Sports
Major league baseball is played year round in
Clearwater. Clearwater is proud to host the Philadelphia Phillies spring
training. The Phillies are the oldest, continuous, one-name, one-city franchise
in all of professional sports and have been in Clearwater since 1947. In
addition to the major league team, Clearwater is home to the Class-A Clearwater
Phillies of the Florida State League. The Toronto Blue Jays spend their spring
in Dunedin and the New York Yankees play in Tampa; in fact, six additional
spring training teams are located within one hour of Pinellas County. The Major
League Baseball Tampa Bay Devil Rays call St. Petersburg's Tropicana Field home
the rest of the year.
Take a Side Trip to Tarpon Springs:
One of Florida's most fascinating small towns and
only 13 miles north of Clearwater: Tarpon Springs calls itself "the Sponge
Capital of the World." Greek immigrants from the Dodecanese Islands settled here
in the late 19th century to harvest sponges, which grew in abundance offshore.
By the 1930s, Tarpon Springs was producing more sponges than any other place in
the world. A blight ruined the business in the 1940s, but the descendants of
those early immigrants stayed on. Today they compose about a third of the
population, making Tarpon Springs a center of transplanted Greek culture.
Sponges still arrive at the historic Sponge
Docks, on Dodecanese Boulevard. With a lively, carnival-like atmosphere, the
docks are a great place to spend an afternoon or early evening, poking your head
into shops selling sponges and other souvenirs while Greek music comes from the
dozen or so family restaurants purveying authentic Aegean cuisine. You can also
venture offshore from here, because booths on the docks set up sightseeing and
fishing cruises. Make your reservations as soon as you get here; then go
sightseeing ashore or grab a meal at one of the many Greek restaurants and
bakeries facing the dock while waiting for the next boat.
For more information, call 727-938-5378
Antiques
Gas Plant Antique Arcade
1246 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Florida's largest antique
mall, with 150 dealers in four huge floors of fine antiques from all periods
Annual
Events
January
Martin Luther King Jr. National Parade
727-327-0085
Downtown St. Petersburg
The Annual Drum Major for Justice Parade begins
at 1:15 p.m. The celebration also includes the Martin Luther King Jr. Festival
of Bands competition, which features several renowned marching bands as they
perform in a special salute to Dr. King.
Call for exact location and date
Pinellas Folk Festival
727-582-2123
Heritage Village
The Pinellas County Historical Society presents
its annual festival held at Heritage Village. This free event features
traditional folk music, storytelling and pioneer crafts and performances by
skilled artisans. Sheep to shawl activities, vintage 1890s baseball, a
traditional rug hooking and embroidery show and a food court are all included in
the day's activities.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Call for exact date
March
Annual Heritage Village Antique Car Show
727-582-2127
Heritage Village
Come and check out this wonderful display of
restored antique automobiles and hybrid cars. There will also be music and
hands-on activities.
This event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Call for exact date
April
Tampa Bay Marathon Swim
727-531-7999
Holiday Inn Sunspree, St. Petersburg
The annual Tampa Bay Marathon Swim challenges
long-distance swimmers to go 24 miles from the Holiday Inn Sunspree St.
Petersburg across Tampa Bay to Ben Davis Beach in Tampa. All participants must
be 19 or older and registered with United States Masters Swimming. Three- and
six-person relays are also available for the race. Prizes include T-shirts and
awards for completing the race and for the top finishers in various age groups.
Call for exact date, fees, and directions
May
Civil War Days and Annual Heritage Village
Skirmish
727-582-2123
Heritage Village
Heritage Village hosts this living history event
as Union and Confederate troops battle. The event includes artillery
demonstrations, infantry drills and the big battle. Period crafts and other
items will be for sale at the event.
Admission and parking are free
The annual Heritage Village Skirmish is scheduled
for 2 p.m. Artillery demonstrations and infantry drills will be held on the
hour. Other activities include the Officers Call, a court martial, and the Grand
March. Bring comfortable seating or ground cover for the battle.
Call for exact dates
July
Arts Center Members Exhibition
727-822-7872
The Arts Center
The Arts Center showcases the extraordinary
talent of more than 250 member artists in “Components,” the Members’ Exhibition.
This annual show reflects the importance of every Arts Center member to the
overall organization.
Call for exact dates, hours, and directions
Studioworks
727-519-6833
Gulf Coast Museum of Art
The annual juried Studioworks exhibition presents
the work of the Museum's instructors and students. The exhibition is designed to
demonstrate the strength of the Museum's teaching program. All media, including
painting, mixed media, photography and ceramics, will be included in the
exhibition.
Call for exact dates, hours, and directions
September
Dunedin Wines the Blues
727-733-5886
This popular annual event takes place along the
Main Street downtown area of Dunedin with plenty of live blues music, food, wine
and entertainment.
