20+ FUN Things to Do in Tampa Bay this Weekend

It's another busy weekend with tons of awesome things to do in Tampa Bay with the kids!

The weather has been picture-perfect for getting outdoors and exploring some of the amazing events around town, like Busch Gardens Real Music Series and Mardi Gras! We're so excited because one of our favorite annual events is back! Check out how you can have the best day ever at The Florida Strawberry Festival!

But, before we dive into our list of Weekend Top Picks of Things to Do in Tampa Bay This Weekend– here's how we've set it up to make it easier for you to find an event on a day that works best for your family: Featured Events that make this page possible, More Awesome Things to Do, What's on Exhibit, Save the Date, and more.

Happy weekend exploring!

A few new stories we think you'll LOVE:

• Clearwater Marine Aquarium welcomes three new harbor seals
• INSIDE LOOK: Galacticoaster, A New Indoor Roller Coaster at LEGOLAND® Florida
• U-PICK IS BACK: Where to pick strawberries, citrus, and more in Tampa Bay!

Featured Things to Do in Tampa Bay this Weekend 

We're giving the following events an extra shout-out since their support helps us provide this amazing weekend guide to you for free!

Florida Strawberry Festival

• Dates: Friday, Feb. 27 to Sunday, March 9
• Location: Plant City

The Florida Strawberry Festival is an 11-day community event celebrating the strawberry harvest of Eastern Hillsborough County. This is your chance to taste all things strawberry, including the world-famous strawberry shortcake, experience youth livestock shows, exhibits, and, of course, the rides. This year’s event will feature headliners like Forrest Frank, Dierks Bentley, The Oak Ridge Boys, and more!

Galacticoaster at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

• OPENING DAY: Friday, Feb. 27 at 10 am
• Location: LEGOLAND Florida, Winter Haven

Be one of the first to experience LEGOLAND Florida Resort's awesome new indoor family coaster, Galacticoaster! You'll find it in the new LEGO Galaxy, where you can immerse yourself in 40+ years of LEGO space history. The ride is a first of its kind, and we're sharing all of the details about Galacticoaster here!

Youth Environmental Action Summit & Action Days

MORE Awesome Things to Do in Tampa Bay this Weekend

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg 

• Dates: Friday, Feb. 27 to Sunday, March 1 
• Location: Downtown St. Pete 

The 22nd annual running of the iconic event, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, will bring fans three full days of family fun and nonstop racing action with eight total races from five different racing series. Three-day admission tickets start at $80 for adults and $70 for kids ages 12 and younger. For an extra $35, you can upgrade your kid’s day with Rookie Racers, which will get children up close to the cars and drivers, where they can give each driver a high-five at the starting grid. 

Bay Area Renaissance Fest

• Date: Weekends through March 29
• Location: Dade City

Join the Villagers of Folkstone as they invite one and all to the magical 16th Century European village featuring 15 stages of exciting entertainment including musicians, magicians, jugglers and jousting. Over 100 artisans will fill the Festival marketplace to display and sell their handcrafted goods for a truly fabulous and endless shopping experience. Patrons will interact with memorable characters and enjoy full-contact live armored jousting, themed weekends, and fabulous food fit for royalty!

Play. Shop. Celebrate With Us! at The Shops at Wiregrass

• Date: Friday, February 27 from 5 pm-9 pm
• Location: Wesley Chapel

Head over for an unforgettable evening to celebrate The Shops at Wiregrass mall refresh and the grand reintroduction of Center Court to Piazza Ave! They’re bringing the community together for a night packed with high‑energy entertainment, family‑friendly activities, and interactive experiences for all ages.

Laser Light Show: Rock the Cosmos at MOSI

• Date: Friday, February 27 at 6:30 pm and 8:15 pm
• Location: Tampa

Laser Light Shows are taking over MOSI’s NEW Saunders Planetarium and Digital Dome Theatre! Step inside America’s second-largest planetarium and experience vivid laser visuals, dynamic music, and dazzling special effects. Designed for all ages, MOSI's Laser Light Shows have something for everyone. Each performance pairs stunning visuals with your favorite soundtracks. Inside the 360-degree, you won’t just watch the show, you’ll feel like part of it. Before the lasers hit the dome, our astronomer will guide you through a live star show, taking you on a journey into the night sky. Tongiht, hear the music of the Beatles at 6:30 and Queen at 8:15.

