Things to do in Tampa Bay Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

A group portrait photograph showing Tampa DSA members outside Michelle Sawyer's Antifascist Women's March Mural in Ybor City, Florida. Captured in a wide shot outdoors in bright daylight, approximately thirty group members pose together kneeling and standing in front of the building wall at 2015 E. 7th Ave. The background prominently features artist Michelle Sawyer's mural depicting three women alongside bold text reading "¡NO PASARÁN! 1937 ANTIFASCIST WOMEN'S MARCH", framed by palm trees and an Ybor City historic marker under a clear sky.

Tampa’s Democratic Socialists are canvassing, then going to a soccer game this weekend

The DSA is knocking doors for Ashley Herrmann, then kicking it at the Tampa Bay Sun match.

by Leif Helland October 6, 2026October 7, 2026

The Tampa Democratic Socialists of America (TDSA) aren’t just knocking on doors this month. After a morning canvassing session on Oct. 10 supporting Ashley Herrmann’s run for the Florida House seat for District 69, the local chapter is heading to Ybor City kava bar Spookeasy for drinks before steering the crew to watch the city’s […]

Arts & Entertainment

‘I was inspired by so many people throughout this journey’: St. Pete artist Palehorse discusses his first solo show in 10 years

‘Shapeshifter’ opens Oct. 10 at Morean Arts Center, alongside a companion group show, ‘Practice Dying: A Skull & Bones Exhibit.’

by Ray Roa October 1, 2026October 2, 2026

A performance action photograph showing Tampa City Ballet at Kress Contemporary in Ybor City on Feb. 18, 2023. Captured in a medium shot inside an artistic venue, a lead dancer stands center stage in a sleeveless light blue fitted vest top and grey trousers with her slicked-back dark hair pulled into a neat bun, extending one gloved white hand outward while looking down to the left. Behind her, other dancers in dark attire perform under vibrant purple, blue, and green theatrical stage lighting.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay’s best things to do October 1-8, including Tampa City Ballet, St. Pete Night Market anniversary, and more

Plus literary events, theater, sports, Pride nights, film, and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley October 1, 2026October 1, 2026

An architectural cropped detail photograph by Amy Martz showing A minaret at UTampa in Tampa, Florida. Captured in a tight vertical composition through oval circular cutouts in a light blue structure, the top cutout frames the gold crescent moon finial atop a metallic silver spire against a clear blue sky, while the lower cutout reveals the apex of the silver minaret dome under bright daylight.

Arts & Entertainment

New photography exhibit frames University of Tampa in stunning new light

Amy Martz’s ‘Railroad to River’ opens Friday and showcases just a portion of a larger project that will eventually become a book.

by Ray Roa September 30, 2026September 30, 2026

An outdoor landscape photograph by Joni Hanebutt showing A Bigfoot statue in the swamp and Skunkape Headquarters in the Florida's Everglades National Park on Dec. 3. 2023. Captured from an asphalt parking lot in front of a green wooden building with signs reading "SKUNKAPE HEADQUARTERS" and "SHEALY'S", a dark ape-like Skunk Ape statue stands on a low platform in the center foreground. Four flagpoles flying American, Florida, and state flags surround the driveway, framed by a wooden fence line, green trees, and a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Arts & Entertainment

Believers can track Bigfoot and the Florida Skunk Ape at the Safety Harbor Library this fall

The Mid Florida Bigfoot Research Group does an afterhours presentation at the library in October.

by Leif Helland September 30, 2026October 6, 2026

A high-angle production still showing a male performer lying in a pool of water in a short film from 'Squirter' which screened as part of the touring 2026 'Hump!' Film Festival. Lying face-down in a shallow pink-tarped pool filled with water, a man with light skin wearing black swim trunks rests his upper torso and chin near the edge of the enclosure. Wet ripples fold around his waist and legs against a textured, crushed-pink background under soft indoor lighting.

Arts & Entertainment

Dan Savage’s ‘Hump’ adult movie festival comes to Tampa this weekend

Clutch pearls at Sun-Ray Cinema.

by Ray Roa September 30, 2026September 30, 2026

A historic black-and-white landscape photograph by the Burgert Brothers showing cars parked at Shop-Rite Supermarket in Brandon, Florida on March 31, 1958. Courtesy of the Burgert Brothers Collection at Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library, the wide shot captures a single-story commercial building featuring a large sign reading "SHOP-RITE" on its roof overhang above glass storefront windows. A line of vintage 1950s automobiles is parked facing the building across an expansive asphalt parking lot, framed by trees under a bright daytime sky.

