Ballet dancers perform on stage in front of a backdrop depicting stone arches and a garden scene. A group of dancers in pastel costumes gather around a box at center stage, while another dancer in a blue dress balances on pointe with one leg extended gracefully to the side. A table decorated with flowers and a cake is set in the background, creating a festive atmosphere.

Tampa City Ballet opens studio for behind-the-scenes show this week

The series will continue monthly in rotating locations around Tampa Bay.

by Laura Troyer February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

A view from behind a crowd of people gathered outdoors for an event at a white, single-story building. In the center, a person stands on a porch next to a black sign that reads "BLACK HISTORY MATTERS." Attendees in the foreground wear colorful summer clothing, including a bright patterned dress and a purple t-shirt, while one person on the right holds up a smartphone to record the scene. The setting is lush with large oak trees and palm trees under a clear, sunny sky.

News & Views

‘You can’t erase truth’: Black History Month events around Tampa Bay

by Ray Roa February 9, 2026February 9, 2026

Anita Camacho poses with her butterfly garden.

Arts & Entertainment

Butterfly Ball supports pollinators in Tampa next week

The dress code is “Bug-Inspired Brilliance.”

by Selene San Felice February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

Historic Kenwood home tour attendees visiting a renovated craftsman bungalow with green siding and brick porch columns.

Arts & Entertainment

Kenwood residents open their historic homes for BungalowFest this weekend

It’s also St. Petersburg High School’s centennial celebration.

by Selene San Felice February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Big birds will soar at St. Pete’s Raptor Fest this weekend

We’re talon you, it’s gonna be cool.

by Selene San Felice February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

ReadOut LGBTQ+ book fest brings queer authors, booksellers to Gulfport this weekend

Because reading is what? Fundamental.

by Selene San Felice February 4, 2026February 4, 2026

A white cherub figurine wearing sunglasses encased in a glass dome on a shelf behind a bar, illuminated by pink and purple lighting.

Arts & Entertainment, Events & Film

5 Sapphic Valentine’s events spreading love around Tampa Bay

Reserve your U-Haul now.

by Selene San Felice February 4, 2026February 4, 2026

Two people stand with their arms around each other, smiling brightly under a large white event tent. The individual on the left has a large afro and wears round glasses and a black t-shirt, holding up a science-themed educational poster titled "JPSS-1." The individual on the right wears a blue baseball cap with white text, glasses, and a black tank top featuring a National Geographic graphic. In the blurred background, other festival attendees and a computer monitor are visible on a sunny day.

Arts & Entertainment, Events & Film

St. Pete Science Festival, Marinequest, happens this weekend

Both events are free, with a free shuttle provided from the SouthCore parking garage to the waterfront events.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings February 3, 2026February 3, 2026

Two shirtless people celebrate in the stands of a large, crowded outdoor stadium at night. The individual on the left wears a white Tampa Bay Lightning baseball cap and sunglasses, holding up a black shirt and making a "rock on" hand gesture. The individual on the right wears a white bandana around their neck, a patterned headband, and teal-framed sunglasses. In the background, thousands of fans fill the stadium seats under bright arena lights, with a large video scoreboard visible in the distance.

Arts & Entertainment

Photos: At NHL Stadium Series, Tampa Bay Lightning fans get the best game ever

by Ray Roa and Nicole Abbett February 3, 2026February 3, 2026

A still from 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart gazing at each other in a field of purple and white flowers.

Arts & Entertainment

Armature Works screens another ‘Twilight’ movie for free this month

How long have you been 17?

by Laura Troyer February 3, 2026February 3, 2026

A high-energy group portrait of approximately ten people celebrating at the Gasparilla Pirate Fest. Many are wearing pirate-themed attire, including red bandanas, gold jewelry, sunglasses, and colorful beaded necklaces. They are smiling and shouting toward the camera, with several individuals making "rock on" hand gestures while leaning against a metal crowd-control barricade. The outdoor background features palm trees and a residential building under an overcast sky.

Arts & Entertainment

Gasparilla 2026 photos: Every stone cold pirate we saw on Tampa’s Bayshore Boulevard over the weekend

Their timbers were shivered.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker February 2, 2026February 2, 2026

A close-up of a wooden display stand at an outdoor market featuring "Beard & Beauty" skincare products. The top shelf holds glass dropper bottles of face oil and small jars of face masks, while the bottom shelf displays several bars of artisanal soap in brown paper packaging labeled "FACE." In the bright, out-of-focus background, customers are seen browsing the various vendor stalls under a white canopy.

