On-Going In-Town Tampa Events

TAMPA DOWNTOWN MARKET
Every Friday from 10am-2pm thru May on the 500 & 600 blocks of Franklin Street, over 50 local vendors provide produce, ready-to-eat foods, fresh baked goods, plants, crafts, and products from local artisans.  www.tampadowntownmarket.com

YOGA IN THE PARK
Join in the largest yoga class in Tampa every Sunday in Curtis Hixon Park from 5-6pm. Class is designed for all levels. Experience Yoga while watching the sunset! 813-944-2291  www.yogadowntowntampa.com

Two Dollar Target Tuesdays!
The first Tuesday of each month, Target partners with the Glazer Children's Museum to offer $2 admission during special extended hours: 2-7pm. 813-443-3861  www.glazermuseum.org

ROCK THE PARK
Free monthly music series on the 1st Thursday of every month, 6:30-9pm. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park provides a beautiful setting and a lively atmosphere to listen to great talent. www.rocktheparktampa.com

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
NHL Action in Downtown Tampa at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
813-301-2500  www.tampabaylightning.com

Ybor City Saturday Market
Open-air market with fresh produce, honey, baked breads, & much more! Saturday, rain or shine. Centennial Park. 9am-3pm.
813-241-2442   www.ybormarket.com

Special In-Town Tampa Events

thru Jan 7 OUT OF THIS WORLD: EXTRAORDINARY COSTUMES FROM FILM AND TELEVISION
More than 30 amazing costumes and objects from movies such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Terminator, Batman, and famous characters such as Darth Vader and the Klingons. Tampa Bay History Center. 813-228-0097 www.tampabayhistorycenter.org

thru Jan 8  NO LIMITS - Janet Biggs
Year-round market features local food, hand crafts & live music. Hyde Park Village at the Fountain. First Sunday of each month, rain or shine. 11am-3pm. 813-251-3500  www.hydeparkvillage.net

Dec 1-23   VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS STROLL
The former Tampa Bay Hotel captures the spirit of the season-Victorian style. 14 exhibit rooms are each dazzling with trimmed trees uniquely designed in 19th century themes and antique holiday accessories. Henry Plant Museum. 10am-8pm.
813-254-1891  www.plantmuseum.com

Dec 1-18   "The Blue Room" by David Hare
A contemporary riff on the once-banned La Ronde! This scandalous play is full of erotic energy as one actor and one actress play all ten partners in a continuous daisy chain of sexual liaisons. Stageworks theatre.
813-251-8984   www.stageworkstheatre.org


Dec 17-30  Holiday FantaSea
A water wonderland is turned into a winter wonderland as Santa arrives at the Florida Aquarium. Take a train ride out in "Explore A Shore" with hourly snow flurries and visit with our resident penguins. The Florida Aquarium. 813-273-4000  www.flaquarium.org

Dec 23  Twinkle in Tampa Bay Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Come out and watch as well decorated boats parade from Curtis Hixon Park and the Glazer Children's Museum to Channelside Bay Plaza. Boats will be competing for the best "dressed."
6-11pm.  www.funintampabay.com

Dec 31  Outback Bowl Parade & Pep Rally
Ybor City hosts this festive celebration featuring the United Healthcare Children's Foundation New Year's Eve Parade as well as a pep rally by college marching bands and cheerleaders. Parade starts at 5:30pm running along 7th Avenue in Historic Ybor City.  www.outbackbowl.com

Dec 31  Rooftop Hollywood Glamour New Year's Eve
With gracious street performers, spirited live music, 15,000 square foot ballroom, savory nosh, and sweet indulgences paired with exquisite bubbly. All benefitting Heartbeat International Foundation. Hyde Park Village. 9pm-2am. 813-299-0636  www.therooftopeve.com

Dec 31  Aqua-Eve New Year's Eve Party Splash in the New Year!
Enjoy fantastic live music, food, beer, and wine along with a champagne toast and the best view in town for an amazing fireworks display over the channel at midnight. The Florida Aquarium. 9pm-1am. 813-273-4000  www.flaquarium.org

Dec 31  New Year's Eve Fireworks
Come down to the waterfront and enjoy an up-close view of the dazzling New Year's Eve Fireworks display at midnight. Channelside Bay Plaza.

