Step into the heartbeat of Tampa Bay, where the city pulses with the energy of world-class concerts, dazzling festivals, and the kind of suspenseful excitement that would make even Stephen King lean forward in his chair. This week, the spotlight shines on the top things to do in Tampa Bay, promising unforgettable nights, mysterious encounters, and the lingering sense that something extraordinary is just around the corner.
Billy Idol and Joan Jett: Rock’s Electric Night
The air grows thick with anticipation as the sun dips below the horizon. At the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, the stage is set for a night that will echo through your bones. Billy Idol, the iconic rocker, storms into Tampa with his “It’s a Nice Day to … Tour Again,” joined by the legendary Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. The crowd, a sea of leather jackets and adrenaline, waits for that first, electrifying guitar riff. Will you be among them, swept up in the raw energy of rock history?
When: Saturday, May 10, 7:30 p.m.
Where: 4801 U.S. 301 N., Tampa
Tickets: $29.50–$199.50
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Mother’s Day at the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum: A Classic Affair
Mother’s Day dawns with a twist of nostalgia. The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum throws open its doors, offering $5 admission for moms-a rare chance to wander among gleaming classic cars, each with its own story, its own secrets. The muted hum of the past lingers in the air, and for a moment, time stands still.
When: Sunday, May 11, noon–4:30 p.m.
Where: 3301 Gateway Centre Blvd., Pinellas Park
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Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live
Deep beneath the city, where shadows dance and dreams take flight, the Fraggles embark on a quest for the magical Celebration Stone. At the Straz Center, puppets and people blur as the audience is swept into a world of wonder, laughter, and just a touch of suspense.
When: Saturday, May 10, 3 p.m.
Where: Morsani Hall, Straz Center, 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa
Tickets: $25+
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Florida Orchestra: Copland’s Symphony No. 3
The orchestra tunes up, and a hush falls. Michael Francis lifts his baton, and Copland’s Symphony No. 3 unfurls like a spell. Gershwin’s Piano Concerto adds a bittersweet note, weaving together emotion, nostalgia, and the thrill of live performance.
When: Friday, May 9 (Straz Center, Tampa) & Saturday, May 10 (Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg), 8 p.m.
Tickets: $23+
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Tropical Heatwave: The Festival That Never Sleeps
As dusk settles over Ybor City, the Tropical Heatwave festival ignites. Four stages, a kaleidoscope of independent artists-Chuck Prophet, Cheo, Skating Polly, Sue Foley-each act more unpredictable than the last. The night pulses with rhythm, the crowd sways, and you realize you’re part of something wild, something unforgettable.
When: Saturday, May 10, 5 p.m.–1 a.m.
Where: The Cuban Club, Ybor City, 2010 Avenida Republica de Cuba, Tampa
Tickets: $50–$150
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AMAZE with Jamie Allan: Magic on the Edge
The Jaeb Theater darkens. Jamie Allan, the high-tech illusionist, steps into the spotlight. Cards vanish, lasers slice the air, and reality blurs. For a moment, you question everything you know-because in Tampa Bay this week, even the laws of physics are up for grabs.
Through: May 11
Where: Jaeb Theater, Straz Center, Tampa
Tickets: $45.83+
Official Link | Facebook | Instagram
St Pete Tacos & Tequila Festival: A Feast of Flavor and Fury
In Vinoy Park, the scent of sizzling tacos and the sharp tang of tequila fill the air. Lucha libre wrestlers tumble, mariachi bands serenade, and the taco-eating competition teeters on the edge of madness. This isn’t just a festival-it’s a sensory overload, a celebration of Tampa Bay’s untamed spirit.
When: Friday, May 9, 4–10 p.m. & Saturday, May 10, noon–8 p.m.
Where: 701 Bay Shore Drive NE, St. Petersburg
Tickets: $7 (kids under 13 free), VIP $39–$59
Official Link | Facebook | Instagram
Consume at the Morean Center for Clay: Art That Crawls Beneath the Skin
In the cool hush of the gallery, Erica Bleu’s ceramic insects crawl across faded green clay, their ornate designs whispering of beauty and quiet unease. “Consume” isn’t just an art show-it’s a haunting exploration of human emotion, as fragile and unpredictable as the creatures Bleu conjures.
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 10, 5–9 p.m.
Runs Through: June 29
Where: Morean Center for Clay, 420 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg
Official Link | Facebook | Instagram
We Them One’s Comedy Tour: Laughter on the Edge
The lights flicker, the crowd roars, and Mike Epps leads a lineup of comedic legends-Deray Davis, DC Young Fly, Chico Bean, Karlous Miller, Lil Duval, Mojo Brookz-each joke sharper than the last. At Amalie Arena, laughter crackles like electricity, and for a moment, the world feels lighter.
When: Saturday, May 10, 8 p.m.
Where: Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa
Tickets: $65.50+
Official Link | Facebook | Instagram
Science After Dark at MOSI: The Night Belongs to the Curious
When the sun sets, the Museum of Science and Industry transforms. Adults sip craft beer, taste liquid nitrogen ice cream, and gaze at the cosmos in the Saunders Planetarium. Science After Dark is where curiosity meets adventure-and where the mysteries of the universe seem just within reach.
When: Friday, May 9, 6–9 p.m.
Where: MOSI, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa
Official Link | Facebook | Instagram
The Final Word: What Will You Choose?
Tampa Bay is a city of possibilities, each event a doorway into another world. Will you lose yourself in music, marvel at magic, or taste the wild heat of a taco festival? The choice is yours-but remember, in Tampa Bay, the night is always young, and the story is never quite over.
Hungry for More?
Stay tuned. Next week, even more secrets will be revealed, and Tampa Bay’s pulse will beat louder than ever. Will you be there to witness it?
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