Tampa Convention Center Events

Join us for a special evening with internationally acclaimed artist Jun Kaneko (Japanese-American, born 1942).

Doors open at 5 pm, guests will enjoy delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres from local favorites, along with a complimentary glass of wine and a cash bar.* The Curator’s Chat with artist Jun Kaneko, Ree Kaneko, and Joanna Robotham, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, will be held at 6 pm in the Morsani Atrium.

The Tampa Museum of Art is pleased to present Jun Kaneko: Silence Before Sound, first major survey of the artist’s work in Florida. The exhibition celebrates five decades of art—from early drawings created in Japan, to ceramics he made as a member of the influential California Clay Movement in the 1960s, and Kaneko’s groundbreaking projects that blurred the boundaries of painting, ceramics, and sculpture.

Your participation in this celebration directly supports the Silence Before Sound exhibition and the associated educational programs at the Tampa Museum of Art, helping to foster a vibrant art community.

Join us for an evening of holiday cheer as we light the community Christmas tree and celebrate the season together!

• Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
• Photos with Santa &The Grinch
• Hot Chocolate, Sweet Treats & Seasonal Goodies
• Music/Entertainment
• Fun Activities for All Ages and More Holiday Surprises!

Bring your family, friends, and neighbors for a joyful night under the lights.

Free and open to the community!

Join us at Winter Village, presented by Tampa Bay Lightning, for silent disco every Friday from 6-9pm at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park!

Dance (or boogie!) to your favorite tunes before checking out the other festivities, including ice skating, local shops, food & drinks, and more!

Tampa’s largest lighted boat parade will take place on Saturday, December 20, 2025, lighting up the Hillsborough River in Downtown Tampa with a dazzling display of holiday cheer. The parade kicks off at 6:15 PM near the Lighthouse off Davis Islands, with both large and small vessels cruising past Sparkman Wharf, Harbour Island, and the Tampa Convention Center.

From there, large boats will conclude at the Convention Center, while smaller boats (under 12’ air draft) continue upriver past Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Ulele, finishing near Water Works Park and Armature Works.

Spectators can enjoy free viewing along the Riverwalk at multiple locations, with judging and a VIP viewing area located at Sparkman Wharf. All registered boats are eligible for prizes — so deck out your vessel and be part of Tampa’s most magical holiday tradition!

🌎✨ World Meditates with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Gurudev) – Free Event ✨🌎

Join millions for an epic global meditation celebrating the United Nations’ second annual World Meditation Day, led LIVE by Gurudev from New York City!

Be part of it by joining us, gathering at hubs across 100+ U.S. cities, or streaming from home. 

https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/world-meditation-day

Join us under the winter night sky for sweeping views, fresh air, and a cozy evening on the rooftop as we screen the cult holiday classic: Christmas Vacation.

While the movie is complimentary, exclusive rooftop loungers and curated snack bundles featuring festive winter treats are available to reserve.

Space is limited & chair selection will be on a first-come-first-served basis. Bundles & seats available by reservation only.

You are cordially invited to join us for the River Christmas Extravaganza—a special Christmas event, featuring a full 50-piece orchestra and over 500,000 Christmas lights! Bring your friends and family as we celebrate the King of Kings.

Tickets are FREE but space is limited.

Event starts at 7pm. Valid ID required for entry.

Available dates: December 12, 14, 19, & 21.

Discover an exciting and engaging experience during the holiday break. MOSI offers science focused camps by grade level for two weeks, sign up for one of both weeks!

Camps run from 9am to 4pm, packed with interactive and educational experiences. For added convenience, we offer extended care in the mornings (7am-9am) and afternoons (4pm-6pm) for an additional fee, allowing parents flexibility with their schedules.

Join us at Winter Village, presented by the Tampa Bay Lightning, for Tuesday Themed Skate Nights!

Enjoy rotating themed nights like Grinchmas, Ugly Sweater, and Lightning Bolts & Snowflakes, including photo ops by Tampa General Hospital. All participating visitors will be entered into a raffle for a set of tickets to local entertainment.