The event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Call for exact date
Annual Renaissance Night
727-799-2200
Downtown Safety Harbor
This event is always held on the 3rd Friday of
September. Downtown Safety Harbor will be visited by gypsies, wizards,
musicians, fairies, pirates and animals
From 6 to 10 p.m. Participating shops will be
open late.
Call for exact date and directions
Annual Pier Sand Sculpture Contest
727-821-6443
The Pier
TEAM Sandtastic hosts this Annual Pier Sand
Sculpture Contest. Sand Clinics will also be held.
Call for exact date, hours, and directions
October
Annual Taste of Palm Harbor
727-934-7001
The Palm Harbor Junior Women's Club will present
its annual Taste of Palm Harbor from 10 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Florida Avenue just
east of Alt. U.S. 19. There are more than 25 area restaurants to sample from and
an array of Arts and Crafts for people to stroll through.
Call for exact location and date
Florida Birding and Nature Festival
866-352-2473
The Annual Festival & Nature Expo features the
best of Florida birding with 25 field trips throughout the region,
internationally known bird and wildlife experts and an exciting Nature Expo. The
Festival offers a conservation mission with proceeds going to the management of
Shell Key Preserve of Florida's most important areas for shorebirds.
Call for exact location, dates, and hours
Annual H&R Train Show
727-526-4682
This long standing annual show features a free model train demonstration with a
train layout competition for all gauges of model railroading.
Friday and Saturday, hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday; hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Call for exact dates
The Annual Make a Difference Fishing Tournament
727-462-6954
This tournament for children with disabilities is
always held the first Saturday in October. Fishing will be done on Clearwater's
Pier 60.
Call for exact date and time
Clearwater Jazz Holiday
727-461-5200
For over 25 years, the annual Jazz Holiday brings
together all veins of jazz music together in 4 days of free entertainment at
Coachman Park in downtown Clearwater. From bebop to blues, from big band to the
compositions of Frank Zappa, there is something for everyone.
Call for exact location, dates, and times
Annual Florida Orchestra in the Park
800-662-7286
Free concert and fireworks in Vinoy Park on Beach
Drive.
Show begins at 7pm., call for exact date
Annual Country Jubilee Festival
727-582-2123
Heritage Village
The Pinellas County Historical Society presents
this jubilee with more than 125 craftspeople displaying and selling their
homemade goods. The event features pioneer and Victorian craft demonstrations,
live entertainment, a petting zoo, historic house tours and food.
The jubilee runs 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Call for exact dates and location
Annual Autumn Harvest
727-893-7326
Boyd Hill Nature Park
This autumn harvest will be held at the Pinellas
Pioneer Settlement at Boyd Hill Nature Park. There will be an old time farmers
market and plenty of events and activities for adults and children.
Call for exact date, hours, and directions
Frenchy’s Stone Crab Claw Festival
727-446-1522
All Frenchy’s locations on Clearwater Beach
Frenchy’s annual Stone Crab Weekend is a popular
area event. The event will also feature two tents complete with live music.
Call for exact dates, hours, and directions
Annual Fall Grouper Fest & Art Show
727-394-0756
John’s Pass Village
Grouper Fest honors the area as the Grouper
Capital of the World. This festival will feature food, children's activities,
entertainment, a display about the heritage of the fishing industry in Madeira
Beach and an art show. This event was formerly known as the John's Pass Village
Seafood Festival.
Call for exact dates, hours, and directions
Top o’ the Bay Oktoberfest
813-855-4233
R.E. Olds Park
This weekend festival features German music,
food, beer and wine, along with full midway, carnival, art/crafters, American
food and business vendors. Come enjoy the interactive games and activities such
as log sawing, keg hurling, stein holding and the annual Waitress Races
Call for exact dates, hours, and directions
Annual Suncoast Triathlon
813-874-7223
Fort DeSoto Park
The Suncoast Triathlon is the perfect race for
both novices and experienced triathletes alike. The triathlon consists of a swim
.33 miles, bike 11 miles and run 3.1 miles.
The race begins at 7:30 a.m.
Call for exact date, time of event, and
directions
Early November
Annual Loadmaster Trailers Suncoast Kingfish
Classic Tournament
727-363-0071
The event is sanctioned by the Southern Kingfish Association and benefits the
Tarpon Springs Rotary Club.
Call for exact location, dates, and hours
Annual Art Arbor & Family Fun Days
727-893-7326
Boyd Hill Nature Park
This nature festival offers art, live music,
crafts, kid's crafts, storytelling and food. Held at the Boyd Hill Nature Park,
it also has reptile and bird of prey programs, guided park tours, scavenger
hunts and petting zoo.
Hours both days 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For
Call for exact date
St. Petersburg Boat Show
954-764-7642
The Bayfront Center, St. Petersburg
The Annual St. Petersburg Boat Show is making
waves for boaters and anglers of all ages. With more than 700 boats, on land and
in-water, the St. Petersburg's Boat Show is the largest in-water boat show on
Florida's Gulf Coast. Accessorize you new boat with the latest electronics and
gadgetry.
