Special Events in Tampa

January
Outback Bowl
January 1
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa FL
813-874-BOWL
Admission Charged
Tampa kicks off the first bowl game on New Year's Day--The Outback Bowl. The teams are matched from the Big Ten Conference and the Southeastern Conference, for post-season college football competition. The game is played at Raymond James Stadium and broadcast live by ESPN. There's a lot of action both on and off the field. Spectators can participate in a variety of special events and sports activities prior to the game.

February
The Gasparilla Distance Classic
Usually held the first weekend of February
Location: Downtown Tampa
813-229-RUNN
Admission Charged
The Bank of America Annual Gasparilla Distance Classic attracts world class athletes who compete in 5K , 15K, marathon and half marathon events on foot as well as the 15K course in wheelchairs. Consistently voted the best race in Florida by Florida Running Magazine and ranked among the Top Ten Races in the United States by Runner's World, the Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic has become one of the largest running events in Florida. The primary purpose of the race is to funds for local youth charities and education foundations.

March
The Florida Strawberry Festival
Usually held for 11 days in early March
Location: Festival Grounds, Plant City, Florida
813-759-6363
Admission Charged
The Florida Strawberry Festival is a celebration of strawberries that dates back to 1930. It began when members of the Plant City Lions Club decided to celebrate the area's bountiful harvest of strawberries. The 11 day festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world. The "Winter Strawberry Capital of the World", Plant City, is located about 24 miles east of Tampa.
The festival features daily entertainment by some of music's biggest stars. Events and exhibits of the popular festival include agriculture shows, commerce, education, industry, livestock, a baby contest, and the Midway featuring over 60 rides. Competitions range from cook-offs and clogging to diaper decorating and strawberry shortcake eating contests. The festival features two country music shows each evening on the main stage. Limited free seating is available on a first come, first served basis.

April
Bern's Winefest
Usually held in mid or late April
Location: Side Bern's
813-253-0358
Admission Charged
Legendary Tampa restaurant, Bern's Steak House, with Side Bern's and Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits, holds its annual Winefest. At this four-day event, guests have the opportunity to experience extraordinary food and wine tastings, educational seminars and winemaker dinners. Join Bern's experts and special guests for classes about wine and food.

May
Ruskin Tomato Festival
Usually held in early May
Location: E.G. Simmons Park
813-645-3808
Admission Charged
All of Tampa Bay is seeing red during the Tomato and Heritage Festival at E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin, a small historic coastal community south of Tampa. The delicious Ruskin tomato is undoubtedly the star of the festival and highlights include "The Great Tomato Cook-off," the crowning of the "Ruskin Tomato Festival Queen" and the all-you-can-eat sliced tomatoes. Live entertainment, a farmer's market and a Street Rod Show are also featured.

October
Guavaween (Latin Style Halloween Street Celebration)
Usually held the last Saturday in October
Locations: Ybor City
Admission Charged
The annual zany celebration features the mythical Mama Guava, who has sworn to take the "bore" out of Ybor (Ee-bore) City, and a parade of her devoted followers. Guavaween is a New Orleans style Halloween celebration based on Tampa's nickname, "The Big Guava." Costumed revelers pack Ybor City for the huge street party. The festival includes a night parade and street party featuring multiple stages of entertainment. Guavaween has expanded into an all day event, with a Family FunFest offering activities for the entire family.

November
Tampa Cigar Heritage Festival
Usually held in early November
Location: Centennial Park, Ybor City
813-247-1434
Admission Free
The Ybor City Museum Society hosts the Annual Tampa Cigar Heritage Festival. The one-time "cigar capital of the world," Ybor City is one of only three National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida. A celebration of Ybor City and Tampa's cigar past and present, the Cigar Heritage Festival features hundreds of cigar vendors and retailers showcasing premier cigars and cigar related items, cigar rolling, food and wine demonstrations, interactive cultural activities, ethnic food and entertainment and lots of fun for the whole family. There is also Latin musical entertainment performing live at the festival.

December
Victorian Christmas Stroll
Usually held early December - just before Christmas
Henry B. Plant Museum
813-258-7302
Admission Charged
Experience the extravagance and grandeur of a Victorian Christmas at the former 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel during the Henry B. Plant Museum's Victorian Christmas Stroll. It is a time-honored tradition delighting visitors with a glimpse of Christmas past. The Victorian Christmas Stroll provides museum guests with an opportunity to see magnificent rooms adorned with authentic Victorian-style decorations, elaborately trimmed trees, lush greenery, antique toys and imaginative ornaments. Enchanting renditions of traditional Christmas carols featuring flute, harp, mandolin, bells and heavenly vocals resonate throughout the museum creating a relaxing and magical atmosphere.