WizardFest at Raprager Farm

• Dates: February 27, 28, March 1, 6
• Location: Odessa

Gasparilla Festival of the Arts

• Date: Saturday, February 28-Sunday, March 1
• Location: Tampa

The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts offers two full days of activities the whole family can enjoy. Visit the Art Collectors in Training tent where kids can buy art produced by festival artists. Or stop by the Young Artists Expo and view the amazing work of regional student artists. If creating art is more your style, try adding your own artistic flair to the Nomad Art Bus. Be sure to stop at the Children’s Activity Area and make a masterpiece you can take home!

Pigz in Z'Hills BBQ & Blues Fest

• Date: Saturday, February 28 from 9 am-5 pm
• Location: Zephyrhills

Greater East Pasco Chamber of Commerce Presents Pigz in Z'Hills BBQ & Blues Festival in Downtown Zephyrhills featuring blues bands, kidz grillin contest, vendors, and more!

Grand Opening at ClawZania Tampa

• Date: Saturday, February 28 at 10 am
• Location: Tampa

Get ready for a full day of fun with your favorite claw games! There will be face painting, balloon twisters, raffles, giveaways, FREE tokens, and more!

Kids Market at the Sunshine Market

• Date: Saturday, February 28 from 10 am-3 pm
• Location: Tampa

Join The Kids Market at the Midtown Tampa Market with Tampa Bay Markets! This year-round market takes place in Midtown Commons, offering a vibrant space for young entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses. With a mix of artisan vendors, delicious food, and live entertainment, this family-friendly event is a must-visit! Be sure to stop by the Kids Market section and support the next generation of business owners.

Weekend Workshop at Bricks 4 Kidz

• Date: Saturday, February 28 from 10 am-1 pm
• Location: Tampa

Take part in this 3 hour LEGO workshop full of LEGO robots, LEGO mosaic art, LEGO 3D art, and much more! Each week is a different theme and at the end of each workshop, every child will get to take home their every own Bricks 4 Kidz minifigure! All children ages 4.5 – 12 years old are welcome! Spots are limited to just 20 builders per workshop! This Saturday, participate in a LEGO Ninjas Workshop!

Cotton Candy Party with Stitch and Angel at SkateWorld Tampa

• Date: Saturday, February 28 from 12 pm-6 pm
• Location: Tampa

Get ready for a sugar-sweet skating day full of fun and smiles! Grab your friends for a Cotton Candy Party, featuring special appearances by Stitch and Angel! You'll get a FREE small bag of cotton candy with every paid admission (while supplies last)! Perfect for kids, families, and anyone who loves skating, characters, and sweet treats!

Cyber Bowling Kids Matinee at Pin Chasers

• Date: Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1
• Location: Tampa, Zephyrhills

Cyber Bowling is the fusion of high-energy entertainment and bowling where anything is possible! Bowling with kids? Enjoy special family matinees with family appropriate music so families can enjoy the fun together at an earlier time.

Minecraft Mania at MOSI

• Date: Saturday, February 28 from 1 pm-3 pm
• Location: Various Locations

Got a Minecraft master at home? Minecraft Mania at MOSI takes their favorite game to the next level with hands-on challenges designed for kids ages 7–12. They’ve mined for diamonds. Built epic worlds. Defeated mobs. Now it’s time to put those skills to the test in a fast-paced workshop packed with creativity, coding, and teamwork. During this drop-off program, participants will take on individual and team-based challenges, build computer and problem-solving skills, learn basic coding concepts, strategize and collaborate, and work together to defend their city from an alien invasion!

Esports Open Play at Northdale Rec Center

• Date: Saturday, February 28 from 1:30 pm-4:30 pm
• Location: Tampa

Esports lounges are staffed with Esports specialist who inspire and encourage new social skills, help develop gaming fundamentals, and set a safe, inclusive and positive social environment. Coaches are Esports competitors who have the skills and experience to help any player develop and grow their skills to perform better in competitions. In addition to developing Esports skills, participants socialize with like-minded competitors and make new friends in a high-energy environment.

