12.17.2025

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78º | 10% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:14 a.m. | Sunset 5:37 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | Low: 7:51 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 11:26 a.m. + 9:07 p.m. | Low: 3:16 p.m.

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Game on

A map of the US featuring the 6AM City cities.

Do you know these cities like a local? | Graphic by 6AM City

Did you know? 6AM City is a hyper-local media company with dozens of newsletters across the country. And we want you to get to know all the cities we call home... but we didn’t go easy on you.

Put your knowledge of US trivia to the test with a dang-near-impossible quiz.

Better yet, round up the whole family. Send this to the librarians, the educators, the APUSH student, your ultra-competitive cousin... whoever.

See if you can get a perfect score. We kind of doubt it.

Take the quiz

Events

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Thursday, Dec. 18

Friday, Dec. 19

It's the busiest time of the year

Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash

Try This

📚 Take a trip through your favorite stories

Presented by Florida Children's Museum

Rotating gif of: Photo 1: A hand holds a blue Peter Rabbit book in focus, with a children's play area in the background featuring a wooden house, carved tree, and toy vegetables. Photo 2: The exterior of Florida Children's Museum with large glass windows on the whole building. Photo 3: A smiling woman holds a microphone while posing inside a large, retro TV frame setup. Cookie decorations from "If you give a mouse a cookie" are nearby. Photo 4: A hand holds the book "Abuela" by Arthur Dorros, featuring a colorful illustration of a grandmother and child flying. Above, a whimsical 3D display depicts them flying amidst clouds, with a vibrant yellow backdrop showing a playful storefront scene. Photo 5: Archway entrance labeled "Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites" with giant book displays featuring classic children's book titles.

Florida residents get discounted admission to Florida Children’s Museum. | Photos by 6AM City

Consider your December plans booked: Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites™ is now at the Florida Children’s Museum.

The limited-time exhibit brings seven classic tales to life and aims to strengthen early literacy skills through interactive play. While the exhibit is designed for kids up to age 8, it offers a fun + educational experience for all and a trip down nostalgia lane for adults.

Our team visited the museum for a sneak peek. See what we tried in our Instagram Reel.

What to know before you go

Books in the exhibit include “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” “Abuela,” “Boom Chicka Boom Boom,” “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” and more beloved stories
The exhibit is bilingual
Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites™ is included with regular museum admission (free for kids under age 2)

Visit Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites™ at Florida Children’s Museum until Sunday, Jan. 11.

Pro tips for your visit

News Notes

Number

$1 million. That’s how much Florida just gave the Shore Acres Flood Mitigation Project. Late last week, St. Pete City Council members approved the grant, which partially funds upgrades like a new stormwater pump station and tidal surge preventers. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Show

This Wednesday is going to be “Way Less Sad” because AJR is playing a free show in Tampa tonight. Where at? The popular pop brotherly trio headlines Feel Good Fest at Ford Thunder Alley at Benchmark International Arena. Make sure to reserve tickets. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Open

No need to risk ordering a Lafufu online. Soon, you’ll be able to shop for Labubus in person. Pop Mart, the brand behind the popular blind box dolls, will soon open its doors at the Brandon Exchange. (That’s So Tampa)

Active

TBAY’s newest Pilates studio, Bodybar Pilates, is opening soon in Oldsmar. Best of all, a Jeff’s Bagel Run is coming to the shopping center, too. If only Joseph Pilates had known how widespread his little workout would become in the 2020s. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Coming Soon

Hudson’s first — and only — tropical cigar lounge, The Velvet Shaker & Cigar Lounge, is hitting the scene soon. Think: “Havana Nights” decor vibes with touches of brown leather and blue velvet, mocktails, cigars (duh), and golf simulators. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Community

Know a local senior in need? The Pinellas Park Senior Center and the Bay to Bay Foundation are giving out 150 hams to seniors tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 18. Senior Center members can pick up their ham starting at 5:30 p.m., followed by the rest of the community at 6 p.m.

Sports

The Rays could be eyeing a blockbuster trade for Ketel Marte, signaling confidence in ace Shane McClanahan’s comeback. There’s more Tampa Bay Rays intel where that came from on Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Featured Deal

Still searching for the perfect gift for him? Particle Gravité is a bold, refined cologne engineered for men with layers of cedarwood, amber, and a hint of spice. Get it 20% off today with promo code CITY20.*

Learn

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Number

540,000+. That’s how many people trust this life-changing hearing aid. Its virtually invisible design delivers sharper speech and reduced noise for effortless hearing. Try it yourself with a 45-day no-risk trial and experience clearer conversations today.*

Featured Deal

This is your last call to get 26% off all Newsletter Text Ads and Email Banner Ads on our advertising portal. Use code COUNTDOWNTO2026 at checkout — no long-term contract required.

Post of the Day

Screenshot_2025-12-16_at_2.15.41_PM_94.png — We’re ready for a blizzard of fun.

You might recognize Ritual Grounds from yesterday’s matcha guide. Well, you’re in luck. This Friday, Dec. 19 you can sample a luge’s worth of their lauded matcha at the Blizzard Bazaar from 5-9 p.m.

Want to be featured?

The Buy

Our favorite way to stay warm in the winter? With a little added heat. We love this heated vest that provides up to 12 hours of continuous heat with a battery that doubles as a power bank. We pair it with these top-rated rechargeable hand warmers on extra chilly days.

More worth The Buy

Answered

Yesterday, we asked you to build your own matcha at Daycation

A matcha from Iris Coffee Lab in Raleigh, NC on a wooden table. — Late spring and this green tea drink are a *match-a* made in heaven.

First off, we asked which flavor you’d add:

83% picked vanilla
17% selected dark brown sugar

Then we had everyone choose a type of milk:

33% picked cow’s milk
33% went with oat milk
17% selected almond milk
17% wanted half and half

And finally, we asked if you’d want it hot or iced:

67% said hot
33% said iced

In sum, most TBAY readers would order a hot matcha latte with regular or oat milk with vanilla at Daycation.

Or check out these other local matcha spots

The Wrap

One of my closest friends is visiting from Boston this weekend, so I’m obviously hard at work on the itinerary. So far, we’re definitely going to Sakana — my fave South Tampa sushi spot.

If you need help deciding what to do with your guests over the holidays, here’s 14 more of my favorite things to do across TBAY. See you there?

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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