Our 10+ Favorite Things to Do This Week in Tampa Bay and Beyond

We say it every week and we’ll say it again…the weekend is here and the forecast for FUN is 100% with this list of our favorite family-friendly Tampa bay things to do this weekend with the kids! Keep scrolling for HOLIDAY FUN launching this weekend!

For Holiday Themed Events Check out Our Favorite Family-Friendly Holiday Events in Tampa Bay and Beyond!

Family-Friendly Fun in Tampa Bay this Week:

Fun Friday at the Grand Prix Tampa | Every Friday in Nov., 6 p.m. to midnight
Head out to the Grand Prix Tampa for a night of some quality family time! Purchase a wristband  and enjoy the unlimited use of the Big Track, Family Track, Miniature Golf, Bankshot, Ropes Course And Turbo Bungee! Wristbands are $40 dollars per person. More info at facebook.com

St. Jude Fall Festival  | Nov. 14-17, various times
Bring the whole family out to the Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church to experience some fall fun with rides and fall festivities. One- and four-day passes and pre-sale tickets are available. cathedralschoolofstjude.org

Grown Up Night at Glazer Children’s Museum  | Nov 15, 5:30-8 p.m.
Channel your inner child because Glazer Children’s Museum is having their monthly grown up night! Jump, climb and play in the exhibits just like the kids. Pre-sale tickets are $20 and $25 at the door. glazermuseum.org

Free Movie on the Beach | Nov 15, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Come out to Pier 60 in Clearwater Beach for a family friendly movie night! With a screening of Free Birds enjoy a good movie night with the family under the stars. Don’t forget your comfy lawn chairs and blankets!  Popcorn, soft drinks and other concessions will be available. The movie will begin around 6 p.m. facebook.com

27th Annual Downtown Dunedin Arts and Crafts | Nov 16, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Downtown Dunedin is having their 27th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival just in time for the holidays! Round up the whole family and do some Christmas shopping! Come out and walk along Dundein’s beautiful downtown area and see all the vendors, and crafters showcasing their work! facebook.com

High Risk Hope Tot Trot presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs | Nov. 16, check-in at 8:30 a.m., trot begins at 9:30 a.m.
This annual family-friendly 3K is the perfect opportunity to raise funds to benefit High Risk Hope. November is Prematurity Awareness Month. Come out to spread awareness and win the #fightforpreemies. The course is a non-competitive 3K (1.86 mi) where participants may walk, run, trike or stroll. tottrot.org

8th Annual Trot Thru the Terrace | Nov. 16, times vary
Join Terrace Community Middle School for the 8th Annual Trot Thru the Terrace race featuring a 5K, 10K and 1-mile walk/run through Temple Terrace. This year’s race is expected to have the biggest turnout yet! This year’s race will help TCMS students take “Education by Storm.” runsignup.com

Me and My Mini at Armature Works in Tampa | Nov 16, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
Come out to Armature Works for a day full of baking with your little one! Special guest chef Beth Lukens from Cloud 9 Confections will be teaching your littles how to make fun fall flavored pies! They will get to enjoy cutting the crust into different festive shapes as well as decorate an apron and chef’s hat! And parents will get to enjoy a complimentary mimosa! Tickets are $55 which includes 1 adult and 1 child. armatureworks.com

Movies in the Park (Spiderman)  in St. Pete | Nov 16, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Bring the whole family out for a movie in the park sponsored by St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation and Life Church. Head out to Azalea Recreation Center for a family friendly movie night w a screening of “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-verse.” Don’t forget your comfy lawn chairs and blankets! Popcorn, soft drinks and other concessions will be available. facebook.com

Tampa Bay Holiday Market in St Pete | Nov 16 & 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Come out to the Tampa Bay Holiday market hosted by the Tampa Bay Times.This two day expo will be held at the Coliseum-Downtown St. Petersburg. Come out Saturday and Sunday to check off that holiday list! facebook.com

Paw Patrol Little Leapers at SkyZone Tampa | Nov 17, 9-11 a.m.
Paw Patrol is going to be at Little Leapers at SkyZone Tampa! Bring the kiddos out to meet the characters of Paw Patrol and watch your kiddos jump, play and meet their favorite police pups! facebook.com

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints | 1:00 pm
Head to Raymond James to cheer on the home team with the kids! The weather is going to Florida football perfect! Be sure to get there early to play at Bucs Beach outside of the stadium and play. Get your tickets here.