Call for exact location, dates, and hours
Celebrations Holiday Show
727-822-7872
The Arts Center
Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season at
the Arts Center annual Holiday Show. Specially created works by many artists,
glass ornaments and photographs will be on display. Limited edition hand-printed
holiday cards custom-made for the Arts Center will debut during the holiday
show.
Call for exact dates, hours and directions
Christmas Under the Oaks
727-562-4813
Coachman Park
Usually held in early November, this annual
holiday crafts fair sponsored by the Clearwater Junior League Women’s Club, will
be held in historic Coachman Park in Clearwater
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call for exact dates, hours and directions
Annual Harbor Wine Festival
727-724-1555
John Wilson Park
The City of Safety Harbor will host this event,
which includes wine tasting, food from area restaurants, live entertainment on
two stages, arts and crafts vendors and a real grape stomp. Admission is free.
Festival hours are 5 - 11 p.m.
Call for exact dates and directions
Fall Boat Show
800-940-7642
Bayfront Center Yacht Basin
This event is usually held in November. The
annual in-water boat show features more than 600 boats, electronics, marine
engines and accessories, fishing products, clinics, seminars and entertainment.
Call for exact dates, hours and directions
Times Festival of Reading
727-445-4142
Eckerd College
Usually held in November. The St. Petersburg
Times hosts this annual event that features book talks, national and regional
authors, book appraisals, music and poet performances and children's story land.
The event is free.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Call for exact date, hours and directions
Late November
Annual Tarpon Springs Arts & Crafts Show
727-937-6109
Held Thanksgiving weekend 10am-5pm
This annual event features 150 artists and craft
persons from around the country who display in downtown Tarpon Springs. Live
music and a food festival are also included.
Festival of Trees
727-446-2858
The Harborview Center is host to this Annual Festival of Trees.
Call for exact location, dates, and hours
Arts Center Annual Members Show
727-822-7872
The Arts Center in downtown St. Petersburg
features this exhibit of works by Arts Center members. It features art in
various media and themes.
Call for exact location, dates, and hours
December
Annual Fun 'N Sun Illuminated Night Parade
727-562-4804
The highlight of the Fun 'n Sun Festival, this
spectacular parade begins at 7:30 p.m. in downtown Clearwater along Cleveland
Street. The parade is an original event of the 1st Fun N Sun Festival which
began over 50 years ago and remains one of Clearwater's most popular events for
people of all ages.
Call for exact date
Dunedin’s Happy Holidays Celebration
727-298-3280
Edgewater Park, Dunedin
The annual Happy Holidays Celebration at
Edgewater Park includes a boat parade and a tree-lighting ceremony. There will
also be live entertainment, an arts and crafts show and children's activities
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the boat parade and
tree lighting at 7:15 p.m.
Call for exact date
Holiday Stroll
727-587-6740
Largo Central Park
Usually held in December, you can join the entire
community of Largo in the lighting of Largo Central Park for the Annual Holiday
Tree Lighting & Stroll. Take the opportunity to stroll through the park and
enjoy entertainment while viewing more than 200,000 lights.
Open to all ages from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on
Friday and Saturday evening.
Cal for exact date and directions
St. Petersburg Lighted Boat Parade
727-821-6443
Downtown St. Petersburg
One of the largest lighted boat parades in the
area, St. Petersburg’s annual event starts at sundown and goes from the
Harborage Marina north past the Pier to the Vinoy Basin. The Pier and
surrounding parks offer great spots for parade watching and feature a host of
activities associated with the event.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with holiday music
and entertainment, and the parade begins at 7:30 p.m.
Call for exact date and directions
Gulfport Lighted Boat Parade
727-321-7295
Downtown Gulfport
The city of Gulfport, just west of St.
Petersburg, starts its lighted boat parade from the Boca Ciega Yacht Club. The
route goes from the yacht club marina, past the city pier and municipal beach,
and through several areas along Boca Ciega Bay.
The annual parade starts at 6 p.m. and ends at
approximately 8 p.m.
Call for exact date and directions
St. Petersburg Santa Parade
727-892-5874
Bayshore Drive
Santa will ride down the streets of downtown St.
Petersburg and bring in the holiday season.
The traditional Santa Parade will march down
Bayshore Drive at 10 a.m. and end at North Straub Park, where the annual
Snowfest romp for youngsters will be stationed.
Call for exact date and directions
Holiday Taste and Tour
727-821-6443
Downtown St. Petersburg
The St. Petersburg Area Association of Bed and
Breakfast Inns (SPAABBI) will hold its annual Holiday Taste and Tour from 3 to 8
p.m. Stroll through twelve enchanting holiday-decorated homes in St. Petersburg,
Tampa, Gulfport, Pinellas Park, and North Redington Beach. Each house will
decorate a tree based on one of the twelve days of Christmas. The self-guided
taste and tour (maps provided with ticket) will also include book signings by
local writers and exhibits by local artists.
Call for exact date and directions
