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!

Summer is in full swing! There are still some awesome summer camps to check out around Tampa Bay and plenty of ways to splash and play at some of the best beaches, waterparks, and splash pads!

This Sunday, July 19, is National Ice Cream Day and what sounds better on a hot day than a cold ice cream cone? Check out some of our favorite ice cream shops around Tampa Bay to celebrate and beat the summer heat!

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, Save the Date, What's on Exhibit, and more.

Happy weekend exploring!

A few new stories we think you'll LOVE:

• Meet the New Baby Rhinos at ZooTampa
• Tampa Bay Rays celebrate “Best Summer Ever at Tropicana Field” with deals for families and more!
• READ NOW: Flip through the digital version of our July issue! 
• SAVE THE DATE: 19th Annual Back-to-School Fair at Citrus Park Town Center on Aug. 1

Featured Things to Do in Tampa Bay this Weekend 

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

The Tampa Bay Rodeo & Family Festival

• Dates: Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18
• Location: Hillsborough County Fairgrounds

Grab your boots and get ready for two high-energy nights of FULL RODEO action, with the region’s top cowboys and cowgirls competing in bull riding, barrel racing, calf roping and more. Tampa Bay Rodeo’s viral sensation “Cowboy Sway,” returns for the bronco busting competition, ready to rock after his heart-stopping crash in April. Arrive early for the Family Festival packed with food, thrills and interactive fun all ages. Superfans can upgrade to the VIP Rodeo Section.

Sensory Saturday at MOSI

• Date: Saturday, July 18 from 8 am-10 am
• Location: Tampa

MOSI’s next Sensory Saturday is created in partnership with C.A.R.D. at USF to welcome guests with sensory differences into a calm, supportive museum experience. For this special morning, MOSI opens early and transforms into a sensory-friendly environment with lowered lights, reduced noise, and a relaxed pace. Families can explore hands-on fun in the Idea Zone, discover unique exhibits, and enjoy a space designed for comfort and connection. Pre-register to secure discounted admission and guarantee your spot! Sensory Saturday is free for MOSI Members, and all guests are welcome to stay and enjoy MOSI after the event ends.

Conservation Connections at ZooTampa

• Date: Saturday, July 18 from 9 am-2:30 pm
• Location: Tampa

Join the Zoo for each of their monthly celebrations to participate in interactive activities and collect unique stamps. Find out how you can BE involved in conservation in your own backyard and take action when you get home to protect wildlife and wild places! ZT Saves Kids’ Club Notebooks and Stamp Passports are available for purchase in any of the gift shops. Use your notebook at the Zoo to collect clues and record observations during monthly celebrations. Then, use your notebook at home to record the extra activities you complete and to keep track of your conservation journey. At the end of the year, show us your stamp collection to redeem small prizes to celebrate a year of conservation in action! This month, celebrate American Zoo Day!

Head to a Tampa Bay Rays game for the “Best Summer Ever at Tropicana Field”

• Dates: Upcoming home games this week: July 17-19 against the Boston Red Sox
• Location: St. Pete

Root, root, root for the home team!!! The Tampa Bay Rays are back at the Trop with home games for the Best Summer Ever! You'll want to add a Sunday home game to your Must Do List since it's Family Fundays, where kids can stay after the game and groove with DJ Kitty and take part in Run the Bases! You can test your skills at the Speed Pitch, take batting practice at the Bat Around, and meet real-life stingrays at the Cownose Clubhouse. Join us for our INSIDE LOOK at game day with the kids at Tropicana Field!

NOW OPEN: Pinniped Pier at Clearwater Marine Aquarium

• Date: Now open!
• Location: Clearwater

Meet CMA's newest residents–Wahoo and Tuna, the sea lions, in their new home at Pinniped Pier! Be among the first to meet these sweet animals in their new habitat, along with more new animals that have recently joined the CMA family! We're sharing more about what's new at Clearwater Marine Aquarium here.

Tampa Theatre: Big Picture

• Date: Sunday, July 26, at 2 pm (Little Women – 2019) and 6:30 pm (The Little Mermaid – 2023)
• Location: Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center

While the Theatre’s historic Duncan Auditorium is temporarily closed for restoration, Tampa Theatre is taking the show on the road! Join them for FREE Community Pop-Up Screenings, hosted by community partners all over Tampa. Tickets or reservations are not required for these screenings.

Red, White, and Zoo at ZooTampa

• Dates: Through Friday, July 31, 2026, on select dates
• Location: Tampa

ZooTampa at Lowry Park will commemorate the United States' 250th birthday with a month-long “Red, White and Zoo” celebration in July. The event will feature special themed animal enrichment activities, patriotic merchandise, festive food and beverages, giveaways and more. On “America Mondays” and “Freedom Fridays” guests can enjoy the animals participating in patriotic-themed animal enrichment activities that promote their physical and mental well-being.