Tampa Bay Lightning Night with Santa | Nov 18, 6-8 p.m.
In partnership with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Westfield Citrus Park will be hosting a one time holiday experience. Bring the kiddos and come out and see Santa dressed in a Lightning jersey for a special holiday photo! There will be other Lightning activities on site as well as an appearance by ThunderBug. facebook.com

Holiday Family Fun this weekend in Tampa Bay and Orlando!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Select Nights Nov. 8-Dec. 22, 7 p.m. to midnight
Head over to Walt Disney World for another festive party thrown by Mickey Mouse. Starting on select dates in November throughout December, join Mickey, Minnie and the gang for an evening full of yuletide and cheer! Enjoy the Magic Kingdom as it is beautifully decorated for the holiday season, full of seasonal parades, fireworks, characters and festive treats, this event will surely enhance your holiday season. disneyworld.com

Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
Nov. 16-Jan. 6, various times
From mid-November until the end of December, Busch Gardens will begin its annual Christmas Town festivities. Included with park admission, guests can enjoy beautiful lights, seasonal shows, Yuletide shopping and a pit stop into Santa’s House. Meet characters from the classic “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” television special who will also be celebrating around the park. buschgardens.com

Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s
Nov. 16-Jan. 5, various times
Bring the whole family out to Universal Studios and join the Minions and Santa Claus for a Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s. Join your favorite characters from “Madagascar” and “Shrek” and enjoy the holiday festivities throughout Universal Orlando Resort, including huge balloons resembling the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York as well as floats, dancers and entertainment. universalorlando.com

Grinchmas
Nov. 16-Jan. 5, various times
Head over to Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort for “warm fuzzies with a side of sarcasm” at Seuss Landing. Enjoy holiday festivities and cheer as you immerse yourself in Dr. Seuss’ Whoville. Enjoy the hilarity of The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, a live retelling of the beloved story of the Grinch with music recorded by Mannheim Steamroller. Guests will even have the opportunity to meet the Grinch himself for an autograph and a photo. universalorlando.com

Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Nov. 16-Jan. 5, various times
Enjoy a Harry Potter Christmas in both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure this holiday season. Start at Universal Studios to see Diagon Alley and London transformed with brilliant lights and festive décor. Enjoy holiday treats before you head to King’s Cross station to hear your favorite holiday favorites. Make your way to Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure and enjoy decorated shops, The Frog Choir singing seasonal tunes, treats and drinks, and witness the unfolding of the holiday spirit at The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle. universalorlando.com

Family Fun Coming Up This Week in Tampa Bay

Once on this Island | Nov. 19-24, various times
The story of Ti Moune makes its way to the Straz Center! A bold girl sets out on a journey full of hardships. Accompanying and guiding her are the mighty island gods who help her on her search for love. strazcenter.org

Elephant & Piggie – We Are in a Play! | Nov. 20, 11:45 a.m.
Straight out of Mo Willems’ children’s books, best friends Gerald and Piggie are on a new adventure.  Expect lots of singing, dancing and laughing till your stomach hurts!  strazcenter.org

Ybor Tree Lightning Ceremony | Nov 20, pre-show begins at 6 p.m.
Gather the whole family and head to Centro Ybor for the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony! Start off this holiday season with the lighting of the Christmas tree and much more! There will be holiday activities for the whole family to enjoy like hot chocolate, cookies, live holiday music and of course a photo with Mr and Mrs Claus! Don’t miss out on this holiday extravaganza! ybor.org

Craft Class: Christmas Crafting Party | Nov 20, 11 a.m. to noon
Tis the season for some Christmas arts and crafts at Westfield Citrus Park! Bring the little ones out for a day of arts and crafts as they make a Santa Picture Frame and a Reindeer Hat! This event is free but reservations are required so you and your little one can have a spot in class! facebook.com

Cirque Dreams Holidaze | Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Bring in the holiday season with a bang! With colorful new acts, cool holiday scenes, unique performances and special appearances from Santa himself, this is a holiday extravaganza you won’t want to miss. themahaffey.com

