Feature Events

Tampa is the home of numerous unique cultural, educational, and other entertaining annual events.

January

• Gasparilla Pirate Fest
  Every year, plunderers take over the city in honor of the mythical legendary pirate Jose Gaspar.  The Gasparilla Pirate Fest is one of the country's largest and most unique outdoor celebrations.
• Outback Bowl
  The Outback Bowl is a New Year's Day college football game matching teams from the SEC and Big Ten Conference.
• Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival
  The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival is an 8-day cultural fest in which speakers, musicians, artists, poets, and craftspeople welcome many visitors each year.

February

• Fiesta Day (Ybor City)
  Fiesta Day honors the Cuban, German, Italian, African-Cuban, Jewish and Spanish immigrants who first settled in Ybor in 1886.
• Florida State Fair
  The annual Florida State Fair is a showcase for Florida's agricultural industry. The fair is educational, exciting and fun.
• Gasparilla Distance Classic
  The Gasparilla Distance Classic attracts world-class runners who compete on foot in 5K and 15K events.
• Sant' Yago Knight Parade
  The streets of Ybor City come ablaze when floats with lights, bands and pirates fill the streets for the Sant' Yago Knight Parade.

March

• American Invitational & Winter Equestrian Festival
  This equestrian event draws some of the world's finest horses and riders.  The finale of the Winter Equestrian Festival is the American Invitational, a world class jumping competition, at Raymond James Stadium.
• Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
  Painters, artisans, photographers, sculptors, jewelers and artists from around the world display their work at the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts.  It is one of the largest art shows in the Southeast.
• Rough Riders St. Patrick's Day Parade
  The 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment Rough Riders, Inc. and the City of Tampa invite you to attend their Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.

April

• MacDill Air Fest
  MacDill Airforce Base buzzes with excitement as Air Fest, one of the largest air shows in the Department of Defense, comes to Tampa.

July

• Independence Day
  Family oriented celebrations of United States Independence Day in the Tampa area.

October

• Guavaween
  Guavaween is a Latin-style Halloween celebration held in Tampa's historic Ybor City.

November

• Latin Fest
  The Mayor's Hispanic Heritage Committee's Annual Latin Fest is held downtown and is free to the public.  The event is part of the month long Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.