TAMPA, Fla. – People looking for plans this Memorial Day weekend have a massive list of events to choose from across Tampa and St. Petersburg. The schedule for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is packed with everything from military tributes to pool parties and massive food festivals.
The long weekend kicks off on Friday, May 22. Busch Gardens in Tampa starts its Summer Nights program that day. This event gives the theme park extended evening hours for thrill rides, a dance party in Stanleyville, and a special ice show.
Saturday, May 23, is the busiest day of the weekend. Active folks can start the morning with the Memorial Day Run on the Courtney Campbell Trail. Runners can choose a 5K, 10K, or half-marathon, with tickets starting at $37.37. Also at 10 a.m., the Pillow Talk R&B event takes place at 7th and Grove in Tampa. At the exact same time, the Imagine Museum in St. Petersburg is putting on a special glass art experience. By noon, the Perspective Rooftop Pool Bar in St. Petersburg opens up for its weekend pool parties.
In downtown Tampa, the Florida Seafood and Caribbean Music Festival runs from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. General admission starts at $46 and includes free crawfish and rum punch.
READ: Florida Fish And Wildlife Warns Beachgoers To Watch Out For Baby Turtles, Birds This Memorial Day
Further north, The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel is throwing the free Great American Block Party from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. This outdoor event features a car show, putt-putt golf, and live music.
Party crowds have two big choices on Saturday afternoon. The official Tampa Memorial Day Weekend Bar Crawl starts at 4 p.m. at the Bad Monkey in Ybor City. Over in downtown St. Petersburg, a second bar crawl begins at the exact same time at Welcome To The Farm.
As the sun goes down, the Yacht Starship leaves Channelside Drive in Tampa for its Rock the Bay Dinner Dance Party. For something a little more wild, Empower Adventures Tampa Bay is offering Moonlight Ziplining in the dark from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for $93.14 per person.
On Sunday, May 24, the focus shifts to honoring the military. Hillsborough County is holding its 29th Annual Memorial Day Observance Ceremony from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Tampa. The free event features American Gold Star Mothers and retired military officers. Later that night, the Soul Breeze Food Truck Festival will hold a special charity event at 7 p.m. at The Social Bar and Lounge in Old West Tampa.
All weekend long, The Florida Aquarium in Tampa is running a special holiday deal and keeping its doors open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to help families beat the heat.
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