Tampa Special Events

In addition to its many cultural and historic landmarks, Tampa hosts a number of outstanding festivals and events that may coincide with your visit.

Around the turn of the 20th century, Tampa leaders introduced a citywide, pirate-themed festival based on the adventures of legendary buccaneer Jose Gaspar. Gasparilla Pirate Fest evolved into a full-blown mock pirate invasion followed by a downtown parade, an arts and crafts show and live entertainment on multiple stages. The tongue-in-cheek surrender of the city to swashbucklers kicks off in late January with the arrival of the fully rigged Jose Gasparilla--a faithful replica of a Spanish galleon--at the Tampa Convention Center.

Catch daily parades, top-name entertainment, rodeo competitions, cook-offs, livestock shows, agriculture demonstrations, exhibits of everything from antique farm equipment to purebred canines and so much more at the Florida State Fair, which takes place over a 10-day period in mid-February. This all-American event has delighted Floridians for more than 100 years. Where else but a state fair would you make a meal of funnel cakes and corn dogs, stroll along a midway under the stars and step into the poultry barn to cast your vote for the best-looking chicken?

The promise of work in cigar factories lured Cuban, German, Italian and Spanish immigrants to Tampa's Ybor City in the late 19th century. Fiesta Day --once a day of rest for the workers--celebrates Ybor's rich ethnic heritage with lively music, multicultural entertainment, a colorful parade of flags, international food, cigar rolling demonstrations and contests for the best flan and the best flan eater. A high-spirited Latin tempo energizes the historic district during this celebration in late February.

Early March is a good time to pick strawberries. If you can't make it to the farm, celebrate the harvest at the 10-day Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, 15 miles east of Tampa. Taste the freshest strawberry pies, cobblers, shortcakes and milkshakes, or buy a flat of berries and make your own. Although strawberries are the star of the show, the festival boasts a stellar lineup of country music performers. With ag exhibits, carnival rides, a midway and a parade, this event has all the flair of a state fair.

The Apollo Beach Manatee Arts Festival, in Apollo Beach, 15 miles south of Tampa via I-75 or US 41, has a dual mission: to preserve Florida's manatee population and to promote visual and performing arts. At this mid-March event you will find 100 booths of fine arts and crafts, live entertainment, food vendors and a beer garden as well as activities for children and lots of information about manatees and local wildlife. It's no coincidence that the Manatee Viewing Center is just down the road.

Brubeck. Gillespie. Getz. The legends of jazz music have performed at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday since its inception in 1979. The roster for this 4-day event reads like a "Who's Who" of jazz, with performers ranging from purists to innovators. Best of all, it's free. Circle the third week in October on your calendar.

The historic Tampa Bay Hotel is the perfect setting for a Victorian Christmas Stroll. Christmas trees, holiday greenery, lavish period decorations, vintage toys and elegantly wrapped packages adorn the hotel's Grand Hall and rooms of the Henry B. Plant Museum, harking back to Christmas traditions of the past.