Tampa Bay's Fairs & Festivals Rule
The First Four Months of 2024
December 30, 2023 - ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day
Clearwater Beach hosts the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day that features fun activities, and games for the participating teams, bands, cheerleaders, and fans. The New Year’s Day ReliaQuest Bowl pits an SEC team against a Big 10 team (or an ACC team if a Big 10 team is playing in the Orange Bowl). Along with the activities for the schools, Beach Day also includes live music performances, skydivers, and of course the inviting water of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico and one of the best beaches in the country.
January 1, 2024 - 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa is home to the New Year’s Day ReliaQuest Bowl that hosts teams from the SEC Conference, and Big Ten Conference. If a Big Ten team is playing in the Orange Bowl then an ACC Conference team will square off with the SEC team instead. This New Year’s Day Bowl has been around since 1986 when it was called the Hall of Fame Bowl, then in 1995 its name changed to the Outback Bowl, and in 2023 the name was changed again to the ReliaQuest Bowl.
January 6, 2024 - Tarpon Springs Epiphany
In remembrance of the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, the Greek community made January 6 a day of celebration by sanctification of the waters, and the immersion of the cross in Spring Bayou. It starts by the Archbishop blessing the waters, after a dove bearer releases a white dove in the air, the Archbishop throws a gold cross into the bayou, and boys who were chosen to participate dive into Spring Bayou to try to retrieve the cross. The boy who finds the cross then takes it to the Archbishop who then blesses the boy and congratulates him.
January 27, 2024 - The Gasparilla Pirate Fest
Tampa hosts the granddaddy of festivals with Gasparilla. The Gasparilla celebration started in 1904 to “honor the pirate Jose Gaspar”, and has gotten bigger and bigger, and more crazy each year. Today the Gasparilla Pirate Fest’s activities are kicked off by a pirate invasion by the pirates err members of Ye Mystic Krewe on their very own 165 foot pirate ship the “Jose Gasparilla”. Ye Mystic Krewe fire their cannons, as they approach the city of Tampa, and are accompanied by hundreds if not a thousand boats of every size and type. The Mayor of Tampa is waiting for them but after a brief skirmish, the mayor surrenders the city, and the pirates celebrate (and boy do they know how to celebrate) by parading through Tampa accompanied by a boat load (sorry) of floats from organizations, other krewes (currently about 50 “krewes” participate), even the Tampa Bay’s sports teams have floats with a few players on them. Many bands from around the area, state, and country participate and provide the music to march and ride to. Beads are flying non stop as lucky parade watchers are loaded down with the trinkets that are bestowed upon them. After the parade there are two music stages near the waterfront, as well as many food vendors. There are so many beads and other trinkets tossed along the parade route that annually the after parade cleanup yields over a thousand pounds of plastic treasures.
Gasparilla really has evolved to more than this day, more like a season as there are separate Gasparilla events hosted throughout the first couple months of the year like the Children’s Gasparilla Parade which is less raucous will take place on January 20th and starts at 4pm. Also on January 20th is the Gasparilla Air Invasion which is put on by Ghostwriter’s Air Show, On February 10, The Knights of Sant’ Yago Illuminated Knight Parade takes place in Ybor City, and is organized by the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago and is just as wild as the pirate parade. Other Gasparilla events that occur between January and March are the Gasparilla Music Festival (February 16-18), Gasparilla Distance Classic (February 24), Gasparilla Festival of the Arts (March 2-3), and the Gasparilla Film Festival (March).
February 8 -19 - The Florida State Fair
Tampa is the location of the Florida State Fair and is one of the largest state fairs in the country. The Florida State Fair has everything that you would expect from a state fair and then some. Featuring two huge midways, one with rides suited for the younger children, and one for the older kids, and adults, a couple hundred food vendors, free entertainment, livestock competitions, agriculture crops and plant competitions, craft competitions, cooking and baking competitions, and so much more. Over 400,000 people visit over the eleven day Florida State Fair.
February 29 - March 10 - Florida Strawberry Festival
2024 will mark the 89th year of the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City. Fun and exciting activities await you at this huge festival, but the king of the experience is the strawberry shortcake, and other strawberry themed foods and drinks. Plant City is known for being the winter strawberry growing capital of the world, and a drive around the area will confirm that title, as you will pass acres and acres of perfect luscious rows of strawberry plants. Over 10,000 acres are devoted to strawberries in the area, and if you figure that one acre can produce about 40,000 pounds of the delicious berries you can see why they are the winter capital.
Just like other fairs and festivals the Florida Strawberry Festival features thrill rides, as well as kiddie rides, hundreds of food vendors, many displays and competitions, youth livestock competitions and much more. But what sets the Florida Strawberry Festival apart from the others is eleven days of headliner huge name entertainment, these shows are charged separately from your admission price, but you’ll never have so many top names at one venue night after night like this one.