Disney Junior Holiday Party! | Nov. 21, 6 p.m.
Join Mickey and the gang for a fun-filled dance party. This new interactive live concert will feature even more friends like Vampirina, Elena of Avalor, Sofia the First and more. Everyone is invited to get up and dance, play games and have a good time. rutheckerdhall.com

35th Annual Festival of Trees | Nov 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Come out and start the Holiday season in style! The 35th Annual Festival of the Tress is here! Enjoy an indoor display of beautifully decorated trees and wreaths that are all available for purchase! There will also be activities and face painting for the kiddos! $5 general admission and free for children 5 and under. facebook.com

Garden Bros Circus | Nov. 22-24, various times
Celebrating 100 years of entertaining, Garden Bros Circus is in Tampa with a new show packed with daring aerial acts and six motorcycles in a Sphere of Fear! gardenbroscircus.com

Enchant Christmas | Nov. 22-Dec. 29, various times
A world of Christmas wonder awaits at Tropicana Field! Unwrap new traditions and make memories as you explore the World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze, glide across the ice skating trail, visit Mr. & Mrs. Claus, take in the cheer of live entertainment, and more as you’re sure to find enchantment around every corner. Tickets are on sale now at enchantchristmas.com!

Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park | Nov. 22-Jan. 5, various times
Celebrate the holidays starting in November and lasting into the New Year at Curtis Hixon Park. Come see the transformed waterfront park decked with sights, sounds and activities full of holiday cheer for children and adults of all ages. Downtown Tampa’s only outdoor ice rink will be back again this year as another must-do for Tampa residents and guests alike. wintervillagetampa.com

TFO Ghostbusters in Concert | Nov. 23, 7:30 p.m.
The Florida Orchestra is back performing the popular tune live while “Ghostbusters,” the motion picture, plays on the big screen. themahaffey.com

Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa | Select Nights November 29-December 23, 4:00 pm til close
Celebrate the holidays on Friday and Saturday nights with your favorite animal ambassadors and even…the jolly ole elf himself…Santa! The zoo transforms into a holiday wonderland with twinkling lights, holiday treats, elves and more! This event is free for ZooTampa members. ZooTampa.org

Don’t forget date night!

*Our partners at Tampa Bay Date Night Guide are sharing some of their favorite things to do around Tampa Bay too!

MORE Family-Friendly Tampa Bay FUN to try!

New Hospital exhibit at Glazer Children’s Museum: Sept 16
St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Featuring the UnMonsters is officially open and ready to inspire your child’s imagination while teaching them that the hospital isn’t such a scary place after all. See our INSIDE LOOK here for a tour!

For those who dare…and who happen to be 54 inches or taller…ride TIGRIS, the new rollercoaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! Read all about it.

Dinovations Lab is NOW OPEN at MOSI!!
Be among the first to go back in time at our favorite science museum to learn about our planet Earth and the creatures and plants that lived here millions of years ago! The Dinovations Lab key feature is the Diplodocus dinosaur skeleton, a cast molding made from real dinosaur bones discovered in the USA! There’s also a Paleo Lab where you can examine fossils under a microscope! mosi.org

COOL OFF AT OUR FAVORITE WATER PARKS! Local water parks are now OPEN for the season like Adventure Island in Tampa and Buccaneer Bay at Weeki Wachee Springs! Here are our favorite water parks in Tampa Bay!

Go check out the newly renovated David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center at ZooTampa where four rescued manatees are being cared for. Just like before, you’ll be able to view the beautiful sea cows from the underwater observation window. zootampa.org

Discover one of 7 Local Museums Kids Love in Tampa Bay! 
If the temps are a bit too cold for outdoor fun, why not go and play at one of our favorite 7 museums for kiddos in Tampa Bay!

Discover a NEW Place to Play | All weekend, all day, everyday
Why not discover a new park or playground in the Tampa Bay Area? There are so many great parks for families which is why we’ve put together a list of our favorites with the help of our Family Fun contributor Heather DeManche! Check it out here!

Go to the beach! 
We’ve put together a list of our favorite family-friendly Tampa Bay beaches that are not huge tourist spots, but equally as beautiful!