Where will you be on NYE? 🎆

20+ Tampa Bay New Year’s Eve Parties

Fireworks over the Cigar City | Photo by Visit Tampa Bay

It’s finally time to say sayonara to 2022 and ring in the new year — and Tampa Bay’s wide spread of bars, restaurants, and parks have got you covered. Here’s the problem: you still don’t have a plan. Well, we have the solution: Here’s our roundup of last-minute celebrations — from elegant soirees to chill outdoor hangs.

*All events are on NYE, Saturday, Dec. 31, but we recommend making reservations, buying tickets, or talking plans with your friends and families ASAP — because they will sell out.

🍾 Reliaquest Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade Parade & Pep Rally | 5:30 -7:30 p.m. | Centro Ybor, 1600 E. 8th Ave, Tampa | Free | Eclectic Ybor City is the backdrop of this family-friendly parade and pep rally. Pro tip: Get there early to claim a spot.

🥳 Armature Works at Midnight | 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m.| 1910 N. Ola Avenue, Tampa | $75-$1,800 | Live it up Great Gatsby style at the “Posh Party at the Pier” or soak in the “Champagne Showers on the West Lawn.”

🎊 Pirate Water Taxi | 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. | Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa | $69.50 | This one-hour cruise includes champagne, party favors, and a prime viewing of Downtown Tampa’s fireworks.

🥂 Heavenly Bodies | 7 p.m.-1 a.m. | 1646 W. Snow Ave., Tampa | $50-$1,000 | Walk through Heaven’s gates and get one complimentary signature cocktail.

🕛 Medianoche | 5 p.m.-1 a.m. | Hotel Haya, 1412 E 7th Ave., Tampa | Free+ | This event is free unless, of course, you choose to indulge in Flor Fina’s four-course downright delicious dinner — then afterward jam to DJ Camo + the band Speak Easy.

10 MORE PARTIES

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Today, Dec. 23

Symphony in Lights | Friday, Dec. 23-Saturday, Dec. 31 | 5 p.m. | The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Dr., Wesley Chapel | Free | Gaze upon magnificent trees, dazzling lights, holiday harmonies, and spectacular snowfalls.
Gasparilla Bowl | Friday, Dec. 23 | 6:30 p.m. | Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa | $25-$125 | Watch as the Wake Forest Demon Deacons take on the Missouri Tigers.
Shimmering Lights | Friday, Dec. 23-Saturday, Dec. 31 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Sunkissed Acres, 2302 N. Dover Rd., Dover | $7.50-$8.50 | Walk a fourth of a mile through dancing lights, music, outdoor movies, a scavenger hunt, and a maze.
Christmas Caroling for a Cause | Friday, Dec. 23 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Vinoy Park, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | Free+ | Wear an ugly holiday sweater and carol around Old Northeast.
Ugly Sweater Silent Disco | Friday, Dec. 23 | 8-11 p.m. | 3 Daughters Brewing, 222 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg | $10-$15 | Throw on an even uglier sweater for this all-night dance party.

Saturday, Dec. 24

St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Al Lang Stadium, 230 First St. SE, St. Petersburg | Free+ | This weekly outdoor market features local farmers selling organic and sustainably raised fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats, and more.
Vodka Latke | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 8-11:59 p.m. | Aloft, 100 Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | $36-$45 | Young Jewish folks can stop by for one free drink, gourmet latkes, appetizers, desserts, and a cash bar.

Sunday, Dec. 25

Neighborhood Christmas Lights | Sunday, Dec. 25 | 6-10 p.m. | 11048 Streamside Dr., Tampa | Free | Bask in the glory of this Tampa Bay house’s 55,000 Christmas lights, all synchronized to music.

Monday, Dec. 26

Boxing Day! | Monday, Dec. 26 | 7:30-3 a.m. | MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 South Howard Ave., Tampa | Free+ | Watch Premier League soccer games and get half-off drinks all day long.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

68º | Cloudy | 20% chance of rain
As of 3 p.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service issued a freeze watch for the bulk of Tampa Bay ahead of this weekend’s 30-40 degree temps. So, don’t forget the 4 Ps: check on people, bring in pets, and protect your pipes and plants. ❄️ (Tampa Bay Times)

Sunrise + sunset

Rise: 7:18 a.m.
Set: 5:40 p.m.

