, 790 total spaces, 2 electric vehicle charging stations, Event Rate: $5.00 to $50.00
• Fort Brooke Garage: 107 N. Franklin Street, 556 hourly spaces, $5.00 to $50.00
• Selmon Expressway West Parking Lot: 107 N. Franklin Street, 556 hourly spaces, $5.00 to $50.00
• William F. Poe Garage: 802 N. Ashley Drive, 932 total spaces, $5.00 to $50.00

Traveling from Out of Town?

Most hotels in the area will be within walking distance or a short drive to the Convention Center. For a complete list of directions from each hotel, please visit the Convention Center's website at: https://www.tampa.gov/tcc

Looking for more things to do around Tampa? Check out 40+ Best Things to Do in Tampa Bay this Month: Events and MORE.

All images courtesy of Oddities & Curiosities Expo