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How to celebrate Juneteenth 2026 in Tampa and St. Pete

From a cookout to a 5K, here's how our region is celebrating.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Juneteenth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/02/juneteenth-celebration-civil-rights-backlash" data-vars-content-id="73d06e32-96a5-4240-a394-22dcb50e5afd" data-vars-headline="How to celebrate Juneteenth 2026 in Tampa and St. Pete" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/02/juneteenth-celebration-civil-rights-backlash" target="_self">Juneteenth</a> is coming up, and Tampa Bay has several ways to celebrate.The big picture: The annual holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Texas learned of their emancipation.

How nixing property taxes could affect Hillsborough County

The county may have to consider layoffs, service cuts and new taxes.

Politics

Hillsborough County may have to consider layoffs, service cuts and new taxes if voters approve the state&#x27;s sweeping <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="property tax overhaul" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/02/florida-puts-property-tax-overhaul-on-ballot-as-local-officials-sound-alarm" data-vars-content-id="1023ded2-ab09-4ad3-bef7-d5f9c9a7c0ce" data-vars-headline="How nixing property taxes could affect Hillsborough County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/02/florida-puts-property-tax-overhaul-on-ballot-as-local-officials-sound-alarm" target="_self">property tax overhaul</a>. Why it matters: The county would lose an estimated $367 million in annual property tax revenue, money that had primarily gone toward the sheriff&#x27;s office, fire rescue, transportation, emergency management and parks.

Florida could soon bar undocumented students from state colleges

The state college system could lose an estimated $15 million each year in tuition and fees.

News

The Florida Board of Education will meet this month to decide whether to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="adopt a new rule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/02/usf-tuition-increases-hit-undocumented-students-hardest" data-vars-content-id="fe7491ad-db66-4d96-8d4a-e3ada03f33af" data-vars-headline="Florida could soon bar undocumented students from state colleges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/02/usf-tuition-increases-hit-undocumented-students-hardest" target="_self">adopt a new rule</a> prohibiting undocumented immigrants from attending the state&#x27;s public colleges. Why it matters: Tuition at state-level colleges is much more affordable than at universities, and with undocumented immigrants no longer eligible for in-state tuition, these colleges may be their only chance at higher education.

"Corporate" Live Nation venue would mar Ybor's indie identity, residents say

The backlash comes as Crowbar, Ybor's last full-time independent music venue, prepares to close.

Crowbar owner Tom DeGeorge has raged against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Live Nation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/09/live-nation-ticketmaster-doj-settlement" data-vars-content-id="9b59b0a7-23a9-46ed-ac9a-c7c9f191b6be" data-vars-headline="&quot;Corporate&quot; Live Nation venue would mar Ybor&#x27;s indie identity, residents say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/09/live-nation-ticketmaster-doj-settlement" target="_self">Live Nation</a> all the way to Washington, where he testified last month before Congress about how its growth has strained independent venues like his.<ul><li>So he was blindsided, but not surprised, when he learned the entertainment giant was planning a move into his backyard.</li></ul>Why it matters: DeGeorge is among a growing contingent of Ybor residents protesting the proposed Live Nation venue — and what it represents about the historic neighborhood&#x27;s changing identity.

City to discuss Scientology's role in Clearwater's "urban renaissance"

It's hard to keep up with all the development activity in downtown Clearwater.

For the first time in recent memory, it&#x27;s hard to keep up with all the development activity in downtown Clearwater. Why it matters: City officials have dubbed this moment an &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urban renaissance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fox13news.com/news/clearwater-leaders-say-city-is-urban-renaissance-downtown-construction-projects-starting" data-vars-content-id="7aa4d34c-d600-4190-862c-c67f2d0a9b8a" data-vars-headline="City to discuss Scientology&#x27;s role in Clearwater&#x27;s &quot;urban renaissance&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fox13news.com/news/clearwater-leaders-say-city-is-urban-renaissance-downtown-construction-projects-starting" target="_blank">urban renaissance</a>,&quot; but questions about the Church of Scientology&#x27;s role in the momentum prompted City Council members to schedule a special meeting next week, according to recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="news" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2026/05/05/scientology-clearwater-downtown-development/" data-vars-content-id="7aa4d34c-d600-4190-862c-c67f2d0a9b8a" data-vars-headline="City to discuss Scientology&#x27;s role in Clearwater&#x27;s &quot;urban renaissance&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2026/05/05/scientology-clearwater-downtown-development/" target="_blank">news</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay28.com/news/local-news/clearwater-north-pinellas-county/public-meeting-set-to-discuss-downtown-clearwater-cleveland-street-development" data-vars-content-id="7aa4d34c-d600-4190-862c-c67f2d0a9b8a" data-vars-headline="City to discuss Scientology&#x27;s role in Clearwater&#x27;s &quot;urban renaissance&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay28.com/news/local-news/clearwater-north-pinellas-county/public-meeting-set-to-discuss-downtown-clearwater-cleveland-street-development" target="_blank">reports</a>.

