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!
It feels like spring outside, and there are so many amazing things to do! Spring Break is also just around the corner and if you're staying put, we have some ideas to fill in those days off of school from fun outings around town to Spring Break camps!
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!
LAST WEEKEND! 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
- 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!
MORE Awesome Things to Do in Tampa Bay this Weekend
She is Football Weekend: Career Summit | 5K Run, Walk, and Stroll | Festival & Market
- Date: Friday-Saturday, March 6 & 7 at 8 am
- Location: Tampa
Football Weekend returns with the Career Summit on Friday morning, designed to help advance your career. Attendees will be able to connect and learn with national female leaders from various industries through mentoring sessions. There will be exclusive, behind-the-scenes areas such as the player locker room, press box and more will serve as the locations for small group breakout sessions.
And then on Saturday, head to the AdventHealth Training Center for the She is Football 5 K, Run, Walk, or Stroll to celebrate girls in sports! Kids ages 8 and younger run for free. The route will take you through the team’s facilities, including Raymond James Stadium, and end with a big finish inside the AdventHealth Training Center Indoor Facility. This is where you'll find the Festival & Market featuring 150+ local vendors, cheer clinics, flag football tournament, and more!
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!
Dream Asia Food Festival at Florida State Fairgrounds
- Date: Friday, March 6-Sunday, March 8
- Location: Tampa
Step into a three-day celebration of Asian culture, cuisine, creativity, and community. Dream Asia Festival brings together flavors from across Asia, live cultural performances, immersive workshops, family-friendly activities, and one of the largest Asian street-food lineups in the region. Whether you’re there for the food, the shows, the anime vendors, or a fun weekend with friends and family, Dream Asia Festival is your passport to an unforgettable experience.
WizardFest at Raprager Farm
- Dates: Friday, March 6 from 4 pm-7 pm
- Location: Odessa
SkyWatch at MOSI
- Date: Friday, March 6 from 7 pm-9 pm
- Location: Tampa
Join MOSI astronomers for SkyWatch, an exciting evening stargazing event! Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or just beginning to explore the wonders of the night sky, SkyWatch offers an unforgettable experience for everyone. Throughout the evening, their expert astronomers will guide you in viewing the stars, planets, and celestial wonders through telescopes. From the ground level of the outdoor Science Park to the top of the iconic MOSI Dome, they’ll have telescopes set up to give you the best view of the night sky.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in Concert
- Date: Friday, March 6 from 7:30 pm-9:30 pm
- Location: Straz Center in Tampa
After seven films, it all comes down to this: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 will grace the screen once more – this time in concert! The characters you love are back, battling villains and protecting Hogwarts from Voldemort himself. Hear a live symphony orchestra bring Alexandre Desplat’s music to life and experience all the action as the film is projected onto a giant screen with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Free mini Train Rides at Largo Central Park with Largo Central Railroad
- Dates: Saturday, March 8, from 10 am-3:45 pm and Sunday, March 9, from 10 am-12:45 pm
- Location: Largo Central Park
Hop on board this unique experience with Largo Central Railroad! Volunteers welcome the public on the first weekend of each month, giving families like yours a chance to ride on their mini steam engines through the beautiful Largo Central Park. While the rides are free, donations are gladly accepted to keep it all going!
Dog Man: The Musical at The Straz Center
- Date: Saturday, March 7-Sunday, March 8
- Location: Tampa
Comic book creators, George and Harold, have reached fifth grade and are ready for a challenge – making a musical based on one of their characters, Dog Man – a part human/part canine crime fighter. Don’t miss this charming stage adaption of the popular children’s book series from author Dav Pilkey!
DIY Kids Workshop at Home Depot
- Date: Saturday, March 7 from 9 am-12 pm
- Location: Various Locations
Head to your local Home Depot for a free DIY workshop! All supplies included (while supplies last). This month, make a free Leprechaun Trap!
Adventure Island Reopening Day
- Date: Saturday, March 7 at 10 am
- Location: Tampa
Splish, splash, and have a blast as Tampa’s best waterpark opens back up for the season! Experience the twists and turns through the park’s water slides, relax in the lazy river, splash and play in Castaway Falls and Shaka-Laka Shores, and ride the waves in the Endless Surf wave pool!
Weekend Workshop at Bricks 4 Kidz
- Date: Saturday, March 7 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 Superheroes Workshop!
Bulls Family Fest at University of South Florida
- Date: Saturday, March 7 from 10 am-2 pm
- Location: Tampa
Whether you’re a lifelong Bull or a local family looking for the perfect spring Saturday, this festival is designed for you! Enjoy over 100 local vendors and exhibitors, hands-on zones including activities, games, and a petting zoo, and more! Admission is free.
Cracker Cowboy Day at Pioneer Florida Museum and Village
- Date: Saturday, March 7 from 10 am-4 pm
- Location: Dade City
Step back into Florida’s cattle ranching past and experience the sights sounds and skills of the legendary Florida Cracker Cowboys. Known for their distinctive braided leather whips, often stretching ten to twelve feet, the sharp crack of these whips helped guide cattle across open range and earned these cowmen their famous name. There will be tons of family-friendly activities all day long!
Quilting Project at Glazer Children's Museum
- Date: Saturday, March 7 from 11 am-1 pm
- Location: Tampa
Spring into creativity this season by exploring colorful art created by Black artists, female artists, and inspired by the beauty of our planet. Through hands-on craft projects, families will express themselves creatively, celebrate diversity, and care for our Earth! Explore mixed media and learn how women creators have shaped art through creativity, courage, and innovation. Join local artist, Deborah Rodriguez, for a quilting project!
Cyber Bowling Kids Matinee at Pin Chasers
- Date: Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8
- 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, March 7 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, March 7 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.
Holi Festival of Colors at Krate at the Grove
- Date: Sunday, March 7 from 4:30 pm-9 pm
- Location: Tampa
Something colorful is coming to KRATE! The Holi Festival of Colors is an evening of music, celebration, community, and vibrant color.
Kumquat Festival of Dade City
- Date: Sunday, March 8 from 9 am-5 pm
- Location: Dade City
Come enjoy the unique, quaint and family fun of “old Florida” during the 2026 Annual Kumquat Festival – it's one of a kind! You'll have the opportunity to listen to eat delicious food, visit hundreds of arts and crafts vendor booths including sponsors and learn about kumquats, “the little gold gems of the citrus industry”.
Sunday Breakfast Bowl at Pin Chasers
- Date: Sunday, March 8 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.
Dueling Pianos for Kids at Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar and Restaurant
- Date: Sunday, March 8 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:
Gasparilla Music Festival Family Fest
Saturday, April 11 – Sunday, April 12, from 12-3 p.m.
Sparkman Wharf
Kids Fest is FREE for parents and kids at Sparkman Wharf while Gasparilla Music Festival is taking place down the street at Meridian Fields. In addition to live music, there will be plenty of family-friendly activities, including the beloved instrument petting zoo, face painting, a kids rave on Saturday and more.
Get Your Ticket to Style, Stories, and Hope on the Runway
April 18
The Motor Enclave
Join the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation on April 18 at the stunning Motor Enclave in Tampa for Fashion Funds the Cure, an evening where glamour gives back. Enjoy delicious food and great company as you watch incredible pediatric cancer warriors steal the spotlight on the runway. Every ticket fuels life-saving research for better treatments. Come dressed to impress and ready to be moved.
19th Annual Back to School Fair – NEW LOCATION!
Saturday, August 1, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Citrus Park Town Center
Hillsborough County Public Schools presents: The 19th 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!