Tides
Old Tampa Bay

High: 1:51 p.m. + 5:49 p.m.
Low: 10:00 a.m. + 7:59 p.m.

Clearwater Beach

High: 12:52 p.m. + 10:41 p.m.
Low: 5:39 a.m. + 4:49 p.m.

Drink

The Juice Shack (657 Central Ave, St. Petersburg), a smoothie and juice bar, is now open weekdays on the 600 Block of Central Avenue. The new smoothie spot serves up easy options from fruity bevs to sweet treats like their Reese’s Cup — a strawberry PB&J work of culinary perfection. (I Love the Burg)

Real Estate

$1.8 million. That’s how much the 8,582-sqft basement under the 1927-constructed Snell Arcade (405 Central Ave, St. Petersburg) just sold for. The sub-surface space has long housed the Volunteers of America. (I Love the Burg)
This week, St. Pete-based Canopy Builders merged with another Burg area builder, Brick Street Homes. The building giant now plans to bring 100 authentically built homes and townhomes to the Sunshine City in 2023. (I Love the Burg)

Ranked

34. That’s where Yelp ranked Hole in One Donuts (14406 N. Florida Ave., Tampa) in its list of the top 100 doughnut shops in the US. The study is based on the website’s reviews and baking trends. We recommend the strawberry cake donut + the apple fritter. 🍩 (That’s So Tampa)
It’s no surprise the Sunshine State is home to the top three US cities for retirement. According to Zillow’s Most Popular Cities Index. Dunedin took the gold, followed by Sarasota, and then our very own St. Pete Beach.
Get the confetti ready. Tampa made the top 100 of best cities to celebrate New Year’s. The Big Guava was ranked No. 27 — and St. Pete made No. 34 — based on criteria that considers everything from the amount of nightlife options to the price of a cab ride at the end of the night. 🥂 (WalletHub)

History

A 34-ft, 10-ton wooden fishing vessel named “Thor”, which used to smuggle Jews out of Denmark during WWII, is making its way to the Florida Holocaust Museum (55 5th St. S., St. Petersburg). The ship will be restored in Largo and then put on display. 🚢 (Tampa Bay Times)
Did you know there are 196 National Historic Places in the Tampa Bay area? Buildings, objects, sites, and city blocks all across Tampa Bay are worthy of preservation. Contact your State Historic Preservation Office if you’ve got a tip on an unsurveyed historic place.

Feel Good

As a kid, the owner of Bea Lovely Scrubs, Sheba Lewis, received presents from community groups. This week, she bought + donated 100 bicycles to Hillsborough County families in need for Christmas. Looking to give back? It’s as easy as riding a bike — check out these volunteer opportunities. 🚲 (WTSP)

Drink

Scrambling to find a last minute gift? Enter: Flaviar — a subscription for those who love premium spirits. Send loved ones a gift subscription and they’ll have the opportunity to taste new, rare, and limited edition spirits of their choice each month. 🥃*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Taking a break

We’re taking a break for the holidays

A breathtaking sunset at Sunset Beach | Photo by Calan Ree

As we sit down to our laptops for the last time in 2022, it’s nice to reflect back on the year behind us and be thankful for all the great stories we were able to write.

From celebrating Tampa Bay’s not-so-illicit speakeasies and hidden drinking establishments to delving back into Oxford Exchange’s roots, we had fun sharing this wonderful city with you. Thank you for being a reader of TBAYtoday

We will be taking a break next week, catching our breath, and spending time with friends and family. Your next regularly scheduled newsletter will hit your inbox on Jan. 3, 2023. We hope you’re able to step away as well. And if you find yourself with some downtime, here are a few ways to get out there and explore TBAY:

Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.

- Brad + Bailey

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brad.

Editor’s pick: As 2022 comes to a close, and I’ve wrapped up my third month writing for TBAYtoday — I want to say thank you, personally, from the bottom of my MacBook Pro to the top. Right now, I’m writing from my grandma’s living room, awaiting an Uber to take me to the airport. Looking forward to seeing you in 2023.

PS. Don’t forget to bundle up for this once-in-a-lifetime freezing cold holiday (which I won’t be able to participate in because I’m going to Aruba... Poor me 🥳).

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We conjured up some weather tips — based purely on science — going into this record-breaking chilly weekend.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Brad Haft, Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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