The 2024 Strawberry Festival Entertainers:
February 29 : The Oak Ridge Boys February 29: Oliver Anthony March 1: The Beach Boys March 1: Jordan Davis March 2: The Black Eyed Peas March 3: Parker McCollum March 4: The Bellamy Brothers
March 4: ZZ Top March 5: Mark Lowry March 5: Zach Williams March 6: Craig Morgan March 6: Riley Morgan
March 7: Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets March 7: Gene Watson March 7: Kirk Franklin March 8: The Commodores
March 8: Foreigner March 9: Jo Dee Messina March 9: Flo Rida March 10: The Strawberry kept this one a secret and announced at the end of November that to cap off the Festival's concerts will be country music superstar Cody Johnson.
If you know you will be there and there is a concert that you must see, buy your tickets asap as these shows sell out fast.
March 29 - April 14 - Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival
Clearwater Beach hosts the number one sand sculpting festival in Florida. This annual sand sculpting event features some of the best sand sculptors in the world. It is so amazing to watch these massively talented people work their magic as they bring sand to life. This event features a children’s play area, street performers, live entertainment, fireworks, sand sculpting classes, as well the actual sculpting competitions. The Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit is the main attraction, and is a ticketed exhibit where you walk through a 21,000 square foot tent where you can view the sculpted sand art by world renowned sculptures using Clearwater Beach’s sugar sand. BRING YOUR CAMERA, these are works of art!
While you are visiting Clearwater Beach for the Sugar Sand Festival don’t leave too soon, make sure you experience Sunsets at Pier 60 which is a nightly celebration throughout the year. Sunsets at Pier 60 celebration starts two hours before and ends two hours after sunset every day (weather permitting). The celebration features artisans, street performers and entertainers. Don’t forget some of the most beautiful sunsets that you will ever witness.
April 6, 2024 - Dunedin Highland Games & Festival
You don’t need to board a plane to experience the heritage, culture, music, dancing, sporting events, food, and drinks of Scotland, just head to Dunedin Florida on April 6, 2024. So much fun can be had at this family friendly event. You can watch kilted competitors play unique games, listen to the bagpipes, and so much more. Children are not forgotten as they will have games, sack races, arts and crafts, and face painting. If you are in the area do not miss this fun event.
Clearwater Beach hosts the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day that features fun activities, and games for the participating teams, bands, cheerleaders, and fans. The New Year’s Day ReliaQuest Bowl pits an SEC team against a Big 10 team (or an ACC team if a Big 10 team is playing in the Orange Bowl). Along with the activities for the schools, Beach Day also includes live music performances, skydivers, and of course the inviting water of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico and one of the best beaches in the country.
January 1, 2024 - 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa is home to the New Year’s Day ReliaQuest Bowl that hosts teams from the SEC Conference, and Big Ten Conference. If a Big Ten team is playing in the Orange Bowl then an ACC Conference team will square off with the SEC team instead. This New Year’s Day Bowl has been around since 1986 when it was called the Hall of Fame Bowl, then in 1995 its name changed to the Outback Bowl, and in 2023 the name was changed again to the ReliaQuest Bowl.
January 6, 2024 - Tarpon Springs Epiphany
In remembrance of the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, the Greek community made January 6 a day of celebration by sanctification of the waters, and the immersion of the cross in Spring Bayou. It starts by the Archbishop blessing the waters, after a dove bearer releases a white dove in the air, the Archbishop throws a gold cross into the bayou, and boys who were chosen to participate dive into Spring Bayou to try to retrieve the cross. The boy who finds the cross then takes it to the Archbishop who then blesses the boy and congratulates him.
January 27, 2024 - The Gasparilla Pirate Fest
Tampa hosts the granddaddy of festivals with Gasparilla. The Gasparilla celebration started in 1904 to “honor the pirate Jose Gaspar”, and has gotten bigger and bigger, and more crazy each year. Today the Gasparilla Pirate Fest’s activities are kicked off by a pirate invasion by the pirates err members of Ye Mystic Krewe on their very own 165 foot pirate ship the “Jose Gasparilla”. Ye Mystic Krewe fire their cannons, as they approach the city of Tampa, and are accompanied by hundreds if not a thousand boats of every size and type. The Mayor of Tampa is waiting for them but after a brief skirmish, the mayor surrenders the city, and the pirates celebrate (and boy do they know how to celebrate) by parading through Tampa accompanied by a boat load (sorry) of floats from organizations, other krewes (currently about 50 “krewes” participate), even the Tampa Bay’s sports teams have floats with a few players on them. Many bands from around the area, state, and country participate and provide the music to march and ride to. Beads are flying non stop as lucky parade watchers are loaded down with the trinkets that are bestowed upon them. After the parade there are two music stages near the waterfront, as well as many food vendors. There are so many beads and other trinkets tossed along the parade route that annually the after parade cleanup yields over a thousand pounds of plastic treasures.
