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 is beautiful, and it's the perfect time to be outdoors! There are so many fun things going on around Tampa Bay this time of year, including the return of the Gasparilla Music Festival and tons of places to pick fruits, vegetables, flowers, and more!

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:

• LEGOLAND Florida launches new DEAL: Stay for a night, play for a year!
• DON'T MISS IT: FREE 2026 Busch Gardens Preschool Card
• U-PICK IS BACK: Where to pick berries, citrus, flowers 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!

Springtime Bash at ZooTampa

• Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, the Zoo is open for extended hours, open until 7 pm
• Location: Tampa

Celebrate a little later this spring at ZooTampa during the Springtime Bash! ZooTampa will stay open until 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays through April 26! This is the perfect time to explore the all-new Florida Waters expansion!

Tampa Bay Rodeo & Family Festival (pictured in featured image)

Friday & Saturday, April 10-11; doors at 4:30 p.m., rodeo at 7:00 p.m.
Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, Dover
Round up the family – rodeo thrills and patriotic celebrations await! Celebrate America’s 250^th birthday at the Tampa Bay Rodeo & Family Festival, presented by Bartow Ford, April 10-11 at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds. Tampa’s thrill-packed spring tradition delivers two action-packed nights of FULL RODEO competition, featuring bull riding, bronco busting, barrel racing, calf roping and more. The event also honors the brave men and women in law enforcement, fire and rescue who serve and safeguard our communities.  Arrive early for the Family Festival to enjoy delicious food and interactive fun, including an expanded animal experience with more than 100 animals, including tigers and lions.

Tampa Bay Sun Football Club Game

• Date: Saturday, April 11 at 7:30 pm
• Location: Tampa

Come cheer on the Tampa Bay Sun as they challenge the DC Power Football Club!

Minecraft Mania at MOSI

• Date: Saturday, April 11, from 1 pm-3 pm
• Location: Tampa

Got a Minecraft master at home? Minecraft Mania at MOSI takes their favorite game to the next level with hands-on challenges designed for 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!

MORE Awesome Things to Do in Tampa Bay this Weekend

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!

Engineering Expo at USF

• Dates: Friday, April 10-Saturday, April 11
• Location: Tampa

USF Engineering Expo is back – and it’s packed with hands-on activities, live demonstrations, and exciting technology that will spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of engineers. At the Expo, your family can: build, experiment, and explore real engineering concepts, see robots, cutting-edge tech, and interactive demos, meet college students and researchers, and discover how engineering shapes the world around them. Whether your child already loves STEM or is just starting to explore, this is a fun, interactive experience for all ages, especially K–12 students.

Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival

• Dates: Through April 12
• Location: Clearwater Beach

Head to Clearwater Beach to explore the 24,000-square-foot structure that encompasses the Sugar Sand Walk exhibit, along with 18 professional sand sculptors who will transform Clearwater’s world-famous sugar sand into breathtaking sculptures. There will also be sand sculpting classes, live music, fireworks, artisans, food vendors, a Ferris wheel, and more!

Oldsmar Days and Nights at RE Olds Park

• Date: Friday, April 10-Sunday, April 12
• Location: Oldsmar

This 3-day event features a vendor market with a variety of live music, a selection of food, and the annual parade to showcase and celebrate the history of Oldsmar along with its residents, regional neighbors, and businesses.

Empower Adventures Sunset Zip Line Adventures and Moonlight Canopy Tours

• Dates: Friday, April 10-Sunday, April 11
• Location: Oldsmar

Mario Galaxy Glow Skate and Roll & Rescue Skate at SkateWorld of Tampa

• Date: Friday, April 10 from 6:30 pm-9:30 pm
• Location: Tampa

Mario Galaxy Skate: Skate on over for a day of Super Mario fun and a meet and greet with Yoshi! ONLINE ONLY DEAL: Mario VIP Admission for $25 includes regular skate rental, 1 slice of cheese pizza, 1 small drink, 1 Mystery Mario keychain, 1 glowstick and 1 game of Mario Galaxy Laser Tag! Family Meal Deal: $22 Includes 1 whole cheese pizza and 1 pitcher of soda. Roll & Rescue Skate: Representatives from Humane Society Tampa Bay will be at the rink with ADOPTABLE pets! Donations accepted: canned or dry dog or cat food, toys, leashes, harnesses, etc. Skateworld is giving away 1 FREE birthday party! Each paid admission will receive 1 raffle ticket , Presale tickets receive two raffle tickets! $5 from every admission goes directly back to Humane Society Tampa Bay.

Nature's Classroom Woods, Water, and Wildlife Nature Fest

• Date: Saturday, April 11 -Sunday, April 12
• Location: Thonotosassa

Nature's Classroom will be open to the public with exhibitors, animal experiences, guided hikes, shoreline sampling, children's activities, food, and more. 

Sunflower Festival at Dade City Farms

• Date: Saturday, April 11-Sunday, May 10
• Location: Dade City

Get ready for a blooming good time at the Sunflower Festival! Explore acres of beautiful sunflowers bursting with golden color and photo-worthy moments every weekend in April through Mother’s Day. Enjoy u-pick sunflowers, scenic hayrides, friendly farm animals and exotic animals, live music, and delicious treats from food trucks. Kids will love the corn box, jump pad, and tons of farmyard activities and attractions.

