Nothing beats springtime in Tampa Bay! The weather is perfect and it’s easily one of the most fun-filled months of the year. The Hillsborough River is turned bright green for the River O’ Green Fest, The Florida Strawberry Festival returns to Plant City and Gasparilla Season continues with Film, Music, and Art festivals throughout the month. Mark your calendars and get ready to have some fun in the sun this March in the heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast!
March 2 -12
Did you know that Plant City is the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World? The Florida Strawberry Festival welcomes visitors to join in on the festivities celebrating the historical legacy of the Florida strawberry. Visitors can enjoy all aspects of the festival, including parades, agriculture exhibits, top-name entertainment, a thrilling ride midway, and festival food favorites like Florida's official dessert, the Strawberry Shortcake. Come and celebrate a timeless Florida classic!
March 4 – March 5
Every year, artists and art enthusiasts from all over the world unite to attend the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. The festival showcases established and new artists' works, including ceramics, jewelry, photography, mixed media, and more, to create the ultimate art scene here in Tampa Bay.
March 8 – March 26
Wicked, the Broadway sensation, is returning to the Straz Center! Find yourself immersed in the Land of Oz, where rivalry turns into friendship, and things aren't always what they seem! Enjoy the magic with everyone as the Straz Center offers sign language interpretation and audio description as accessibility offerings during specified showings.
March 10 – May 21
The annual Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival is back with a perfect arrangement of delectable food and drink options. This unique park experience allows guests to indulge in diverse flavors while enjoying additional events such as their concert lineup. While there, don't forget to check out the park's all-new thrill ride, Serengeti Flyer.
February 9 - 20
The world’s largest bounce house is coming to Tampa Bay! The Big Bounce America is the largest touring inflatable event in the world and hold the Guinness World Record for “The World’s Largest Bounce House.” The traveling bounce house experience will take over the Florida State Fairgrounds from March 10 -13, and includes climbing towers, basketball hoops, slides, ball pits, and other unique obstacles. Ticket packages are available for families, as well as adults only, with each package granting guests a three-hour session inside the massive bounce park.
March 11
The Rough Riders St. Patrick's Day Parade attracts attendees to historic Ybor City each year for its massive street parade! This parade features a feel-good arrangement of music, beads, floats, food, and more. You won't want to miss out on the fun, and remember to wear your green!
March 13 – March 19
The Valspar Championship returns to Tampa Bay bigger and better than ever with the world's top-ranked golfers and exciting new ways for fans to participate and experience the action. The PGA Tour® event takes place on the legendary Copperhead Course at Innisbrook with four championship rounds of golf. Attendees of all ages can experience many exciting activities on-site.
March 17, 4-10pm
Each year, the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa transforms into a bright shade of green for the River O'Green Fest! With a full lineup of family-friendly entertainment along the Tampa Riverwalk, it's the perfect way to kickstart the St. Patrick's Day holiday! This event features live Irish entertainment, food and drinks, and activities for everyone to enjoy.
March 23 – March 26
This annual film festival celebrates the tradition of film and arts here in Tampa Bay. GIFF highlights a variety of cinema while aiming to inspire, entertain and educate Tampa's diverse population about the film industry. The festival also recognizes the faces behind these cultivating pieces of art. This three-day festival is at downtown Tampa's historic movie palace – the iconic Tampa Theatre.
March 25
Tampa Bay is home to one of the fastest-growing pride celebrations in the country. Each March, historic Ybor City transforms into "GaYBOR city" for its annual Tampa Pride Diversity Parade, where nearly 100,000 spectators line the historic 7th Avenue to celebrate unity and diversity. The streets fill with an array of colorful floats, music, live performances, and more for everyone to enjoy and take part in!