Unique local searches

• Top trending “tour” search in Tampa | “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour”
• Top trending “TV show” search in Tampa | “The Last of Us”
• Top trending “versus” search in Tampa | “PSG vs Al Nassr”

Five top trending “near me” searches in the Tampa area

• “Pawn shop near me” | On a related note, check out our guide to swap meets, vintage, and resale shops around Tampa Bay.
• “Lagoon near me” | Love the water? Check out our guide to local water parks.
• “Pilates near me” | We’ve got the scoop on pilates studios.
• “Hot pot near me” | Interested in foods from different cultures and parts of the world? Try some of these local spots.
• “Acai bowls near me” | Toastique recently opened in the area, serving up delicious acai bowls. Check out 21 other new and upcoming restaurants around TBAY.

• Cookie Bar Crawl | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Safety Harbor Library, 101 Second St. N., Safety Harbor | Free with registration | Whip up a batch of your favorite bar cookie and bring the recipe and cookies to exchange with other bakers.
• “It’s a Wonderful Life” | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 7 p.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $10 | Cozy in for a showing of the classic holiday flick featuring the tale of George Bailey at the historic theater.

• Next Generation Ballet’s “Nutcracker” | Friday, Dec. 22-Saturday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $21+ | Next Generation Ballet’s award-winning young dancers transport you to a magical world of dancing sweets and sword-fighting rodents.

• The Grand Tour of Downtown St. Pete | Saturday, Dec. 23 | 10 a.m. | 204 Second Ave. S., St. Petersburg | $25 | Monica Kile leads you on a two-mile walking tour of downtown St. Pete’s historic sights including: the area’s oldest hotel; the World’s Largest Shuffleboard Club; and hidden arcades.
• Trans-Siberian Orchestra: “The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve” | Saturday, Dec. 23 | 2:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $38+ | Join for a Christmas Eve Eve performance of the allegorical rock opera.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | Sunday, Dec. 24 | 4:05 p.m. | Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa | $49+ | Watch the Florida teams face off on Tampa turf as the Bucs look for their fourth consecutive win.
• Christmas at Mahaffey | Sunday, Dec. 24 | 6 p.m. | Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Watch this no-cost festive Christmas concert at the downtown venue over hot chocolate and cookies.

• The sun may set at 5:39 p.m. today, but good news is on the horizon... literally. Today is the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs when the North Pole is tilted the furthest from the sun, resulting in the shortest day of the year — which means the days will start getting longer.

• The City of St. Petersburg just agreed to spend $2.74 million on a new three-story affordable housing community near Lake Maggiore in south St. Pete. Bayou Court Apartments will be built at 4201 Sixth St. S. + will feature 60 two-bedroom units for low- and moderate-income families. (St. Pete Rising)

• Tampa’s DoubleTree hotel in the Westshore district is no more. The Florida Department of Transportation imploded the 10-story building this week to make room for the staging area for the Westshore Interchange construction project — which is slated to start in late 2024. (WUSF News)

• La Sétima Club is hosting a Noche Buena celebration this weekend. Head to the Ybor City bar Sunday, Dec. 24 for Puerto Rican-inspired plant-based eats, Parranda Navideña carolers who will sing Boricua versions of Christmas carols, and natural wine. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

• 600. That’s how many pizzas the Positive Impact Worldwide, the St. Petersburg Police Department, and Team Florida Domino’s Pizza Franchise Group are giving away on Christmas Eve. Volunteers are handing out the pies from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24 at Tangerine Plaza (1770 22nd St. S.). (St. Pete Catalyst)

• Welcome to CJ’s Backstage. Treasure Island’s CJ’s on the Island has relocated to St. Pete at 7022 22nd Ave. N. Stop by the new West St. Pete spot for karaoke, dueling pianos, bar eats, and theme nights. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

• Take a peek at Tampa Pickleball Crew’s 28,000-sqft club facility in Ybor City. The incoming Tampa Pickleball club will be located in an old warehouse at 1701 E. Second Ave. + boast eight courts. (That’s So Tampa)

• One reader wrote in to nominate Gulfport’s Habana Cafe, saying the spot has the “best Cuban food ever.”
• Katherine C. wrote in to suggest Mr. Fieri visit Mullet’s Fish Camp, a relatively new spot on the St. Pete seafood scene.
• The Seminole Diner was suggested by one reader.
• One couple suggested Guy should stop by their favorite spot, Guppy’s On the Beach in Indian Rocks Beach.
• And finally, one reader nominated Trip’s Diner — which has three locations across TBAY — for it’s great food and top-notch pasta salad.