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!

September is here, which means fall is on the horizon, and it's not too early to start filling up your calendar! And it's not too early to start looking – some events kick off next weekend! If you need to know where to go, we've put together the best Halloween and Fall Festivals around Tampa Bay, including the best pics for kids of all ages and fright levels!

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:

• EARLY HALLOWEEN FUN: A Parent's Guide to Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND Florida 2026
• SAVE THE DATE: ZooTampa Kids Fun Run is Sept. 12!
• GAME DAY FUN with the Tampa Bay Rays
• Flip through the digital version of our September issue! 

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!

ZooTampa Kids Fun Run Presented by MUMA Children's Hospital at TGH

• Date: Saturday, September 12 from 6:30 am-9:30 am
• Location: Tampa

Run, hop, or crawl your way to the ZooTampa Kids Fun Run presented by Muma Children's Hospital at TGH. This kid-friendly event features four exciting races: a 2K ZooRun, 1K ZooRun, Toddler Trot, and Diaper Dash. Don't miss this unique event that encourages a healthy lifestyle while offering wildlife viewing! Each registration includes a single-day admission to ZooTampa.

Minecraft Mania at MOSI

• Date: Saturday, September 12 from 1 pm-3 pm
• Location: Tampa

Calling all Minecraft fans! Minecraft Mania returns to MOSI! This event is designed specifically for children ages 7–12. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Take your favorite game beyond the screen as you tackle hands-on challenges, learn basic coding, sharpen your computer skills, and work with teammates to defend your city from an alien invasion! Build incredible creations, learn coding and computer skills, and complete individual and team challenges. Same-day MOSI admission is included with registration.

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

• Upcoming home games: September 11-13 vs. Houston Astros
• 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!

Brick or Treat Monster Party at LEGOLAND Florida

• Dates: Weekends now through October 31
• Location: 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven

Don’t miss this Halloween party built just for kids at LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven. Kids can enjoy spooky LEGO building activities (they might even learn some cool LEGO building tricks from the pros!), trick-or-treating in the new candy zones, and event-exclusive character meet-and-greets. Dance Party, new fireworks, and more! You can even climb aboard The Disco Dragon coaster for a groovy Halloween monster jam.

Spooktacular at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 

• Dates: Every Saturday & Sunday from September 12 to November 1, 2026
• Location: Busch Gardens Tampa

Join Kandy, Busch Gardens’ charming witch-in-training, for a brand-new family-friendly Halloween celebration full of fun and enchantment. Every Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m.–4 p.m. on the Festival Pathway, little ghouls and goblins can explore Trick-or-Treating, Spooky Kooky Science, Magical Storytime, Kandy’s Costume Parade, and more! This event is included with park admission.

Family Vibes Baby Expo

• Dates: September 19–20
• Location: Tampa Convention Center

Get ready for Tampa Bay’s newest family event! Family Vibes Baby Expo comes to the Tampa Convention Center September 19–20, bringing expecting parents, new parents, young families, and grandparents together for an exciting weekend of discovery, education, shopping, and fun. Explore top baby brands, family resources, expert education, interactive experiences, and more—all under one roof. Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or growing your family, Family Vibes Baby Expo is an event you won’t want to miss!

MORE Awesome Things to Do in Tampa Bay this Weekend

Patriot Day 9/11 Day of Rememberance at Veterans Memorial Park

• Date: Friday, September 11 from 10:30 am-12:30 pm
• Location: Tampa

In observance of the National Day of Service and Remembrance, first-responders, Veterans Community Services and civic leaders aim to honor the fallen while inspire a generation too young to recall the historic events of 9/11. Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) members from Hillsborough County high schools and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) cadets will lead the annual Patriot Day 9/11 ceremony with special guests, interactive demonstrations, and more.

Empower Adventures Zip Line Adventures

• Date: Friday, September 11-Sunday, September 13
• Location: Oldsmar

Tour guides will lead you through a 2.5-hour unforgettable experience all while taking in the amazing Florida sunset! Gain a new perspective on fun, beginning with their 60-foot-tall start tower, 5 zip lines varying in length and totaling over 3,000′, a 200-foot suspension bridge, along with an adventure course with log bridges, cable traverses, and poles!

Grandparents Weekend at The Florida Aquarium

• Date: Saturday, September 12-Sunday, September 13
• Location: Tampa

The best memories are the ones that stay with you long after the day is over. This Grandparents’ Day, take your time exploring The Florida Aquarium with the people who make family feel like home. Celebrate grandparents all weekend long with FREE general admission with the purchase of one paid general admission. Available for same-day purchases only at The Florida Aquarium ticket window.

DIY-U Kids' Workshops by Lowe's

• Date: Saturday, September 12 from 10 am-1 pm
• Location: Various Locations

Head to your local Lowe's for a free DIY craft! All supplies are included (while supplies last). This month, create a haunted house!

Cyber Bowling Kids Matinee at Pin Chasers

• Date: Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13
• 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, September 23, 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.

Tampa Bay Sun Football Club Game

• Date: Saturday, September 12 at 6 pm
• Location: Tampa

Come cheer on the Tampa Bay Sun as they take on the Fort Lauderdale United FC!

Sunday Breakfast Bowl at Pin Chasers

• Date: Sunday, September 13, 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.

Summer Sizzler at Gadsen Park

• Date: Sunday, Septembe 13 from 7 am-10 am
• Location: Tampa

Head to Gadsen Park in Tampa for this family fun run and 10K, 5K, and Kids Dash! Every registration includes special swag, a medal, chip-timing with live results, free race photos, and free Kona Ice at the finish line!

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

• Date: Sunday, September 6 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!

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

NOW OPEN: Lion & Hyena Ridge at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay!

• Date: Now Open!
• Location: Tampa

Get ready to come face to face with two of Africa's most legendary predators at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! Lion & Hyena Ridge is an extraordinary new addition to the park's award-winning animal care portfolio and one of the most immersive wildlife experiences in North America. Included with general admission.

Play at MOSI's NEW SciLinx Cretaceous Course

• Dates: NOW OPEN
• Location: Tampa

Dinosaurs are taking over the SciLinx mini golf course at MOSI! You can now putt putt your way millions of years back in time alongside five massive dinosaurs! The debut of the Cretaceous Course marks the first step in a larger dinosaur transformation taking place across the museum as MOSI prepares for the arrival of SUE The T. rex Experience in January 2027.

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.

“The Art of Banksy” exhibit at The Straz Center

• Date: Open Now through Sept. 27, 2026
• Location: The Straz Center in Tampa

Featuring more than 160 original works, The Art of Banksy is the world’s largest collection of authenticated privately owned Banksy art. This globally acclaimed showcase is the original London exhibition and features original and authenticated works created by the most intriguing and talked-about artist in modern art history. On display are prints, hand-drawn sketches, canvases, screenprints, sculptures, unique works, and limited-edition pieces.

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 private collections of 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!

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.

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.