Tampa City Ballet at Kress Contemporary in Ybor City on Feb. 18, 2023. Credit: Dave Decker / Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
As previously reported, the Tampa City Ballet is set to launch its much-anticipated “La Septima” production, but that’s not the only thing to get into this week.
Tampa Bay’s things to do calendar is full once again, and this listing of the best local events and happenings taking place Oct. 1-8 has dozens of options, from book talks, to markets, theater, and more
Have a look below, and submit your own event via community.cltampa.com.
A&E
Afternoon Divas’ Glittery October Dance Party (Women Only Early Nights) Friday, Oct. 2. 6 p.m. $39.91 & up. Good Luck Chuck’s, Tampa. afternoondivas.com
Art & Aces: A Night of Vintage Glamour Friday, Oct. 2. 7:30 p.m. $250. Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa tampamuseum.org
Beauty from the Broken: A Journey Through Mosaics by Donna Slawsky (Opening reception) Friday, Oct. 2. 5:30 p.m. No cover. St. Thomas Episcopal Church, St. Petersburg. soulfulmosaics.com
DRV Gallery: Five w/Jim Gilmour & Friends (5th anniversary exhibition opening) Friday, Oct. 2. 5:30 p.m. No cover. DRV Gallery, Gulfport. drvgallery.com
‘It’s Raining Cats & Dogs’ New artwork by Cory Robinson Opening Friday, Oct. 2. 8 p.m. No cover. Corner Club, 1502 E Sligh Ave., Tampa. @mrcoryrobinson on Instagram
Largo Vibe Fest Friday-Sunday, Oct. 2-4. 10 a.m.; 3 p.m. Friday. No cover. Central Park, Largo. largoarts.com
La Séptima: The Stage (Tampa City Ballet) Thursday-Friday, Oct. 2-3. 7:30 p.m. $40 & up. New Tampa Performing Arts Center, Tampa. tampacityballet.com
Mid Autumn Festival: Asian Food & Music Festival Friday-Sunday, Oct. 2-4. 12 p.m.; 5 p.m. Friday. No cover. Zurno, Largo. meganightmarket.com
‘Railroad To River—University of Tampa in Hidden View’ Photography by Amy Martz : Opens Friday, Oct. 2. 5 p.m.-7 p.m. No cover (RSVP to [email protected]). Saunders Foundation Art Gallery at Ferman Center for the Arts, Tampa. ut.edu
Relics & Lore: A Radley Experience (Press & VIP Preview) Friday, Oct. 2. 6 p.m. No cover. FloridaRAMA, St. Petersburg. Floridarama.art
Metallic Watercolors: An ATC Workshop Saturday, Oct. 3. 10 a.m. $75. The Paper Seahorse, Tampa. paperseahorse.com
Pumpkin Patch & Fun Fall Fest Saturday, Oct. 3. 12 p.m. $10.75. Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen, Tampa
Relics & Lore: A Radley Experience Saturday, Oct. 3. 12 p.m. No cover with admission. FloridaRAMA, St. Petersburg. Floridarama.art
Dunedin Drive and Shine Car Show Sunday, Oct. 4. 7 a.m. Free. Dunedin History Museum, Dunedin. dunedinmuseum.org
Cameras & Coffee Monday, Oct. 5. 5 p.m. No cover. Palm Harbor Library, Palm Harbor. palmharborlibrary.org
Luna Moth Moonlight: A Stained Glass Workshop Tuesday, Oct. 6. 5 p.m. $60. Imagine Museum, St. Petersburg. imaginemuseum.com
MAACM Glass Studio: Bat Tuesday, Oct. 6 & Tuesday, Oct. 13. 10 a.m. $110 & up. Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, St. Petersburg. museumaacm.org
The Burgert Brothers Photographic Collection Thursday, Oct. 8. 4 p.m. No cover with registration. Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, Tampa
Collector’s Chat w/Bill Zewadski & Paul Hasse Thursday, Oct. 8. 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Pay-as-you-will (Art on the House). Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa
Harry Potter Book Day: Spells & Potions Thursday, Oct. 8. 5 p.m. $5; no cover with costume/robes. Imagine Museum, St. Petersburg. imaginemuseum.com
Revolutionary Traditions: Carving Turnip Jack O’Lanterns Workshop Thursday, Oct. 8. 6 p.m. $10. Dunedin History Museum, Dunedin. dunedinmuseum.org
Remix: Mysteries of the Nile Thursday, Oct. 8. 6–9 p.m. $55. Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa
THEATER
“Halfway There” by Norm Foster Select times and dates Saturday, Sept. 5-Saturday, Oct. 17. $60. Early Bird Dinner Theater, Clearwater
The Wash Select times and dates Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 1-11. $25 & up. The Studio@620, St. Petersburg