LAST CHANCE! FIFA® World Cup 2026 Experience at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

• Dates: Now through July 19, 2026
• Location: Winter Haven

Celebrate the FIFA World Cup at this all-new interactive event that's bringing the worldwide event closer to home, with a LEGO twist, of course! Kids can score against a LEGO Minifigure, meet soccer legends in LEGO brick form, design a LEGO jersey, and more!

Summer Nights at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

• Dates: Now through August 9, 2026
• Location: Tampa

Summer Nights returns with extended park hours and electrifying entertainment. New this year, catch the wave of retro fun at Beach Bash. Beat the heat during the day and catch returning favorites like Cirque Electric, Animal Tales, Icons, and Rhythm of Nature. The fun keeps going into the night with everyone's favorite 90s-style dance fest at Boombox Dance Party. End your day with their immersive Wild Skies drone show with fireworks on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with all-new shows and more drones!

AquaGlow at Islands of Adventure 

• Dates: Select nights now through August 8, 2026
• Location: Tampa

Get ready to light up your summer nights at AquaGlow, a family-friendly nighttime event that transforms Adventure Island into a dazzling neon paradise! With limited capacity, you’ll enjoy a more relaxed, exclusive experience with plenty of room to glow, dance, and make memories with friends and family.

Summer of Play at Glazer Children’s Museum 

• Dates: All summer long
• Location: Tampa

During Summer of Play, families can expect a rotating lineup of creative experiences, including hands-on art projects, special guests, storytimes, and collaborative crafts. With a focus on making and creating, kids turn everyday materials into friendship bracelets, junk journals, and imaginative works of art. glazermuseum.org 

WORTH THE DRIVE: Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life

• Location: Disney Springs, Orlando
• Showtimes: Wed-Sat. at 5:30 pm and 8 pm, and on Sundays at 1:30 pm and 4 pm

Set your imagination in motion with Drawn to Life, a love letter to the art of Disney animation. In this first-ever creative collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Disney, journey into a whimsical world of animation where an animator’s desk becomes the stage and drawings come alive. It’s the magic of Walt Disney Animation interpreted through dazzling performances and the acrobatic mastery of Cirque du Soleil. Live on stage, only at Disney Springs.

MORE Awesome Things to Do in Tampa Bay this Weekend

NOW OPEN Mysteries of the Nile: Ancient Egypt at Tampa Museum of Art

• Date: Now Open!
• Location: Downtown Tampa

The Tampa Museum of Art has just unveiled a first-of-its-kind exhibit for the Tampa Bay area featuring art and artifacts of ancient Egypt. The exhibit features pieces on loan from the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and from personal collections of private owners, along with works from TMA's collection. The exhibit is an exploration of the everyday life of ancient Egyptian people, the power of the pharaohs and priests, the worship of the gods, and the afterlife. Mysteries of the Nile: Ancient Egypt will be on display for two years.

Go check out the NEW Magic Grasshopper at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Pete

• Date: on display now
• Location: St. Pete

The MFA just unveiled Magic Grasshopper, a pink-hued fantastical art sculpture by a renowned artist, Yvette Mayorga. It's the first in a series of public art displays the museum will showcase outside of its gallery walls for all to enjoy. No admission is required to experience it!

Summerfest at Keel Farms

• Date: Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19
• Location: Plant City

Spend your weekends soaking up summer at Keel Farms! Bring the family out to enjoy free kid-friendly fun while parents relax in the backyard with food, drinks, and plenty of space to unwind and hang out. There will be water slides, bounce houses, food truck-style eats, and more!

Cyber Bowling Kids Matinee at Pin Chasers

• Date: Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19
• 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.

Esports Open Play at Northdale Rec Center

• Date: Saturday, July 18, from 1:30 pm-4:30 pm
• Location: Tampa

Esports lounges are staffed with Esports specialists 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.

Famliy Fun: Pizza Party at Sur La Table

• Date: Saturday, July 18 from 1 pm-3 pm
• Location: Tampa

Bring the whole family for a fun, hands-on class where everyone gets involved in making a delicious meal together. Working alongside other families, you’ll mix a foolproof dough that’s perfect for more than just pizza. Your chef instructor will guide you as you shape pizza knots, practice filling and folding a savory sausage calzone and top a Summer Garden Pizza with homemade tomato sauce and plenty of bubbly, melty cheese. You’ll also assemble fresh Caprese skewers and finish with a sweet Cherry Vanilla Float, the perfect treat to enjoy together after cooking.

