This may be Tampa’s biggest weekend or month of the year — between the Strawberry Festival, Rock the Park .. and, of course, the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts . The massive creative fair takes over Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park each spring (this is the 53rd year).
So make a plan + text the group chat now. You won’t want to miss this artsy, fartsy fair.
This year’s festival features:
- More than 250 artists, including Felipe Lopez , Nneka Jones , Margherita Tibaldo , Luis Gutierrez , Jenipher Chandley , Glenn Woods , Leeann Kroetsch , and other painters, ceramists, jewelry makers, and more are particiapating in this years $15,000 Best in Show contest. Check out the full gallery online .
- Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts (TBBCA) chalk walk
- Activities like a yoga flow with Lucky Cat and musical performances by The Applebutter Express, Mandy Harvey, violinist Taylor Reed, and more
- Art activities for the kiddos — put on by the Tampa Museum of Art
Pro tip: Part of the beauty of arts festivals is discovering + building your own taste. Spend time exploring without a motive, collect business cards, and chat with artists about their intent for the piece. You may just find your new fave genre.
Here’s what you need to know to go:
- No tickets needed. Entry is free.
- Hours: Saturday, March 4, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, March 5, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Check out parking options beforehand .
- Browse the festival map online.
Pro tip: We recommend making a day of it. Book dinner plans at a new Tampa restaurant you haven’t been to, maybe Small Giant , Boulon Brasserie, or one of Sparkman Wharf’s new additions.
Need more ideas for your festival weekend? Check out our Tampa Bay Date night guide .