Inside Tampa Theatre's $30 million restoration

The storied Duncan Auditorium has been closed for construction since March.

On a reporting trip this week, we got to touch the sky.<ul><li>Well, sort of. </li></ul>Why it matters: We experienced the closest thing to it here in Tampa during a tour of the century-old <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa Theatre" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/03/13/tampa-theatre-oscar-nominated-nickel-boys-qa" data-vars-content-id="df9fb74c-4f86-494e-9661-0d45bf2de704" data-vars-headline="Inside Tampa Theatre&#x27;s $30 million restoration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/03/13/tampa-theatre-oscar-nominated-nickel-boys-qa" target="_self">Tampa Theatre</a> about two months into a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$30 million renovation project" data-vars-click-url="https://tampatheatre.org/join-give/second-century/" data-vars-content-id="df9fb74c-4f86-494e-9661-0d45bf2de704" data-vars-headline="Inside Tampa Theatre&#x27;s $30 million restoration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tampatheatre.org/join-give/second-century/" target="_blank">$30 million renovation project</a>.

St. Pete could end parking minimums to boost development near SunRunner

Supporters see more housing and walkability ahead, while critics fear neighborhood spillover.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Petersburg" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/01/st-pete-mahaffey-theater-bid-rejected-new-rfp" data-vars-content-id="8e318817-9a3f-40df-8ae9-35bc3784cad6" data-vars-headline="St. Pete could end parking minimums to boost development near SunRunner" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/01/st-pete-mahaffey-theater-bid-rejected-new-rfp" target="_self">St. Petersburg</a> City Council members are set to decide Thursday whether to remove minimum parking requirements for new residences and businesses near SunRunner stations and along much of Central Avenue.Why it matters: Proponents and transit advocates say the changes will encourage use of the bus-rapid transit system and spark denser development, creating more walkable communities and driving down housing prices.<ul><li>Opponents worry that parking will spill into neighborhoods like Historic Kenwood and that more density could change the character of the Grand Central District and its historic buildings.</li></ul>

Demolition underway at St. Pete's pink buildings

A 29-story luxury condo tower is set to rise in their place.

Demolition is underway at downtown St. Petersburg&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pink buildings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/17/st-pete-pink-buildings-downtown-roche-bobois-condo-tower" data-vars-content-id="1208534b-19b7-456e-a474-a78fd227e089" data-vars-headline="Demolition underway at St. Pete&#x27;s pink buildings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/17/st-pete-pink-buildings-downtown-roche-bobois-condo-tower" target="_self">pink buildings</a>.Why it matters: A 29-story luxury condo tower is set to rise in their place.

What should replace Tropicana Field? St. Pete wants your input

The meeting gives residents a chance to vet the pitches to redevelop the site of Tropicana Field.

St. Petersburg leaders will host an open house next Thursday on the future of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Historic Gas Plant District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/01/st-petersburg-historic-gas-plant-whats-next-ken-welch" data-vars-content-id="7baf4fd9-781e-4f2a-8eef-c65a3eb9afa9" data-vars-headline="What should replace Tropicana Field? St. Pete wants your input" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/01/st-petersburg-historic-gas-plant-whats-next-ken-welch" target="_self">Historic Gas Plant District</a>.Why it matters: The meeting gives residents a chance to vet the pitches to redevelop the site of Tropicana Field.

What's next for St. Pete's Historic Gas Plant proposals

Mayor Welch's push comes after a majority of Council members urged him to pump the brakes.

St. Petersburg&#x27;s process for selecting a plan to redevelop <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropicana Field" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/03/st-petersburg-gas-plant-proposals" data-vars-content-id="c87051e2-ed89-4e88-a557-9d25d02196e4" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for St. Pete&#x27;s Historic Gas Plant proposals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/03/st-petersburg-gas-plant-proposals" target="_self">Tropicana Field</a> is underway.Why it matters: Whichever developer the city picks will play a major role in the future of the Historic Gas Plant District, 86 acres of downtown real estate named after the Black neighborhood displaced by the ballpark. <ul><li>It will also speak to the legacy of Mayor Ken Welch, who has made the redevelopment central to his agenda and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://kenwelch.com/progress/" data-vars-content-id="c87051e2-ed89-4e88-a557-9d25d02196e4" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for St. Pete&#x27;s Historic Gas Plant proposals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kenwelch.com/progress/" target="_blank">campaign</a> for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a second term" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/02/02/st-petersburg-mayor-race-ken-welch-files-reelection/" data-vars-content-id="c87051e2-ed89-4e88-a557-9d25d02196e4" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for St. Pete&#x27;s Historic Gas Plant proposals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/02/02/st-petersburg-mayor-race-ken-welch-files-reelection/" target="_blank">a second term</a>.</li></ul>

St. Pete council, residents don't want new high-rise. It's coming anyway

Even with majority opposition, City Council lacked the votes to block the high-rise.

