Tampa Bay’s diverse blend of people and cultures is the foundation of its success as a welcoming community open to new ideas and new visitors. This Black History Month, we invite you to discover for yourself the many facets of Florida’s most diverse destination. Our diversity has come with struggle, but through the struggle we have grown stronger as a community.
TBHC BLACK HISTORY MONTH WALK
February 11
Come and join the walk into history at the Black History Month Walk for Education. Enjoy a fun event for you, your family, and your friends. Entertainment, kids’ zone, vendors, food, music, and much more.
BLACK LOVE CLASSIC MOVIE SERIES
Throughout February
The Tampa Theatre announced the return of its Black Love Classic Movie Series! Back for its second season, the series will center around the theme “Home is Where the Heart Is.” The theatre will show four films – chosen in collaboration with the City of Tampa’s Community Engagement & Partnerships Department – that explore journeys of discovery and the roads that lead back, as told by Black filmmakers and diverse casts.
To Sleep With Anger (1990)
3:00pm Sunday, Feb. 12
Coming to America (1988)
3:00pm Sunday, Feb. 19
Cabin in the Sky (1943)
3:00pm Sunday, Feb. 26
TBHC BLACK HISTORY MONTH RECEPTION
February 24
Join keynote speaker and Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend, Derrick Brooks, for the Black History Month Reception and preview of a new local Black History exhibit opening this summer at the Tampa Bay History Center.
FLORIDA STATE FAIR
February 9 – 20
Nothing brings a community together like a good time! That’s been the core mission of the Florida State Fair ever since the first fair was held in downtown Tampa at Henry B. Plant’s Tampa Bay Hotel. Today, the fair welcomes over 500M visitors annually to experience all food, fun, and the largest carnival midway in North America! Held each year for two-weeks in February, the Florida State Fair is the country’s FIRST State Fair each year.
SANT’ YAGO KNIGHT PARADE
February 11
Founded in 1972, the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago is currently celebrating its 50-year anniversary! Since 1974, the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago has organized and hosted the Knight Parade, an annual celebration of Tampa civic pride. The largest illuminated night parade in the South draws nearly 100,000 spectators to watch as a fleet of floats rolls down 7th Avenue in historic Ybor City along with dozens of marching bands and over 100 participating organizations.
BRUNCHED AT THE TAMPA RIVER CENTER
February 18
Each year, local bars and restaurants come together to provide guests with some of the best brunch samples and daytime cocktails in the Tampa Bay area. 2023’s Brunched will take over the Tampa River Center at the beautiful Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. In addition to unlimited brunch samples, this exciting event also features a Bloody Mary competition, a variety of boozy beverages, photo opportunities and incredible views of Tampa’s downtown waterfront.
FIESTA DAY
February 25
Fiesta Day celebrates the ethnic diversity of Ybor City and the rich immigrant culture that made Ybor City what it is today. The first Fiesta Day was held in the late 1800s and was seen as a day of rest for the cigar workers. Fiesta Day was not only seen as an event to bring cultures together, but was also designed to be Ybor City’s alternative to Tampa’s annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival. Historic 7th Avenue will shut down to host a variety of local vendors, businesses, and local food options.
GASPARILLA DISTANCE CLASSIC
February 25 – 26
Come out to Tampa Bay and test your endurance at the Gasparilla Distance Classic. Surrounded by the area’s beautiful weather (yep, it’s paradise), every stride you make at the race benefits charitable youth organizations across the Tampa Bay area. Athletes of all levels can take on the 15k, 5k, half marathon, 8k, 5k walk, 5k stroller races, and more!
THE FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
March 2 -12 (close enough, right?)
Did you know that Tampa Bay is home to the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World?! That’s why each spring, the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City rolls out the red carpet to welcome visitors from throughout the Sunshine State and around the world. Guests come from near and far to enjoy exhibits of agriculture, livestock, fine arts, crafts, musical performances, rides and entertainment, and of course, the world-famous Strawberry Shortcake (The official dessert of Florida!).