Tampa Tarpons Stand up to Cancer Night at George M. Steinbrenner Field

• Date: Sunday, July 18 at 5:45 pm
• Location: Tampa

Help the Tampa Tarpons raise awareness on Stand Up to Cancer Night! The first 1000 fans in attendance will receive a Tampa Tarpons Cancer Ribbon Magnet. Check out the All-You-Can-Eat (and Drink) ticket option for $45.00 per person. Stick around for postgame Kids Run the Bases presented by DICK's House of Sport!

Sunday Breakfast Bowl at Pin Chasers

• Date: Sunday, July 19, from 9 am-11 am
• Location: Tampa, Zephyrhills

Bring the whole family to Pin Chasers for unlimited bowling plus breakfast! You get two hours of bowling, two eggs (your way), bacon, and toast.

Tampa Bay Ice Cream Festival at St. Pete Pier

• Date: Sunday, July 19 from 11 am-8 pm
• Location: St. Pete

Get ready for the sweetest day of the summer as the Tampa Bay Ice Cream Festival returns to the St. Pete Pier! Enjoy an afternoon filled with delicious frozen treats from some of the best ice cream shops, dessert makers, and frozen treat vendors from across Tampa Bay and Florida. Sample incredible flavors, discover new favorites, and help crown this year's champions by voting for the People's Choice Award. This year, the festival is bigger and better than ever with expanded competition categories, including Best Hard Ice Cream, Best Soft Serve Ice Cream, Best Non-Dairy Frozen Treat, and the coveted Best Overall Awards. Watch as our panel of judges awards the famous Golden Ice Cream Trophies to the very best frozen treats in Tampa Bay. The festival will take place in Family Park at the St. Pete Pier, offering more natural shade, additional seating, and an even more comfortable experience for guests.

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

• Date: Sunday, July 19, 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! Yes, the adults can request songs too! Reserver your seat now for this free event!

Save the Date for these Awesome Events in Tampa Bay:

Tampa Theatre's FREE Summer Sing-Along Screenings

• Dates: Select Sundays at 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Sparkman Wharf

With Tampa Theatre’s historic auditorium closed for restoration ahead of its 100^th anniversary in October, the majestic movie palace is taking the show on the road with a series of FREE Summer Sing-Along Screenings on select Sundays at Sparkman Wharf and other locations throughout Tampa Bay, presented by QC! The first 100 guests at each show will also receive a free LED fan, courtesy of series sponsor QC, and a free bag of Tampa Theatre’s famous popcorn, starting at 6:00 pm. Upcoming Monthly Movies at Sparkman Wharf: July 26: The Little Mermaid (2023) and  August 23: Wicked (2024).

19^th Annual Back to School Fair – NEW LOCATION!

• Date: Saturday, August 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Location: Citrus Park Town Center

Hillsborough County Public Schools presents: The 19^th Annual Back to School Fair is headed back to an ALL-NEW location in 2026! Head to Tampa Bay's ultimate back-to-school bash inside the air-conditioned comfort of Citrus Park Town Center during the Sales Tax Holiday, meaning you won’t have to pay sales tax on your school-related purchases. Take pictures with ThunderBug, sing with Princesses, get your face painted, enjoy performances, games and contests, plus, we’re giving away FREE backpacks for the first 1,000 kids in line!

Dolphin Yoga at CMA

• Date: August 14, from 5:45-7 p.m.
• Location: Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Join Clearwater Marine Aquarium for a relaxing Yoga session with incredible underwater dolphin views! Dive into zen with 60 minutes of self-care relaxation as you practice yoga with breathtaking views of dolphins gracefully swimming at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This engaging class is held in a covered outdoor space right in front of the underwater dolphin viewing area, creating the perfect atmosphere for tranquility and mindfulness.

DFAC Con

• Date: Saturday, September 12, from 2-8 p.m., or 1-8 p.m. (V.I.P.)
• Location: Dunedin Fine Arts Center

DFAC Con returns on Saturday, September 12 for an action-packed celebration of art, cosplay, gaming, comics, anime, and pop culture! Explore Artist Alley, shop unique vendors, meet special guests, enjoy interactive panels and gaming, and show off your creativity in the cosplay contest. Fun for all ages at the Dunedin Fine Art Center. VIP and General Admission tickets are on sale now!

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

Galacticoaster at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

• NOW OPEN! 
• 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!

Above & Beyond exhibit at MOSI 

• Dates: Now Open!
• Location: Tampa

From the earliest dreams of the Wright brothers to the future of space exploration, this immersive exhibit lets you design, test, and experience flight firsthand through cutting-edge, hands-on technology. Step into the action as you build your own aircraft, explore the forces of flight, and push the limits of what’s possible.

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!

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.

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.