Looking for something epic to do in Tampa Bay? Search no further than our top picks of things to do this week in Tampa Bay! From crafty workshops to fitness, theater shows, concerts, community events, and markets, there's so much to do in the area.
Memorial Day Weekend is coming, May 22-25, 2026! Check out some great events, staycations, and more ways to honor and celebrate Memorial Day.
<div id="c3be0912bb716eee4ca644c1dfc4ecde4"></div>Father's Day isn't too far behind either, so be sure to check out ways to treat dad with amazing Father's day brunches, dinners, and events!
Featured Events
Laser Light Show: Taylor Swift & iPOP
- Dates: May 29, and select Fridays, showtimes at 6:30 p.m. or 8:15 p.m.
- Location: MOSI – Saunders Planetarium & Digital Dome Theatre
Step inside America’s second-largest planetarium and experience vivid lasers, dynamic music, and dazzling special effects for an exciting mix of science, music, and light! Designed for all ages, each performance pairs stunning visuals with your favorite soundtracks – from Taylor Swift to Pink Floyd! Before the lasers hit the dome, our astronomer will guide you through a live star show, taking you on a journey into the night sky. Tickets are limited, snag yours today before they sell out!
- May 29: Taylor Swift + iPop
- June 26: Led Zeppelin + Metallica
- July 31: Pink Floyd
- August 28: Rush + Phil Collins
- September 25: Country + U2
Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life
- Dates: Wed-Sat, at 5:30 pm and 8 pm, & Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
- Location: Disney Springs
Set your imagination in motion with Drawn to Life, a love letter to the art of Disney animation. In this first-ever creative collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Disney, journey into a whimsical world of animation where an animator’s desk becomes the stage and drawings come alive. It’s the magic of Walt Disney Animation interpreted through dazzling performances and the acrobatic mastery of Cirque du Soleil. Live on stage, only at Disney Springs.
Things to Do This Week Tampa Events May 18 – May 24, 2026
SOF Week
- Dates: May 18-21
- Location: Sparkman Wharf
SOF Week launches with a full day of industry-focused sessions designed to connect, inform, and inspire. The conference sessions begin on Tuesday with keynotes from the USSOCOM Command Team and the SOF AT&L Acquisition Executive, and the grand opening of the Exhibit Hall, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and innovations.
The week continues with a demonstration at noon on Wednesday, and an awards ceremony and dinner on Thursday.
Orioles vs. Tampa Bay Rays
- Date: Monday, May 18, 6:40 p.m.
- Location: Tropicana Field
Cheer on the Tampa Bay Rays as they play against the Orioles!
Lower Deck Bingo Night
- Date: Monday, May 18, 8 p.m.
- Location: Lower Deck, Tampa
Join in on Bingo night with coastal cocktails and some great, friendly competition!
Clearwater Garden Club's Plant Sale
- Date: Saturday, May 19, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Location: 405 Seminole Street
This free public event will have plants, gardening tools, floral arrangements, décor, baked goods, and more. Find plenty of colorful ways to fill your garden throughout the year!
A Taste of Hendrick's: Spirited Dinner
- Date: Tuesday, May 19, 7 p.m.
- Location: Jekyll Hyde Park
Experience an evening with Hendrick’s for a five-course dinner where the art of fine cuisine meets the darkly romantic world of Hendrick’s Gin!
Andres Cepeda
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Straz Center
Latin American music artist Andrés Cepeda comes to the Straz Center!
Hip Hop in The Heights
- Date: Tuesday, May 19, 9 p.m.
- Location: 2613 N Tampa St., Tampa
Jam out at Hip Hop in The Heights, where the Aux is open for producers, freestylers, and more performers at this great event!
Movie Night at Lower Deck
- Date: Wednesday, May 20, 7 p.m.
- Location: Lower Deck, Tampa
Enjoy movies at Lower Deck with a double feature of Scream and The Sixth Sense.
C.J. Newman Cigar Copmany Historian Talk
- Date: Thursday, May 21, 5:30 p.m.
- Location: Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts presents a historian talk with Holden Rasmussen as he explores the evolution of Tampa’s cigar trade, bridging the gap between the historical archives of the past and today's active factory.
3rd Thursday Tampa
- Date: Thursday, May 21, 6 p.m.
- Location: Grand Central at Kennedy
Enjoy Tampa's monthly street food fest with more than 15 food trucks, live music, and cocktails!