The Addams Family: The Musical Comedy Select times and dates Friday-Sunday, Oct. 2-18. $20 & up. James McCabe Theater, Valrico
Grandma Rocks Sunday, Oct. 4. 2 p.m. No cover. Tarpon Arts Cultural Center, Tarpon Springs. sagestheater.org
Buena Vista Social Club Select times Tuesday-Sunday, Oct. 6-11. $65.80 & up. Morsani Hall at Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder Select times and dates Friday-Sunday, Oct. 9-18. $19.70 & up. Gem Theater, Mulberry
MAD Theatre of Tampa: Spring Awakening Select times and dates Friday-Sunday, Oct. 9-18. $33.64. Tropical Home Fine Art Gallery, Ybor City
BOOKISH
“The Sherlock Society: Art Attack” by James Ponti (Author book talk) Friday, Oct. 2. 5 p.m. No cover with RSVP; $22.48 for RSVP and book. Oxford Exchange, Tampa
Agatha Christie: All About the Mysteries of Murder Saturday, Oct. 3. 2–3 p.m. No cover. Countryside Library, Clearwater
Book Club: “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride Saturday, Oct. 3. 6:30 p.m. $40. The Studio@620, St. Petersburg
Clues, Crimes and Conversations: A Mystery & Thriller Author Panel with Novel in the Neighborhood: Eliza Knight/Michelle Brandon w/Ginny Myers Sain/Linda Bond Hurtado/L.L. Kirchner/Amy Christine Parker/Kelly Coon Saturday, Oct. 3. 11 a.m. Free. East Lake Community Library, Palm Harbor. eastlakelibrary.org
Local Author Chat: Rose Cervantes Saturday, Oct. 3. 10 a.m. No cover with registration. Barbara S. Ponce Public Library, Pinellas Park
Madison Serrano (Book signing) Saturday, Oct. 3. 12–3 p.m. No cover with RSVP. The Book Lounge, St. Petersburg. thebooklounge.com
Rose Cervantes (Local author chat) Saturday, Oct. 3. 10 a.m. No cover. Barbara S. Ponce Public Library, Pinellas Park
Book Exchange Sunday, Oct. 4. 1 p.m. No cover, but drink purchase requested. Deviant Libation, Tampa
EC Book Club: “Assassination Classroom” by Yusei Matsui Sunday, Oct. 4. 4:30 p.m. No cover. Emerald City Comics, Pinellas Park. emeraldcitycomics.com
Banned Book Week, Book-To-Film: “Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret” by Judy Blume Monday, Oct. 5. 6 p.m. No cover with registration. Safety Harbor Public Library, Safety Harbor. portkeybooks.com
Monday Book Club: “The Berry Pickers” by Amanda Peters Monday, Oct. 5. 2 p.m. No cover. Dunedin Public Library, Dunedin
Book Discussion: “The Briar Club” by Kate Quinn Tuesday, Oct. 6. 10:30 a.m. No cover with registration. West Tampa Branch Library, Tampa
Beach Book Club: “The Buffalo Hunter Hunter” by Stephen Graham Jones Wednesday, Oct. 7. 4 p.m. No cover with registration. Beach Library, Clearwater
Books, Bites, & Booze: Evan Bond w/Gayle Brown/L.L. Campbell/Wendy Dalrymple/Maria Devivo/Tara Lush/Jacob Moon/Sarah Moore/T.J. White/E.G. Young Wednesday, Oct. 7. 6 p.m. No cover. Wine Society, Tarpon Springs. thegildedpagebookstore.com
Expand Your Horizons Book Club: “The Pilot’s Wife” by Anita Shreve Wednesday, Oct. 7. 3:30 p.m. No cover. Tarpon Springs Public Library, Tarpon Springs. tarponlibrary.org
Latiné & BIPOC Book Club: “The Next Best Fling” by Gabriella Gamez Wednesday, Oct. 7. 6:30 p.m. $10 & up. The Book Lounge, St. Petersburg. thebooklounge.com
Ales & Tales Book Club: “Something Wicked This Way Comes” by Ray Bradbury Thursday, Oct. 8. 6 p.m. No cover. Stilt House Brewery, Palm Harbor. palmharborlibrary.org
Sip & Swap: Book Swap & Mobile Bookstore Pop-Up Thursday, Oct. 8. 6:30 p.m. No cover. Shuffle, Tampa
Smithsonian Curator Carolyn Russo (Virtual author talk) Thursday, Oct. 8. 2 p.m. No cover to attend. Dunedin Public Library, Dunedin
Whodunit Book Club: “The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie” by Alan Bradley Thursday, Oct. 8. 2:30 p.m. No cover. Bruton Memorial Library, Plant City
COMEDY
Joe List Select times Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 1-3. $30 & up. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa
Atsuko Okatsuka Friday, Oct. 2. 7:30 p.m. $49.40 & up. Ferguson Hall at Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa
Gabriel Rutledge Select times Friday-Saturday, Oct. 2-3. $27. Funny Bone Comedy Club, Tampa
Jay Jurden Saturday, Oct. 3. 6 p.m. $32.31 & up. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa
Ahren Belisle Sunday, Oct. 4. 6:30 p.m. $30. Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa
Jimbo’s ‘Joan! Can We Laugh?!’ Tour Thursday, Oct. 8. 7 p.m. Funny Bone Comedy Club, Tampa
Nurse John Friday, Oct. 9. 7:30 p.m. Sold out. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg
Aziz Ansari Saturday, Oct. 10. 7 p.m. $126.70 & up. Ferguson Hall at Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa
Jimmy Faila Saturday, Oct. 10. 3 p.m. $45 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
FALL/HALLOWEEN
Relics & Lore: A Radley Experience: Oct. 3-Nov. 2. Thursday-Monday, $22-$27. FloridaRama, 2606 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Petersburg. floridarama.art
Spirits in the Underground Haunted History Experience and Walking Tour Saturday, Oct. 3. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $44 & up. The Velvet Mat, 475 Central Ave. B100 (basement), St. Petersburg. thevelvetmat.com
Spookyzarre Sunday, Oct. 4. 11 a.m. No cover. ArtLofts, St. Petersburg. theartlofts.com
Spirit University: Paranormal Investigation and Paranormal Pets w/Brandy Stark Saturday, Oct. 10. 11 a.m. $25 & up. Spirit University, Sarasota. thespirituniversity.com
FILM & TV
2026 Hump! Film Festival Saturday, Oct. 3. 6:30 p.m. & 9 p.m. $15-$20. Sun-Ray Cinema, 12332 University Mall Ct., Tampa. humpfilmfest.com
Fabulous Independent Film Festival: Opening Night — Hunky Jesus/3 Hearts of Iron Friday, Oct. 2. 7:30 p.m. $10.38 & up. Burns Court Cinema, Sarasota. fabaf.org
2026 HUMP! Film Festival: Fall Season Saturday, Oct. 3. 6:30 p.m. $20. Sun-Ray Cinema, Tampa. humpfilmfest.com
Fabulous Independent Film Festival: Finding Bernie/How You See Me Saturday, Oct. 3. 4:30 p.m. $8.24 & up. Burns Court Cinema, Sarasota. fabaf.org
Fabulous Independent Film Festival: Five Men Auditioning for Terrence McNally’s Love! Valour! Compassion!/Kiloran Bay/Mutual Saturday, Oct. 3. 2:30 p.m. $10.38 & up. Burns Court Cinema, Sarasota. fabaf.org
Fabulous Independent Film Festival: TheyDREAM/Amish Country Queer Saturday, Oct. 3. 7:30 p.m. $10.38 & up. Burns Court Cinema, Sarasota. fabaf.org
Fabulous Independent Film Festival: Bookends/Affirmation Sunday, Oct. 4. 4:30 p.m. $8.24 & up. Burns Court Cinema, Sarasota. fabaf.org
Fabulous Independent Film Festival: Closing Night — Free Beer Tomorrow Sunday, Oct. 4. 7 p.m. $10.38 & up. Burns Court Cinema, Sarasota. fabaf.org
Fabulous Independent Film Festival: The Dads/Our Found Family Sunday, Oct. 4. 2:30 p.m. $10.38 & up. Burns Court Cinema, Sarasota. fabaf.org
Key of Bones: Curse of the Ghost Pirate (Special Screening & Q&A) Tuesday, Oct. 6. 6:30 p.m. $12 (UT students free with ID). Charlene A. Gordon Theater at Ferman Center for the Arts, University of Tampa, Tampa
MARKETS & RETAIL
Dollar Book Sale Fundraiser Monday-Saturday, Oct. 5-10. No cover to attend; $1 suggested donation per book. Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa. carrollwoodcenter.org
St. Pete Night Market: Year One Anniversary Wednesday, Oct. 7. 6 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover. Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill, St. Petersburg
NEWS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Urban Expansion Area Study — Little Manatee South, Round #4, Community Meeting #2 Wednesday, Oct. 7. 6 p.m. South County Career Acceleration Academy, 2810 John Sherman Way, Ruskin
Planning Commission Approved Providers Committee Meeting Thursday, Oct. 8. 9:30 a.m. Virtual
LEARN
Amate: Folk Art Friday, Oct. 2. 3 p.m. No cover with registration; waitlist open. Riverview Public Library, Riverview
Empower – Educate – Connect (Domestic Violence Awareness Month health and resource fair) Saturday, Oct. 3. 12 p.m. No cover. Fifth Avenue Church of Christ, St. Petersburg
Politics and the Future of Science: A community discussion Saturday, Oct. 3. 4 p.m. No cover. President Barack Obama Main Library, St. Petersburg
Wildflower and Pollinator Festival Saturday, Oct. 3. 9 a.m. No cover. Brooker Creek Preserve, Tarpon Springs. brookercreekpreserve.org
Women & Girls Self Protection Seminar Saturday, Oct. 3. 1 p.m. No cover. Gracie Largo West Jiu-Jitsu Community, Largo
