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!
Ahoy, mateys! The legendary Gasparilla Pirate Invasion is this Saturday, but if you'd rather stick to pure family fun there is plenty of ways to entertain your little swashbucklers.
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!
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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!
Sesame Street Kids Weekends at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Date: Saturday, January 24-February 8
- Location: Tampa/Bayshore
Set sail for family fun at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! Join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird, and all of your Sesame Street friends for pirate-themed adventures the whole family will love! Included with general admission. This is also a great time to take advantage of theFREE Busch Gardens Preschool Pass!
LEGO NINJAGO Weekends at LEGOLAND Florida Resort
- Select dates: January 24, 31 and February 7, 14, 15
- Location: Winter Haven
Go full ninja! It's time to celebrate 15 years of LEGO NINJAGO and take on the ultimate mission of family fun as LEGO NINJAGO Weekends returns to LEGOLAND Florida Resort! Step into the world of LEGO NINJAGO with your favorite LEGO Ninjas, and reach your true Ninja potential with immersive, thrilling shows and action-packed activities that you can only find at LEGOLAND Florida.
Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion at MOSI
- Date: Now-May 2026
- Location: MOSI, Tampa
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.
Real Music Series at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Date: Now through February 20, 2026
- Location: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
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!
MORE Awesome Things to Do in Tampa Bay this Weekend
LAST CHANCE! World's Largest Rubber Duck at Coachman Park!
- Date: Through January 26, 2026
- Location: Clearwater
Come see the world's largest rubber duck at Coachman Park in Clearwater! Stop by during the month of January for Duck Days events such as Jeep photo ops, Market Marie, Duck Dash 5K, Rubber Ducky's Birthday Bash with Mr. Brad and Jack Hartmann, and more!
Angry Lizard: An Experiment by Dr. Kramer
- Date: January 22 – February 28, 2026 (multiple performance dates and locations)
- Locations: Various community centers and libraries across Tampa Bay
Angry Lizard: An Experiment by Dr. Kramer is a playful, imaginative show for all audiences that explores emotions, empathy, and self-control—with the help of dinosaurs. The story follows Dr. Kramer, a so-called “mad scientist,” as he tries to teach emotional awareness in the most unexpected way. Best for ages 4 and up.
Performance Schedule:
- Thursday, January 29, 3:30 pm – Seminole Garden Center
- Saturday, January 31, 11:00 am – Riverview Public Library
- Wednesday, February 4, 3:00 pm – Westchase Park and Recreation Center
- Saturday, February 7, 11:00 am & 3:00 pm – Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library
- Wednesday, February 11, 10:30 am – New Tampa Performing Arts Center
- Friday, February 13, 10:00 am – Ruskin Park and Recreation Center
- Saturday, February 14, 11:00 am – C. Blythe Andrews Public Library
- Saturday, February 21, 11:00 am & 3:00 pm – New Tampa Regional Library
- Saturday, February 28, 11:00 am – Robert Saunders, Sr. Public Library
All performances are free and open to the public.
Dolphin Yoga – for self-care time
- Date: Friday, January 30, 2026, 5:45 pm – 7:00 pm
- Location: Central Florida Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767
Unwind with a one-of-a-kind evening yoga experience alongside dolphins in a peaceful aquarium setting. Enjoy a gentle, all-levels yoga flow paired with calming water views and the playful presence of dolphin ambassadors, creating a relaxing and memorable way to stretch, breathe, and get some me time.
Feline Files: Fact or Fiction? at FloridaRAMA
- Date: Now Open!
- Location: St. Pete
Investigate strange occurrences around Mermaid Star Motel and discover a mysterious new feline species!
SAVE THE DATE!
2026 Florida State Fair
- Dates: February 5-16
- WEEKDAY Times: Monday – Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- WEEKEND Times: Friday – Sunday & President’s Day, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Location: 4800 US Hwy. 301 North, Tampa FL 33610
Celebrate America at the Florida State Fair—America’s Sunniest Celebration—shining bright February 5–16 in Tampa! Enjoy 12 days of rides, classic fair food, live entertainment, creative competitions, agricultural showcases, and hands-on exhibits that highlight Florida’s talent and traditions. With red, white, and blue moments, photo worthy spots, and fun for every age and vibe, it’s the perfect place to soak up the sunshine and celebrate it all.
MORE THINGS TO DO: See What’s on Exhibit in Tampa Bay
Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine exhibit at MOSI in Tampa
Can a machine think like you? Learn like you? Paint your portrait like Picasso? Starting September 6, visitors at MOSI, Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry, can find out in a brand-new way with the opening of Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine, a hands-on exhibit that makes the world of AI exciting, accessible, and unforgettable.
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.