January 30 – February 1, 2026

Tampa Bay is heading into one of its busiest and most eclectic weekends of the year. Between major touring artists, legendary comedians, intimate listening-room performances, and the full-scale spectacle of Gasparilla, there’s truly something happening in every corner of the region. Whether your plans include arena rock, late-night dance floors, pirate parades, or outdoor hockey history, this weekend offers no shortage of reasons to leave the house.

Friday, January 30, 2026
John Waite

📍 Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
⏰ 8:00 PM
Best known as the unmistakable voice behind “Missing You,” John Waite brings decades of emotionally resonant rock to Clearwater’s historic Capitol Theatre. With a career spanning The Babys, Bad English, and a prolific solo run, Waite’s songs are built on heartfelt lyrics and timeless melodies that continue to resonate across generations. This performance offers a chance to experience classic rock in an intimate setting where every lyric lands exactly as intended.
🎟️ Tickets

EMF

📍 The Orpheum, Tampa
⏰ 7:00 PM
British alternative rock band EMF rose to international fame with their infectious hit “Unbelievers,” blending dance beats with guitar-driven energy that defined an era. Their stop at The Orpheum promises a high-energy, nostalgia-fueled night that still feels fresh, loud, and unapologetically fun. Expect a crowd ready to move, shout along, and relive one of alternative rock’s most playful chapters.
🎟️ Tickets

Bert Kreischer – Permission To Party Tour

📍 Benchmark International Arena
⏰ 7:00–9:00 PM
Bert Kreischer’s comedy career has been built on outrageous storytelling, boundless energy, and a complete disregard for sleeves. On his Permission To Party tour, the “Machine” brings his signature brand of unfiltered humor to Tampa for a night that leans hard into chaos, laughter, and crowd-fueled momentum. It’s loud, it’s wild, and it’s exactly what fans expect from one of stand-up comedy’s most recognizable personalities.
🎟️ Tickets

Una Noche en La Placita

📍 The Ritz Ybor
⏰ 10:00–11:30 PM
This late-night celebration brings vibrant Latin music, high-energy dancing, and a packed dance floor to the heart of Ybor City. Una Noche en La Placita is built for night owls looking to close out their Friday with movement, rhythm, and a club atmosphere that doesn’t slow down. Whether you’re celebrating or just keeping the night alive, this is where Friday officially turns into Saturday.
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Saturday, January 31, 2026
James McMurtry

📍 Skipper’s Smokehouse
⏰ 8:00 PM
Renowned for his sharp storytelling and unflinching honesty, James McMurtry is one of Americana’s most respected songwriters. His live shows lean into narrative-driven songs that explore modern life with wit, grit, and empathy. Skipper’s Smokehouse provides the perfect backdrop for McMurtry’s thoughtful lyrics and roots-infused sound, offering an up-close listening experience for fans of folk, country, and American songwriting traditions.
🎟️ Tickets

Ronnie Baker Brooks

📍 Safety Harbor Art & Music Center
⏰ 7:00 PM
Carrying forward the legacy of his father, blues legend Lonnie Brooks, Ronnie Baker Brooks blends Chicago blues tradition with modern soul, rock, and funk influences. His live performances are dynamic and guitar-forward, balancing deep-rooted blues history with contemporary energy. This show at SHAMC offers an intimate chance to experience a powerful blues artist in a setting designed for serious music lovers.
🎟️ Tickets | ℹ️ Details

Kings of Leon

📍 Benchmark International Arena
⏰ 8:00 PM
Kings of Leon return to Tampa with a massive arena show featuring hits that helped define modern rock radio. From “Sex on Fire” to “Use Somebody,” their catalog balances gritty Southern rock roots with polished, anthemic songwriting. Expect a career-spanning set, dramatic lighting, and a crowd ready to sing every word at full volume.
🎟️ Tickets

Tampa Gasparilla Bar Crawl, Brunch & Festival

⏰ 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Gasparilla weekend officially kicks off with this all-day bar crawl and festival experience, bringing pirates, brunch lovers, and costumed chaos together across Tampa. From bottomless mimosas and buffet brunches to free shots and themed contests, this event sets the tone early. By the time the parade begins, participants are fully immersed in Tampa’s most spirited tradition.
🎟️ Tickets

Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest

⏰ 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
The legendary Jose Gasparilla sails into Tampa to kick off one of the city’s most iconic annual events. The pirate invasion is followed by a massive parade down Bayshore Boulevard, live music throughout downtown, and a citywide embrace of pirate culture. From families to lifelong Gasparilla veterans, Pirate Fest transforms Tampa into a full-scale celebration of spectacle and tradition.
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ATLiens – Gasparilla Invasion Weekend

📍 The Ritz Ybor
⏰ 9:00 PM–2:45 AM
Electronic duo ATLiens bring heavy bass, dark visuals, and late-night intensity to Ybor City for a Gasparilla afterparty built for endurance. If your pirate plans extend well into the early morning hours, this show offers a high-energy soundtrack to close out Saturday night.
🎟️ Tickets

Sunday, February 1, 2026
Los Lonely Boys

📍 Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
⏰ 7:00 PM
Blending rock, blues, and Tex-Mex influences, Los Lonely Boys have built a career on soulful songwriting and heartfelt performances. Their Sunday night show offers a reflective close to the weekend, pairing fan favorites with deep cuts in a venue known for its warm acoustics and intimate atmosphere.
🎟️ Tickets

Vanessa Collier

📍 Safety Harbor Art & Music Center
⏰ 5:30 PM
Award-winning saxophonist and vocalist Vanessa Collier delivers a powerful mix of blues, soul, funk, and jazz. Her performances are emotionally charged and technically impressive, making this early evening show a standout option for music fans looking to wind down the weekend on a high note.
🎟️ Tickets

Joe Pug

📍 Gram Parsons Derry Down, Winter Haven
⏰ 7:00 PM
Joe Pug’s songwriting is known for its poetic depth and stripped-down honesty. Performing in the intimate setting of Gram Parsons Derry Down, this show emphasizes lyrics, storytelling, and quiet moments that resonate long after the final song ends.
🎟️ Tickets

2026 NHL Stadium Series: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins

📍 Raymond James Stadium
⏰ 6:30–9:30 PM
The Tampa Bay Lightning take their rivalry with the Boston Bruins outdoors in a historic Stadium Series matchup. Raymond James Stadium transforms into an open-air hockey venue, complete with reinforced ice and climate-controlled infrastructure designed to beat Florida’s humidity. It’s a rare chance to experience NHL hockey in a completely new setting—and a landmark moment for Tampa sports history.
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From intimate blues rooms to sold-out arenas, pirate invasions to outdoor hockey, this weekend captures everything that makes Tampa Bay’s cultural scene so dynamic. Whether you’re discovering a new artist, revisiting a classic favorite, or fully committing to Gasparilla chaos, there’s no shortage of live music and community moments worth experiencing. Stay tuned to WMNF for more local events, artist spotlights, and independent music happening around the bay.