12.02.2025

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81º | 60% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:04 a.m. | Sunset 5:33 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 1:57 p.m. | Low: 6:53 a.m. + 5:45 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 10:11 a.m. + 8:43 p.m. | Low: 2:54 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

Deck the boughs masts with lights

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Make sure you pack your camera for the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade. | Photo via @cityoftampa

New York City has the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting. Monsters good and bad take to the Richmond streets for RVA Krampusnacht each December — yes, it’s a thing. And Tampa Bay has its lighted boat parades.

Because where else can one see festive flotillas filled with both bright white twinkly lit sailboats and power boats packed with Bucs and Bolts jersey wearin’ sailors?

Don’t miss this year’s TBAY boat parades:

Weeki Wachee Christmas Boat Parade | Saturday, Dec. 6

Downtown St. Pete Lighted Christmas Boat Parade | Sunday, Dec. 7

Tarpon Springs Illuminated Boat Parade | Friday, Dec. 12

Madeira Beach Festival of Lights Holiday Boat Parade | Saturday, Dec. 13

BCYC Christmas Lighted Boat Boat Parade | Saturday, Dec. 13

Friends of the Tampa River Walk Holiday Lighted Boat Parade | Saturday, Dec. 20

Indian Rocks Beach Holiday Boat Parade | Saturday, Dec. 20

Editor’s note: We recommend registering your boat as soon as possible.

Events

Tuesday, Dec. 2

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Thursday, Dec. 4

Holiday FOMO begone

Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash

News Notes

Today Is

Giving Tuesday. There’s a multitude of ways to support our neighbors from donating to food banks like Feeding Tampa Bay to buying gifts for local kids via an Angel Tree.
Here’s your chance to see Mayor Jane sweat — in a dance-heavy workout, not city hall. The viral workout studio Fly Dance Fitness is opening a new Cigar City location, and Tampa’s mayor is attending the grand opening this weekend. Get the deets. (That’s So Tampa)

Coming Soon

Sunshine Needlepoint debuts in Ybor City next year. The new LNS (local needlepoint shop) will stock tons of Tampa and Florida-focused designs, thread, and plenty more canvases. Where at? The bright yellow shop is located across from Gasworx. Get stichin’ in the meantime.

Show

There’s one last chance to rock the park in 2025. Ari Chi brings her ukelele and pop stylings to the concert series this Thursday, Dec. 4 at Curtis Hixon. The waterfront perch is decked out for the holidays, and Autumn Band is opening the free show with some indie tunes too. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Quoted

“I stand here as a man (based) in faith, shaped by struggle and crowned by this city. I am forever a Tampa Bay Buccaneer.” That’s what former Bucs defensive end Simeon Rice told the crowd at his Ring of Honor ceremony at Sunday’s game. (Tampa Bay Times)

Announced

Predalina is back just in time for those holiday break reservations. The Water Street Tampa Mediterranean restaurant reopens on Tuesday, Dec. 9 after renovations. The menu got a “playful” refresh too. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Development

What’s next for the coveted Derby Lane land? The CEO of Rally Development — which recently bought the Gandy property — says “an amphitheater may very well be an important addition. But all sorts of retail opportunities are there, too.” We’ll keep following all the biggest real estate news. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Listen

The Buccaneers, who were in desperate need of a win, found a way to get it done against the Cardinals. Get the full debrief of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers performance with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Arts

Learn something new (or hone your skills) next year at the AGB Museum of Art’s teen + adult classes. Class options include ceramics, photography, painting, creative writing, and more. Sign up by Sunday, Jan. 18 for Spring 2026 classes.*

Finance

Tampa drivers: Stop overpaying for car insurance and use FinanceBuzz’s free tool to see if you can save $600+ a year in minutes.*

City Guide

What are TBAY residents spending?

Produce shelves in a grocery store cooler showing peppers

What veggies are you filling your cart with? | Photo by NOOGAtoday

Let’s talk about the cost of living in Tampa Bay. The median household income in Hillsborough County is $76,687 and $70,768 in Pinellas County according to the US Census Bureau. State-wise, Florida is No.30 in the country for median income at ~$41,459 per household.

But just how expensive is it to live in Tampa Bay? Is it cheaper elsewhere? Let’s crunch the numbers.

How much do groceries cost?

Your grocery bill will vary based on your family size and dietary needs, but we can give you a sense of what you’ll be spending in the checkout line, using Nerdwallet. On average, a dozen eggs will cost you $3.83 in Tampa and a gallon of milk costs $4.63.

How much does it cost to eat out in Tampa Bay? Well, if we’re talking about a Quarter Pounder with Cheese from McDonald’s, it costs $4.46 according to NerdWallet. Compare that to the national average of $5.39 in 2024.

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

What about rent?

Asked

How much do you spend on groceries every week?

A. Less than $50
B. Under $100
C. Under $200
D. More than $200

We want to know

The Buy

The perfect two-piece sweater set for winter. It features a long sleeve crew neck top paired with a split hem midi skirt. We love that it’s cute, comfy, and warm, and can be dressed up or down for any occasion. Bonus: It’s available in some great seasonal colorways like almond white + red white.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

I feel as though I never shut up about movies, but I needed to share this can’t miss chat for our local film buffs.

Head to the Tampa Bay History Center to discuss Florida’s movie industry with the author of “Motion Picture Paradise: A History of Florida’s Film and Television Industry” tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 6:30 p.m. He’s talkin’ everything from silent films to underwater movies shot in our treasured springs.