Tampa To-Do | January 2023

The holiday spirit in Tampa doesn't end after New Year's Day. Instead, it continues through the end of the month as whispers of a pirate invasion fill the air.

Scroll below to see this month's edition of Tampa To-Do.

Description blurbs are directly from the event advertisement and not associated with this blog. Click on the event titles for full details.

[January 5] Rock The Park Tampa

Rock the Park Tampa is typically held at Tampa's Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park on the first Thursday of each month. For 12 years, the Tampa Downtown Partnership & Brokenmold Entertainment has produced a free monthly music series showcasing musical talents of all genres.

Date: January 5th 2023 Time: 6:30pm Performers:: Ashley Smith & The Random Occurrence Josh Gluck Slopfunkdust + food by JAM DISH (authentic Jamaican) * Hosted by Greg Wolf

Join us by visiting our Facebook page at Rock the Park Tampa Brought to you in part by: Tampa Downtown Partnership & Brokenmold Entertainment

[January 6] First Friday Block Party

Join us in The Westchase Town Center for live music + food + drinks + family friendly activities. Check out local vendors and kick off the month with a fun evening in the community.

Sponsored by World of Beer, Maloney’s Local, and Blend Lounge Westchase.

[January 8] I Said Yes! Wedding Show

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE?

• Live Entertainment

• Inspiration Gallery

• Interactive Booths

• Photo Ops to fill your IG and TikTok

• Free Food + Dessert Samples

• Cash Bar Available

• Grand Prize Giveaways with Values Starting at $500 Each (Paid admission tickets only)

• Face-to-Face Interaction with Florida’s Top Wedding Pros

• Show Only Specials available from Select Vendors

• The first 100 paid tickets get a loaded Swag Bag

• A FREE shopping bag (one per couple)

Meet with Djs, Venues, Catering, Cakes, Dessert, Photo + Video Flowers, Planners and more.

BE AN I SAID YES! VIP! Be one of the first 100 paid admission attendees to show up to qualify for VIP (limited supply available). Our VIP attendees will check in at the paid admission registration line, then receive a loaded swag bag that will include two Grand Prize tickets for our drawing at the end of the show. Plus each VIP ticket holder will be handed a glass of champagne upon entry, IDs will be required. (Don’t forget to buy general admission tickets for your fiancé and your I DO Crew.)

[January 8] St. Pete. Indie Downtown Flea

Join us downtown the 1st Sunday of each month through April for the most exclusive market finds from your favorite local craft market. You’ll find us popped up in our favorite open air, shaded street market as we bring you best St. Pete has to offer in locally made and curated hand-crafted goods, vintage housewares, decor, Mid-century furniture, vintage clothing, antiques, plants, collectables, food, music, art and so much more.

[January 13-15] John's Pass Seafood Festival

For the last 41 years, the historic John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk in Madeira Beach Florida becomes a venue for a large celebration of fresh gulf seafood, the John's Pass Seafood Festival. The three-day outdoor event features hundreds of local vendors offering a plethora of seafood, an art and crafts show, live music and various family-friendly activities.

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

[January 14] YBOR City Walking Tour

Tour Tampa’s only National Historic Landmark District and learn about early Ybor City people, social life, and work culture. Stroll past mutual aid societies, the Ybor Cigar Factory, and other key landmarks.

[January 14-15] Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival

The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival (TBBHF) is Southwest Florida’s premier cultural event organized by the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, a 501 c3, Florida non-profit corporation. This 10-Day, family friendly, cultural experience focuses on music, education, economic and social empowerment and the arts. The 2-Day Music Fest, which takes place the weekend of the MLK holiday, features local and nationally, recognized musicians, artists, poets, and craftspeople.

[January 16] MLK Day Parade & Family Fun Day

Our annual MLK Day Parade will take place Monday morning. Be sure to bring your friends and family out to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Junior!

No tickets are necessary.

The annual Family Fun Day is for all ages to enjoy! We will have live music, bounce houses, and vendors.

No tickets are necessary!

[January 18-20] Tropical Plant International Expo

The Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE) is THE trade event showcasing the latest trends in foliage, floral and tropicals.

[January 19-22] St. Pete Power & Sailboat Show

The St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show, Presented by Progressive, is the largest boat show on the Gulf Coast! The annual show will take place at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The show will feature an impressive selection of powerboats and sailboats in water and on land, including a 40,000-square-foot clearspan tent housing all types of marine gear.

Both new and brokerage boats will be on display and whether you’re looking for a center console fishing boat, a yacht, a sailboat, or a kayak, you’ll find it here along with a comprehensive selection of marine gear and accessories.

Also, don’t forget to squeeze in time for seminars on various topics including boat maintenance, fishing, and the cruising lifestyle. For kids, look for programs that will be posted on the show site as the date nears.

[January 21] Downtown Tampa Walking Tour

Learn about Tampa’s compelling history on this guided trek as you stroll past City Hall, Sacred Heart Church, the Floridan Palace Hotel, and even Tampa’s oldest bar, The Hub!

[January 21] Children's Gasparilla

The Children's Gasparilla Parade has been a part of Tampa's Gasparilla celebration since 1947. This family-friendly parade takes place along Bayshore Boulevard from Bay to Bay Boulevard, moving north to Edison Avenue.

The Children's Gasparilla Parade traditionally hosts more than 125 entry units, including krewes, marching bands, dance groups, school performance teams, and community organizations. Parade applications are open to the public!

The Children's Gasparilla Parade will be broadcast live on FOX 13 and streamed live on www.Fox13News.com.

[January 28] Gasparilla

“Land, ho! Set sail for Tampa!” Shouts the legendary pirate Jose Gaspar as his band of buccaneers sail across the Hillsborough Bay and return to the City of Tampa.

On Saturday, January 28, at 11:30 A.M., the only fully-rigged pirate ship in the world, the Jose Gasparilla, emerges at the south end of Hillsborough Bay followed by hundreds if not thousands of boats. The vibrant Gasparilla Flotilla then makes its way across Hillsborough Bay and into Seddon Channel (between Davis Island & Harbour Island) and the Gasparilla Invasion has begun!

Amidst a volley of cannon fire, the City is defenseless. In this annual re-enactment of Tampa’s historic pirate invasion, the Gasparilla Flotilla – led by the Jose Gasparilla filled to the crow’s nest with swashbuckling YMKG pirates – creates a spectacular sight.

When the Jose Gasparilla docks at the Tampa Convention Center (1:00 P.M.), the Mayor of Tampa surrenders the Key to the City to the Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. With the Key to the City in hand, the Krewe celebrates their victory in a Parade of Pirates down Bayshore Boulevard.

The invasion is free to the public. Tickets are available for Gasparilla Invasion Brunch at GasparillaTreasures.com.