Jan 2  26th Annual outback Bowl 2012
Squaring-off are two of college football's best teams, Michigan State Spartans and Georgia Bulldogs from the SEC and Big Ten Conference. Raymond James Stadium. Kick off at 1pm. 813-874-2695 www.outbackbowl.com

Special In-Town Tampa Events (Continued)

Jan 3-8  Million Dollar Quartet
The smash hit Broadway musical, about the famed recording session that brought together rock 'n' roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. Straz Center for the Performing Arts. 813-229-7827 www.strazcenter.org

Jan 4-8  Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey "Dragons"
Honoring The Year of the Dragon, circus performers from the farthest reaches of the earth assemble to showcase their astounding acts of bravery and athleticism. Tampa Bay Times Forum. 813-301-2500  www.sptimesforum.com

Jan 12-21  12th Annual Tampa Bay
Black Heritage Street Fest

This 10 day celebration includes a street festival with arts & crafts, food vendors, free health screenings, & live entertainment! Also, the 5K Walk for Cancer on Jan 14, 7:30-9:30am. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
1-888-224-1733 Ext 3143  www.tampablackheritage.org

Jan 21  Children's Gasparilla Extravaganza
From 11am to 7:30pm, pint-sized pirates take over the City of Tampa with family fun activities, floats, flying planes and fireworks!

Jan 28 - May 6  Romare Bearden: Southern Recollections
An exhibition of 70 works spanning the career of this internationally renowned artist. Bearden (1911-1988) is widely regarded as one of the most important African-American artists during the 20th century. Tampa Museum of Art. 813-274-8130  www.tampamuseum.org

Jan 28  Gasparilla Pirate Fest
Pirates invade and capture the City of Tampa in one of the largest and most unique celebrations in the country! At 11:30am the Jose Gasparilla leads a flotilla northward up Seddon Channel to dock at the Tampa convention center at 1pm. The invasion results in the Mayor surrendering the key to the city to the Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.

Jan 31 - Feb 12  Les Miserables
A brand new 25th anniversary production of the legendary musical, LES MISERABLES, introduces glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery. This new production is breaking box office records wherever it goes. Starz Center for the Performing Arts. 813-229-7827 www.strazcenter.org

Feb 4 - Jun 24  SPIES, TRAITORS, SABOTEURS: FEAR AND FREEDOM IN AMERICA
On loan from the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., this gripping and timely exhibit explores the history of domestic terrorism, civil unrest and espionage from the founding of the Republic to the 2001 World Trade Center attack. Tampa Bay History Center. 813-228-0097 www.tampabayhistorycenter.org

Feb 16-19  Tampa Bay Food & Wine Experience
A savory, palate-pleasing, weekend event showcases the talents of renowned wine and spirits producers, local and national chefs, and culinary personalities to the delight of all foodies. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. 1-4pm. www.unleashyourpalate.com

Feb 18  sant' yago illuminated knight parade
Come celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the Illuminated Knight Parade-featuring illuminated floats and exciting new additions! The Parade begins at 7pm along 7th Avenue, and usually extends into the early morning hours. www.knightparade.com

Feb 25  65th Annual Fiesta Day & 9th Annual Flan Fest
Ybor City's official day of celebration of its ethnic heritage & culture. Also check out the Flan Fest at Centennial Park's Saturday Morning Market. Historic Ybor City. 10am-6pm. 813-241-8838  www.ybor.org

Mar 1  Buildings Alive!
An architectural Hop through Ybor City with special entry to some of the city's most notable historic buildings. Enjoy the tapas party with special tours and surprises at each stop. Walk or ride to each destination in rubber wheel trolleys. Ybor City museum State Park. 813-241-6554 www.ybormuseum.org

Mar 3-4  Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts will take place at the Curtix Hixon Waterfront Park Saturday, March 3rd and Sunday the 4th. It ranks among the leading juried arts festivals nationwide, with nearly 300 accomplished artists selected from more than 1,000 applicants to exhibit their original works. Featured art includes ceramic, digital, drawing, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture, and more! On Saturday the event lasts from 9am-6pm, and on Sunday, from 10am-5pm. 813-876-1747 www.gasparilla-arts.com

Mar 3-4  Gasparilla Distance Classic
he annual Distance Classic run weekend, taking place since 1978, will host this year's 15K and 5K races on Saturday, the half marathon on Sunday, and a 15K Wheelchair, a 5K Walk & Stroller Roll, Team Challenges, and other events in between! All races begin and end in downtown Tampa, near the Tampa Convention Center. 813-254-7866 www.tampabayrun.com

Mar 17  4th Annual Dyeing the Channel Green
Garrison Channel goes GREEN for this Tampa Attractions Association St Patricks Day Celebration in Channelside. Live music and plenty of festive food & beverages. 6-9pm. 813-404-3471  www.funintampabay.com