Spring is in full swing! In Tampa Bay, the weather is warming up and there’s no shortage of ways to get out and enjoy the Florida sunshine. There’s a lot to look forward to in April, from food and wine festivals, Broadway performances, and even 10,000+ rubber ducks racing down the Hillsborough River. Here are some of our favorite things happening this month in Tampa Bay.
April 5 - 7
Flag football teams from across the U.S. unite for the 2024 Sunshine Bowl to raise money for Special Olympics Florida, an organization bringing a world of excitement to children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Select dates: April 6 - 21
Hop into a world of berries at the annual Keel Farms Blueberry Festival! Savor all things blueberry and enjoy family events and activities like camel rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses, and unique vendors. Entry is free for all, and parking is just $10 per car!
April 6
Gather your squad for an all-inclusive wild night of fun filled with endless food, unlimited drinks, live music, exclusive Wildlife Connections, and more! Sip the night away with select wines, delicious cocktails, seltzers, and vodka sodas. This event is 21+.
April 6
Let’s get quackin’! Prepare to cheer for the Kiwanis Club rubber duck race on the Hillsborough River. The Kiwanis Club donates $50,000 in grants to local nonprofits that serve children in Hillsborough County. They provide programs, events, and gifts for children in need, and this race is instrumental in helping them reach their goals.
April 6
Experience an unforgettable night of cigars and whisky. Join Cigar Aficionado & Whisky Advocate for a one-day event featuring 30+ cigars and over 100 whiskies from the top cigar makers, distillers, and master blenders.
April 6
Get ready to witness the ultimate dance battle, fueled by Red Bull. Tampa is hosting the 1-on-1 dance competition qualifier, with winners from Miami, Orlando, and Tampa facing off against national competitors. Winners move on to the national finals.
PHOTO CREDIT: JESUS PRESINAL / RED BULL MEDIA HOUSE
April 9 - 13
The inaugural five-day Tampa Bay Wine and Food Fest celebrates Tampa Bay's culinary talents of local chefs and gastronomic masters. The festival kicks off with an intimate cocktail party for VIP guests at the Tampa Club and concludes with its "Grand Tasting" event on Saturday, April 13, showcasing Tampa Bay's notable chefs and celebrated restaurants.
April 12 - 13
Head to the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds on April 12 & 13 for the Tampa Bay Rodeo and Family Festival. Indulge in delicious food and entertaining activities for the whole family. Test your eight-second skills on the mechanical bull, compete in axe throwing, and get up close and personal with monster trucks, camels, and elephants.
April 12
Sip complimentary wine while you release your creativity. Create a masterpiece with direction from an award-winning instructor. Browse MOSI exhibits at 6 pm and get your brushes ready to paint at 7 pm.
April 13 - 21
Bern's Winefest returns for its 27th Year as Central Florida's premier food and wine-tasting event! Winefest is an opportunity for guests to enjoy an exciting week of events paired with some of the best wines from around the world.
April 19 - 21
The 19th Annual Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival will highlight a spectacular display of costumes, music, and Caribbean culture. The focus of this event is multiculturalism, aiming to preserve culture and history while uniting and exciting people from all over the world.
April 19
Lighters up for this all-star lineup led by multi-platinum recording artist Staind. Tampa's premier rock festival starts with the Pre-Show Free Show on the plaza stage at 2 pm, with the mainstage event at 5 pm. Hear from national artists, including Seether, Asking Alexandria, Aryon Jones, and Tim Montana.
April 26 - 27
Breakaway Music Festival, presented by Celsius Energy and hosted by Bobby Hendrickson, features two days of music, activities, and more. The nation's largest multi-city music festival is headlined by electrifying performers ILLENIUM, Kaskade, ZEDD, and SOFI TUKKER.
April 27
The Straz Center's annual eat-and-drink extravaganza welcomes you to downtown's beautiful Riverwalk at The Straz, with access to the Bay area's best food, craft brews, cocktails, and more for one ALL-INCLUSIVE price. This signature event has raised over $2.5 million to support the Straz Center's productions and arts education programs.
Now - May 19
A world of tastes and thrills awaits at the Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival. Sip and Savor with flavorful eats and unique cocktails while enjoying electrifying performances from chart-topping artists.