Schedule

• Gasparilla Invasion Brunch: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Gasparilla Invasion: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Parade of Pirates: 2-5:30 p.m.
• Pirate Fest Stage Performances: 10 a.m-8 p.m.

Parties/other events

• Movie on the Lawn | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa | Free | Tow the kiddos and pals along for a showing of “Hook,” featuring Captain Hook, an adult Peter Pan, and the whole Neverland crew.
• 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.

Tips

• There are still some bleacher and individual seats available for purchase — for those who don’t want to stand the entire time or would like the option to sit.
• Brush up on the City of Tampa’s wet zone map before the festival. The map details where drinking is legal along the route — and where to buy more booze.
• A reminder: We pulled together this roundup of local eateries serving up pirate-themed treats like matchas + sword-adorned milkshakes.
• Parking will likely be extremely difficult in Hyde Park and throughout South Tampa. The city is running extra Tampa Streetcar and bus services during the festivities, so you can skip the car entirely. Take a peek (and bookmark) at the routes.

• St. Pete Girls’ Night Out Painting | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 6-9 p.m. | Mastry’s Brewing Co., 7701 Blind Pass Rd., St. Pete Beach | $39 | Mingle with other women and paint your own “sunset palms” masterpiece — food and brews available for purchase.

• Gasparilla Kick-Off | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 6 p.m.-3 a.m. | MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa | $3-$15 | Celebrate the start of Gaspy with $15 Bacardi buckets, $3 beers, and some festive friends.
• Opening Night Shorts | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 7 p.m. | Green Light Cinema, 221 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $15 | Head to the opening night of the Tampa Bay International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival for short films and filmmaker cameos.
• Lightning vs. Coyotes | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 7-10 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $40+ | Watch the Bolts take on the Coyotes on home turf — sorry — ice.

• Hooves & Hops Fest | Friday, Jan. 26 | 4-6 p.m. | Midtown Tampa, 3659 Midtown Dr., Tampa | Free | Hop over for games, live music, samples, and photo ops with a Budweiser Clydesdale.
• MUSE 2024 | Friday, Jan. 26 | Albert Whitted Airport, 540 First St. SE, St. Petersburg | $125+ | It’s the 10th anniversary of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance awards show that honors art and artists in the Burg.

• Candlelight: “From Bach to The Beatles” | Saturday, Jan. 27 | 9-11 p.m. | Coastal Creative, 2201 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg | $45+ | Enter a magical sea of candlelight to enjoy the music of artists from Bach to The Beatles.

• $4.8 million. That’s how much The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg and Bayfront Health will be granting today. The collaboration will award between $10,000 and $500,000 to select partners focusing on Mental Health and Wellness for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color + Economic Equity and Justice. (St. Pete Catalyst)

• Are you ready to rumble? The WWE Royal Rumble takes over Tropicana Field this Saturday, Jan. 27. The wrestling event features 30-man and 30-woman Royal Rumble matches. Buy tickets. (I Love the Burg)

• TBAY fave Pete’s Bagels announced it’s opening a new walk-up window in Gulfport. The spot will open next month + will offer its tasty range of bagels and cream cheese for pickup, and brews from Look Alive Coffee.

• The “Voice of a Generation” is coming to Clearwater. Bob Dylan is playing two shows at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Tuesday, March 5 + Wednesday, March 6. Tickets to the “Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour” go on sale this Friday, Jan. 26. (Tampa Bay Times)

• This is the final weekend to visit “From Far East to West: The Chinese American Frontier” at The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art. The collection explores early Chinese Americans’ role in transforming the American West featuring works from artists like Hung Liu and Benjamin Wu. (I Love the Burg)

• “What Would You Say” if we told you Dave Matthews was playing MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre? You’re in luck — the soulful performer is coming to the outdoor venue on Wednesday, May 22 for his “Dave Matthews Band Tour 2024.” Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m.

• Pinellas County’s own Mio’s Grill & Cafe just ranked No. 12 on Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat in the US 2024.” The eatery boasts locations in St. Pete + Clearwater and serves Mediterranean, Italian, and Turkish-inspired dishes. Take a peek at their fare.

• No. 1. That’s where WalletHub ranked Florida on its best places to retire in US list. The Sunshine State ranked highly for factors like percent of the population 65 and older, life expectancy, and taxes. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

• Perfect for a cleaner, healthier home: this extra-large maple cutting board, which is BPA and phthalate-free and conditioned with beeswax, flaxseed, and lemon oil.*

2023 Top 5 Adult Fiction

• “Desert Star” by Michael Connelly
• “The Boys from Biloxi” by John Grisham
• “Long Shadows” by David Baldacci
• “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus
• “No Plan B: A Jack Reacher Novel” by Lee Child + Andrew Child

2023 Top Young Adult Fiction

• “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson
• “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han
• “The Inheritance Games” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• “Six of Crows” by Leigh Bardugo
• “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins