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Celebrate the Tampa Bay Lightning postseason run

Here’s the details on watching the playoff games, and celebrating around town

April 14, 2023 • 
Bailey Lefever
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Mayor Castor, Thunderbug, and crew raise the flag at City Hall

Photo via the City of Tampa

The Lightning are in the postseason for the sixth season in a row. They don’t call us #ChampaBay for nothin’.

The first playoff game is tomorrow night, April 18, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. But the celebration starts now (well, really over the weekend).

Here’s a few ways to jolt into the action:

  • Mayor Jane Castor and the Lightning (hopefully including Thunderbug) will raise the Bolts flag at Tampa City Hall at 12 p.m. today. Plus, the Blue Crew will hand out souvenirs.
  • Since the first two games are on the road, head to Thunder Alley for pre-game festivities + a watch party Tuesday and Thursday night during the games — it’s sure to be just as electric as inside Amalie for games three and four
  • Snap a pic of Old City Hall (315 E. Kennedy Blvd.) at night when it lights up electric blue.
  • Host a watch party at home with all of your favorite local, Bolts-themed eats... and hockey fans. We recommend a custom charcuterie board from Tampa’s Adored Boards (complete with a lightning bolt cut-out brie).
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