At least 10 spring events and festivals will happen around St. Petersburg over the next four months.
Courtesy of Tampa Bay Blues Festival
By Samantha Skye
This semester, students have many opportunities to get out and explore St. Petersburg. With the Center for Disease Control (CDC) loosening COVID-19 guidelines, local events and festivals are springing up like wildflowers on a brisk Florida day.
Here are a few within a 30-minute walk of USF St. Petersburg:
Localtopia
Support independent businesses and organizations by attending the ninth annual Localtopia –– a free “community celebration of all things local,” according to its website. This is a good networking opportunity as attendees can meet the people behind some of Tampa Bay’s renowned brands.
Event Details: Feb. 12 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Williams Park | 330 Second Ave. N.
St. Petersburg Fine Art Festival
More than 100 artisans from around Florida gather to create an “outdoor gallery of stunning, original and handmade art from works in painting, photography, sculpture, metalwork, digital art, jewelry, glass, ceramics, woodworking, mixed-media, fiber art and much more,” according to Paragon Art Events, the organizer of the eighth annual St. Petersburg Fine Art Festival.
If this free marketplace doesn’t have something that piques your interest, find an artist that speaks to you and commission a piece for your dorm.
Event Details: Feb. 19 & 20 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. South Straub Park | 198 Bayshore Drive NE
Firestone Grand Prix of St. Pete
North America’s premier open-wheel racing series, the NTT IndyCar Series, has a complex schedule with “races held on ovals, permanent road courses and temporary street courses,” according to the Grand Prix website. Some of the most talented up-and-coming racers go head-to-head “on the Road to Indy.” Step outside and watch the action unfold. Single-day tickets range from $25 to $120 while three-day passes range from $60 to $155.
Event Details: Feb. 25-27 | Schedule First Street S. and Fifth Ave. S.
Listening Room Festival
About 15 years ago, Fran Snyder started a website called Concerts in Your Home, which has evolved into the Listening Room Network (LRN). Snyder explained that the LR Festival is “a celebration of music in intimate places like people’s homes … where independent touring artists from around the world can basically take advantage of the idea that fans like to be more engaged with music nowadays.”
Typically, these house concerts are close-knit events where the host is responsible for drawing an audience. Over time, these individuals “become the tastemaker amongst their friends,” Snyder said.
The three words he used to describe these events are “live acoustic connection.”
The main showcase features four acts (tickets start at $35), but smaller house concerts will be going on all weekend from March 24 through the 27. Sign up through the festival website to waive the LRN membership fee.
Event Details: March 25 | 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Palladium Theater | 253 Fifth Ave. N.
Florida Antiquarian Book Fair
Find books on all subjects and for all ages, as well as “maps, prints, post cards, ephemera, autographs and other paper collectibles,” according to Eventbrite, at the 39th annual Florida Antiquarian Book Fair. Admission is $1 for students with identification.
Event Details: April 1-3 | Schedule The Coliseum | Fourth Ave. N.
Mainsail Art Festival
Produced by a committee of volunteers, the 47th annual Mainsail Art Festival will feature independent artists, performing and culinary arts, as well as a “student exhibition featuring artwork from Pinellas County Schools,” the Young at Art Museum said.
Event Details: April 16 & 17 | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vinoy Park | Bayshore Drive NE
Tampa Bay Blues Festival
Since 1995, this festival has brought many sought-after artists and blues bands to St. Petersburg. Blues music, drinks, food and fun are what you’ll find at the Tampa Bay Blues Festival. One day general admission (GA) tickets range from $50 to $60 and three-day GA tickets are $140.
Event Details: April 8-10 | 12:30 to 10p.m. Vinoy Park | Bayshore Drive NE
Sunscreen Film Festival
Presented by the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Film Society, the Sunscreen Film Festival is a place where cast and crew members come together to hone their craft, celebrate film making and network. Single-day passes cost $50, and the full four-day VIP pass is $150. Volunteer in exchange for free tickets.
Event Details: April 28-May 1 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundial AMC 12 | 153 Second Ave. N.
Harry Potter Drag Show
Welcome to “Dragwarts,” where Tampa Bay burlesque performers interpret the magical, cult classic that is “Harry Potter.” Play interactive games like bingo and trivia and a pay-to-play raffle, which benefits Wordier Than Thou’s literary arts programming that “supports writers and readers throughout Florida.” Tickets start at $20 if purchased ahead of time, and $25 at the door.
Event Details: May 5 | 7-9 p.m. St. Pete Shuffle | 559 Mirror Lake Drive N.
Baila Tampa Latin Dance Fest
Kery Landia of DK Dance Creations and Juan Tato Paredes of TaTo Salsa are coming together to throw their very first Baila Tampa. This “fuego” festival celebrates Latin culture and dance in a high-energy environment. “If you think of Comic-Con, it’s that but for Latin dancing,” Landia said.
She specified that the cha-cha, Cuban salsa, samba, bachata and more will be taught, from basic to advanced, at this three-day event. Whether you want to dance along or just people watch, this event is sure to shake up the city.
A three-day pass is $170, but USF students get 10% off with code BAILAUSF.
Event Details: May 19-22 | 6-11 p.m. Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront | 333 First St. SE