Arts & Entertainment

Indie Flea returns to Tampa with pre-Valentines waterfront market

by Ray Roa January 31, 2026January 31, 2026

A close-up side view of an ornate, white and gold Southern Lion Dance costume being performed outdoors. The lion head features fluffy white fur, shimmering gold sequins, and colorful pom-poms, with a large pink and gold decorative tongue hanging from the mouth. In the background, a sunny parking lot is visible with several people watching the performance near parked cars and a white building under a clear blue sky.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa artist is collecting funds to save Café Hey’s endangered lion dance

Michelle Sawyer is rallying support to keep Tampa Heights’ Chinese New Year tradition alive.

by Laura Troyer January 31, 2026January 31, 2026

A close-up stage shot of two performers appearing from behind a wooden structure. On the right, a person in a red, black, and white reindeer-patterned sweater looks forward with a shocked or wide-eyed expression. To their left, another person in a dark suit with a bloodied face and red gloves holds a large mallet over their shoulder and looks on with a sinister smile.

Arts & Entertainment

Pulitzer-winning composer brings Stephen King’s ‘The Shining’ to Opera Tampa for one weekend only

Shows are on Jan. 30 and Feb. 1.

by Marty Clear January 30, 2026February 13, 2026

Customers browsing the 'Book Ends' mobile bookstore trailer, which is illuminated by festive string lights at a night market.

Arts & Entertainment

Bookends hosts fantasy book fair at Corner Club Tampa this weekend

Plus, two weeks of Tampa Bay bookish events.

by Maroon Stranger January 27, 2026January 27, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa comedians roast Gasparilla legend Jose Gaspar this week

Sure, you can roast a guy who didn’t exist.

by Ray Roa January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

Comedian Bert Kreischer performing stand-up shirtless on stage during a Netflix comedy special.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay native comedian Bert Kreischer returns for Benchmark Arena show

He’s fresh off a new Netflix show, and fresh out of shirts.

by Selene San Felice January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

A crowd of people seated at an outdoor patio at night, listening to a speaker on stage under warm string lights.

Arts & Entertainment

Curiosity Club of Seminole Heights brings knowledge to the coffee table

Its next lesson tackles how to read music.

by Jasmin Parrado January 26, 2026January 29, 2026

Three teammates holding red dodgeballs and looking focused during an outdoor tournament game.

Arts & Entertainment

Cinco de Dodgeball tradition honors late Tampa firefighter this spring

The Matthew T. Bunch foundation aims to help three firefighters with financial need this year.

by Jasmin Parrado January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

Actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie in an intimate shower scene from the HBO Max series 'Heated Rivalry.'

Arts & Entertainment

‘Heated Rivalry’ fans, don’t forget Tampa Bay has hockey IRL

There’s a rare chance to see the guys and their sticks out in the sunlight.

by Selene San Felice January 23, 2026January 23, 2026

Best of the bay 2026 is here. Check out the Winners And FinalistS!

Events & Film

Tampa City Ballet opens studio for behind-the-scenes show this week

‘You can’t erase truth’: Black History Month events around Tampa Bay

Butterfly Ball supports pollinators in Tampa next week

Kenwood residents open their historic homes for BungalowFest this weekend

Big birds will soar at St. Pete’s Raptor Fest this weekend

ReadOut LGBTQ+ book fest brings queer authors, booksellers to Gulfport this weekend

5 Sapphic Valentine’s events spreading love around Tampa Bay

St. Pete Science Festival, Marinequest, happens this weekend

Photos: At NHL Stadium Series, Tampa Bay Lightning fans get the best game ever

Armature Works screens another ‘Twilight’ movie for free this month

Gasparilla 2026 photos: Every stone cold pirate we saw on Tampa’s Bayshore Boulevard over the weekend

Indie Flea returns to Tampa with pre-Valentines waterfront market

Tampa artist is collecting funds to save Café Hey’s endangered lion dance

Pulitzer-winning composer brings Stephen King’s ‘The Shining’ to Opera Tampa for one weekend only

Bookends hosts fantasy book fair at Corner Club Tampa this weekend

Tampa comedians roast Gasparilla legend Jose Gaspar this week

Tampa Bay native comedian Bert Kreischer returns for Benchmark Arena show

Curiosity Club of Seminole Heights brings knowledge to the coffee table

Cinco de Dodgeball tradition honors late Tampa firefighter this spring

‘Heated Rivalry’ fans, don’t forget Tampa Bay has hockey IRL

Photos: Tampa Theatre brings time travel to Franklin Street in grand finale for centennial restoration

[Photos] Everyone who stepped into Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay 2026 photo booth

[Photos] Everyone we saw at Creative Loafing’s 2026 Best of The Bay party

New photography exhibit frames University of Tampa in stunning new light

Do you have the best burger in Tampa Bay?