Dick's House of Sport MLBPAA Youth Baseball Clinic

• Date: Saturday, April 11 from 9:30 am-12:30 pm
• Location: Various locations

This exciting clinic will focus on skill-building and teamwork, offering both new techniques and ways to refresh your game as you prepare for success on the field. Former Major League Baseball players will guide you through the fundamentals of the game, with stations for hitting, fielding, and base running. The event will conclude with an autograph session. Open to participants ages 6 -16, all skill levels are welcome. Please arrive to the field 25 minutes before the scheduled start time and be sure to bring a bat, glove, water and sneakers.

Blueberry Festival at Keel Farms

• Date: Saturday, April 11 from 10 am-3 pm
• Location: Plant City

Head to Keel Farms for local vendors and food trucks, camel rides, kids zones and bounce houses, blueberry shortcake eating contest, seasonal wines and ciders, a blueberry u-pick and more!

Weekend Workshop at Bricks 4 Kidz

• Date: Saturday, April 11 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 Fortnite Workshop!

STEM Saturday at Shanna and Bryan Glazer Family JCC

• Date: Saturday, April 11 from 10 am- 12 pm
• Location: Tampa

Calling all children ages 4-12 for a STEM-tastic Saturday! You will be diving Into the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math with hands-on experiments and engaging activities!

Tampa Fire Rescue Open House

• Date: Saturday, April 11 from 10 am- 2 pm
• Location: Tampa

Join Tampa Fire Rescue for a fun, family-friendly day with Tampas Bravest at the Annual Open House in downtown Tampa! Come meet your firefighters, check out our trucks and equipment, watch live demonstrations, and enjoy hands-on activities for kids and adults alike. This is a great chance to learn more about what they do and how they serve the Tampa community every day.

African Arts in the Park Cultural Festival at Perry Harvey Park

• Date: Saturday, April 11 at 11:30 am
• Location: Tampa

African Arts in the Park Cultural Festival is a free, family-friendly community celebration dedicated to honoring and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Africa and the African diaspora through the arts. Held at Perry Harvey Sr. Park, the festival serves as a vibrant platform for cultural education, artistic expression, and community engagement.

Bloom at BSP

• Date: Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12
• Location: Lakeland

Join BSP for a two-day flower festival and celbration of nature, creativity, and horticulture. Thie festival will feature floral instllations and botanical art displays, garden tours, pollinator and native plant education, horticulture demos, a maker's market, plus food, drinks, and entertainment.

Cyber Bowling Kids Matinee at Pin Chasers

• Date: Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12
• 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, April 11 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.

Sunday Breakfast Bowl at Pin Chasers

• Date: Sunday, April 12 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.

Upstairs/Downstairs at Henry B. Plant Museum

• Date: Sunday, April 12 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. This week's character spotlight: Teddy Roosevelt.

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

• Date: Sunday, April 12 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

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!

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!

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.

Save the Date for these Awesome Events in Tampa Bay:

Tampa Bay Rodeo & Family Festival

Friday & Saturday, April 10-11; doors at 4:30 p.m., rodeo at 7:00 p.m.
Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, Dover
Round up the family – rodeo thrills and patriotic celebrations await! Celebrate America’s 250^th birthday at the Tampa Bay Rodeo & Family Festival, presented by Bartow Ford, April 10-11 at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds. Tampa’s thrill-packed spring tradition delivers two action-packed nights of FULL RODEO competition, featuring bull riding, bronco busting, barrel racing, calf roping and more. The event also honors the brave men and women in law enforcement, fire and rescue who serve and safeguard our communities.  Arrive early for the Family Festival to enjoy delicious food and interactive fun, including an expanded animal experience with more than 100 animals, including tigers and lions.

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.

Thunderbug Pajama Jam

Date: Sunday, April 12, 2–5 p.m.
Midtown Tampa
Emerson and Friends, a Clearwater-based children’s apparel brand, has launched an official collection in partnership with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and to celebrate, they're hosting Thunderbug’s Pajama Jam! The event is free to the public and will include a retail pop-up along with family-friendly activities like a bounce house, DJ, balloon artist, raffles, cotton candy, and more, plus a special appearance by Thunderbug.

SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo

Tuesday, April 14–Sunday, April 19
Aerospace Center for Excellence, Lakeland 33811
Lakeland’s hometown airshow is returning this April, and kicks off in a big way! This unforgettable week starts off with Tuesday’s Opening Night Concert, featuring Cooper Alan, Thomas Mac and Angie K (admission included), and includes a powerful tribute to the heroes of the Greatest Generation. Then, the skies will come alive all week with incredible aerial performances and an all-new Composite Airshow on Wednesday, combining day and night flying into one spectacular show from 5–9:30 p.m. Families will love the Pilot Pals Play Zone, Junior ACEs tents with hands-on STEM and aerospace activities, and the Family Oasis where kids can cool off in an air-conditioned tent. Best of all, kids 12 and under are free. Getting there is easier than ever with the SUN ’n FUN Express by Citrus Connection, offering free transit between SUN ’n FUN, downtown Lakeland, and Lakeside Village, so you can skip the parking lot. Florida Residents receive BOGO tickets – plan your visit at FlySNF.org.

The Incredible Duck Race

April 18
Curtis Hixon Park
10,000 rubber ducks will race down the Hillsborough River in front of Curtis Hixon Park to compete for amazing prizes. The family event will feature games, food, and entertainment leading up to the big race. Ducks can be purchased in advance for $5 at TampaDuckRace.com, you don’t have to be present to win. Benefiting The Tampa Kiwanis Foundation, which supports many local children’s programs.

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.

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

Saturday, August 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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!