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 Tampa Bay 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.
Sports
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Philadelphia Phillies | Wednesday, May 7 | 7:05 p.m. | George M. Steinbrenner Field | $21+ | Watch our hometown crew take on the Max Kepler, Bryson Stott, and the rest of the Northeast crew.
“Tell Me About Your Single Friend” Show | Friday, May 9 | 7-10 p.m. | Hyde House Public Studio | $30 | Who better to pitch you to your fellow single TBAY residents than your besties?
Festivals
St. Pete Italian Fest | Saturday, May 17 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Vinoy Park | $15+ | Chow down on Italian eats from local vendors while taking in live music and performances by top Italian bands + a car show featuring vintage vehicles.
Florida Orchestra: “The French Revelation” | 11 a.m. | Ruth Eckerd Hall | $30+ | Start off your morning with a French excursion, featuring Mozart’s Symphony No. 31, “Paris” + Aleksandr Grigori Arutiunian’s “Trumpet Concerto.”
Wit, Wisdom & Women 2025 | 3-7 p.m. | GFWC Tampa Woman’s Club House | $50+ | Join the Athena Society for an inspiring session on how to set your own rules, identify opportunities, collaborate for good, fuel your passion, and stay motivated.
Sunset Historic Boat Tour | 6-8 p.m. | Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center Eco-Tour dock | $45 | Cruise along from Snell Isle to Coquina Key, taking in the city’s waterfront history and land alterations that have shaped St. Petersburg’s downtown shoreline and culture over time.
Opening Reception: Ric Savid: Darkroom Silver Linings | 5:30-7 p.m. | Florida Museum of Photographic Arts | $0-$12 | Meet the photographer, then take in his collection of black-and-white analog portraits over snacks.
Tampa Riverfest presented by Publix Super Markets | Friday, May 2-Saturday, May 3 | Times vary | Tampa Riverwalk | Free | The annual festival takes over the 2.6 mile-stretch with a Taco Fest, lantern parade, wiener dog race, and hot air balloon and water ski shows.
Mother’s Day Charcuterie Workshop | 6-8 p.m. | Hostess, St. Petersburg | $85 | Pack into the chic bungalow to craft a dreamy meat + cheese board over a glass of vino.
Country Thunder Florida | Friday, May 2-Sunday, May 4 | Raymond James Stadium | $168+ | It’s finally time to jam out at Ray Jay to hoedown hits from Riley Green, Ella Langley, Blake Shelton, Jake Owen, Ashley McBryde, and Jelly Roll.
Big changes are on the way to the north end of Tampa’s downtown. The City of Tampa is requesting proposals to redevelop the old Army-Navy Surplus Market site. What are they looking for? City leaders want to see the land become a new mixed-use development with affordable housing.
Opening
The wait for Cheeky’s is — almost — over. The new Central Avenue fish and raw bar from one of Willa’s cofounders opens next week. We’re chomping at the bait for the chubby oysters and frozens. Take a gander at the vibes.
Coming Soon
Move over, Winter Park. The Sunshine City is getting its own Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine. St. Pete recently approved building permits for the new 5,000-sqft Edge District restaurant. Beyond standout eats, the eatery will also have an outdoor dining garden. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Tech
Attendees of this past weekend’s Spring Pathway Classic scored a major treat. Delivery robots delivered cool drinks to fans at Al Lang Stadium — yes, robots. The machine test run was part of a partnership between United Soccer League + Tampa’s Nickelytics. (St. Pete Catalyst)
Edu
Introducing Ocean Class. The new pilot program brings ocean education to public schools + launches in Hillsborough County Schools next month. Kids will dive into Florida-pertinent topics like kelp forests and deep-sea coral reefs. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Sports
The Buccaneers got a mixed bag of draft grades from across NFL and draft media. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Travel
Mapping out your summer travel plans? Perfect timing: Snag this travel credit card’s rare, limited-time welcome bonus to fuel your adventures — whether it’s luxuriating at a resort that could be seen in “The White Lotus,” or simply jet-setting for work.*
Wellness
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Pro Tip
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Biz
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The Buy
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