Arts & Entertainment

Preserving Brandon to hold archive workshop on Sunday

It’s the organization’s last meeting before 2027.

by Ray Roa September 23, 2026September 23, 2026

A stage performance photograph by Carl Beust showing Dolly Parton plays Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island on July 27, 2019. Captured in a medium shot from a low angle under bright daylight, Parton stands on stage with styled, volumetric blonde hair, wearing a vibrant yellow long-sleeved jacket heavily embellished with red floral rose embroidery and rhinestones over a bright red corseted bodice. She sings into a dark microphone mounted on a stand in front of her while gesturing expressive, open-handed poses with both hands adorned with rings and red manicured nails.

Tampa Shuffle hosts Dolly Parton day on Friday

There’ll be a costume contest, DJ playing Dolly, Dolly on the TV, specials, and a Dolly open mic.

by Ray Roa September 23, 2026September 23, 2026

A sunny, action-oriented outdoor photograph showing participants during Walk Bike Tampa World Car-Free Day on Sept. 22, 2024. Captured from a low angle, a group of pedestrians and cyclists cross a wide street along bright green painted crosswalk markers under a clear blue sky. In the foreground, a woman wearing a pink baseball cap, grey tank top, black leggings, and sneakers runs alongside a man wearing a white backwards cap, a white shirt with a green stripe, tan shorts, and running shoes. Behind them, several adults and a child on bicycles, as well as a runner in a yellow t-shirt, travel across the intersection framed by palm trees, overhead traffic lights, and city buildings.

‘Kidical Mass Bike Ride’ is part of Tampa’s World Car-Free Day this weekend

A 5.3-mile course stretches between Westshore and Ybor City.

by Ray Roa September 23, 2026September 23, 2026

An outdoor landscape photograph by photographer Holly Apperson showing the exterior of the Safety Harbor Public Library in Safety Harbor, Florida. Captured under a clear blue sky illuminated by warm, late-afternoon sunlight, the multi-story stucco building features a drive-up covered entrance canopy on the left with palm trees and a Spanish-tile roof. Moss-draped oak branches frame the upper right foreground above a black metal fence, manicured green lawn, and parking lot in front of the building's main entrance.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay’s best events this weekend, including the Safety Harbor book sale [9/24-10/1]

Plus the weekly local theater listing, literary events, comedy, and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley September 23, 2026September 23, 2026

A low-angle portrait photograph by Dave Decker showing Novice Sister Haram Bae at the Wet Spot at The Wet Spot in St. Petersburg, Florida on April 5, 2026. Positioned centrally under a bright blue sky with white clouds, the performer looks down toward the camera with light makeup, dark winged eyeliner, red lipstick, and a nose ring. They wear a white habit with a gold crown, layered gold chain necklaces, and a dark red garment, set against an outdoor courtyard featuring a poolside bar and umbrellas in the background.

Arts & Entertainment

Hoping to join Tampa Bay’s Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a nun hopeful organizes abortion fundraiser

Novice Sister Haram Bae helps the community on Sept. 25 at Delicious Wine Bar.

by Valerie Smith and The Sapphic Sun September 18, 2026September 18, 2026

A high-energy, wide-angle photograph by Yvonne Gougelet of dancers and participants auditioning at the Red Bull Dance Your Style Qualifier at Armature Works in Tampa, Florida on April 9, 2023. Captured outdoors on a sunny day under a bright blue sky with light clouds, a crowd of street dancers cheer and react while surrounding performers in a dance cipher on a dark floor mat. On the left, a dancer in a dark patterned top and black baseball cap extends his arm outward in excitement. In the center foreground, a dancer wearing a blue graphic t-shirt and blue baseball cap drops low into a dynamic dance stance while surrounded by smiling spectators, performers in colorful graphic tees, and outdoor event lighting trusses.

Arts & Entertainment

Red Bull Dance Your Style US final among best events coming to Tampa Bay this week [September 17-24]

Plus local theater, book events, sports, comedy, and so much more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley September 15, 2026September 17, 2026

Gulfport’s annual Geckofest party brings 10 hours of untamed fun to the waterfront

The 26th iteration of the festival happens on Saturday.

by Ray Roa September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

A low-light, candid photograph taken inside a haunted attraction showing two women reacting in fear near a monstrous prop at Scream-A-Geddon Horror Park. In the left foreground, a woman wearing a black t-shirt and crossbody bag reacts with wide eyes, an open mouth, and raised hands, while a companion peeks over her shoulder from behind. On the right, a massive animatronic or prop monster mouth with sharp, blood-stained yellow fangs reaches toward them out of the dark, shadowy backdrop.