Dad's Day Out with Real Dad Dept at Midtown Tampa

• Date: Sunday, March 1 from 2 pm-4 pm
• Location: Tampa

Tampa’s #1 dad community is taking over The Commons every first Sunday of the month. Bring the kids, meet other families, and make new memories with free, family-friendly activities designed to spark connection.

Upstairs/Downstairs at Henry B. Plant Museum

• Date: Sunday, March 1 from 2 pm-2:30 pm
• Location: Tampa

Step back in time and enjoy the single-character performances that bring turn-of–the-century Tampa Bay Hotel staff members and guests to life. Each character is based wholly or in part on actual hotel staff and guests. Based on original research conducted by the Henry Plant Museum, these characters recreate the attitudes and mores of a bygone time, along with the sorrows and joys of their existence. From the reminiscences of Henry Plant himself on what led him to build such a palace, to the letters home written by a Spanish-American War soldier, you will learn more about the time period through each character’s particular vantage point. Performances are 30 minutes and are included with admission to the Museum. Arrive early as limited seating is available on a first-come first-served basis.

Dueling Pianos for Kids at Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar and Restaurant

• Date: Sunday, March 1 from 4 pm-6 pm
• Location: Wesley Chapel

Fun for the whole family! Bring the kids out to dance, sing, and request all their favorite tunes! Movie songs, TV shows, and pop music are all on the table! This event is free but reservations are encouraged!

MORE THINGS TO DO: See What’s on Exhibit in Tampa Bay

Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion at MOSI

Step back into time and explore full-scale machines created from da Vinci's drawings. Ultimately, Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion invites you to explore the mind of one of history’s greatest thinkers. Discover his ideas. Experience his creativity. And feel the impact of his genius. On display through May 26.

Lucy Sparrow's Quick Shop at FloridaRAMA

• Dates: Now until the exhibit sells out of the felt art creations
• Location: St. Pete

World-renowned artist Lucy Sparrow is bringing her incredible felt artwork back to Tampa Bay in a 700-square-foot exhibit at FloridaRAMA called Lucy Sparrow's Quick Shop. The whimsical exhibit is filled with thousands of handmade felt art creations inspired by the everyday items you would find at the market, including produce, seafood, laundry detergent, and more. And here's what's really cool–you can purchase the artwork, too. FloridaRAMA is also decorated for the holidays! They also just unveiled Lucy Sparrow's Sugar Rush, featuring favorite candies in felt form!

Feline Files: Fact or Fiction? at FloridaRAMA

Investigate strange occurrences around Mermaid Star Motel and discover a mysterious new feline species!

Science LIVE! All-New Science Demos at MOSI in Tampa | Daily at 2 p.m.

Watch a MOSI educator bring science to life with exciting, hands-on demos. Each show lasts about 15 minutes and features fun experiments in chemistry, physics, biology, and more. You’ll see colorful reactions, cool demos, and amazing science in action. MOSI makes science easy to understand, and even easier to get excited about!

Wild Oasis at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 

The Wild Oasis Realm is finally open at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! There's a new ride, a splash pad, and so many ways to climb and play!

SEA LIFE Florida at LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven

Get ready for this under-the-sea adventure at this all-new indoor attraction! You can expect to see more than 3,000 sea creatures and even walk through a 180-degree underwater tunnel! We'll be there for the official opening on Friday morning!

Forts Exhibit at Glazer Children's Museum in Tampa

The beloved FORTS exhibit returns to Glazer Children's Museum this weekend in its newly expanded and permanent home on the second floor, just in time for spring break! You'll find it on the second floor, where kids can use their imaginations to build an epic fort!

Let's See at Glazer Children's Museum in Tampa

This colorful, bilingual (English and Spanish) exhibit, created in partnership with the Glazer Vision Foundation, invites families to explore the science of vision through hands-on, mind-bending experiences. Discover how your eyes work with playful interactives that bring light, color, and perspective to life. Mix colors on spinning wheels, walk into a giant kaleidoscope, and cast dazzling colored shadows. Peer through a water sphere to see the world flipped upside down – just like your eyes do before your brain flips it back! Try on glasses, test for color blindness, and watch your pupils dilate as you explore how we see the world.

