IN THE SUMMERTIME
12 THINGS TO DO
Summer is the perfect time of year to get out and explore everything that sunny Tampa Bay has to offer! Treat yourself to a dinner cruise, enjoy firework displays on the water, ride heart-pounding thrill rides beneath the stars and even see a classic Tampa Bay boat parade along the Hillsborough River. You can do it all, whether you’re looking to kick back, cool off, or explore more this summer.
Rock the Yacht
Every Friday throughout the summer, Yacht StarShip will offer a music-filled 2-hour cruise out of downtown Tampa. Enjoy a night of live bands, DJs, dancing, and multiple decks of entertainment.
Busch Gardens Summer Nights
Spend the day with over 200 species of animals and spend the night taking on heart-pounding thrill rides with Summer Nights at Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay. With extended hours and an ALL-NEW fireworks show every weekend, Summer Nights is a must-see this summer in Tampa Bay.
Boom by the Bay
This Fourth of July celebration will feature family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and SIX firework displays along Tampa's downtown waterfront. PLUS, new this year - enjoy the Friends of the Riverwalk July 4th Boat Parade and Blessing of the Fleet from 5-7pm along the Tampa Riverwalk!
TopGolf LIVE at Raymond James Stadium
Experience Topgolf like never before with Topgolf LIVE. Take a swing this summer when some of America’s most beloved venues are turned into temporary Topgolf ranges – including Raymond James Stadium, home of the Super Bowl LV Champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Good food, drinks, music, and friendly competition included.
MOSI - Video Game Revolution
Walk through the history of video games! From computer to console to smart phone, this exhibit brings generations together in celebration of gaming. See a replica of the very first video game ever built in the 1940s, bring back childhood memories with 80s style arcade games, and explore the world of modern-day e-sports at this must-see MOSI experience.
Shell-a-brate at the Florida Aquarium
Enjoy extended hours and “shell-a-brate” the summer with fun for the whole family with special meet-and-greets, live entertainment, arts and crafts and more! Kids can cool off at the outdoor water play zone that features water dump bucket, splash pads and spray zones. There’s plenty of opportunity to come out of your shell this summer at The Florida Aquarium!
July 4th Boat Parade
Celebrate the stars and stripes in downtown Tampa for the inaugural July 4th Boat Parade and Blessing of the Fleet. The Blessing of the Fleet is a tradition that began years ago but is still practiced in many fishing and boating communities around the world to ensure a safe and bountiful season. Look on from the Tampa Riverwalk as the fleet of boats decorated in colorful flags compete for 1st place. A prize will be provided for the most patriotic boat and the parade will be followed by several fireworks displays at multiple locations.
Tampa Bay Comic Con
Tampa Bay Comic Con is Tampa’s largest, true comic convention featuring exhibitors that cater to a wide spectrum of interests including comic books, magazines, toys, games, Star Wars, Star Trek, anime, manga, cosplay, artwork, sketches and apparel. Enjoy meet-and-greets with a host of comic industry professionals and celebrities in attendance for a family-friendly Comic Con 2021.
Beer, Bourbon, BBQ Festival
The 7th Annual “PORK-OUT” returns to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Sip on a local brew and spend a day filled with beer, bourbon, barbeque, biscuits, bluegrass music and more. Enjoy seminars in the Tasting Theater with master distillers, brewmasters, and pit masters. Each guest will also receive a free souvenir glass with admission.
Summer Camp Field Trips
Let your campers play like a pirate this summer with a field trip aboard the Lost Pearl Pirate Ship. Campers will depart from downtown Tampa to spend a day at sea experiencing swashbuckling activities, dolphin sightings, water cannon fun, and other fun out on the waters of Tampa Bay. Group trips last 1.5 hours or ask about how to rent the entire ship for your own private pirate charter.
Freedom Fest
Celebrate America’s birthday aboard Tampa’s #1 patriotic attraction, the WWII American Victory Ship! Freedom Fest will provide attendees with a star-spangled view of Tampa’s Boom by the Bay Fireworks AND July 4th Boat Parade and Blessing of the Fleet.
Gasparilla International Film Festival
Providing inspiration, education and entertainment through film, the Gasparilla International Film Festival (GIFF) returns this summer. This year’s celebration will feature screenings at both the historic Tampa Theatre and AMC Westshore Theater.