The start of the year is mighty busy in Tampa Bay, between our legendary Gasparilla festivities, new productions, foodie festivals, and all kinds of fun. Now we’re breaking down what’s on tap for January:
“Company” | Tuesday, Jan. 9-Sunday, Jan. 14 | Times vary | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $51+ | Transport straight to Broadway with this musical following a woman who spends her 35th birthday party being pestered as to why she isn’t married.
Florida Conversations: Why Tampa Bay’s History is America’s First History | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Water St., Tampa | Free | Dive into the state’s deep Spanish roots — focusing on how Spanish seafarers interacted with TBAY and how shipwrecks impacted development — with author Dr. Kevin Kokomoor.
Powerstories Theatre Debuts “Alabama Story” at Straz’s Shimberg Playhouse | Thursday, Jan. 11-Sunday, Jan. 21 | Times vary | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $15-$30 | “Alabama Story” is inspired by bits of history from 1959 Montgomery, Alabama and weaves together stories of book censorship, segregation, and more to reveal themes of humor, heartbreak, and hope.
St. Pete Bacon and BBQ Festival 2024 | Saturday, Jan. 13-Sunday, Jan. 14 | Times vary | Vinoy Park, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | $17-$185 | Chow down on 100+ smokey-good dishes, sip on craft beers, play cornhole, and enjoy live music.
Children’s Gasparilla Parade | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 12-7:30 p.m. | Bayshore Blvd., Tampa | Free | Watch floats, bands, and pirates make their way down the 1.5-mile parade route, beginning at Bay to Bay Blvd. & Bayshore Blvd. and stretching to Edison Ave. — reserved seating is available.
Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 5-10 p.m. | Spa Beach Park, 600 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | $38-$65 | It’s the final Rise Up Concert Series show for the season, featuring the popular indie artist.
Rough Riders Pre-Gasparilla Invasion Party | Friday, Jan. 26 | Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa | $25 | Kick off the festive weekend with a party featuring music by DJ Kenny Kelly and Rubix Cubed.
Gasparilla Fest Parade of Pirates | Saturday, Jan. 27 | 2-6 p.m. | Bayshore Blvd., Tampa | Free | Don your best pirate threads to watch floats, marching bands, and Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla pirates make their way down the 4.5-mile route + catch all the beads you can.
Raymond James Pops Gershwin Celebration | Saturday, Jan. 27-Sunday, Jan. 28 | Location varies | $23-$75 | Celebrate legendary composer George Gershwin’s 125th birthday with a performance of tunes like “Cuban Overture,” “S’Wonderful,” and “The Man I Love.”
Bowling for Soup w/ Lit | Sunday, Jan. 28 | 6:30 p.m. | Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $33 | Lean into nostalgia with hits like “High School Never Ends,” “1985,” and “Girl All The Bad Guys Want” from the Texas punk rock band.
And of course, we’ve got hundreds more events to add to your monthly plans on our events calendar.