• November 25 - Holidays Around the World
• December 2 - Grinchmas
• December 9 - Ugly Sweater
• December 16 - Lightning Bolts & Snowflakes
• December 23 - Nightmare Before Christmas
• December 30 - Holiday Shimmer

Learn more and purchase ice skating tickets here: wintervillagetampa.com

They're back! Join us at Winter Village, presented by Tampa Bay Lightning, for our Tampa Bay Ice Show on select nights, where festive cheer meets breathtaking talent! Set against the stunning backdrop of the Hillsborough River, this enchanting performance will feature our skilled skaters showcasing their artistry and athleticism. This show is FREE to watch!

Tuesday, December 24th @ 7 PM - Special Christmas Eve Show
Tuesday, December 31st @ 7 PM - Special New Year’s Eve Show

CLOSING WEEKEND

Friday, January 2nd @ 7PM
Saturday, January 3rd @ 7PM
Sunday, January 4th @ 7PM

After watching the talented ice skaters, check out everything Winter Village has to offer, including local shops, food & drink, and more!

Learn more at https://wintervillagetampa.com/

This Christmas, sit back and enjoy a festive and flavorful brunch courtesy of the Rusty Pelican. Featuring a three-course menu filled with shareable starters, a fresh raw bar, decadent family-style desserts, and personal-plated fan-favorite entrees like Surf & Turf, Wild Mushroom Pappardelle, Prime Rib Benedict, and Chicken & Waffles, this brunch offers the perfect balance of traditional holiday fares with exciting and indulgent twists.

Elevate your meal with premium additions like Beef Wellington, available for preorder for $20, and $30 bottomless mimosas with mix and match flavors like watermelon & lime, cucumber & mint, mango & tajin, and the classic orange.

This brunch is $98 for adults and $35 for children under 12. Reservations are highly encouraged.

Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcohol. "Please drink responsibly."

Join us at Winter Village, presented by Tampa Bay Lightning, for silent disco every Friday from 6-9pm at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park!

Dance (or boogie!) to your favorite tunes before checking out the other festivities, including ice skating, local shops, food & drinks, and more!

Join us at Winter Village, presented by the Tampa Bay Lightning, for Tuesday Themed Skate Nights!

Enjoy rotating themed nights like Grinchmas, Ugly Sweater, and Lightning Bolts & Snowflakes, including photo ops by Tampa General Hospital. All participating visitors will be entered into a raffle for a set of tickets to local entertainment.

• November 25 - Holidays Around the World
• December 2 - Grinchmas
• December 9 - Ugly Sweater
• December 16 - Lightning Bolts & Snowflakes
• December 23 - Nightmare Before Christmas
• December 30 - Holiday Shimmer

Learn more and purchase ice skating tickets here: wintervillagetampa.com

Discretion, elegance, and mystery define The Forbidden Ball. Step behind the mask and into a realm where glamour reigns, indulgence is expected, and every secret is dressed in silk. Live music drifts through the shadows—seductive strings, soulful vocals, and rhythms that pulse like a heartbeat—setting the tone for a night where fantasies unfold and identities blur. Included in Package - Each guest to enjoy a 4-course menu, welcome drink, and midnight toast.

*Must be 21+ to consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly.*

Join us at Winter Village, presented by Tampa Bay Lightning, for silent disco every Friday from 6-9pm at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park!

Dance (or boogie!) to your favorite tunes before checking out the other festivities, including ice skating, local shops, food & drinks, and more!

Start 2026 off with setting your intentions. Using collage, we will declare our themes for the year and bring them to life. Visualization is so powerful. Studies have shown that manifesting through these cues helps increase outcomes. We will also use positive affirmations to super charge our boards.

Treasure maps, vision boards, world building, whatever you call them, the process of creating them allows you to declare your intentions in a simple yet powerful way. It all starts with an open heart, a pair of scissors, glue and inspiration. Your kit contains everything you need to make 2026 your best year yet.

All vintage and modern materials supplied. Teacher: Tona Bell

Use clay to build, mold, and sculpt three-dimensional works using coil building, slab building, and other hand-building techniques. All experience levels are welcome; beginners and up. 55+

*Firing costs, essential tools, and glazes included. Clay is available for purchase separately in studio.

Are you tired of setting goals but never achieving them? Many people know how to name a goal, but they don’t know how to accomplish it. In this class you will be guided through goal reflection, goal setting and goal planning exercises that you can use over and over to achieve a well lived life.