Play Out Tampa Bay
- Date: Thursday, May 21, 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Straz Center
The Florida Orchestra presents their first community play along with Music Director Michael Francis, where local musicians are invited to play with professional orchestral players!
summer nights at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Dates: Select Dates, starting May 22-August 9
- Location: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Celebrate all summer long with the ultimate evening thrills that light up the park with extended hours, non-stop dazzling entertainment and special summer eats & treats!
Memorial Day Weekend at TradeWinds Resort
- Dates: May 22-25
- Location: 5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach
Kick off the season on St. Pete Beach with a long weekend packed with sun, fun, and star-spangled excitement! Join Tradewinds Resort for beachside games like our Frozen T-Shirt Contest and Cornhole Tournament, Watermelon Eating Contest , and Red, White & Blue Tie-Dye fun.
Memorial Day Military Offer at The Florida Aquarium
- Date: Over Memorial Day Weekend
- Location: 701 Channelside Dr., Tampa
- Cost: Free for active duty, veteran, and retired U.S. military members
The Florida Aquarium honored our service members with free admission in honor of Memorial Day weekend.
Memorial Day Run 5k/10k/13.1 Tampa
- Date: Saturday, May 23
- Location: Courtney Campbell Trail
- Cost: $37.37+ per person
Honor, remember, and run for freedom this Memorial Day! Whether you're running solo or with friends and family, this event honors the brave men and women who have sacrificed for our country.
Memorial Day Weekend Bar Crawl
- Date: Saturday, May 23
- Location: Bady Monkey, Ybor
- Cost: $0-24.71 per person
Kick off Memorial Day Weekend by hitting the city’s top bars! Explore the best nightlife spots, patriotic party vibes, and join partygoers ready to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend!
Red, White & Rooftop Memorial Day Pool Party
- Date: Saturday, May 23, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Location: Sal Y Mar, Tampa
- Cost: Free
Join Sal Y Mar for their Red, White & Rooftop Memorial Day Pool Party with a live DJ, and drink and food specials from Sal Y Mar Rooftop Bar!
Rock the Bay Dinner Dance Party
- Date: Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
- Location: 603 Channelside Dr., Tampa
- Cost: $59.95-$84.95
Set sail for an electrifying Saturday night with delicious dinner, refreshing cocktails, and non-stop entertainment as you dance under the stars on Yacht StarShip!
The Cookout: All-Inclusive Food and Drink Party
- Date: Sunday, May 24
- Location: Tampa
- Cost: $71.21+ per person
Tampa is turning up the Memorial Day weekend! Get ready to dance, eat, and vibe at the all-inclusive day party featuring multiple DJs, unlimited food, and a full open bar. Parking is limited so ride-sharing is recommended.
Soul Breeze Food Truck Festival
- Date: May 24-25, 2026
- Location: The Social Bar & Lounge
- Cost: Free
Enjoy this food truck festival with amazing live music from R&B, jazz, and soul bands! There will also be raffles, giveaways, and more!
Next Week Tampa Events May 25 – May 31, 2026
2026 Clearwater Honor Fest
- Date: Monday, May 25, 6 p.m.
- Location: Florida Veterans Memorial Plaza, 450 South Lake Drive, Clearwater
Honor those who served with a National Anthem performance by Pranysqa Mishra, an American's Got Talent finalist, a solemn ceremony, vendors, and a candlelight vigil.
Memorial Day Community Fest
- Date: Monday, May 25, 11:30 a.m.
- Location: New Life Tabernacle UPC
Honor Memorial Day at New Life Tabernacle UPC with their community fest, including games, free food, music, and more.
The Notebook, The Musical
- Date: Tuesday, May 26, 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Straz Center
Watch the story of Allie and Noah as it unfolds on stage for The Notebook, The Musical!
Dave Matthews Band on Tour
- Tuesday, May 26, 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Florida State Fairgrounds
Dave Matthews Band is coming to Tampa, performing their greatest hits as part of their North American Summer Tour.
Post Malone Stadium Tour
- Date: Friday, May 29, 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Raymond James Stadium
Post Malone and Jelly Roll are turning up Tampa!
Pride Kickoff Weekend
- Dates: May 29-May 31
- Location: SkyBeach Resort
Kick off St. Pete's Pride Weekend with a giant celebration beginning Friday night with music, a pickleball tournament and Sunset beach party on Saturday, and a Drag Brunch on Sunday!
