The city of Tampa continues its transformation into an entertainment mecca. Residents are already brimming with excitement about the upcoming RiverFest in May, a slew of standup shows featuring comedy legends like Chris Rock and Jim Gaffigan, along with the announcement that Hamilton is coming to the Straz Center in 2018.
Somehow that’s only scratching the surface of what’s to come in Tampa. The return of Margarita Fest, the reimagining of Raymond James Stadium as a golf course and more events cater to the curious and adventurous natures of local residents and in-state visitors. Here’s the rundown of the events you need to keep on your radar this year:
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Tampa Bay Margarita Festival – Facebook
Tampa Bay Margarita Festival at Curtis Hixon Park
Sunshine, live music and spirited fun comprise Tampa Bay Margarita Festival — another of Big City Events’ massive celebrations. The 5th Annual celebration will be headlined by the Barenaked Ladies and a fireworks extravaganza on the waterfront.
The event takes place on Saturday, May 27. Margarita varieties include the Bacon-rita, Sriracha Strawberry-rita, Cabo Mule-rita, Mango-rita, Apple Cinnamon-rita, Ginger Beer-rita and the 901 Blood Orange-rita.
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Attendees are invited to work up a sweat before the festivities begin. Big City Events hosts the Margarita Run on the Riverwalk the morning of the festival. The 2.5 mile run begins at 10am and takes participants from Curtis Hixon Park to the Sail Pavilion and back.
In addition to the list of artisanal margaritas, the event will also feature a grand tequila tasting (not included with general admission) from some of the finest distillers in the world. You can purchase tickets to the event and learn more about it on TBMF’s website.
Links at Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium serves as the home for the Tampa Bay Bucaneers. In past years, the stadium has served as the stage for major music acts such as Taylor Swift, U2 and Beyoncé. This summer, the swashbuckling site will transform into a nine hole golf course.
Stadiumlinks is transforming the world’s most iconic stadiums into a one-of-a-kind golf experience. The course is comprised of nine holes (generally exceeds 1,000 yards) with each tee box offering golfers a unique shot. There is also a chipping challenge and a VIP clubhouse for participants to unwind in. Visitors can also take part in a one-putt challenge for a chance to win high value prizes.
Two-person and four-person tee time bookings will be made available to the public in a limited supply. Click HERE to register.
Epic Night Run: Inflatable Obstacle Course, Foam 5k
Tampa stays fit by infusing workouts with serious fun. On April 29, Epic Night Run turns the Florida State Fairgrounds into a surreal obstacle course designed to challenge and entertain participants. Enjoy over 3 miles of inflatable obstacles, vibrant colors and foam.
Neon lights will illuminate the fairgrounds bringing the paint from the color run to beautiful life. Registration for the event is $35. Visit their website and Facebook event page for details.
Tampa Bay Comic Con at the Convention Center
Tampa Bay Comic Con returns to the Convention Center this July and promises to be more star-studded than ever. This year, celebrity appearances include Kate Beckinsale (Underworld, The Aviator, Click, Much Ado About Nothing), Renee O’Connor (Xena: Warrior Princess), Allison Mack (Smallville, Wilfred), Jeremy Shada (Adventure Time), and Nichelle Nichols (Star Trek).
The fun takes place over the course of three days downtown at the Tampa Convention Center — July 28-30. You can learn about the latest confirmed celebrity appearances by following them on Facebook and their website.
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