We will spend a great deal of time putting pen to paper through timed writing exercises. We will reflect and ask ourselves honest questions about past goals we’ve set and not accomplished. At end of the class you will have at least one goal set, planned and actioned. We will approach goal planning in terms of “Quarterly Quests” and learn how to carry over reasonable actions into any planner or scheduling system you may be using. What you learn in this class can be utilized at any time to set new goals or let go of the ones that are not aligned with what

Class Kit (Included) ~ You will receive the following in your class kit:

- Goal Planning Notebook
- Black Gel Pen
- 4 Dual Brush Markers (for color coding)
- Templates for Future Goal Planning

This is a two hour in-person class. All materials for class are provided. Please feel free to bring anything else you are inspired by.

About PaperTams
Tammy Wright (aka PaperTams) has been journaling and hoarding stationery since she was 9 years old. In an effort to keep handwriting and penmanship alive she loves finding ways to encourage others to journal and write letters. Tammy has a bachelors degree in paper science and worked as a paper maker for over 20 years.

This class will teach students to capture the character, structure, and movement of the human figure. Students will make a 18x24” tonal drawing from the live model and sketch the sculptures in the museum’s antiquities collection in order to learn core principles. Each lesson focuses on using simple tools to communicate the action of the body clearly and effectively. 18+ Sundays, Jan 11 - Mar 1 | 1:00–4:00 PM (7 classes)

Ceramics Continued Study is a space for students to enhance their learning experience with instructor assistance and guiding knowledge. Sign up for a single class to continue working and add the finishing touches on projects you've started in one of our other classes. Sign up for multiple classes to choose your own adventure in hand-building or wheel thrown ceramics. Work with your instructor to plan out your projects and make them a reality. Some experience with clay is recommended. 55+ 
 

This course introduces students to the essential skills of creating with clay in a calm and welcoming studio setting. You will learn the full clay-to-ceramic process through hand-building and basic wheel-throwing techniques. Along the way, you'll explore form, texture, surface design, and glazing. Designed for both beginners and returning students, this class offers a space to develop meaningful, hands-on skills and a deeper understanding of the craft. 18+

Classes Available | Jan 13 - Feb 24 (6 Classes, *No class Jan 27), Mar 24 - Apr 28 (6 Classes)

*Firing costs, essential tools, and glazes included. Clay available for purchase separately in studio.

Gain access to a quiet and creative space to explore digital drawing with Procreate! With input from the instructor, you can create your own art, comics, anime characters, and much more! Open to ages 12+

*All programs and equipment are provided!

Work with clay on the potters' wheel and learn how to hand-build. Beginners start with a hand-building project to get acquainted with the clay and then jump into learning how to create their next ceramic adventure. Intermediate students can dive right into getting dirty and take inspiration from instructor-led projects. All experience levels are welcome! 18+ Classes Available | Jan 15-Mar 5 (7 classes), Mar 12-April 30 (7 classes *No class Mar 19

*Firing costs, essential tools, and glazes included. Clay is available for purchase separately in studio.

Folding paper is relaxing, mindful and enjoyable. Something we could all use right now. It is a lifetime hobby accessible by everyone at any age. 

Be warned though, it is addicting and the possibilities are endless. You meet the nicest people and make the coolest things with a piece of paper. These North Stars are an example of that. They are 3D and this model has the neatest folds/moves. Learning origami is like dancing with paper!

This registration is for the January 17th, 2025 meet up. We will be having a special Japanese tea tasting courtesy of The Noisy Crane Tea House.

Beginners welcome. All materials supplied. This event is free and open to the public. Donations are greatly appreciated. Registration required so we know how many to prepare for. Seating is limited to 15 people.

Origami is a very relaxing, fun and meditative experience. Come join us and meet fellow origami enthusiasts!

Learn how trees contribute to cooler, healthier neighborhoods at the "Rooted in Tampa: Tree Town Hall."
This interactive event offers myth-busting conversations, hands-on maintenance tips, and clear guidance on tree funding, permitting, and City planting programs. Residents will gain practical tools and information to make informed decisions about planting and maintaining trees in their communities.

