September is upon us and it’s time to get those calendars filled up for the fall season.
The temps are sure to drop — a bit — and there’s a ton of live music shows on the docket, craft beer to be had + lots of Gulf Coast funky fun to fill up those weeknights and weekends.
September
- Anime St. Pete | Sat. -Sun., Sept. 17-18 | Times vary | St. Pete Coliseum, 535 4th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $28 | Stop by the city’s first-ever anime convention dressed as your favorite character for appearances by voice actors, a lipsync battle, a TikTok filmfest and more.
- Vanessa Riley, Piper Huguley & Denny S. Bryce | Sun., Sept. 18 | 3:30 p.m. | Oxford Exchange | $5 | Local authors discuss how to tell stories of powerful women in historical fiction.
- RJ Jacobs | Sun., Sept. 25 | 3:30 p.m. | Oxford Exchange | $5 | Get in the spooky spirit with local author and clinical psychologist RJ Jacobs as he discusses his latest murder mystery set in the Florida Keys. 🗡️
- Fort De Soto Distance Classic | Sun., Sept. 25 | 7 a.m. | Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg | $40+ | Start off the fall running season with a 5K, 10K, or 15K competition along the scenic beachfront park.
- Lightning preseason games|Wed.- Thurs., Sept. 28-29 | 7 p.m. | Amalie Arena | $12 | The Lightning warm up for the season with games against the Carolina Hurricanes + Florida Panthers. ⚡
- Best of the Bay Party | Thurs., Sept. 29 | Seminole Hard Rock Event Center | $55 | These restaurants, bars and other Tampa Bay vendors won the local vote for Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay. Now you be the judge and sample their wares at this rockin’ party. 🎉
October
- Florida Vegan Gourmet Food Festival | Sun., Oct. 2 | 3-7 p.m.| Oliver Estates Specially Fit Farm, 2112 Martin Rd., Dover | $5+ | Enjoy cooking classes with vegan chefs + taste fresh concoctions sure to wow whether you’re vegan or just interested in sampling some new dishes. 🥕
- The Smashing Pumpkins + Jane’s Addiction: Spirits On Fire Tour | Fri., Oct. 7 | 6:30 p.m. | Amalie Arena | $32+ | Rock out to “Tonight, Tonight” and other rock hits from the superstar bands.
- Oktoberfest Tampa | Fri.- Sun., Oct. 7-9 | 4-7 p.m. | Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park | $10+ | Curtis Hixon is transformed into an Oktoberfest beer garden with traditional German beers + Bavarian games. 🍻
- Chris Stapleton | Fri., Oct. 14 | 7 p.m. | MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre | $125 | Folksy, country Chris Stapleton is sure to wow with his moody ballads.
- SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival | Oct. 14-23 | Times vary | Downtown St. Pete | St. Pete is renowned for its murals. Come watch some of the world’s best artists continue to color the city. 🖌️
- Tampa Pig Jig | Sat., Oct. 22 | 1 p.m. | Julian B Lane Riverfront Park | $75+ | One of country music’s hottest stars, Sam Hunt, headlines the 11th annual event.
- Riverwalk Halloween Trick or Treat | Sat., Oct. 29 |4-7 p.m. |Tampa Riverwalk | Free |Guide the kiddos in a spirited stroll along the Riverwalk, stopping for free bags of sugary candy all the way. 🎃
- Halloween on Central | Sun., Oct. 30
| 12-5 p.m. | 2200 block of Central Ave., St. Petersburg | Free | Costume yourself and join the city’s biggest Halloween party with live music, doggie games at the Dog Bar, food stands, and holiday-themed events at your favorite businesses.
November
- The Oddities and Curiosities Expo | Sat., Nov. 5 | 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. | Tampa Convention Center |$10 | Shop oddities galore from Halloween-inspired finds to “quack medical devices,” make friends, and discover new interests. 🦇
- Coffee Pot Turkey Trot | Thurs., Nov. 24 |7:45 a.m. | 200 35th Ave. NE, St. Pete | $25+ |Benefiting North Shore Elementary, this family-friendly 5K loops around St. Pete’s waterfront Coffee Pot Bayou neighborhood.
- Tampa YMCA Turkey Gobble | Thurs., Nov. 24 | 7 a.m. | 401 Channelside Dr. | $30 | There’s a perfect Turkey Trot option for every family at this event — with a 1-mile fun run, 5K, and 8K races. 🦃
- Daniel Tosh | Sat, Nov. 26 | 12–4 p.m. | Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater | $48.50 | See Tosh.0 in the flesh with his new “Florida Trash” tour.
- Shopapalooza Festival | Sat.-Sun., Nov. 26-27 | 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. | Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Drive NE., Downtown St. Petersburg | Shop small from one of 350+ local small businesses. 🛍️
