Top 15 Tampa Bay area events for the week of May 23-29
Here are the top events this week, plus some honoring Memorial Day on Monday. For more Memorial Day events, click here.
Memorial Day Ceremony: The ceremony will include live music and a colors presentation by the City of Largo Fire and Police Department Honor Guard. Free. 9 a.m. Monday. Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive. 727-587-6740, ext. 5014.
Memorial Day Service: The service features a presentation of the colors, the singing of the national anthem by retired U.S. Air Force technical sergeant Sonya Bryson-Kirksey, who has routinely sung the national anthem at Tampa Bay Lightning games, and music by Palm Harbor United Methodist Church choir. Free. 9:30 a.m. Monday. Curlew Hills Memory Gardens, 1750 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor. 727-789-2000.
Memorial Day Program: Flags will be placed on hundreds of graves honoring Black men and women who died in military service. Refreshments and a formal military program follow. Free. 10-11:30 a.m. Monday. Rest Haven Memorial Park, 4615 E Hanna Ave., Tampa. 813-626-2332.
Memorial Day at the James Museum: The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art honors veterans, active military, Gold Star and Blue Star families with free admission. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday. James Museum, 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-892-4200.
Memorial Day Service: Bring a flag to wave and register your memorial wreath in advance for the 95th annual ceremony honoring the memory of our country’s service members. Includes speakers, a “vocal tribute” and flag raising. Free. 11 a.m. Monday. American Legion “U.S.S. Tampa” Post 5, 3810 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 813-870-0505.
Cuban Sandwich Festival: The 11th annual festival features more than 100 vendors, live entertainment, celebrity judges and Cuban sandwiches galore. Also, witness an attempt to build the largest Cuban sandwich ever. No cover (food/drink additional). Noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Centennial Park, 1800 E Eighth Ave., Tampa. 813-407-7191.
Sunset Music Festival 2022: The three-day electronic music and dance festival features nearly 70 DJs and live bands. $99.95, $169.95-$199.95 (two-day), $214.95 (three-day). 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Raymond James Stadium parking lot, 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. 813-350-6500.
Shen Yun: Experience ancient Chinese culture through the art of classical Chinese dance, and see legends come to life with a unique blend of over-the-top costuming, high-tech backdrops and a full orchestra. $80-$200. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, 2 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-300-2000.
Tampa Bay Margarita and Music Festival: Get access to dozens of bars serving up numerous varieties of margaritas, beer, wine and seltzers as you listen to live music from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Elle King, The Village People and more. There will also be a food market and fireworks. $30-$40. 1-11 p.m. Saturday. Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N Boulevard, Tampa. 813-259-1610.
Dinosaurs Around the World: The exhibit of animatronic dinosaurs takes visitors on a journey back in time to a super-continent filled with roaring creatures. Remains on display through Sept. 5. Included with admission. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. 813-987-6000.
Jersey Boys: The Tony-winning behind-the-music story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, whose hits include Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry and Working My Way Back to You. $35-$100. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. 727-791-7400.
Laser Light Nights at the Bishop: Bishop Planetarium revives a tradition from the ‘80s and ‘90s with laser light shows set to rock and roll music. Opening weekend features the music of Queen. $15. 7 p.m. Thursday, 7 and 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Bishop Planetarium at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W, Bradenton. 941-746-4131.
Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays face the New York Yankees this Friday and Sunday. On Friday, all fans get a Wander Franco chain necklace while supplies last. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. On Sunday, fans 14 and younger get a sweatshirt drawstring bag while supplies last. The game starts at 1:40 p.m. Ticket prices vary. Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. 888-326-7297.
No Cap Comedy Tour: A mashup of some of America’s top comedians including DC Young Fly, DeRay Davis, Chico Bean and Karlous Miller. $59.75-$199.75. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Yuengling Center, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. 813-974-3111.
Limelight Speaker Series: The series of talks by world-renowned thought leaders was paused in 2020 due to COVID. The remaining speakers return. This portion features Geena Davis, Academy Award-winning actor and founder of the Geena Davis Institute in Gender in Media. $30-$45. 7 p.m. Friday. Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St. 813-274-8286.
Music and Movies in the Park: Preserve the Burg invites you to grab a seat in the waterfront park for live music by Boho Sideshow. A screening of Casablanca follows. Free. 6:30 p.m. Thursday. North Straub Park, Fifth Avenue NE and Bayshore Drive, St. Petersburg. 727-824-7802.
St. Pete Shuffle: Weather permitting, the historic shuffleboard courts are open for public play. Club volunteers will help you get set up on a court and show you how to play while a fun music playlist keeps things lively. You can pack a cooler with food and drinks, but no glass containers are allowed on the courts. $10. 7-10 p.m. Friday. Mirror Lake St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, 559 Mirror Lake Drive N. 727-822-2083.
Sunflower Season Farm Fun: Make your way through a maze of towering sunflowers at this farm festival with hayrides, a tree house play area, sunflower crafts, visits with farm animals and more. $10.75, 2 and younger free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Sweetfields Farm, 17250 Benes Roush Road, Masaryktown. 352-279-0977.
$10 Admission to Imagine Museum: Florida residents can use promo code IMFLORIDA at checkout for $10 admission. Offer valid Tuesday through Saturday only through May 31. $10. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-300-1700.