Saturday, January 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

City Center at Hanna Avenue, 2555 East Hanna Avenue

Register to attend HERE

The Mayor’s Neighborhood University Saturday Session program is an initiative of the City of Tampa Community Engagement and Partnerships Department that empowers more residents to connect directly with City leaders, learn about vital resources, and become active participants in shaping Tampa’s future.

For Non-Writers, Writers & the Writing-Curious

A Playful, discovery of the power with Words

This workshop is for anyone drawn to the hidden magic of words. No experience necessary. All are welcome: writers, non-writers, and the writing curious. Rather than focus on the forms of writing (poems, stories, essays, etc.) we focus on the way words move through us and open new ways of seeing. 

This is an immersive workshop with learning and doing woven seamlessly together. Personally experience how words shape our emotions, perceptions, and the subtle texture of being human. The guided activities are designed to bring new life and meaning to your relationship with language.

Exploring the way words move through us, we are better able to see and hear them with new clarity. Yes, we will create several short pieces of writing and sharing is optional.

If you are a writer, this is a perfect workshop to get unstuck and see your craft with fresh eyes. For newcomers to writing, you will leave with a refreshed relationship to words and a deeper trust in your own voice.

Teacher: Randy Rosenthal

Reclaiming the Time-In-Between

A Somatic Journey into Flow, Presence & Nervous System Ease

In music, dance, and poetry, it is the transitions — the rests, the pauses, the moments between movements — that give everything meaning.
Yet in modern life, these spaces are disappearing.

Every spare second is captured, monetized, and filled. We are pulled toward constant stimulation, leaving almost no room for the quiet inner rhythms that regulate creativity, intuition, and wellbeing.

This workshop is an invitation to reclaim those time-in-between spaces and return to a natural state of flow — a place where the gears of go, go, gofinally disengage. Mind and body need this extended “neutral” between gears: a place where the mind settles, the body softens, and the nervous system can exhale.

Through gentle movement, breathwork, somatic sensing, and guided awareness, you’ll explore:

• how to shift from sympathetic overdrive into parasympathetic ease
• the role of the vagus nerve in emotional regulation and creative access
• how staring into space, drifting, and daydreaming are important for a healthy mind and body
• what it feels like to inhabit spaciousness rather than urgency

This workshop is fully experiential. Learning and doing are woven together to help you feel your way back to your quiet center, where clarity, creativity, and resilience naturally arise when given room.

You’ll leave feeling grounded, restored, and equipped with simple practices you can use anytime to regulate stress, enhance focus, imagination, resilience, and improve overall health and well-being.

Teacher: Randy Rosenthal

Musical Duo Seven Eyes, in partnership with Sahaja Yoga Meditation of Florida, will perform
in Tampa on January 23 at 7:00 pm, combining their original music with the experience of inner peace.

The internationally acclaimed musical duo Seven Eyes will present “Yoga Bliss - A Journey to Inner Peace” - an evening combining their critically acclaimed original music with the experience of inner peace through Sahaja Yoga Meditation. Concerts will be held on Friday January 23 at 7:00 pm, Medical Academy at D.W.Waters - Auditorium Katherine M Morse.

Seven Eyes’ style is best described as ever-evolving world jazz music that is a harmonious blend of the diverse cultures, languages and musical genres that influence them. Seven Eyes’ compositions draw from diverse influences, including Jazz, Brazilian, Sufi/Hindustani music and Western classical music. The BBC Asian Network has called the music of Seven Eyes “Uplifting, mesmerizing, everything that you want music to do!”

The duo have performed at prominent music festivals around the world, and are regulars on radio stations such as the BBC Asian Network, BBC Urdu, and BBC World. Their two studio albums “The Seed” and “Senses” have been enthusiastically received by audiences around the world.

Indie Berlin Review has commented, “This album (The Seed) isn’t about just making things that sound cool and new. Both artists have a long, invested and humble relationship with the traditions which they draw on. The combination of cultures is anything but a clash: it’s harmony, it’s creation and it’s beautiful.” Legendary guitarist Jimmy Page (of Led Zeppelin) has observed, “At the top of their game...He’s a wonderful guitarist!”