Gasparilla really has evolved to more than this day, more like a season as there are separate Gasparilla events hosted throughout the first couple months of the year like the Children’s Gasparilla Parade which is less raucous will take place on January 20th and starts at 4pm. Also on January 20th is the Gasparilla Air Invasion which is put on by Ghostwriter’s Air Show, On February 10, The Knights of Sant’ Yago Illuminated Knight Parade takes place in Ybor City, and is organized by the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago and is just as wild as the pirate parade. Other Gasparilla events that occur between January and March are the Gasparilla Music Festival (February 16-18), Gasparilla Distance Classic (February 24), Gasparilla Festival of the Arts (March 2-3), and the Gasparilla Film Festival (March).
February 8 -19 - The Florida State Fair
Tampa is the location of the Florida State Fair and is one of the largest state fairs in the country. The Florida State Fair has everything that you would expect from a state fair and then some. Featuring two huge midways, one with rides suited for the younger children, and one for the older kids, and adults, a couple hundred food vendors, free entertainment, livestock competitions, agriculture crops and plant competitions, craft competitions, cooking and baking competitions, and so much more. Over 400,000 people visit over the eleven day Florida State Fair.
February 29 - March 10 - Florida Strawberry Festival
2024 will mark the 89th year of the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City. Fun and exciting activities await you at this huge festival, but the king of the experience is the strawberry shortcake, and other strawberry themed foods and drinks. Plant City is known for being the winter strawberry growing capital of the world, and a drive around the area will confirm that title, as you will pass acres and acres of perfect luscious rows of strawberry plants. Over 10,000 acres are devoted to strawberries in the area, and if you figure that one acre can produce about 40,000 pounds of the delicious berries you can see why they are the winter capital.
Just like other fairs and festivals the Florida Strawberry Festival features thrill rides, as well as kiddie rides, hundreds of food vendors, many displays and competitions, youth livestock competitions and much more. But what sets the Florida Strawberry Festival apart from the others is eleven days of headliner huge name entertainment, these shows are charged separately from your admission price, but you’ll never have so many top names at one venue night after night like this one.
The 2024 Strawberry Festival Entertainers:
February 29 : The Oak Ridge Boys February 29: Oliver Anthony March 1: The Beach Boys March 1: Jordan Davis March 2: The Black Eyed Peas March 3: Parker McCollum March 4: The Bellamy Brothers
March 4: ZZ Top March 5: Mark Lowry March 5: Zach Williams March 6: Craig Morgan March 6: Riley Morgan
March 7: Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets March 7: Gene Watson March 7: Kirk Franklin March 8: The Commodores
March 8: Foreigner March 9: Jo Dee Messina March 9: Flo Rida March 10: The Strawberry kept this one a secret and announced at the end of November that to cap off the Festival's concerts will be country music superstar Cody Johnson.
If you know you will be there and there is a concert that you must see, buy your tickets asap as these shows sell out fast.
March 29 - April 14 - Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival
Clearwater Beach hosts the number one sand sculpting festival in Florida. This annual sand sculpting event features some of the best sand sculptors in the world. It is so amazing to watch these massively talented people work their magic as they bring sand to life. This event features a children’s play area, street performers, live entertainment, fireworks, sand sculpting classes, as well the actual sculpting competitions. The Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit is the main attraction, and is a ticketed exhibit where you walk through a 21,000 square foot tent where you can view the sculpted sand art by world renowned sculptures using Clearwater Beach’s sugar sand. BRING YOUR CAMERA, these are works of art!
While you are visiting Clearwater Beach for the Sugar Sand Festival don’t leave too soon, make sure you experience Sunsets at Pier 60 which is a nightly celebration throughout the year. Sunsets at Pier 60 celebration starts two hours before and ends two hours after sunset every day (weather permitting). The celebration features artisans, street performers and entertainers. Don’t forget some of the most beautiful sunsets that you will ever witness.
April 6, 2024 - Dunedin Highland Games & Festival
You don’t need to board a plane to experience the heritage, culture, music, dancing, sporting events, food, and drinks of Scotland, just head to Dunedin Florida on April 6, 2024. So much fun can be had at this family friendly event. You can watch kilted competitors play unique games, listen to the bagpipes, and so much more. Children are not forgotten as they will have games, sack races, arts and crafts, and face painting. If you are in the area do not miss this fun event.