Another <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="luxury high-rise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/07/22/waldorf-astoria-st-petersburg-penthouse-sale-record-27-million" data-vars-content-id="cd9b3fdb-0c54-40a0-ba8f-113dc5683300" data-vars-headline="St. Pete council, residents don&#x27;t want new high-rise. It&#x27;s coming anyway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/07/22/waldorf-astoria-st-petersburg-penthouse-sale-record-27-million" target="_self">luxury high-rise</a> is coming to downtown St. Petersburg.Why it matters: Thursday&#x27;s hours-long City Council debate over the project laid bare angst over the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shifting identity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" data-vars-content-id="cd9b3fdb-0c54-40a0-ba8f-113dc5683300" data-vars-headline="St. Pete council, residents don&#x27;t want new high-rise. It&#x27;s coming anyway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" target="_self">shifting identity</a> — and raised questions about how much influence residents and policymakers have in shaping it.<ul><li>&quot;You have a problem when everybody is acknowledging this is not what we want to build, and yet we&#x27;re somehow powerless to stop it,&quot; Preserve the &#x27;Burg executive director Manny Leto told Axios.</li></ul>

What's going up in Tampa: Penthouses, waterfront townhomes, vision center

Tampa's on the upswing, and so is its skyline.

Development

Tampa&#x27;s on the upswing, and so is its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="skyline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/04/30/water-street-tampa-new-towers-renderings" data-vars-content-id="8ae42618-6797-4a89-a6e8-f2c6f27954b8" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s going up in Tampa: Penthouses, waterfront townhomes, vision center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/04/30/water-street-tampa-new-towers-renderings" target="_self">skyline</a>.<ul><li>Here&#x27;s the latest in development news across the city.</li></ul>

St. Petersburg's Williams Park set for revamp

Upgrades to the bandshell, facilities and programming aim to revive the city's oldest park.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Petersburg" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" data-vars-content-id="19e8cc64-8186-42f9-898b-be348eaa7ba5" data-vars-headline="St. Petersburg&#x27;s Williams Park set for revamp" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" target="_self">St. Petersburg</a>&#x27;s oldest park is on the verge of a revamp.Why it matters: It&#x27;s long overdue for Williams Park, which spans a city block in the heart of downtown and serves as a venue for events like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Localtopia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/02/20/things-to-do-weekend-tampa-bay-localtopia" data-vars-content-id="19e8cc64-8186-42f9-898b-be348eaa7ba5" data-vars-headline="St. Petersburg&#x27;s Williams Park set for revamp" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/02/20/things-to-do-weekend-tampa-bay-localtopia" target="_self">Localtopia</a> and, during the summer, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saturday Morning Market" data-vars-click-url="https://saturdaymorningmarket.com/" data-vars-content-id="19e8cc64-8186-42f9-898b-be348eaa7ba5" data-vars-headline="St. Petersburg&#x27;s Williams Park set for revamp" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://saturdaymorningmarket.com/" target="_blank">Saturday Morning Market</a>.

St. Pete's luxury-fueled identity crisis

From a $30K lounge to a possible Four Seasons, wealth is transforming the city.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Petersburg" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/21/wayward-goose-st-petersburg-closing" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/21/wayward-goose-st-petersburg-closing" target="_self">St. Petersburg</a> City Council member Richie Floyd&#x27;s jaw hit the floor when he <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="read" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/food/2026/02/21/st-pete-food-hall-kojo-bar-hanna-central-park/" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/food/2026/02/21/st-pete-food-hall-kojo-bar-hanna-central-park/" target="_blank">read</a> how much it&#x27;ll cost to join a members-only lounge coming soon to downtown&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Central Park food hall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/06/new-restaurants-2026-tampa-st-pete" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/06/new-restaurants-2026-tampa-st-pete" target="_self">Central Park food hall</a>.<ul><li>For Tampa Bay&#x27;s once-gritty <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city of the arts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2026/02/24/is-st-pete-still-city-arts-column/" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2026/02/24/is-st-pete-still-city-arts-column/" target="_blank">city of the arts</a>, where many residents are struggling with rising costs, $30,000 is a jarring figure. Yet, the co-owner told Axios he&#x27;s been flooded with interest.</li><li>&quot;We actually can&#x27;t keep up,&quot; said Mark Levey, who recently moved from Tampa to a condo on the 28th floor of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Residences at 400 Central" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/12/03/inside-400-central-st-petersburg" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/12/03/inside-400-central-st-petersburg" target="_self">The Residences at 400 Central</a>, St. Pete&#x27;s newest luxury high-rise.</li></ul>Why it matters: The project is one of several that signal a burgeoning movement toward luxury and exclusivity intensified by a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pandemic-induced influx of new residents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/19/florida-population-income-moving-migration" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/19/florida-population-income-moving-migration" target="_self">pandemic-induced influx of new residents</a> — and wealth.

Development 🏗️

City to discuss Scientology's role in Clearwater's "urban renaissance"

Inside Tampa Theatre's $30 million restoration

St. Pete could end parking minimums to boost development near SunRunner

Demolition underway at St. Pete's pink buildings

What should replace Tropicana Field? St. Pete wants your input