Cemetery Q&A Tuesday, Oct. 6. 2 p.m. No cover. Bruton Memorial Library, Plant City
Historic Marker Unveiling: United Secret Orders Hall & La Benéfica Española Tuesday, Oct. 6. 10 a.m. No cover. 1505 E. Palm Ave., Ybor City. tampa.gov
If These Walls Could Talk: Stories of Community Building, Benevolence, Education, and Expression Tuesday, Oct. 6. Time TBA. No cover. 1505 E. Palm Ave., Ybor City. tampa.gov
The Witches of 1692 (Virtual talk) Tuesday, Oct. 6. 1 p.m. No cover to attend. Largo Public Library, Largo
Erica Lynford with Creating a Sense of Purpose and Place Wednesday, Oct. 7. 6:30 p.m. No cover. Palm Harbor Library, Palm Harbor. palmharborlibrary.org
ConvoDojo Live – Tampa Thursday, Oct. 8. 9 a.m. $99. DemiSar Workspace, Tampa. convocontrol.com
MARKETS & RETAIL
Corey Avenue Art & Craft Festival Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 3-4. 10 a.m. No cover. Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach. coreyave.com
Plant Swap Sunday, Oct. 4. 11 a.m. No cover. Safety Harbor Public Library, Safety Harbor. safetyharborlibrary.org
Dollar Book Sale Fundraiser Monday-Saturday, Oct. 5-10. No cover to attend; $1 suggested donation per book. Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa. carrollwoodcenter.org
Hyde Park Village Annual Pumpkin Patch Select times Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 10-25. No cover to attend. Hyde Park Village, Tampa. hydeparkvillage.com
NEWS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Hillsborough Democratic Black Caucus General Election Candidate Forum Thursday, Oct. 8. 6–8 p.m. No cover. First Baptist Church of Progress Village, Tampa. votehillsborough.gov
Public Art and Design Advisory Board meeting Thursday, Oct. 8. 4 p.m. Clearwater Main Library, Clearwater
Lick and Flick: Sapphic Dive-In Movie Night Monthly Mondays. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover. Cocktail St. Pete, St. Petersburg
Drag Bingo Every first and third Wednesday. 9 p.m. No cover. American Legion Seminole Post 111, Tampa
Drag Queen Bingo feat. Stephanie Stuart Every second Wednesday. 7 p.m. $10. Emerald Coast Brewing Company, New Port Richey
AFK: Nerds Night Out at The Ball Wednesdays. 8-10 p.m. No cover (two-drink minimum). 21+. The Ball, St. Petersburg
Drag Bingo w/Alexa at Mad Hatters Kava Bar Wednesdays. 9-11 p.m. $10 (10 games). Mad Hatters Kava Bar, St. Petersburg
Sapphic Book Club Third Wednesday of each month. 7-8:30 p.m. No cover. Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe, St. Petersburg
Meet Your Match: Queer Edition Monthly Thursdays. 7-10 p.m. No cover. Lost & Found, St. Petersburg
Deviant Coven Every first Thursday. 6 p.m. No cover. Deviant Libation, Tampa
SPORTS
Tampa Bay Sun Foundation Free Youth Soccer Clinics Various dates Aug. 7-Spring 2027. Free. Select locations across Tampa Bay
2026 Grid League Championships Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 3-4. 9 a.m. $29 & up; $14.50 for 12 and under. RP Funding Center, Lakeland
South Florida Bulls Football vs. Temple University Owls Football Saturday, Oct. 3. Time TBA. $20 & up. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
Tampa Bay Lightning (Home opener) vs. Washington Capitals Saturday, Oct. 3. 7 p.m. $85.20 & up (resale only). Benchmark International Arena, Tampa
USF Ice Hockey vs. University of Tampa Hockey Saturday, Oct. 3. 7 p.m. No cover. AdventHealth Center Ice, Wesley Chapel
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Green Bay Packers Sunday, Oct. 4. 1 p.m. $195.16 & up. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Philadelphia Flyers Monday, Oct. 5. 7 p.m. $36.58 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Minnesota Wild Thursday, Oct. 8. 7 p.m. $37.76 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa
TRAVEL & LEISURE
Cigar Night at Epperson Lagoon Friday, Oct. 2. 7 p.m.–10 p.m. $5. Epperson Lagoon, Wesley Chapel
Pitch in to help make the Tampa Bay Journalism Project a success.
Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.
Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | BlueSky
This article appears in Oct. 01 – 07, 2026.
Related