12.12.2024

From our friends at

63º | 0% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:11 a.m. | Sunset 5:35 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 2:04 p.m. + 11:38 p.m. | Low: 6:49 a.m. + 5:22 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 10:17 a.m. + 8:28 p.m. | Low: 2:36 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

You had us at local and fresh

Local markets are a top notch place to hunt for thoughtful gifts. | Photo by @shmarketonmain

In the spirit of supporting all things local, we’ve rounded up 12 farmers’ markets in the Tampa Bay area where you’ll find fresh food, live music, and local vendors.

Kenwood Sunday Market St. Pete | Every Sunday, year-round | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Features: 75+ vendors selling fresh produce, multi-cultural foods, hand-made crafts, eco-friendly products, and wellness services, plus live local music.
Parking: Parking lot and street parking
Space: Outdoor, sidewalks, and space outside St. Pete High School

The Market at Water Street Tampa | Every third Sunday, year-round | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Features: Local food and wellness-focused vendors, live entertainment, and various themes.
Parking: Channelside Garage, East Cumberland Garage, Garrison Parking Lot, and the Pam Iorio Garage
Space: Outdoor, sidewalks

Ybor City Saturday Market | Every Saturday, year-round | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. from May-September, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. from October-April

Features: Gourmet goods, hand-made crafts, cigars, prepared foods, produce, bath products, and plants and herbs
Parking: Street parking
Space: Outdoor, some shade, sidewalks

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

9 more markets

Asked

What types of products do you typically purchase at farmers’ markets?

A. Fresh/seasonal produce
B. Handmade crafts
C. Artisanal/specialty foods
D. Locally-made goods
E. Flowers and plants

Take your pick

Events

Thursday, Dec. 12

Water Street Holiday Promenade | 5-9 p.m. | Water Street Tampa | Free entry | Shop seasonal goods, grab a cup of Chill Bros hot cocoa, and take in the holiday magic of Water Street Tampa.

A Christmas and Hanukkah Gingerbread House Decorating Party | 6-8 p.m. | Safety Harbor Library, Safety Harbor | $40 | Tow your friends or family along to design your dream holiday house over a festive drink or two.

Friday, Dec. 13

Saturday, Dec. 14

Run Tampa Tinsel Run | 8-10 a.m. | Al Lopez Park | $35 | Wear your holiday-themed flair for a 1-mile or 5K run, and take home a gnome finisher medal.

Social Sets: Ladies Beginner-Friendly Tennis | 9:30-11 a.m. | Port Tampa Park Community Center | $30 | Mingle with other women, learn the tennis basics, and snack on some post-game treats.

Sunday, Dec. 15

6th Annual Jingle Bell Bazaar in Ybor City | 12-6 p.m. | Centennial Park | Free entry | The historic neighborhood is hopping with performances, a market, food trucks, and Santa’s Village.

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

Shop

40% off Harlestons site-wide sale extended

Presented by Harlestons

Harlestons has extended its site-wide 40% off sale for our readers. | Photos provided by Harlestons

ICYMI, Harlestons is giving our readers exclusive access to shop their products at 40% off, site-wide, with code HOLIDAY40.

Our top three gift picks:

The Bluff lightweight performance polo for your golfing buddy
The Seaport vest for year-round layering
The Coastal pullover that can take him from the bike trail to the dinner table

Bonus: Spend $150+ to get a free mystery polo, $300+ for a free mystery pullover — plus free shipping + exchanges.

Access the deals with HOLIDAY40

News Notes

Transit

Soon, we’ll be cruising down the new Howard Frankland Bridge. The state reports the final superstructure beam for the new bridge is in. So what’s left? Workers still need to finish ~15 deck sections + finish the traffic rail/barrier wall before the bridge opens early next year. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Sports

Next Tuesday, Dec. 17, Pinellas County Commissioners vote on the final piece of the Rays’ new stadium funding puzzle. And the Rays expect the Commission to vote yes on issuing the bonds. The team’s leaders say they hope to work to close the funding gap in the project. (Tampa Bay Times)

Closing

Two Tampa haunts are closing their doors. Beloved laid-back music venue Hooch and Hive, and plant-based cuisine mainstay 3 Dot Vegan Kitchen are shutting down this year. Hooch and Hive cites rising rent cost, while 3 Dot Dash is closing as part of Jug & Bottle Dept.'s departure. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Development

A new Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside project might be going up near St. Pete’s Woodlawn neighborhood. The since demolished St. Bede Episcopal Church will be replaced with up to 39 affordable units. The development pends on a rezoning approval. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Opening

What’s opening on the ground floor of The Nolen? Savage Coffees will sling delicious brews in the new Burg tower’s lobby. The Panamanian company will serve java in the new 2,091-sqft space. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Show

Walking in a Winter Seltzerland. The Real Housewives are coming to TBAY tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 13 for a festival packed with spiked seltzers, cocktails, wines, tunes, and loads of celeb sightings. Head to The Mahaffey to see Teresa and Gia Giudice + enjoy the party from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $35. (I Love the Burg)

Community

Let’s spread a little love. Florida’s oldest WWII vet — and a Clearwater resident — is turning 108, and he wants you to send him a birthday card. Drop off your card at Chief Petty Officer William Monfort’s birthday party on Tuesday, Dec. 17 or send your well wishes in the mail. (WFLA)

Sports

Can Baker Mayfield and the Bucs’ offense overcome recent struggles to secure a crucial win against the Chargers? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Feel Good

Do you love TBAYtoday? We’re calling on you to help support our mission to create free, unbiased local media. Donate now — your generosity will help support us, your TBAYtoday team.

Number

14,000. That’s how many square feet the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art added to its facility. Explore new galleries in January when the renovation is set to be completed + find current exhibits in the meantime.*

Shop

Looking for a gift the kiddos will actually use? Enter: Dribbleup’s Smart Basketball. It features guided coaching sessions so they can train anytime, anywhere. Psst — it’s 60% for the holidays.*

The Buy

Not sure what to gift for the holidays? Browse ideas from this year’s top 100 gifts on Amazon:

🎁 The 40-oz Stanley Quencher continues to top charts + is great for your friend trying to stay hydrated.
🎁 JBL’s wireless on-ear headphones are significantly cheaper than others on the market.
🎁 Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in black honey is a sheer, glossy lipstick designed to flatter everyone.
🎁 A pack of Titleist Pro V1 golf balls is a great gift for golfers.
🎁 Carhartt’s knit cuffed beanie is a best-selling and top-rated beanie.

Shop all top gifts

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:

Did you spot the Danish fishing boat being towed down the streets of St. Pete earlier this week? I sure wish I did.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that the 80-year-old ship was used to ferry Jewish people from Denmark to neutral Sweden during World War II. You’ll be able to check out the boat + read about its history once the Florida Holocaust Museum reopens.

Answered

What’s the most popular Christmas dish in Florida?

A steak with garnish and a charred lemon sits atop a black plate on a wood table, with multiple cocktail glasses. — Cheers to a wonderful year with a cocktail at Timpano.

I’ve finally stumped you all. Okay, most of you.

Florida’s most popular Christmas dish is cranberry relish. Yep, not kidding. A lucky ~9% of you guessed correctly.

The bulk of our readers, a strong ~51%, guessed ham. Which makes sense. Finally, some of you made a strong guess with the sides — with ~ 22% vying for mashed potatoes and ~19% voting stuffing.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio.

The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602