<div id="c3be0912bb716eee4ca644c1dfc4ecde4"></div>It’s a busy time of year with new events, festivals, and more and we’ve got them all on our top picks of things to do this weekend in Tampa Bay! The weather is heating up so it’s a good time to visit the nearby springs or head indoors to escape the heat.
There’s a lot on our curated guide of things to do, but you can also check out some of these top stories this week:
Featured Tampa Bay Events
AMBER BROOKE FARMS 4TH FALL FESTIVAL
- Weekends & Select Dates, September 21st – November 3rd
Farm Tour Ride, Pumpkin Patches, Live Music, Delicious Food, and Happy Hour round out this unforgettable fall experience.
8th annual Riverwalk Trick or Treat
- Saturday, October 26, from 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
This is a FREE community event! Children in costume and their families are invited to come and trick or treat along the Riverwalk as well as enjoy fun activities. They will have over 50 treat stations participating along the Riverwalk starting at Water Works Park to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, and ending in MacDill Park.
Hillsborough County Fair: Barn in the usa
- Thursday, Oct 31 – Monday, Nov 11
Join them for 12 days of fun at the Hillsborough County Fair! From Halloween night to Heroes weekend, enjoy the best of agriculture, entertainment and community spirit. Kick off with Trick or-Treat for kids, savor delicious food and explore thrilling rides and the magical kiddie land. Discover exhibits and enjoy entertainment for all ages.
As one of the areas’ largest agricultural fairs, the Hillsborough County Fair proudly showcases the hard work of more than 1000 youth participants. Don’t miss this exciting event!
Visit their website for schedule and ticket specials. Advance Standard Admission On Sale Now for as low as $3 for seniors and $6 for students, however check the website daily discounts and advance ticket package offers. 
Wine Down Wednesdays & Tasting Tuesdays
- Every Second Tuesday and Last Wednesday of the Month
- JW Marriott Clearwater Beach
Experience elevated coastal dining and drinking at its finest with the monthly recurring events at JW Marriott Clearwater Beach’s bar and restaurant. Join them every second Tuesday for Tasting Tuesdays, where from 6-8pm, you can indulge in a journey of spirits and small bites perfectly paired to delight your palate. Then, unwind every last Wednesday of the month at Wine Down Wednesdays, featuring an intimate formal wine pairing dinner at 7pm with limited seats available. Elevate your evenings with exquisite flavors and coastal charm, exclusively at their seaside establishment.
Cowboy Adventure Park at Westgate Resorts
- Thursdays-Mondays, starting at 10am
Get ready for an unforgettable fall season at Cowboy Adventure Park with activities for everyone! Step into the legendary Fort Kicco with their Gel Tag Experience, a thrilling game that’s fun for all ages. Capture the essence of autumn in their Pumpkin Patch, where you can pick the perfect pumpkin and enjoy delightful seasonal photo opportunities throughout the park.
For a touch of Halloween without the scares, venture into their Not So Spooky Halloween Maze—a family-friendly adventure that delivers just the right amount of fun for younger guests. Celebrate fall at Cowboy Adventure Park! Tickets starting at $15.
Get Your Tickets Early
MOULIN ROUGE AT STRAZ CENTER
- Wednesday – Sunday, November 6-10
Pop the champagne, MOULIN ROUGE! The Musical returns to the Straz Center by popular demand!
Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur and glory! Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. A celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and — above all — Love, MOULIN ROUGE! is more than a musical — it is a state of mind.
Get your tickets today!
For family-friendly things to do in Tampa, check out Tampa Bay Parenting.
Things to Do This Weekend in Tampa Bay
Please check each event’s website or Facebook page to ensure that it hasn’t been affected by Hurricane Milton.
Howl O Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Friday, September 6-Sunday, November 2
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Tampa’s biggest Halloween event returns for its 25th year! Experience frights and thrills as haunted houses, scare zones, and more take over the park after dark.
TAMPA THEATRE’S 12TH ANNUAL A NIGHTMARE ON FRANKLIN STREET
- October 11-31st
- Downtown Tampa
Tampa Theatre’s 12th annual spooky series returns for 21 nights of premium heebie-jeebies! Tampa’s most historic – and most haunted – movie palace presents an all-new lineup of “deep cuts” from the genre film catalog, including classic horror films, creepy cult favorites and “Mummy & Me” family-friendly films that are FREE for ages 12 & younger, plus live storytelling, plenty of ghost tours, and more. For times, titles and tickets, visit www.tampatheatre.org/Nightmare
Witches of dunedin performance
- Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12 at 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm
- Dunedin
There will be two performances each night. Proceeds go to Dunedin Doggie Rescue.
14th Annual Oktoberfest Tampa
- Friday, October 11-Sunday, October 13
- Tampa
For three full days, Tampa’s downtown Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park will be transformed into the city’s largest waterfront biergarten. The event will be busting with live music, dancing, drindls and lederhosen, bratwurst, and schnitzel. A full authentic Bavarian food hall will be available, as well as a variety of Oktoberfest style beers. Authentic German style beers by Green Bench Brewing include traditional Hefeweizen, Dunkel lager, and Fastbier marzen. Festivalgoers can also participate in Bavarian games including stein hoisting, keg stacking, tug-o-war, brat toss, carry the wench, and more.
Dust off your lederhosen and check out our full list of Oktoberfest events going on around Tampa Bay.
Live music at Sparkman Wharf
- Friday, October 11-Sunday, October 13 at 6 pm
- Tampa
Sunset Zipline Adventures at Empower Adventures
- Saturday, October 4-Sunday, October 6 at 4:30 pm
- Tampa
Featuring their two longest zip lines totaling over 1,200 feet and a stunning 200-foot suspension bridge. With a beautiful scenic view of Tampa Bay that you can’t see anywhere else, this is a Friday night excursion you won’t want to miss!
SkyWatch at MOSI
- Friday, October 11 from 7 pm – 9 pm
- Tampa
Join MOSI astronomers for an evening stargazing event, SkyWatch! This event features telescope viewing under the stars as well as space themed demos. Chat with one of their expert astronomers as they bring the galaxy into view with telescopes set up from the ground level of our outdoor Science Park, all the way up to the top of the MOSI Dome. registration required, space limited.
Urban Kai Sunset Paddle Happy Hour
- Friday, October 11 at 7pm
- Departing from Armature Works
Enjoy discounted Happy Hour pricing on Fridays for SUP and kayak rentals to take in the sunset on the Hillsborough River.
Friday Night Meltdown Public Skate at AdventHealth Ice Center
- Friday, October 11 from 7:45 pm – 9:45 pm
- Wesley Chapel
Start your weekend off on the right skate on the ice for a 2-hour public skate session! There will be a live DJ, colored lights, and so much more!
Fall Plant Festival at USF Botanical Gardens
- Saturday, October 12 – Sunday, October 13
- Tampa
Featuring plant vendors as well as food and treats! Vendors at this event are commercial growers and local clubs from throughout the state and are expert growers, who are available to field your questions.
GTE Motor Fest: Car Show at Steinbrenner Field
- Saturday, October 12 from 11 am-3 pm
- Tampa
There will be a car show, food trucks, music and more at this Family Motor Fest, a family-friendly festival to raise money for local student scholarships.
THE archive – Flavor wheel experience (bourbon)
- October 12 at 6pm
- Dunedin Mix
Head to Dunedin Mix to sample 5 premium bourbons and learn the history behind them. Base price includes 5 samples of premium bourbons, Flavor Wheel Placemat, various nuts, chocolates, cheese, and smokes meats.
Fifth annual international observe the moon night
- Saturday, October 12 from 6:30 pm-9:30 pm
- St. Petersburg
SSC will have 10 telescopes available for free views of the moon and other objects. Visitors are welcome to bring their own telescopes as well. They can help you set up your telescope however, due to expected crowds, the astronomers will not have time to train you on site if you are not familiar with how to use a telescope. If you would like to learn how to use your scope, please hire us for a Telescope Training session on our website: www.sidewalksciencecenter.org/book-online.
Worth the Drive:
Athleta Gold Over America Tour featuring Simone Biles
- Saturday, October 12 at 7 pm
- Kia Center, Orlando
The Athleta Gold Over America Tour is an exhilarating display of jaw-dropping athleticism and high-energy choreography with an inspirational message of hope, strength, resilience, and determination. Led by Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, the Athleta Gold Over America Tour – or GOAT, its sublime acronym – will have audiences on the edge of their seat with every tumble, twist and gravity-defying trick.
This pop concert-style spectacle will showcase the athletic brilliance and championship journeys of Biles and cast members Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Paul Juda, Peng-Peng Lee, Brody Malone, Katelyn Ohashi, Stephen Nedoroscik, Fred Richard, Joscelyn Roberson, Mélanie Johanna De Jesus Dos Santos, Casimir Schmidt and more.
Sunday Market in the Park
- Sunday, October 12 from 10 am-2 pm
- England Brothers Park
Head to Pinellas Park for a Sunday morning market with up to 80 vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, clothing, jewelry, art, home decor, gifts, souvenirs, and more. There will also be food trucks and vendors with refreshments, meals, and more.
Sunday Special – Espresso Martinis
- Sunday, October 12 from 2 pm-11:45 pm
- Mandarin Heights
Head to Mandarin Heights on Sunday for $7 espresso martinis.