Looking Ahead, June 1, 2026, and Beyond
Vine & Vibe, Wines of South America
- Date: Saturday, June 6, 6 p.m.
- Location: Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel
Join Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel for Vine & Vibe, Wines of South America, a night of exploration of the wines from locations like Chile, Argentina & Brazil. Enjoy culinary pairings and a Flamenco duo.
Ongoing Things to Do in Tampa Bay
happy hour at J.W. Marriott clearwater beach
- Date: Sunday – Thursday, from 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
- Location: J.W. Marriott Clearwater Beach Lobby Bar: 691 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Unwind at the luxurious Lobby Bar at the JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa during our weekly Happy Hour, Sunday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy a variety of featured cocktails each evening, including Monday’s classic Gin & Tonic, Tuesday’s refreshing Rum & Coke, Wednesday’s crisp Vodka Soda, and Thursday’s vibrant Ranch Water.
Plus, savor $5 domestic beers and $8 house wines, with a delightful selection of bar bites available to complement your drinks. No need to stick to just one—our full cocktail menu is always at your fingertips. Join us for a perfect blend of relaxation and indulgence!
TASTING TUESDAYS at J.W. Marriott Clearwater Beach
- Date: Every Tuesday, at 5 p.m.
- Location: J.W. Marriott Clearwater Beach Lobby Bar: 691 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Spice up your week with Tasting Tuesday! Each week, explore a rotating selection of bourbon, tequila, or rum flights—perfectly curated to expand your palate. Which spirit will you choose this time?
Line Dancing with Simone
- Date: Every 1st and 4th Wednesday of the month
- Location: 6034 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel
Get your boots on for Line Dancing with Simone. Lessons start at 7:00, followed by dancing! Arrive early for dinner and Boneless Wing Specials.
Lower Deck Bingo Night
- Date: Every Monday, 8 p.m.
- Location: Lower Deck, Tampa
Join in on Bingo night with coastal cocktails and some great, friendly competition!
Wine Wednesdays
- Date: Every Wednesday
- Location: The Library
Enjoy half price on all bottles under $110!
Trivia Night at CHeeky's
- Date: Every Thursday, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
- Location: 2823 Central Ave, St. Pete
Join in on a family-friendly trivia night with four rounds, including music, pop culture, history, and more! Prizes are given for first, second, and third place, and a grand prize will be given at the end of the eight-week season.
Cigar City: Bringing Industry to Tampa
- Date: Every Thursday, 2 p.m.
- Location: Tampa Bay History Center
Explore Tampa’s historic cigar industry, where skilled artisans crafted hand-rolled cigars in bustling factories, shaping the city’s cultural identity!
Happy Hour Sunset Paddle
- Date: Every Friday
- Location: Urban Kai, Armature Works
Enjoy special pricing for a sunset paddleboard or kayak!
INest in Funk | All vynl rare & classic grooves dj set by aj hall
- Date: Recurring every third Friday of the month for 2026, 8 p.m.
- Location: Hotel Haya's Flor Fina restaurant and lounge, 1412 E 7th Ave., Tampa
Bring it back to the old-school days with AJ Hall's Finest in Funk Rare & Classic Grooves DJ setlist at Flor Fina located in Hotel Haya.
SUNSET YOGA AT ST. PETE PIER
- Date: Occurs monthly on the first Wednesday of the month, 7 p.m.
- Location: 600 2nd Ave NE St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Unwind with Sunset Yoga at the St. Pete Pier, hosted by The Body Electric Yoga Company. It's a relaxing, all-levels class held under the Bending Arc sculpture with views of the bay as the sun sets. Free to join, just bring your mat!
The Market at Water Street Tampa
- Date: Recurring every third Sunday of the month
- Location: Water Street Tampa
Peruse more than 60 local vendors offering fresh produce, delicious snacks, and handcrafted or artisan goods!
SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE GREAT EVENTS!
19th Annual Back to School Fair – NEW LOCATION!
- Date: Saturday, August 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Location: Citrus Park Town Center
Hillsborough County Public Schools presents: The 19th Annual Back to School Fair is headed back to an ALL-NEW location in 2026! Head to Tampa Bay's ultimate back-to-school bash inside the air-conditioned comfort of Citrus Park Town Center during the Sales Tax Holiday, meaning you won’t have to pay sales tax on your school-related purchases. Take pictures with ThunderBug, sing with Princesses, get your face painted, enjoy performances, games and contests, plus, we’re giving away FREE backpacks for the first 1,000 kids in line!
