01.15.2025

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65º | 0% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:22 a.m. | Sunset 5:56 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 5:39 p.m. | Low: 10:29 a.m. + 8:56 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 1:26 p.m. | Low: 6:47 a.m. + 6:02 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

🏴‍☠️ The invasion is coming

Don your best pirate duds for the Tampa trek. | Photo by Visit Tampa Bay

Ready the littlest mateys, the Children’s Gasparilla Parade approaches. This Saturday, Jan. 18 marks the annual Gasparilla celebration for all the kiddos.

And blimey, it’s sure to be lively with multiple parades, air invasions, and a “Piratechnic Finale.”

Need to knows

The festivities run from 12 to 7:30 p.m — but arrive early to grab a good view. And bookmark the full schedule.
There’s some bleacher seating available for purchase if you don’t want to stake out a spot.
Skip the stress of reservations and opt in for the hospitality package, which includes a picnic-style buffet.

Where to buy threads

Local clothing gem Don Me Now sells tons of Gaspy-appropriate apparel and goodies, like kid-sized felt pirate hats, plastic swords, eye patches, and even flags for decking out that red wagon.
Whether you’re on the hunt for pirate-themed fanny packs, red bedazzled headbands, or belts, South Tampa’s hazel + dot has got it all.

More shopping + pirate pro tips

Asked

What is Tampa’s oldest Gasparilla krewe?

A. Krewe of Venus
B. Sirens Krewe
C. Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla
D. Grand Krewe De Libertalia

Come on mateys

Events

Wednesday, Jan. 15

Thursday, Jan. 16

2025 St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show | Thursday, Jan. 16-Sunday, Jan. 19 | Times vary | Downtown St. Pete | $23 | What better place to take in hundreds of schooners, kids fishing clinics, and on-water boat training courses than the Burg’s waterfront?

“José Ney Milà Espinosa: Land Land Land” Opening Reception | 5:30 p.m. | Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Tampa | $12 | Take in José Ney Milà Espinosa’s photographs which capture the rituals, symbols, and traditions that bridge the African diaspora in Cuba.

CLUB XCX | 9 p.m. | Crowbar Ybor City | $17.67 | Vroom Vroom, get in the car and head to Ybor for this Charli xcx, Billie Eilish, Slayyyter, Troye Sivan, Kim Petras, and Chappell Roan dance party.

Friday, Jan. 17

Saturday, Jan. 18

Hidden Wonders Nature Walk | 9-10:30 a.m. | Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center, Tarpon Springs | Free | Explore the wet and dry habitats of “Our Wildest Place” on this family-friendly trek.

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

Stadler Development hopes to build a new 21-story tower near USF St. Pete. If the city approves its proposal for the Fourth Street parcel, the developer will turn the one-story, 1920s building into a residential tower with 213 rental units and 5,000 sqft of retail space. Leaders will vote on the proposal on Wednesday, March 5. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Eat

Happy National Bagel Day, TBAY. To celebrate, Pete’s, with locations on both sides of the Bay, is selling $2 bagels with plain cream cheese. We recommend the salt bagel.

Opening

Good news, sports fans: There’s a new spot to catch your games. Twin Peaks is opening a 8,200-sqft sports lounge in Brandon, with 70 large-screen TVs to watch all of Champa Bay’s games, 29° draft beer, and a menu packed with bar classics. The grand opening is set for Monday, Feb. 24. (That’s So Tampa)

Festival

It’s MLK Dream Big Weekend. The 38th annual St. Pete festival honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s event kicks off Friday, Jan. 17, with a lineup including a banquet, band showcase, and parade. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Real Estate

Owners of Big Cat Rescue — yep, the one from “Tiger King” — are about to sell the property’s final 11 acres. The land, located between Citrus Park and Westchase, will be transformed into ~300 apartments. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Number

889. That’s how many transplant operations surgeons completed at Tampa General Hospital last year — the highest total in the US. That’s up from 756 in 2023, when the hospital came in at No. 4 in the nation. (Tampa Bay Times)

Plan Ahead

We might not have a horse in the race, but there’s plenty of TBAY Super Bowl partying to be had. The Verizon Super Bowl Fan Fest takes over Sparkman Wharf on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 4:30 p.m. Verizon customers can stop by the free festival for local eats, lawn games, drinks, and live music. Request your ticket. (Tampa Bay Times)

Sports

Break down the Bolts’ midseason grades and awards as the Lightning prepare for another divisional duel in Boston. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Job

Ready to get connected with the best local talent in 2025? We created our community job board just for you. Give it a try by posting your first listing for free.

The Buy

Bananagrams. The award-winning family game is travel-friendly + perfect for all ages. Bonus: Add a little chaos to family game night when you try the party edition features 14 new tiles with challenges and hijinks.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Yesterday, we dished that Olivia is opening soon in St. Pete. But we’re always looking out for the buzziest restaurant openings, and sharing them with you, of course.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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