While the rest of the country shivers with winter's chill, you could be enjoying mild temperatures in St. Pete/Clearwater, enjoying these events, like the annual Ephiphany celebration and the outdoor Clearwater Sea Blues Festival. So what are you waiting for?
1 Holiday Lights in the Gardens
Friday, November 23, 2018 – Sunday, December 30, 2018
Take in more than 750,000 lights as the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo are magically transformed into a holiday paradise for visitors to stroll through. The annual event, which asks for a small donation, runs through Dec. 31.
2 Outback Bowl Beach Day
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Before two of college football's best teams square off at noon on New Year's Day at Raymond James Stadium, they have to take care of business on Clearwater Beach. Both teams, along with their cheerleaders and bands, participate in a number of competitions for bragging rights, including tug-of-war, at the Hilton Clearwater Beach. This free event is open to fans and the public and don't forget to take in the nightly sunset festival just down the beach at Pier 60.
3 Outback Bowl
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Tampa Bay plays host to one of the best college football bowl games in the country as the SEC and Big Ten clash in the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.
4 Tarpon Springs Epiphany
Sunday, January 6, 2019
One of the country's most celebrated Epiphany celebrations, which honors the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River more than 2,000 years ago, takes place in Tarpon Springs. This 100-plus year-old Tarpon Springs tradition is a day-long affair, which is highlighted by local teenage boys diving into Spring Bayou to retrieve a cross thrown into the water by an archbishop. The boy who surfaces with the cross is said to have good luck for the following year. What follows is an Epiphany Glendi, a lively gathering with food, drink and live music. All of the day's events are free.
5 MLK National Parade & Battle of the Bands
Monday, January 21, 2019
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with the MLK National Parade, Battle of the Bands and Drum Line Extravaganza in St. Pete. The action begins at Tropicana Field where Bethune Cookman University performs annually. On Monday, the nation's longest-running parade honors MLK with a parade starting from Tropicana Field and down Central Avenue before moving along the waterfront and ending at Vinoy Park.
6 Clearwater Sea Blues Festival
Saturday, February 24 - Sunday, February 25
Clearwater does the blues in more ways than one! Take in water views from Coachman Park while jamming out to local and international recording artists at the annual Clearwater Sea Blues Festival. This three-day event is a highlight for blues aficionados and foodies alike, serving up some of the area’s finest seafood.