Sahaja Yoga Meditation offers meditation events, classes and workshops completely free of charge across Florida and around the world. Classes have been held in partnership with the Miami-Dade County Library System, the Palm Beach County Library System, Tampa Area Library System, the Palm Beach County School District, Mounts Botanical Garden, Microsoft, Amazon, Infosys, the National Institutes of Health and many other organizations and corporations.

Get your free tickets here - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/yoga-bliss-a-journey-to-inner-peace-free-concert-tickets-1974467631838 
 

Discover your child’s K–12 education options at the School Choice Safari on January 24, 2026, from 10 am–1 pm at ZooTampa’s Saunders Pavilion. Meet school representatives, enjoy free food, games, and family fun, and get personalized bilingual support from GuidEd. Hosted by GuidEd and the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. Free to attend; Zoo admission not required!

Work in your drawing and painting media of choice or explore new ones. In these three-hour instructor-guided single-session classes, students will learn the fundamentals and expand their 2D knowledge while creating images from life. Learn the basics and grow your techniques with tailored instruction and live model sessions. Ages 18+ 
 

*Drawing materials provided. These classes do have live Nude Models.

Remix is a series of make-and-take art workshops for adults inspired by the Museum’s current exhibitions with a new project every month.

This month's project will be inspired by our Jun Kaneko exhibition. Learn the art of glaze-painting on your own ceramic tile!

Hoist the sails —the Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest returns for another year! Celebrating Jose Gaspar’s takeover of Tampa, the day begins with the Gasparilla Invasion, when hundreds of pirates board the Jose Gasparilla and an accompanying flotilla to set sail across Hillsborough Bay to the Tampa Convention Center.

The 4.5-mile parade route brings celebration and the tossing of beads, coins, and other treasures! The route is led by the captain and his Ye Mystic Krewe, and over a hundred floats go through historic Bayshore Blvd. and downtown Tampa. Plus, don't miss the live music stages along the Tampa Riverwalk.

Get your tickets today to capture new treasured memories!

The Florida State Fair returns to Tampa with twelve days of wild rides, over-the-top fair food, live entertainment, and adventures for all ages. Visitors can also explore Florida’s agricultural roots through interactive exhibits and livestock shows. In 2026, the Fair joins the nationwide America250 festivities as America’s Sunniest Celebration, commemorating 250 years of U.S. history with special tributes, performances, and red, white, and blue flair!

*Ticket pricing varies by date and ticket type—please visit Florida State Fair for full details, including special promotional days and discounts. 

The Florida State Fair returns to Tampa with twelve days of wild rides, over-the-top fair food, live entertainment, and adventures for all ages. Visitors can also explore Florida’s agricultural roots through interactive exhibits and livestock shows. In 2026, the Fair joins the nationwide America250 festivities as America’s Sunniest Celebration, commemorating 250 years of U.S. history with special tributes, performances, and red, white, and blue flair!

*Ticket pricing varies by date and ticket type—please visit Florida State Fair for full details, including special promotional days and discounts.

The Florida State Fair returns to Tampa with twelve days of wild rides, over-the-top fair food, live entertainment, and adventures for all ages. Visitors can also explore Florida’s agricultural roots through interactive exhibits and livestock shows. In 2026, the Fair joins the nationwide America250 festivities as America’s Sunniest Celebration, commemorating 250 years of U.S. history with special tributes, performances, and red, white, and blue flair!

*Ticket pricing varies by date and ticket type—please visit Florida State Fair for full details, including special promotional days and discounts.

Get acquainted with the wonderful world of Encaustic hot wax painting! Explore painting, collage, and embellishment techniques in this beginner-friendly 3-day workshop! Ages 18+

Gain access to a quiet and creative space to explore digital drawing with Procreate! With input from the instructor, you can create your own art, comics, anime characters, and much more! Open to ages 12+

*All programs and equipment are provided!

The Florida State Fair returns to Tampa with twelve days of wild rides, over-the-top fair food, live entertainment, and adventures for all ages. Visitors can also explore Florida’s agricultural roots through interactive exhibits and livestock shows. In 2026, the Fair joins the nationwide America250 festivities as America’s Sunniest Celebration, commemorating 250 years of U.S. history with special tributes, performances, and red, white, and blue flair!

*Ticket pricing varies by date and ticket type—please visit Florida State Fair for full details, including special promotional days and discounts.