Wonders of Wetlands at Great Explorations Children's Museum in St. Pete

This new permanent exhibit, created in partnership with Tampa Bay Water, was designed to engage young minds and spark environmental curiosity. The immersive experience brings one of Florida’s most vital ecosystems to life inside the museum, and kids can even go face-to-face with some of the creatures that call our wetlands home, like turtles, lizards, and a snake!

See the World’s Largest Triceratops at Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa

Big John, the world’s largest fossil triceratops, is now on display at the Glazer Children’s Museum for a three-year exhibition. For the first time, the museum is waiving its requirement that adults attend the museum with a child, to ensure everyone has a chance to see Big John nose to snout for themselves. While you do not need a reservation to go to the museum, you will need to book a timeslot to see Big John. This will eliminate crowds so you can make the most out of the experience.  Learn more about how to plan your day to see Big John the Triceratops here.

FloridaRAMA in St. Pete

FloridaRAMA (formerly Fairgrounds St. Pete) is an immersive art experience has made its mark in Tampa Bay! There are more than 70 artists featured. You can go and simply enjoy the whimsical art that celebrates weird, wacky, wonderful Florida or choose a different adventure and try to crack the codes and mysteries you’ll find throughout.

Paws for Literacy at Humane Society of Tampa Bay in Tampa | Tuesdays and Thursdays

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay gives children who love animals a chance to spend time with them while catching up on their reading or improving their reading skills. Children are paired with homeless pets who love to hear the stories and look at the pictures. The program is offered for children ages 5 and up. They’ll provide reading stools, books, and treats (for the animals), but children are welcome to bring their own books if they wish. Books provided include animal tales, stories of the animal-human bond, and books that teach empathy to young readers. Supervised by a Florida state certified teacher.

Ruskin Family Drive-In in Ruskin | Wednesdays-Sundays

The Ruskin Family Drive-In Theatre has over 50 years of continuous service to the Ruskin and South Hillsborough County. It’s been a community gathering place since its first movie, “Singing in the Rain” played in 1952. They offer great movies, good food, and peace and quiet on a continuous basis with a 2000 square foot screen, clean restrooms, snack bar, and clean parking lot. Please note: you must bring a portable radio with you or use the radio in your car to hear the movie. There will be no showings on Monday and Tuesday.

Save the Date for these Awesome Events in Tampa Bay:

Lunch & Learn Webinar: Dyslexia Redefined

• Date: Thursday, March 5, from 12–12:45 p.m.
• Location: Online Webinar

Head online for an engaging virtual information session exploring why the new definition of dyslexia matters for identification and support. We’ll address common misconceptions, what research really shows, and how dyslexia impacts reading, writing, and language development. Learn why early screening and evidence-based intervention are critical—and how The dePaul School supports dyslexic learners through Orton-Gillingham–based instruction. Grab your lunch and log in!

Disney On Ice Presents Mickey’s Search Party

• March 5-8 at various showtimes
• Benchmark International Arena

Celebrate Disney magic at Disney On Ice presents Mickey's Search Party, a fast-paced, family-friendly production that follows the search for Tinker Bell through stunning worlds. Explore the colorful spirit realm of Coco with Miguel, brave the ocean with Moana, marvel at Belle's enchanted chandelier, and sing with Elsa. Watch Stitch crash the action with mischievous surprises. Featuring spectacular ice skating, daring aerial stunts, and memorable moments from Aladdin, Toy Story, and The Little Mermaid, this all-out celebration delivers nonstop music, mischief, and memories.

Be My Neighbor Day

• Saturday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• PBS WEDU Station, 1300 North Boulevard, Tampa 33607

Enjoy a fun family day in the neighborhood! Head to the WEDU PBS station to celebrate kindness and caring neighbors in our community. Featuring an English and Spanish Fun Zone, Trolley rides, music and performers, Daniel Tiger meet and greets, and MORE, this FREE, all-ages event promises fun for everyone – you can even tour the TV studio! Plus, stop by our booth and say Hello!

Roger Day Live in Concert

• Date: Mon, Mar. 9 at 11 a.m.
• Location: The BayCare Sound in Clearwater

Using his signature wit, whimsy, and wordplay, Roger Day will take the crowd on an active journey through his classic songs, encouraging the audience to sing loud, jump high, and of course…DREAM BIG! Free; School groups wanting to attend are asked to call the Education Associates at 727-712-2706 or email rehedu@rutheckerdhall.net to reserve group seats.