Looking for a place to go pre or post concert? Check out Beacon Rooftop Bar at JW Marriott.
Save the Date: Upcoming Awesome Things to Do in Tampa Bay
Harry Pottery: Wizarding World Paint & Sip
- October 24 at 7pm
1743 Doncaster Road, Clearwater, FL 33764-6525
Grab your wands and hop on your broomsticks for a night of spellbinding creativity at this Harry Potter-themed Pottery Painting Night! Pick your piece of pottery and paint it to perfection, whether you’re inspired by the Hogwarts crest, the Golden Snitch, or your favorite house colors—Gryffindor red, Slytherin green, Hufflepuff yellow, or Ravenclaw blue! Enjoy a selection of Honeydukes-inspired snacks and sip on some delicious, frothy Butterbeer and themed drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options) while you let your creativity flow.
$75 per person
12th Annual Savor St. Pete Food & Wine Festival
- November 2 and 3
- Vinoy Waterfront Park, St. Petersburg
Savor St. Pete brings the best in food, wine, craft beers, and premium spirits to the area. Taking place at Vinoy Waterfront Park, enjoy all-new activations such as the ultra-chic Mixology Experience Lounge. Enjoy flavor-packed bites from leading Bay Area restaurants and an array of craft beer and wine. Upgrade your experience to the VIP Spirits Lounge to immerse yourself in top-shelf cocktails and more. A percentage of ticket sales benefit local Bay Area charities.
$115 and up
More Things to Do – Ongoing Tampa Bay Events
St. Pete Shuffle Friday Nights
Fridays from 7-10pm
St. Pete
Learn to play shuffleboard with help from St. Pete Shuffle’s staff and volunteers, who will get you set up on a court and teach you how to play.
$10; free for members and their guests
Date Night at Color Me Mine
Hyde Park
Enjoy a BOGO studio fee for couples every Friday at 5 pm until 8 pm.
Related: The Best SoHo + Hyde Park Tampa Restaurants for Date Night
Immersive Movies at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Saturday, September 28 from 11 am – 4 pm
Clearwater
Clearwater Marine Aquarium will offer two new movies next week: Turtle Odyssey and T-Rex, beginning Saturday, August 17. The 25-minute-long movies will run between 11 am and 4 pm, as an added guest experience in the Visitor Center’s Dolphin Tale Theater. Narrated by Russell Crowe, Turtle Odyssey explores the unique lifecycle of an Australian green sea turtle named Bunji and her incredible journey across the open ocean. The film follows Bunji from a hatchling into adulthood as she swims thousands of miles, meets incredible creatures and has some really wild encounters. Included in general admission cost.
Live Music on Water Street
Water Street in Tampa
Enjoy live music on Water Street nightly from 6 pm-9 pm.
FloridaRAMA
Permanent exhibition open Thursdays – Mondays
800 28th St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
FloridaRAMA (formerly Fairgrounds St. Pete) is a permanent indoor immersive, explorable art and technology experience in St. Pete, Florida. Over 60 local and international artists were commissioned to make art for you to immerse yourself in and enjoy.
$27 ($25 for Florida Residents)
First Wednesday of the month, 7pm (Mar – Oct) 6pm (Nov – Feb)
St. Pete Pier
Join The Body Electric Yoga Company every first Wednesday evening for a yoga class at St. Pete Pier. The class will be grounding but fun, with lots of modifications offered to accommodate everybody.
FREE
Thursdays from 4-8pm
Tampa Museum of Art, downtown Tampa
Every Thursday from 4 to 8 pm, the Tampa Museum of Art offers Art on the House where admission prices change to pay-as-you-will, and visitors choose whatever admission price they want to pay. Bring the family and celebrate 100 years of art in Tampa with exhibitions that emphasize ancient, modern, and contemporary art.
Choose your own admission price
Fridays from 7-10pm
St. Pete Shuffle, St. Pete
Learn to play shuffleboard with help from St. Pete Shuffle’s staff and volunteers, who will get you set up on a court and teach you how to play.
$10; free for members and their guests
Saturdays from 10-11:30am,
St. Pete
Tour begins at Florida CraftArt, 501 Central Ave. in downtown St. Petersburg Visitors will hear the inside stories of the making of over 30 murals found in the four-block tour. Limited to 20 people, must book before 4 p.m. the prior day. Bring water for hydration and the necessary rain gear if the weather looks threatening.
$20
Looking for more things to do this week?
Check out this guide to family-friendly events in Tampa Bay from our sister publication Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine. Heading to Orlando? Here’s a guide to the best Orlando events this month at the theme parks and beyond.