What a fantastic show last night at the Palladium Side Door with Veronica Swift. It was one of those rare nights when everything comes together—the intimacy of the room, the precision of her vocals, the chemistry of her trio, and a thrilling mix of what she calls “transgenre” music, a fearless style that fuses jazz, rock, cabaret, and more.

It was another zany, neon-soaked night on the bricks of Ybor City as the 2026 Krewe of Sant’ Yago Illuminated Knight Parade thundered down 7th Avenue. Thousands packed the sidewalks shoulder-to-shoulder while glowing floats, marching bands, dance troupes, local dignitaries, and krewe members from across Tampa Bay tossed beads and stirred up the kind of ruckus only Ybor can deliver.

The annual Florida State Fair kicked off last week and is bigger and better than before. There are dozens of food vendors, rows and rows of exhibitors in the Expo Hall, a country mile wide selection of agriculture and livestock, and a huge midway of carnival rides and games, all celebrating the 250^th year of our country. It’s my annual trek into the sugar-induced, fat-and-fried, filling fare — a sacred journey into the ridiculous. The hell with healthy, LFG!

Spirits were high, and Bayshore Boulevard thundered with pirate-fueled chaos during the 2026 Gasparilla Pirate Fest on Saturday. While it could have been worse, the weather was windy and occasionally wet, with temperatures steadily sliding into the 40s after the 2 p.m. parade kickoff. Despite the cold, partiers hung tough for a fantastic celebration afternoon

A rogue fleet of swashbucklers stormed their way into downtown Tampa today, kidnapping the mayor from City Hall and hauling her to the town square, where they demanded the Key to the City. Beads flew, “Arrrgh!” echoed through the streets, and Tampa’s security hung in the balance.

Gibtown Bike Fest is a three-day, five-stage celebration of all things motorcycle. Tribute bands channel Bob Seger, Creed, and Steve Miller, while the bike show highlights just how far obsession and craftsmanship can go.

Nate Najar and a crew of world-class musicians presented the 19th Annual Jazz Holiday at the Palladium Theater on Saturday night. Najar led the ensemble on guitar, joined by Bruce Harris on trumpet; Adrian Cunningham on saxophone, clarinet, and flute; Simon Lasky on piano; and Charlie Silva, bass; Eddie Metz, drums; with Daniela Soledade rounding out the group on vocals. There was a surprise guest that left the audience buzzing!

There’s a certain charm to Tampa’s Christmas Parade—an easy, wholesome kind of magic that feels increasingly rare. In a world that can often feel chaotic, this family-friendly tradition brings people together through festive camaraderie, hometown pride, and the simple spirit of the season.

George Guida House 2025. There’s good and bad news for the home that once belonged to Mr. West Tampa. The good news for the structure now owned by the city is that all of the construction equipment and debris have been removed, and the perimeter fence has been taken down, but….

Protestors gathered in downtown Tampa to take part in a national “No Kings” rally, opposing the Trump administration’s policies and corruption. The demonstration began in front of City Hall along Kennedy Boulevard. Hundreds of people lined the sidewalks, waving protest signs and making noise as a steady stream of cars rolled past—windows down, horns blaring, voices shouting words of support. After about an hour, the crowd began to march down Franklin Street, making its way to Curtis Hixon Park.

Charlie Garber of 701 Garber Investment is rehabilitating the 120-year-old Scozzari Brothers Building at 1901 7th Ave. He could have funneled money into something easier, but instead chose to invest in Ybor City’s future by respecting its past out of love for the area.. Preserving this structure isn’t simple—it required bracing the walls with steel beams to build carefully around them. That kind of effort is expensive, complicated, and rare, but it’s precisely what stewardship of history demands.

There’s something timeless about a hometown 4th of July parade—and Brandon knows how to do it right. This year’s Independence Day celebration featured the 67th Brandon Community Parade along Lumsden Avenue, drawing crowds of families, friends, and neighbors. Color guards marched in step, high school bands filled the air with patriotic tunes, and decorated floats rolled by to cheers and waves.

Want to help shape local news coverage—or just have a conversation with the people who report it? Let your voice be heard! The Tampa Bay Times is hitting the streets for its News & Brews Meet and Greet at Armature Works this June.

Not even the looming threat of foul weather could keep the crowds away from the St. Pete Tacos and Tequila Festival at Vinoy Park. On Saturday, St. Petersburg’s waterfront burst to life in a lively celebration of street food, music, tequila, and high-flying action. The annual festival drew hundreds of locals and visitors alike, all eager to sample some of the region’s best tacos, sip on premium tequilas and mezcals, and soak in the party atmosphere.

Tampa Pride and the LGBTQ+ community brought their vibrant celebration to Ybor City on Saturday for a full day of festivities. The event featured a bustling Street Festival with an Artisan Fair, food trucks, and a lively after-party, Pride at Night, which included a concert at the historic Cuban Club. The highlight of the day, the Tampa Pride Diversity Parade, transformed 7th Avenue into a dazzling display of LGBTQ+ pride, unity, and advocacy.

Guitarist Dominic Walker has hosted the DI Coffee Bar Friday night jazz for over a year. Finding live jazz in Tampa is difficult, so having this available weekly is a special treat. It has grown into a popular event, with talented artists joining him on stage every week.

This seems like one of those fun “only in Florida” stories.

Twelve years ago, Davis Islands resident Kristen Morris came up with the idea of bringing folks in her neighborhood together for a holiday celebration. Davis Islands, being a golf cart-friendly community, seemed the perfect place for a golf cart parade, and thus the tradition began.

A crowd of over 100 people gathered for Ybor Night Out in the 1920 Ybor music venue to honor the remembrance of the lives lost and those who were injured in a shooting incident one year ago in Ybor City. The violence on the weekend before Halloween 2023 in Ybor City took the lives of 20-year-old Harrison Boonstopple and 14-year-old Elijah Wilson.

Days before the storm formed, forecasters warned of the probability of a large hurricane entering the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane Helen quickly accelerated from a Category 1 to a Category 4 in 24 hours. While Tampa did not suffer a direct hit from the storm's center, a storm surge of up to eight feet came into Tampa and Hillsborough Bays and the Hillsborough River

The University of South Florida Digital Collection recently digitized "Tony Pizzo's Tampa" , a 10-part television series first released on WUSF TV in 1979. Experts, historians, and interested Tampa folks gathered at the J.C Newman Cigar Factory to celebrate and discuss the release of the series after 45 years to the public.