Couch potato, get up and go! This 727area weekend is the cherry on the sundae of life when it comes to festivals. There’s the John’s Pass Seafood Festival (10/18-20), the Clearwater Jazz Holiday (10/17-20) and Shine Mural Fest. Stone Crab season is here, so enjoy claws that give you pause and awesome seafood restaurants that celebrate Florida’s best dishes, fit for Neptune.
FRIDAY, October 18
2019 John's Pass Seafood and Music Festival: Madeira Beach hosts three days of seafood, live music, vendors, crafts and family fun, kicking off with the Flavors Of The Gulf Friday 6-10 pm. Tampa Bay Food Trucks will be dishing delights all weekend including Funnel Vision Food Truck, WING BOX, The Famous Greek Food Truck, Twisted South Food Truck, All Racked Up BBQ Food Truck, The Fishin Chicken Food Truck, Cajun Cuisine Food Truck, Jimmy's Famous Seafood Express-Voted Lakeland’s Favorite, The Melt Machine Gourmet Grilled Cheese Food Truck, Vanchetta Food Truck, Coco's Food Truck, The Kitchen By Devin Davis, Boardwalk Vibes, Kebablicious, Spontaneous Consumption plus local John’s Pass restaurants. Admission to the event is free except Friday’s tasting.
St. Pete Italian Food and Wine Festival: Join Gulf to Bay for food trucks, fun, live music and all the pasta, cannolis and wine you can handle at Albert Whitted Park 6-10 pm. Free admission.
Tampa Bay Latin Film Festival: Runs 10/18-10/20 a Friday opening reception 7-9 pm @ the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art. On 10/19 there are Film Screenings 11 am-9 pm at AMC Sundial 20 and Awards Ceremony 9-10 pm at Gilbert Chapel Gallery. On Sunday, you can catch films noon - 7 pm at AMC Sundial 20.
8th Annual Clearwater Chalk Artist Festival: For three days, 40+ talented chalk artists will transform the sidewalks of Beach Walk on South Clearwater Beach into spectacular images. This family-friendly festival also includes a kid's zone, arts and crafts vendors, live music, and a one-of-a-kind open-air gallery. Discover more at Annual Arts Festivals in Pinellas County Celebrating 727area Creativity
SATURDAY, October 19
St. Petersburg Science Festival 2019: This free festival celebrates the wonders of hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math with interactive, fun exhibits and activities for the family. Also that day is Marine Quest, Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute's annual marine discovery day, at the Bayboro Waterfront of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg where you browse booths and learn more. 10 am – 4 pm
Oktoberfest Tierra Verde: Gather your dirndl and raise your stein at this family-friendly event with beer, live entertainment, food and more. Proceeds benefit Earth to Austism Inc.
Stetson Speakeasy: A fun benefit for Great Explorations, this roaring good time is for gangsters, movie stars, flappers, and bootleggers who like beads, bubbly, feasting, dancing, a silent auction and gaming under the stars in the Banyan Courtyard at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport.
Brew-versirary: Happy 6th birthday, Green Bench Brewing Company Enjoy mermaids, stilt walkers, sword swallowers, jugglers, gals on skates, beer releases, Nah Dogs Vegan Hot Dog Cart and from 8-11pm- live music featuring Queen of Ex (Hip Hop), King Complex (Electronic), and The Boats (Alternative)
On The Road: Celebrate the life, legacy and literary contributions of Jack Kerouac during this event honoring the 50th anniversary of his passing in 1969 with poetry readings, live music, raffle prizes, t-shirts and other Kerouac-fan merchandise at Flamingo Sports Bar as part of the Spirit of Kerouac Festival Oct 10th-21st.
Feel The Heat: Party on the street, in the heart of the eclectic Central Arts District, surrounded by molten glass, street art and live music while sipping craft cocktails and nibbling gourmet food at the Morean Arts Center – SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival confab, BURN. Guests will see featured artists' work by BASK, JUJMO, Daniel Lloyd-Miller and Kodi Thompson in the Morean Galleries, live glassblowing in the dark at the Morean Glass Studio plus interactive art 7-10 pm.
Tarpon Springs Annual Music Festival: 24th annual festival featuring an all-day marching band competition with 23+ bands, food vendors and fun.
SUNDAY, October 20
Pedal Pushers: Open Streets St. Pete is a pedestrian-friendly celebration of cyclists, walkers, runners, skaters and all forms of people-powered movement. Family-friendly activities will be programmed throughout the day, including fitness classes, yoga, music, food, art, games, and giveaways in downtown 11 am – 4 pm. (Bayshore Drive, 1st Ave. to Dali Blvd.)
Autumn Winds: The annual Fall Festival is back at Heritage United Methodist Church in Clearwater where you can eat, enjoy crafts and pick a pumpkin to take home. Family fun includes bounce houses, face painting, hayrides, corn hole, photo ops and more! Food trucks: CJ Traveling Pizzeria, Fiesta Bowls, and SLAMMER SHOP. Free admission.
The Grasshopper and the Ant' and Other Stories: Jennifer Angus, on view through Jan. 5, 2002 at the MFA, St. Petersburg, is a site-specific exhibition that fills nearly 7,000 square feet of gallery space with nearly 5,000 huge, colorful insects from around the world in captivating, neo-Victorian patterns. Pinned to the wall and displayed in other unbelievable storytelling forms, the insects create a world of wonder that will leave you speechless, surprised and inspired.
MORE FUN: Looking for Halloween events or the best Live Entertainment in town? Check out what’s happening at Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater and Ruth Eckerd Hall/Capitol Theater now.
- World-Class Entertainment Coming to Downtown St. Pete: Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater
- Musical Mavericks, Masterful Magicians, and More Grace the Stage at Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall in 2019
- Halloween Parties in St Pete and Clearwater Perfect for an Adult Good Time
Photo courtesy of The Florida Orchestra and Museum of Fine Arts
