01.10.2025

From our friends at

Today’s Forecast

Oysters, barbecue, and pirate pups, oh my!

A pug wearing a pirate ship suit walks out onto turf as people watch.

We’re ready to see to all the pup-rates. | Photo via @watersstampa

Bundle up in a pullover and maybe a scarf, it’s time to weekend. And it’s going to be a good one, especially for chowing down.

Here’s a quick peek at what’s on tap this weekend across Tampa Bay:

Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival

The 10-day festival kicks off today and runs through Friday, Jan. 17. Check out the beefy lineup, complete with a business seminar, step show, and a live-music and food truck-packed kickoff event.

Tampa Bay Barbecue Festival & Competition

Imagine putting away bacon on a stick, brisket sandwiches, and sticky ribs with a view of the St. Pete Pier. Make that vision a reality at the Vinoy Park festival.

Pirate Pup Parade & Costume Contest

Doodles decked out in tricorne hats. Corgis donning ragged pants and eye patches. Pugs parading down Water Street on ships...er floats. This Gasparilla-themed pup parade might be better than the actual parade.

Have you tried the N’awlins Style Baked Oysters or Fried Oysters?

Tampa Oyster Fest

If oysters are your thing, you won’t want to miss this shell-tastic celebration. Ready your belly for a raw bar and oyster shooter station, steamed and chargrilled oysters, and a low country boil.

Even more details

Asked

Where will we find you this weekend?

A. Eating absolutely everything at oyster fest
B. Taking my pup to the parade
C. Checking out some live music
D. Eating some brisket on the waterfront
E. I’ve got other plans

They're all good plans

Events

Friday, Jan. 10

Chris Whitaker | 6:30-8 p.m. | Oxford Exchange | $5+ | Join the author for a conversation about his latest gripping novel,"All the Colors of the Dark”, which follows a man’s quest to find a missing woman and the FBI agent on his tail.

Cooking Class: Italian Classics 101 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | 2735 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $99+ | Chef up a gourmet date night feast of caponata with grilled crostini, tortellini, and zabaglione with berries.

The Rocket Man Show | 7:30 p.m. | Mahaffey Theater | $36+ | Scotsman Rus Anderson, Elton John’s body double in the 70s, whisks you away for a night of Elton’s signature hits.

Steve Martin and Martin Short | 8 p.m. | Ruth Eckerd Hall | $104+ | Now’s your chance to see “The Dukes of Funnytown!” on stage with special guest Jeff Babko.

Saturday, Jan. 11

Girl Talk: Cupcakes, Cookies & Crafts | 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. | Alessi Bakery, Tampa | $16 | Bring ten copies of your favorite inspirational quote to share with your new friends, and bring home a jar filled with inspiration for the new year.

Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay | 6-7:15 p.m. | Clearwater Marine Aquarium | $28+ | Let the magical string quartet performance of Coldplay’s greatest hits under the glow of candlelight “Fix You.”

Sunday, Jan. 12

Florida Springs: Pumping Pollution, Policy, and the Struggle for Truth | 2-3:30 p.m. | Sulphur Springs Museum and Heritage Center, Tampa | Free | Dive into Florida springs history with USF professor Christopher Meindl, who discusses the ongoing struggle for truth over several key issues.

There's plenty more to do

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Announced

Gasparilla Music Festival is postponed. Organizers announced the news yesterday, citing “ongoing financial strain caused by two consecutive years of extreme weather and unforeseen circumstances.” The festival, originally booked for February, will be moved to a new date.

Civic

Tampa officials may spend $3 million in State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program funds on hurricane relief. If approved, the money would go toward priorities like supporting insurance deductibles and mortgage assistance. Tampa City Council should vote on the plan on Thursday, Jan. 23. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Coming Soon

Take a Pause. Pause opens early this year in Midtown Tampa and will offer services like infrared saunas, cryotherapy, LED light therapy, and IV therapy. The studio opens early this year, and will offer individual and membership options. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Opening

Japan-founded Daiso is opening Saturday, Feb. 1. Stop by to hunt for Japanese-inspired home decor, stationery, food, and stuffed animals galore. Plus, the first 100 customers who make purchases of $30 or more score a goodie bag. (That’s So Tampa)

Outdoors

Four planets in one view. Every night this month, look for Venus, Saturn, and Mars all in alignment. Pull out a telescope, and you’ll also be able to spot Uranus and Neptune. (NASA)

Active

Get out there, TBAY. Tampa is No. 22 on WalletHub’s list of “Best & Worst Cities for an Active Lifestyle.” If your New Year’s resolution was to move more, get your sweat on at some of our favorite local gyms.

Number

$4.39. That’s the average price of a dozen eggs in Tampa right now. If that sounds steep, it may be in part because national egg prices are up 71% year-over-year. Factor that into the local cost of living. (Axios)

Ranked

Tampa took the No. 12 spot on U-Haul’s list of top growth metros — meaning it looks like more people are moving to our area. Do you think any of our new neighbors nabbed one of the most expensive homes for sale in Tampa?
Dry January may be bigger than ever in 2025 — just look at how more people search the term on Google every year. If you’re zero-proof curious, check out some of our favorite local options.

Sports

Get ready for the Wild Card showdown between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Commanders. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Wellness

Is winter weather taking a toll on your skin? Update your skincare routine to support long-lasting hydration. We love Bliss’s gentle clarifying cleanser + probiotic nourishing moisturizer.*

City Guide

Take TBAY by storm in 2025

The Selmon Expressway viaduct sits above the Hillsborough River. Tampa's skyline is behind it, and there are blue skies overhead.

Tampa’s parks are beloved. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Picture this: You just moved to Tampa Bay, FL and you need some help with the practicalities of life (we can’t just sit back and eat Cuban sandwiches all day, unfortunately). That’s where we come in. Keep reading for TBAY 101, our guide to all things Tampa + St. Pete citizenship.

The essentials

Bike around the area

We don’t have a lot of hiking opportunities here, but the biking is delightful. Consider going on a scenic cruise down Bayshore, the Courtney Campbell Trail, or the Pinellas Trail.

Eat

You haven’t truly earned your stripes as a TBAY resident until you’ve sampled some of our Gulf-fresh seafood. Head to a fish camp or pick up some at a local market to chef up at home.

Champa Bay

Between the on-a-roll Bucs and the Lightning, we’ve got plenty of action to take in around here. Check out the full spread of TBAY sports in our guide.

City Guides are sponsored by Water Street Tampa.

More local tips

The Buy

New car insurance. Real talk — car insurance prices are expected to jump 22% by end of year, according to a recent study. It’s worth shopping around and comparing rates on Money’s Best Car Insurance list to make sure you’re getting the best price.

See what you could be saving

The Wrap

We’re no strangers to the horrors of natural disasters here in TBAY, making the footage out of Southern California even more heartbreaking. The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundations is collecting wildfire emergency funding online.

Answered

Yesterday, we asked “What’s the most popular New Year’s resolution?”

A sprawling tree at Eureka Springs Park. There are tentacle-like branches covered in Spanish Moss and greenery surrounding the arbor. A blue sky is visible through the leaves and plants sit beneath the tree. — Consider moving your exercise outdoors this new year.

We fooled you — big time.

The bulk of you, 60%, guessed exercise more. And we don’t blame you. The second-most popular pick was
spend more time with friends and family, with 20% of the vote.

Next up, 10% of you said get organized.

And finally, just 10% of you correctly chose save more money.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

† Disclaimers and Legal | * Advertising Policy

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