It may be 90 degrees out, but in Tampa Bay, we know how to welcome Fall – with boat races, beer, Anime St. Pete, new spooky offerings of the season, and so much more. Two important closings are happening that you don’t want to miss, so mark your calendars and enjoy!!
Thursday
Closing Weekend – Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet
The Straz Center, Tampa
Make sure to catch this breathtaking show before it goes away! Step into an immersive art experience—seen by over 7 million people worldwide—that brings over 700 works by Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet to life through vivid projections, soundscapes, and storytelling. With one ticket, guests enjoy two unique journeys surrounded by iconic pieces like The Starry Night, Sunflowers, and Water Lilies. The experience also includes a VR journey and a Creation Station, offering visitors unique opportunities to engage with legendary art.
Now through Sunday, September 28th
Find tickets, schedules, and more information HERE.
Closing Weekend – Perseverance Exhibit: A Woman’s Journey West
The James Museum, DTSP
At the heart of Perseverance is the richly detailed journal of Keturah Belknap. Recognized by her family as a vital historical record, which led to its preservation, the journal offers an intimate glimpse into the everyday moments and emotional weight of her family’s decision to risk everything for a chance at a new beginning. The exhibition is laid out to follow that same path, guiding visitors from their life in Iowa to their eventual home in Oregon.
Through sentimentalized paintings and drawings, this exhibition draws powerful parallels between past and present, reminding us that the desire to grow, to seek something better and to hold fast to those we love transcends time. Visitors are invited to reflect on how the twists and turns of life shape every journey, some by choice, others by circumstance, and to consider how courage and connection guide us forward.
Continues through Sunday, September 28th
Find tickets and more information HERE.
Friday
Clearwater Offshore Nationals
Various Locations, Clearwater
Clearwater brings the best of Offshore Powerboat Racing’s teams and fans to their city and beaches for a weekend of entertainment. For the past decade fans on the beach and offshore have witnessed great offshore racing. Clearwater organizers continue to expand the event to make it the best ever. Race day sees 50,000 people and over 2,500 boats lining the beaches of the 2.5-mile-long race course with fireworks, parties, parades, and much more. Many beach-going spectators enjoy the races from Clearwater Beaches on the white sugar sand, while others take watch from the comfort of hotels, restaurants, and condos throughout the island. In this event, more than 180,000 thrill seekers, sponsors, and local businesses revealed over this action-packed weekend!
Friday – Sunday, September 25th – 28th
Find tickets, schedules, and more information HERE.
Sangria Festival – Grapes, Goats & Good Times
DK Farms, Largo
Come sip, savor, and play the day away at our first-ever Sangria Festival!
Whether you’re here for the fruity sangrias, the local bites, or the chance to hang with our adorable goats,
this is the ultimate weekend escape.
~Enjoy handcrafted sangrias made with fresh, juicy fruit
~Savor local eats and sweet treats
~Cuddle friendly goats and explore our interactive animal experiences~Play mini golf, stroll through our scenic gardens, and snap Insta-worthy photos all day long
Grab your friends, your appetite, and your sense of adventure—this is not your average wine tasting.
It’s farm life, fun, and flavor all in one!
Friday & Saturday, September 26th & 27th
Find schedules and more information HERE.
Opening – Creatures of the Night: Member Preview Night
Zoo Tampa, Tampa
Here’s a great reason to get a membership to Zoo Tampa – you can get a great first view of their Halloween Season opener before anyone else!
Creatures of the Night is a festival for ghouls and goblins of all ages – a place to enjoy howling entertainment, eerie characters, creepy culinary treats, and so much more! They’re unveiling all-new chills and thrills at this year’s event. Take a vibrant spin on the Carousel de los Muertos, embark on an unforgettable journey through a secret lab in Mesozoic Mayhem that ends with face-to-face encounters with dinosaurs, join the party at the Dancing Dead disco, and so much more! Plus, enjoy returning favorites like Pirates Paradise, Troll Cave, and Vampire Ball! It’s a Halloween adventure you won’t to miss.
Friday, September 26th @4pm – 10pm – No reservation required
Find more information HERE.
Oktoberfest!
German American Society, Pinellas Park
Switching from Sangria to beer – you simply don’t get a more authentic Oktoberfest experience than the one offered by
The German- American Society – and it’s here this weekend! Enjoy a high-energy celebration of German and Bavarian culture, featuring live music, folk dancing, stein-holding contests, and a Kinder Corner packed with kids’ activities. The event offers fun for all ages in a lively, welcoming atmosphere.
Guests enjoy scratch-made German favorites like crispy Schnitzel, hearty sides, and rich desserts. Traditional Oktoberfest brews flow freely, pairing perfectly with the food and festivities. Whether under the outdoor tent or in the Main Hall, it’s a vibrant, flavor-filled celebration of community.
Friday, September 27th @5pm – 10pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.
Saturday
**Registry Spotlight Event**
This is a special market attended by so many each year. Everything is handmade, beautiful, whimsical, and creepy. You’ll love it. Even though it’s billed as a “dark” event, Hauntizaar shines in the #RegistrySpotlight
9th Annual Hauntizaar
St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, DTSP
It’s time, once again for one of the most anticipated spooky makers showcase in the whole area – and you can learn to play shuffleboard at the same time!
Kick off spooky season with the longest running dark art and haunted handmade bazaar in the Tampa Bay area!
The 9th annual Hauntizaar will feature dozens of the best local makers at one of the coolest local venues!
Food trucks, free shuffleboard play, and lessons too. Admission is free and open to the public. Y’all come!
Saturday, September 27th @10am – 3pm
Find more information HERE.
Anime St. Pete 2025
The Historic Coliseum, DTSP
Anime St. Pete 2024 is set to be an unforgettable celebration of anime, games, and the captivating voices
that bring our favorite characters to life. Here’s just some of what you can expect:
~Cosplay contests
~Anime Splash Party
~Panels, artist presentations
~Lip Sync competition
~Video game tournament, and SO MUCH MORE!
Saturday & Sunday, September 27th & 28th
Find tickets, schedules, and more information HERE.
Bama vs. UGA Watch Party
Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill, St. Pete
There’s no better place for a watch party than Ferg’s! The matchup you have all been waiting on since the week one hiccup is on again. The Crimson Tide vs. the Georgia Bulldogs is, without a doubt, one of the biggest, and most exciting college matchups of the year, and there is certainly no shortage of fans for both schools right here in Tampa Bay. Come watch the Tide take on the Dawgs in Athens. They are going to attempt another blackout game. Have some wings for me!
Saturday, September 27th @7:30pm
Find more information HERE.
**Concert Corner**
Weird Al Yankovic
BayCare Sound, Clearwater
Thursday, September 25th @7:30pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.
Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues
The Mahaffey Theater, DTSP
Thursday, September 25th @8pm
Find tickets and more information HERE.
Have a great Top 10 weekend!
Cindy
