TAMPA, Fla. — If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend (February 7-9), there's plenty of action happening around the Tampa Bay area.
Friday, February 7
Florida State Fair
When: February 6-17
Where: Florida State Fairgrounds at 4800 US Hwy 301 North, Tampa
Cost: $9 adults | $5 children
Info: The Florida State Fair is back with more entertainment and delicious food! New this year is the Fair Foodie Crawl on February 13 and the Deep Fried Dash 5K on February 15. Enjoy your favorite fair entertainment, like Sea Lion Splash, XPogo and Demolition Derby. Buy your tickets online or get them from a participating Publix.
WineFest 2020: Cabbyshack
When: February 7-8
Where: Tampa Theatre at 711 N Franklin St, Tampa
Cost: $65 ($55 for Tampa Theatre Members)
Info: This is Tampa Theatre’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Enjoy a wine paring with a multi-course menu on Friday (SOLD OUT) or a two-tiered wine tasting with dozens of boutique wines on Saturday. Guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite character or come in a Caddyshack-inspired costume. WineFest is restricted to guests 21 and older.
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Mardi Gras in Munn Park
When: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Munn Park at 210 E Main St, Lakeland
Cost: FREE
Info: Guests will enjoy Mardi Gras themed music, food and drinks, raffles, prizes and giveaways, a stilt walker, fire blower, face painter and band-lead walking parade with Sheriff Grady Judd as the Grand Marshall. Sponsors may form a "Krewe" and help "bead the crowd" during the parade. Vendors will be entered to win a contest for best Mardi Gras theme!
Mike Epps: “The Fabulously Funny Comedy Festival”
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Yuengling Center at 12499 USF Bull Run Drive, Tampa
Cost: $59
Info: Comedy heavyweight Mike Epps brings “The Fabulously Funny Comedy Festival” to Tampa. Epps will lead the show with an all-star lineup including Sommore, Gary Owen and Lavell Crawford. The veteran entertainers will bring down the house with their sharp wit, unbridled humor and hysterical storytelling for a comedy show fans won’t want to miss!
Billy Joel
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Amalie Arena at 401 Channelside Dr, Tampa
Cost: $100
Info: Legendary musician Billy Joel will return to Tampa to perform at AMALIE Arena. Doors open 60-90 minutes before show time.
Saturday, February 8
Big Bounce America
When: February 8-9
Where: Raymond James Stadium at 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa
Cost: $35 adults | $26 children
Info: The world’s largest bounce house is making its way to Tampa for a weekend of inflatable fun. This magical, candy-colored inflatable castle features slides, obstacle courses, basketball hoops, foam pits and so much more! Expanding its footprint by 30 percent, the featured attraction is now over 13,000 square feet.
32nd Annual Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts
When: February 8-9
Where: 1718 Main Street in Sarasota
Cost: FREE
Info: The overwhelming success of the Festival each year led to expanding and covering more than five city blocks with over 250 national and regional artists. The high level of artistic quality, the accessibility of the free, outdoor festival and the diversity of art has led to the Festival of the Arts' consecutive rankings among the top 100 art festivals in the nation, according to Sunshine Artists Magazine.
Tampa Bay Walk For Wishes
When: 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Where: Julian B Lane Riverfront Park at 1001 N Blvd, Tampa
Cost: FREE
Info: Join Make-A-Wish supporters in the community for this year’s Walk For Wishes in Tampa and raise money to grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. All registered participants receive an official Walk For Wishes t-shirt.
Saturday Morning Market
When: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Al Lang Stadium parking lot at 100 1st Street SE, St. Petersburg
Cost: FREE
Info: Saturday Morning Market is the heart of St. Pete. This farmers market is full of food, music, art and camaraderie! The market showcases more than 125 vendors each week. Booths include handcrafted jewelry, potted plants, beauty products, custom wood-carved kitchenware and much more.
Tampa Riverwalk Sweet N’ Spicy Festival
When: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Where: Water Works Park Tampa at 1710 N Highland Ave, Tampa
Cost: FREE
Info: Are you feeling ZESTY or full of SWEETNESS? Highlighting Tampa Bay’s sweetest and spunkiest cuisines from pepper sauces, BBQ sauces to artisan chocolatiers and bakeries, this festival will boast food trucks, food tents, to local crafted small batch chefs, businesses and eclectic vendor marketplace!
Rays Fan Fest
When: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: Tropicana Field at 1 Tropicana Dr, St. Pete
Cost: FREE
Info: Enjoy clubhouse tours, DIY activities, batting cages and so much more at this free event. Meet Rays players, play games with Tyler Glasnow and take part in Brandon Lowe’s Youth Clinic. Children 17 and under do not require a ticket, but adults must obtain a free admission ticket to attend.
2020 Bark in the Park
When: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: Curtis Hixon Park at 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa
Cost: FREE
Info: Come on out for the 33rd Annual Bark in the Park! This is a family and dog-friendly walk and pet festival featuring music, food trucks, beer, adoptables, vendors, doggie costume contests, and a 1-mile stroll along the river.
Knight Parade
When: 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Ybor City’s 7th Avenue
Cost: FREE
Info: The Krewe of Sant’ Yago’s annual celebration of Tampa civic pride returns to Ybor City on Saturday! WWE star and local philanthropist Titus O'Neil is this year's Grand Marshal, and TV personality and fan favorite Jerry Springer returns as special guest. The illuminated parade begins rolling down historic Ybor City’s 7th Avenue at 7 p.m. Expect to see local dignitaries, dozens of marching bands, performers and thousands of costumed participants who will toss scores of beads to the revelers and families lining the street.
Sunday, February 9
Love Your Selfie 2020
When: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Aveda Institute Tampa Bay at 28272 US Highway 19 N, Clearwater
Cost: FREE
Info: Enjoy a complementary self-care Sunday. Get your hair styled, get your makeup done and get a professional photoshoot, all to celebrate yourself! This event is to raise awareness for the importance of self-care and to boost self-esteem. Any donations or proceeds will go towards Change the Face of Depression and Project Cold Case. Register here to attend.
Dessert Wars
When: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Where: Armature Works at 1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa
Cost: SOLD OUT
Info: Get ready to sample sweets from local vendors with 2,000 of your fellow dessert lovers! Dessert Wars is the largest dessert festival in America. Admission includes 30 samples tickets (50 for VIP) to exchange for treats at each of the vendors. Enjoy a complimentary milk bar and donut wall as well. Can’t finish all your sweets? Get a to-go box to take them with you!
Hollywood Awards Night 2020
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Tampa Theatre at 711 N Franklin St, Tampa
Cost: $25
Info: Walk the red carpet and watch the Academy Awards at the historic Tampa Theatre! There will be games, prizes, free popcorn and soda, hair and makeup touch-ups with professional stylists, the OSCAR® Red Carpet Live pre-show on the big screen, and a cash bar. ABC’s live coverage of the Academy Awards begins at 8:00 p.m. Guests are encouraged to show off their star status with a movie-themed costume or let the glamour of Hollywood inspire an outfit. Stars who stay until the Best Picture is announced at the end of the telecast will also enjoy donuts and coffee in the lobby.
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