Tampa Bay

Picture of the Tampa Bay skyline with TPA written across it.

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Tampa Bay with Kathryn Varn and Yacob Reyes.

Axios Tampa Bay

Standard

Axios Tampa Bay Partners

Axios Tampa Bay Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

A guide to fun things to do in Tampa Bay this weekend.

Axios Tampa Bay Weekender

Weekender

Tampa Members

Membership

Axios Tampa Bay Deep Dive

Deep Dive

topics

politics-policy

epstein-files

donald-trump

2026-midterm-elections

immigration

behind-the-curtain

race-and-equity

technology

privacy-tech-regulation

automation-and-ai

tiktok-news

big-tech

social-media

cybersecurity

economy

social-security

inflation

tariffs

federal-reserve

jobs

transportation

business

stock-market-news

retail-news

crypto

media

elon-musk

dealmaking

health

rfk-jr

drug-prices

axios-explains-abortion

public-health

world

israel

axios-explains-ukraine

iran

russia

china

energy-climate

nuclear-energy

climate-energy-policy

climate-change

extreme-weather

alternative-energy

electric-vehicles

science

emerging-tech

biomedicine

newsletters

charlotte

detroit

columbus

austin

kansas-city

dallas

atlanta

washington-dc

nw-arkansas

boulder

chicago

indianapolis

nashville

richmond

houston

san-francisco

seattle

colorado-springs

boston

des-moines

salt-lake-city

philadelphia

denver

phoenix

new-orleans

miami

twin-cities

huntsville

raleigh

san-antonio

portland

san-diego

tampa-bay

cleveland

pittsburgh

axios-local

axios-pro

axios-live

the-axios-show

St. Pete casting call: Extras needed for Paul Rudd film

"The Statement" is filming April 6-8 right here in the Sunshine City.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Pete" 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="1cba9173-5a73-4be0-86b1-87f3c04da041" data-vars-headline="St. Pete casting call: Extras needed for Paul Rudd film" 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. Pete</a> locals, it&#x27;s our time to shine.State of play: FrontRunner Casting Agency is seeking extras for &quot;The Statement,&quot; a new movie starring Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti and John Turturro that&#x27;s filming April 6-8 here in the Sunshine City.

Tampa Bay to join No Kings protests set for Saturday

Events are planned in St. Petersburg, Tampa, as far north as Brooksville and as far south as Venice.

More No Kings protests will hit Tampa Bay streets this weekend as part of a nationwide Day of Nonviolent Action. The big picture: Progressive political groups, labor unions, and human and civil rights organizations expect Saturday&#x27;s more than 3,000 demonstrations to surpass last year&#x27;s No Kings rallies in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="June" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/14/photos-no-kings-protests-downtown-chicago-trump" data-vars-content-id="b17598d8-76df-4271-b6b5-390f77e02d50" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay to join No Kings protests set for Saturday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/14/photos-no-kings-protests-downtown-chicago-trump" target="_self">June</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="October." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/17/trump-no-kings-protest-safety-tips" data-vars-content-id="b17598d8-76df-4271-b6b5-390f77e02d50" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay to join No Kings protests set for Saturday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/17/trump-no-kings-protest-safety-tips" target="_self">October.</a>

Democrat leads in Tampa state senate race to replace Lt. Gov. Collins

The race was close enough to trigger an automatic recount under state law.

Democratic union leader Brian Nathan holds a narrow lead over former GOP State House Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Josie Tomkow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/20/tampa-state-senate-district-14-2026" data-vars-content-id="d97998b1-a762-4b6f-8707-d49834c15b44" data-vars-headline="Democrat leads in Tampa state senate race to replace Lt. Gov. Collins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/20/tampa-state-senate-district-14-2026" target="_self">Josie Tomkow</a> in the race for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State Senate District 14" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/11/18/heres-whos-running-for-tampas-state-senate-seat" data-vars-content-id="d97998b1-a762-4b6f-8707-d49834c15b44" data-vars-headline="Democrat leads in Tampa state senate race to replace Lt. Gov. Collins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/11/18/heres-whos-running-for-tampas-state-senate-seat" target="_self">State Senate District 14</a>, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unofficial results" data-vars-click-url="https://enr.electionsfl.org/HIL/3921/Summary/" data-vars-content-id="d97998b1-a762-4b6f-8707-d49834c15b44" data-vars-headline="Democrat leads in Tampa state senate race to replace Lt. Gov. Collins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://enr.electionsfl.org/HIL/3921/Summary/" target="_blank">unofficial results</a>.<ul><li>As of Tuesday night, Nathan led Tomkow by 0.5% of roughly 80,000 ballots cast, which is the margin that triggers an automatic recount under state law.</li></ul>Why it matters: A win by Nathan would reclaim a seat that Republicans flipped in 2022 and end a seven-month stretch in which the district&#x27;s nearly 300,000 residents had no representation in Tallahassee.

How Tampa Bay fits into Florida's air taxi future

St. Petersburg is already preparing with an Advanced Air Mobility Task Force.

