02.07.2025

From our friends at

Today’s Forecast

Let’s spend the whole weekend outside

Two men dressed in bloomers and embroidered tops toss beads into the crowd from a trolley car.

The annual Ybor City parade draws thousands of onlookers. | Photo via Hayworth PR

Yes, we are deep into festival season around here — and loving it. Bluebird skies, cooler temps, can’t lose.

Let’s dig into this weekend’s top offerings around Tampa Bay:

The Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade

Get those mits ready, we’re goin’ bead grabbin.

Every year, 100+ krewes and community groups sail down Ybor City’s brick thoroughfare on floats decked out with lights. It’s a celebration of the neighborhood’s long Latin heritage and civic pride. And yes, we put together a standout guide to all of the fun.

St. Petersburg Fine Art Festival

Head to the scenic downtown St. Pete waterfront to roam the annual show — ranked No. 9 in USA Today’s top 100 Art Shows — featuring work from 100+ artists from across Florida. Make a day of it by booking brunch plans too.

A huge crowd of people with both little kids and older people mill under white tents at MarineQuest — The popular event takes over the USF St. Pete campus.

MarineQuest2025

Learn about the magic of the Gulf with the folks from the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, and interact with live sea creatures, play games, and join sessions on our local fish and wildlife.

Events

Friday, Feb. 7

Pink Floyd Laster Spectacular | 7:30 p.m. | Mahaffey Theater | $34 | Sit back and be mesmerized by a multi-media laser and light show featuring the music catalog of Pink Floyd.

Saturday, Feb. 8

2nd Annual Skyway Family Fun Day | 10 a.m. | Skyway Park, Tampa | Free | Spend a glorious afternoon on the waterfront with games, competitions, local vendors, and food trucks aplenty.

Valentine Flower Arrangement Make & Take | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Kerby’s Nursery, Seffner | $57 | Let a third generation florist lead you in making your own bouquet.

Bark in the Park | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Citrus Hixon Waterfront Park | Free | Trek down the Riverwalk on the Walk for the Animals, then check out entertainment, eats, vendors, a Kid Zone, pet activities, and a showcase of adoptable dogs.

Sunday, Feb. 9

Exploring Florida’s Historic African American Homes | 2-3:30 p.m. | Sulphur Springs Museum and Heritage Center, Tampa | Free | Jada Wright-Greene examines some Black historical homes across the state and contributions of Black Floridians from education to business.

BYOSketchbook | Sunday, Feb. 9 | 4-8 p.m. | Steep Station Kava Bar, St. Petersburg | Free entry | Meetup with other creative folks for some relaxed sketching and sipping.

Verizon Super Bowl FanFest | 4:30-10 p.m. | Sparkman Wharf | Free | Verizon fans can party on the waterfront with game day snacks from local restaurants, tunes, family-friendly lawn games, and of course, a screening of the big game.

There's plenty more to do

Click here to have your event featured.

Eat

👀 Calling all foodies

Presented by Yelp

Rotating photos of people networking at a bar, smiling for a selfie in front of an art mural. picking up appetizers from a tray at an event, and playing an interactive game at a local business.

Yelp’s Elite Squad is the place for local movers and shakers. | Photos provided by Yelp

Meet your new favorite club.

If you love food, Tampa Bay, and meeting people who also love both, get to know Yelp’s Elite Squad.

As a member, you’ll be invited to special events, get to know more TBAY businesses, and have a genuinely good time with other Elites who write “chef’s kiss” reviews.

Here’s the best part — you can nominate yourself (or a friend) to join the Yelp Tampa Bay Elite Squad. We’re cheering you on.

Join the Elite Squad

News Notes

Opening

We’ve been waiting for this one. Perry’s Porch opens tomorrow, Feb. 8 on the St. Pete Pier. Owners say to expect a menu packed with “Old Florida classics,” with sandwiches, salads, and dinner options. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Community

Did your home suffer damage during one of last year’s hurricanes? Navigating the rebuilding or repair process can feel daunting. As substantial damage letters roll in, here’s a guide to the 50% rule, appealing damage letters, and getting help with the process. (Tampa Bay Times)

Development

For those dreaming of waterfront living, sans home upkeep: Waterways Apartments and Marina is going up on Gandy. The new complex will feature 470 apartments. And true to waterfront living, there will be 150 boat slips and an 8,000-sqft waterfront restaurant. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Biz

Changes could be coming to Tampa Bay Downs. The Florida House will consider a bill that would remove the requirement that the track hold live races to be able to run cardrooms. The bill will be considered during the upcoming legislative session. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Watch

“Puppy Bowl XXI” airs before the Super Bowl this Sunday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. on Animal Planet and streaming on Max. Representatives from 40 states will compete for the Lombarky trophy at this grr-diron game, including Buster from St. Pete playing for Team Fluff.

Holiday

This Sunday is National Pizza Day, and we’re planning to celebrate with an award-winning pie from The Nona Slice House. If that’s not your style, our pizza guide is sure to satisfy your appetite.

Read

Rebecca Yarros’ “Onyx Storm” — the third book of the “Empyrean” series — recently became the fastest-selling adult novel in 20 years. Already torn through it? Find your next read written by an author with ties to Tampa Bay. (The New York Times)

Eat

The people love a good meal deal — or at the very least, Chili’s “3 for Me” value deal. The chain restaurant saw a 20% increase in traffic last quarter. But you don’t have to go to a chain to get a deal around here; check out some of our favorite local happy hour deals. (Restaurant Dive)

Sports

Which key players need to step up for the Lightning? 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 connect with the best local talent in 2025? We created our community job board just for you. Give it a try + post your first listing for free.

Shop

Set the mood this Valentine’s Day with these rapid onset cannabis gummies that keep selling out. Get 20% off your first order with code FIRST20.*†

Finance

Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. This one even offers 5% cash back on your purchases, helping you save even more while you pay down your debt.*

City Guide

🗓️ Get your planner ready

The neighborhood has already hosted a few similar events, like October’s Weekend in Water Street. | Photo via Water Street Tampa

Lucky you. You just found TBAYtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout the Tampa Bay area each month.

Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this month. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.

Seasonal events

Made in Market: Chocolate Class | Wednesday, Feb. 12| 5:30-9 p.m. | The Tampa Edition | $65 | Perfect the art of tempering, shaping, and decorating your own box of chocolates to share with your love.

Galentine’s Trolley Experience | Thursday, Feb. 13 | 5-9 p.m. | St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, St. Petersburg | $114 | Grab the gals and set off on a four-hour trolley ride featuring a tasting of Cuban-inspired drinks at St. Pete Distillery, a professional portrait session, and an outdoor dinner.

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

20+ more ideas

The Buy

A corner bathroom counter organizer. Elegant and functional, its three tiers are perfect for housing toiletries and cosmetics while saving precious bathroom counter space.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

One of my favorite holidays, Record Store Day, is coming around again. This year’s celebration of record stores is booked for Saturday, April 12.

Take a peek at local stores taking part in the fun — and what vinyl you want to buy. In a surprise to exactly zero of my friends, I want Laufey’s “A Night At The Symphony: Hollywood Bowl.” Best of luck, fellow shoppers.

Answered

Yesterday, we asked you “What’s the most popular Valentine’s gift?”

WStoday_candy_generic — Who doesn’t want some candy?

About 27% of folks correctly guessed candy. An enormous portion, ~61% of people guessed flowers — which is the correct Valentine’s treat (in our opinion).

About 7% of TBAY readers voted cards, and another ~5% of folks said a night out.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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