Arts & Entertainment

Fresh off $2.5 million renovation, Scream-A-Geddon returns to Dade City this weekend

The horror park will operate through Nov. 1.

by Ray Roa September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

A black-and-white close-up portrait photograph of Richard J. Girard II. Looking slightly to his left with a gentle smile, Girard wears dark horn-rimmed eyeglasses, a dark fedora-style woven hat, a full beard and mustache, and shoulder-length wavy hair. In the background, a brick wall covered with faint graffiti and lettering is visible behind his right shoulder.

Arts & Entertainment

‘Molotov Cocktails, Pipe Bombs & Other Family Recipes’ book release among top events in Tampa Bay [September 3-10]

Plus another Tampa Comic Convention, Pride events and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley September 1, 2026September 2, 2026

A photograph showing the interior of an aquaponics greenhouse at the Rosebud Continuum Education Center in Land O' Lakes, Florida. Set beneath an arched clear poly-film dome with white shade cloth accents, the ground is covered in black landscape fabric with a central pathway. Along the left and right sides, vertical growing racks, PVC piping, IBC tote tanks, and raised hydroponic plant beds are cultivated with green crops, illuminated by natural sunlight filtering through the frame.

Arts & Entertainment

Land O’ Lakes’ Rosebud Continuum hosts seed, plant, and book swap this weekend

Get out of town on Saturday.

by Ray Roa August 19, 2026August 19, 2026

A wide interior photograph showing young children and families playing inside the main exhibit hall at Great Explorations Children's Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. In the center, a multi-story climbing structure wrapped in netting features stacked blue platforms extending toward a high ceiling with exposed metal trusses and track lighting. In the foreground, large blue foam building blocks scattered across a carpeted floor allow children to build structures, alongside a yellow slide and interactive play stations illuminated by bright overhead lights.

Arts & Entertainment

St. Pete’s Great Explorations kid’s museum hosts free science festival on Saturday

At Ignite!, little ones can try their hands at robotics, art, demos and engineering challenges.

by Ray Roa August 19, 2026August 19, 2026

A close-up studio portrait of Tampa photographer Jesi Cason. Set against a vibrant solid green background with bold gel lighting in shades of pink, purple, and red, Cason looks slightly off-camera to the right with an expressive, open-mouthed look of surprise or curiosity. Cason features dark shaggy hair with bangs, light eyes, a septum nose ring, and a labret piercing below the lower lip.

Arts & Entertainment

FloridaRama ‘LitFest’ book festival among best things to do in Tampa Bay [August 20-26]

Plus, Mega Water Lantern Food & Music Festival, Wearable Art 20: Platinum in Dunedin and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley August 18, 2026August 21, 2026

A photograph showing Monster High dolls displayed on a store shelf in Lviv, Ukraine, on February 16, 2025. Positioned center-right, a black coffin-shaped box from the "MONSTER HIGH NEON FRIGHTS" series features neon green, pink, and blue secret compartment doors with keyhole slots, alongside Ukrainian-language promotional stickers. To its left, boxed Monster High fashion dolls with colorful hair and outfits sit packaged in clear plastic window boxes, lined up under retail store lighting.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay’s best things to do this weekend including ‘Sunshine City Scare’ and more [August 13-20]

Plus all the best theater, arts, comedy, markets and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley August 10, 2026August 11, 2026

A promotional group photograph of the musical ensemble Old Time Sailors posing outdoors in front of a historic, ornate wooden sailing ship. Captured in a wide shot, over a dozen band members stand and kneel together in traditional 19th-century maritime attire, including newsboy caps, brown jackets, waistcoats, and trousers. The musicians hold and display various acoustic instruments, including double bass, accordions, guitars, violins, a tuba, a trumpet, washboards, and hand drums. The stern of the black and gold decorated ship towers behind them under a bright, partly cloudy sky in natural daylight.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa’s ‘813 Day’ celebrations include a concert from giant sea shanty ensemble

UPDATE: Promoters said they were swashbuckled and that Old Time Sailors is no longer appearing.

by Leif Helland August 5, 2026August 7, 2026