TAMPA BAY, Fla. - If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend (May 11-13), there's plenty of action happening around the Tampa Bay area.
Friday, May 11
Colt Ford Live in Concert
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Dallas Bull at 3322 US-301, Tampa
Cost: $15
Info: Country music artist Colt Ford brings his Thanks for Listening tour to Tampa on Friday! The show begins at 7 p.m. and you must be 18 years or older.
Alan Jackson: Honky Tonk Highway Tour
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at 4802 US Highway 301 North, Tampa
Cost: $17
Info: American country singer and songwriter Alan Eugene Jackson is coming to MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre! The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
Eastern Conference Finals Game 1: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Amalie Arena at 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa
Cost: Click here for ticket information
Info: The Bolts move on to the Eastern Conference Finals! Come watch the Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Washington Capitals in Game 1 on Friday night. Puck drops at 8 p.m.
Nick Swardson at the Straz Center
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Ferguson Hall at 1010 N Macinnes Place, Tampa
Cost: $34.50
Info: Comedy Central staple and star of Netflix’s The Ridiculous Six and The Do-Over, comedian Nick Swardson delivers his highly popular, low-brow boy-amok schtick to worldwide audiences who just can’t get enough of this BMOC in the Adam Sandler school of comedy. Don’t miss him in this exclusive, uncensored night of outrageous stand-up.
Paul Thorn at Capitol Theater
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Capitol Theatre at 405 Cleveland Street, Clearwater
Cost: $36
Info: Mississippi-bred singer-songwriter Paul Thorn and his band return to Capitol Theatre after a sold-out debut in 2017, delivering a unique blend of roots music: blues, rock, and thoroughly southern.
Joe Bonamassa at Ruth Eckerd Hall
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Ruth Eckerd Hall at Ruth Eckerd Hall Drive, Clearwater
Cost: $96.50
Info: Grammy-nominated blues-rock guitar icon, Joe Bonamassa returns for two amazing shows at Ruth Eckerd Hall after his sold-out performances in 2015!
Saturday, May 12
MacDill Airfest 2018
When: May 12-13
Where: MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa
Cost: Free
Info: The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are headlining AirFest 2018 at MacDill this year. The air show is one of the largest in the Department of Defense and highlights the missions, traditions and heritage of the military services. This year, the show will feature the Blue Angels aerial performance team joined by the F-22 Demo Team and the A-10 Demo Team.
Tampa’s Riverfront Rock
When: May 12-13
Where: Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park at 1001 North Boulevard, Tampa
Cost: Free
Info: Downtown Tampa’s newest park is set to open this weekend! To celebrate the grand opening of Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, the City of Tampa will be hosting a full weekend of free family fun on Saturday and Sunday. The 25-acre park will feature the Mayor’s Mac & Cheese Throwdown competition at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Third Eye Blind will then headline a free concert that evening at 8 p.m. followed by fireworks. Sunday will showcase the Florida Orchestra, fitness classes, live music, tasty food truck cuisine, adult beverages, local art and more fireworks.
Related: Third Eye Blind to performfreeconcert at Tampa's Riverfront Rock event on Saturday
Swamp Stomp 2018
When: 8 a.m.
Where: Hillsborough River State Park at 15402 US-301, Thonotosassa
Cost: $50
Info: Water, fire, mud, heights and tunnels, this event has it all! The Swamp Stomp adventure will take you cross country through several Florida habitats and introduce you to the challenges of the "Real Florida". As you try to conquer the 30+ obstacles, some man-made and some natural, you will be challenged to survive the terrain. You and your friends will crawl like a crawfish through thick mud, train like a lifeguard in the half-acre pool, run through the woods like a panther and jump the fire line like a firefighter. This run will test your fears, push your abilities and give you a true sense of accomplishment as you cross the finish line and receive your free beer. Stick around for the after party or make a weekend out of it and camp in the campgrounds.
Plant City Peach Festival
When: 8 a.m.
Where: Keel & Curley Winery at 5210 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City
Cost: Free
Info: The Planty City Peach Festival will feature U-Pick peaches, peach wine, peach cider, live music, food vendors and so much more!
Tampa Train Day
When: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Historic Tampa Union Station at 601 N Nebraska Avenue, Tampa
Cost: Free
Info: Tampa Train Day is a family-friendly event celebrating its 20th anniversary of the restoration of historic Tampa Union Station. This event will feature model trains, historic transportation exhibits, live music and so much more.
Safety Harbor Food and Art Tour
When: 1:15 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: Harbor Food Tours at 401 Main Street, Safety Harbor
Cost: $50
Info: The Safety Harbor Food and Art Tour is a professionally guided tour of the local food and beverage scene! With each stop, participants will learn about a local establishment, sample food and drink, tour the art scene and spend time socializing in downtown Safety Harbor.
St. Pete Beach Beer Fest
When: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: St. Pete Beach Community Center at 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, St Pete Beach
Cost: $35
Info: The St. Pete Beach Beer Fest is truly a one-of-a-kind craft beer experience, set directly on the intracoastal waterways of St. Pete Beach. Last year, the festival had over 500+ attendees and featured more than 100 local craft beers along with brewing demonstrations from the Tampa Bay area homebrew clubs. Attendees will have a vast selection of beers and food trucks to taste and enjoy throughout the day.
James Taylor at Amalie Arena
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Amalie Arena at 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa
Cost: $95
Info: Legendary singer/songwriter James Taylor and his all-star band are making their way to Tampa! Special guest Bonnie Raitt will also join Taylor on stage. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Amalie Arena.
Always & Forever: Starring Ruben Studdard
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Ferguson Hall at 1010 N Macinnes Place, Tampa
Cost: $35
Info: American Idol champion Ruben Studdard transports audiences back in time to when Luther Vandross reigned as the king of R&B, delivering swooning testimonials like “Endless Love,” “A House is Not a Home,” “Superstar” and “Power of Love.” Studdard’s show-stopping Vandross staging and ability to deliver the songs like Luther himself makes Always & Forever an unforgettable concert experience.
Sunday, May 13
Sunflower Picking at HarvestMoon Farm
When: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: HarvestMoon Farm at 15990 Stur Street, Masaryktown
Cost: $11.95 admission | $2 per flower
Info: Sunflower season has arrived in Tampa Bay! HarvestMoon Farms in Masaryktown offers the perfect way to get lost in nature. Stroll through the 5-acre sunflower maze, pick out your favorite flower and make memories with the whole family. The farm features a 70-foot jumping pillow, barnyard games, petting zoo, cow train rides and so much more.
Florida Orchestra at Riverfront Rock
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park at 1001 North Boulevard, Tampa
Cost: Free
Info: Get a free performance from the Florida Orchestra at Tampa’s Riverfront Rock event! The show starts at 7:30 p.m. with fireworks immediately following.
Eastern Conference Finals Game 2: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Amalie Arena at 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa
Cost: Click here for ticket information
Info: The Bolts move on to the Eastern Conference Finals! Come watch the Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Washington Capitals in Game 2 on Sunday night. Puck drops at 8 p.m.
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