How bad is Tampa Bay <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="traffic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/26/report-tampa-drivers-lose-57-hours-per-year-in-rush-hour-traffic" data-vars-content-id="21acb333-4ba5-4191-96cf-71302b192cd4" data-vars-headline="How Tampa Bay fits into Florida&#x27;s air taxi future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/26/report-tampa-drivers-lose-57-hours-per-year-in-rush-hour-traffic" target="_self">traffic</a>? Pretty soon, we may be flying around town like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Jetson" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTq6Tofmo7E" data-vars-content-id="21acb333-4ba5-4191-96cf-71302b192cd4" data-vars-headline="How Tampa Bay fits into Florida&#x27;s air taxi future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTq6Tofmo7E" target="_blank">George Jetson</a>.Why it matters: A new federal pilot program will speed up the integration of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft across 26 states, including Florida, with testing expected to begin this summer.

5 unique ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Tampa, St. Pete

Things to Do

Forget the green beer and bar crawls.<ul><li>Here are some creative ways to celebrate St. Patrick&#x27;s Day in Tampa Bay. </li></ul>

How to throw out your Christmas tree in Tampa Bay

When in doubt, check with your city or county.

We hate to break it to you, but the holidays are over.Why it matters: It&#x27;s time to start thinking about what to do with that crunchy Christmas tree.

Shop local at these Tampa Bay holiday markets

They're the antithesis of the headache-inducing scroll that is online shopping.

This gift-shopping season, here&#x27;s a pro tip: Visit a holiday market. Why it matters: Markets offer a chance to shop local, find unique gifts, and revel in the holiday spirit with neighbors.<ul><li>They&#x27;re the antithesis of the headache-inducing scroll that is online shopping. </li></ul>

The best and worst times for Tampa Bay Thanksgiving 2025 travel

There will be a record-breaking 4.65 million Floridians leaving town for Thanksgiving this year, AAA predicts.

It&#x27;s time for Tampa Bay road and sky warriors to start thinking about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thanksgiving" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/11/18/thanksgiving-specials-under-50-dollars" data-vars-content-id="195df6e4-6494-4195-8623-e7c904af3bcb" data-vars-headline="The best and worst times for Tampa Bay Thanksgiving 2025 travel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/11/18/thanksgiving-specials-under-50-dollars" target="_self">Thanksgiving</a> travel.Why it matters: There will be a record-breaking 4.65 million Floridians leaving town for Thanksgiving this year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AAA" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.acg.aaa.com/nearly-465-million-floridians-expected-to-travel-for-thanksgiving/" data-vars-content-id="195df6e4-6494-4195-8623-e7c904af3bcb" data-vars-headline="The best and worst times for Tampa Bay Thanksgiving 2025 travel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.acg.aaa.com/nearly-465-million-floridians-expected-to-travel-for-thanksgiving/" target="_blank">AAA</a> predicts.

5 Tampa Bay Thanksgiving specials under $50

Head to one of these open restaurants to feast on a budget.

Food and Drink

Take off the apron, put down the potato masher and head to one of these open restaurants on Thanksgiving to feast on a budget.

How to honor Juneteenth in Tampa Bay

Despite recent backlash against civil rights and discussions of racism, celebrations of the holiday are growing.

Holidays

Juneteenth is on Thursday, and there are numerous ways to celebrate the holiday across Tampa Bay.Why it matters: Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Texas learned of their emancipation.

Weekend events: Tampa Fringe Fest, Polk Pride and a Father's Day market

The weekend is nigh. We've got you covered.

The weekend is nigh. We&#x27;ve got you covered on Tampa Bay&#x27;s hottest events.🤣 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa International Fringe Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://festival.tampafringe.org/" data-vars-content-id="a738d2f9-870b-433a-92fc-69147d535e27" data-vars-headline="Weekend events: Tampa Fringe Fest, Polk Pride and a Father&#x27;s Day market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://festival.tampafringe.org/" target="_blank">Tampa International Fringe Festival</a>: Laugh until your tummy hurts at one (or a few!) of the many shows scheduled during the ninth-annual comedy festival in Ybor City.

Memorial Day Weekend events: Parades, festivals and more

Hooray for the long weekend!Here are some local events to commemorate Memorial Day:

"Neuter Your Ex" this Valentine's Day with Tampa Bay animal rescue

"Because some exes are worth forgetting ... but animals always deserve love."

Sure, a romantic beach sunset is nice, but how about some good old-fashioned revenge?State of play: A Tampa Bay animal rescue is running a &quot;Neuter Your Ex&quot; fundraiser just in time for Valentine&#x27;s Day.

How to get free trees for Florida Arbor Day

Pinellas County, Keep Pasco Beautiful and Duke Energy Florida are all offering free native trees.

I was familiar with Arbor Day, the national celebration of trees that falls on the last Friday in April.Yes, but: I didn&#x27;t know that Florida celebrates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its own Arbor Day" data-vars-click-url="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/baker/docs/pdf/horticulture/ArborDay_TreeCare_FactSheet.pdf" data-vars-content-id="43cc12ff-c8ad-4490-b67c-8d1aff413e69" data-vars-headline="How to get free trees for Florida Arbor Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/baker/docs/pdf/horticulture/ArborDay_TreeCare_FactSheet.pdf" target="_blank">its own Arbor Day</a> much earlier in the year, on the third Friday in January.