The Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest Parade may be over, but the party doesn’t stop in Tampa Bay! There are plenty of events surrounding Gasparilla still to come like this month’s Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend.
And with the Florida State Fair, the Florida Strawberry Festival, international soccer phenomenon Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami CF teammates coming to Raymond James Stadium, and the start of Major League Baseball spring training at Steinbrenner Field all happening this month, Tampa Bay is the place to be in February!
Catch international superstar Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF against Orlando City SC in a special Valentine’s Day engagement of the Florida Derby at Raymond James Stadium.
The preseason friendly will take place at the 65,000-capacity stadium home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will mark the first Major League Soccer contest at Raymond James Stadium since 2001. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
After a two-month hiatus, Tampa Bay Sun FC returns to the pitch to begin its Spring Season Feb. 8 vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC at Tampa’s Riverfront Stadium, the first of two home matches in the month of February for the Sun (also: Feb. 22 vs. Brooklyn FC).
And in a recently-announced historic matchup between America’s two top-tier women’s professional soccer leagues, the Sun will take on 2023 National Women’s Soccer League champions Gotham FC on Sunday, March 2 at Riverfront Stadium in a clash that will feature Olympic gold medalists, members of the U.S. Women’s National Team, and veterans of World Cup competition.
The Tampa Bay Sun are Tampa Bay’s first professional women’s sports team and compete in the eight-team USL Super League. Tampa Bay is currently in fifth place in the league after going 5-4-4 in the Fall Season.
The 48th running of the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend opens Saturday, Feb. 22 through Sunday, Feb. 23 with four challenges: a 5K, 8K, 15K and half-marathon (13.1 miles).
This incredibly flat and fast course takes runners on an out-and-back path along Tampa’s beautiful Bayshore Boulevard. The Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic is the premier and city-signature road running event for the City of Tampa.
The Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade is an annual celebration of Tampa civic pride since 1974. Costumed participants, illuminated floats, marching bands, and special guests parade through Ybor City, with thousands of spectators and families lining Seventh Avenue. More than 100 organizations participate in the Knight Parade, including local government officials and dignitaries and many of Tampa Bay’s krewes. The parade begins around 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8.
Nosh on delectable treats and unique fair food, experience heart-pounding and nostalgic carnival rides, shop unique vendor booths, and be wowed by a wide-ranging calendar of music acts and attractions at the Florida State Fair Feb. 6-17 on Tampa’s Florida State Fairgrounds.
The Florida State Fair averages 500,000 attendees annually and features over 90 midway rides, making it one of the largest midways in North America.
The Florida Strawberry Festival – running Feb. 27 through March 9 in Plant City – represents a piece of Americana, a time in American history when fairs and festivals brought communities together through celebrations of their harvests. The Festival has grown in popularity year after year through the preservation of this heritage and continues to preserve and enhance the agricultural and historical legacy of the Florida strawberry.
With rides and attractions; youth livestock shows; daily entertainment headlined by an eclectic mix of acts like Reba McEntire, Boyz II Men, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Nelly, and John Fogerty; plus plenty of carnival food – including all the strawberries you can stuff your face with – the Florida Strawberry Festival has something for everyone.
SHOP, SIP, AND SAVOR AT MEZZO MARKET
Mezzo Market returns to Tampa Saturday, Feb. 8 from 10am to 3pm at Willa’s in North Hyde Park. A curated neighborhood market with boutique shops, vintage goods, handmade wares, plants, food + drink, and music, Mezzo Market features over 80 small and local businesses and is free to attend.
GET READY FOR GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE AT STEINBRENNER
The Grapefruit League season for 2025 Spring Training officially begins Friday, Feb. 21 at Tampa’s Steinbrenner Field as the New York Yankees host the Tampa Bay Rays in a matchup of American League East rivals.
The Yankees will play 16 spring training games at Steinbrenner Field through February and March, concluding March 23 against Tampa Bay. The Rays will make their temporary home at Tampa’s Steinbrenner Field for the 2025 Major League Baseball regular season with Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg under repair.
FRESH UPGRADES AT HARD ROCK
In January, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa unveiled over $65 million in resort enhancements designed to elevate the guest experience, including nearly 350 new state-of-the-art slot machines, a revamped Fresh Harvest Buffet, and a renovated West Tower with 240 updated, smoke-free rooms.
