If you're looking for ways to share, explore and discover Tampa during your long weekend, we have answers for you here! Even if you were thinking of going elsewhere this Labor Day weekend, we have ways to explore the rest of Florida to share with you as well.
Spotlight Event of the Week: Summer of Rum Festival
Chosen by MyArea Network
Ahoy mateys, put your best Gasparilla game face on this weekend and get tickets for the Summer of Rum Festival in Curtis Hixon Park this Saturday and Sunday! Drink a variety of rum drinks from a variety of rum brands. Whether it's a Frozen Daiquiri, Pina Colada, Rum Runner, Cuba Libre, Dark & Stormy, or a Rum-a-Rita; the Summer of Rum Festival will have all your favorite summer time drinks. The headliner for Saturday at Summer of Rum is Sugar Ray, with hits like “Fly” and “Every Morning” from your favorite 90's movies and shows, and The Wailers (without Bob Marley) performning on Sunday! Grab tickets today because this will be the event of the weekend in Downtown Tampa!
Sports
USF vs. Elon: Opening Night
Calling all Bulls: The kickoff for college football in Tampa is this Saturday at 6 p.m. USF takes on the Elon Phoenix at Raymond James Stadium. Put on your best green and gold and head to the stadium, tailgating lots open at 1 p.m. And for the latest on the Bulls all season long, text "GREEN" to 48421!
Nightlife
Franklin Manor Bey Day Party
We know you love the Queen Bey. If you didn’t already know Sunday is Beyonce's Birthday (not a national holiday... yet) and Franklin Manor is throwing a party to help you celebrate! They will be serving Bey-inspired cocktails like frozen Lemonade and even some of her favorite snacks. Put the hot sauce in your purse, add your sexiest black or yellow attire and head to the Manor to celebrate Her Majesty!
WTR Labor Day Luau
WTR is hosting a Labor Day Luau this Sunday at their Miami style pool and restaurant for all to enjoy. They even claim you’ll need a day off after this wild bash! Hang out with the pool girls or get yourself golden on one of their luxury style tanning beds. If you arrive early enough, order food from their brunch menu and enjoy mimosas to start your day off right! This is the hotspot for pool parties in Tampa so check it out this weekend!
Karaoke Battle @ AJA Channelside
If you know you were meant for stardom, head to Aja Channelside this Friday night to show the competition what you and your friends are made of! If it’s star power, you’ll win $500 cash. So team up with your most talented friends and sing it like you mean it for a chance to win some extra cash for the long weekend. Break a leg!
Drag Queen Labor Day Party
Bradley’s on 7th Ave in Ybor City throws a drag queen Labor Day party this Sunday! Hangout with Tiffany Arieagus, Joey Brooks, Felicity Lane and Kori Stevens at this ultra-dramatic show and party! DJ’s Charles Machado and Steve Vaughn will be spinning this Labor Day bash with 2-for-1 drinks until 9 p.m. After 9, you can still get great deals like $3 Bacardi drinks until 3 a.m.
Rock the Yacht
Party like a Yacht Star this weekend at this crazy Labor Day celebration with live music and premium cocktails on Saturday night. GA Tickets are on sale for $35 per person, but VIP tickets are on sale for $55 and include two free premium cocktails and a celebrity style entrance. Live classic rock, funk and dance music from Stormbringer will have you up on your feet until the yacht docks!
Concerts
Shephards Labor Day Live
Headbangers, Labor Day weekend at Shepard’s is going a weekend to remember. They have three days of non-stop sets from an all star lineup of DJ’s. The headliner on Friday is Shaun Frank, Saturday is 3LAU and Sunday is Ricky Romero. Other artists include Quix, Cedric Gervais and Vincent. So if you’re looking to let loose and rave this weekend, head to Shephard's Beach Resort on Clearwater Beach.
Charlie Puth
If you have some type of love for Charlie Puth head to the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre this Friday night. You’ll hear hits like “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” “One Call Away” and “See You Again.” Like it won't be hot enough outside already...
Arts/Performing Arts
Tampa Bay Theatre Festival
If you’re a theatre aficionado, enjoy three full days of acting, singing, dancing and other fun activities! This year the focus is on aspiring and season actors to develop and showcase their craft. Participate in educational workshops, shows, networking and social events and competitions this Friday - Sunday at the Tampa Bay Theatre Festival at the Straz Center in Downtown Tampa.
Tampa Salsa and Bachata Festival 2018
Dancing the Salsa and Bachata is something that you’ve probably been doing since you were standing on your dad’s toes dancing around the kitchen. Check out Tampa’s Salsa and Bachata Festival this weekend at the Hilton in Downtown Tampa. Some of the top dance artists in the world in both styles will perform and teaching their techniques to attendees of this workshop. Only DJ's who play the best of both worlds are invited, ensuring a weekend of non-stop dancing!
Family
If Labor Day means spending time with your kids then check out some fun and free events for them this Labor Day Weekend. You can bring them to The First Tee of Clearwater for one free round of golf with a paying adult. Their course provides shortened, more manageable distances for kids. If you’re kids like being active, you can take them to the United Skates of Tampa for their Labor Day Family Skating event. Admission is $6 per person, skate rental included. The Family Meal Deal is one large pizza, a pitcher of soda, and 20 game tokens for just $20!
Explore More of Florida This Holiday Weekend
Travel North For:
Frequency Burst- Orlando
Festiheads and those who missed out on the second day of SMF due to rain, get excited! Disco Donnie brings Excision, Boombox Cartel, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Crankdat and more to the Central Florida Fairgrounds on Sunday. This one-day festival is one that bassheads, head bangers and rail breakers alike will enjoy! So put on your glitter, kandi and fanny-packs and get ready to rave!
Pepsi Gulf Coast Jamn- Panama City Beach
And if country music is more your style, head to Panama City Beach this weekend for the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jamn featuring an all star lineup of country artists. The headliners are Florida Georgia Line, Eric Church and Thomas Rhett. Put on your Daisy Dukes and cowboy boots, and grab an ice-cold beer this Labor Day Weekend at the Panama City Beach Parkway.
Kayaking Down Crystal Blue Rivers- Weeki Wachee
For a more relaxing adventure, rent a kayak, paddleboard or canoe at Weeki Wachee in Central Florida to paddle down a crystal clear and icy-blue river. They have tandem kayaks for young kids so they can work with you or each other to paddle all six miles. If you don’t want to paddle, it'll take 4-5 hours to float to the pick up location. Jump from a rope swing or swim with the manatees on this relaxing and nature-filled adventure!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
If you’re a Potterhead then you know September 1st is the day everyone is due back at Hogwarts, including you! Take the train at 11 a.m. sharp, just like they do in the movies, from Kings Cross Station to Hogsmead Station in Hogwarts. Grab a Butter Beer or Hogshead Hrew, if you’re over the age of 21! Get dressed in your best Harry Potter swag and experience Ollivanders Wand Shop. You may even be selected by a special interactive wand to enhance your Wizarding World of Harry Potter experience.
Travel South for:
Explore South Beach
Walk down Collins Ave. and check out the views of South Beach or go shopping at the Lincoln Road Mall in high-end shops and boutiques. If you’re into real estate or the Versace family legacy and their fashions head to the Versace Mansion, once owned by Italian designer Gianni Versace. If you’re looking to eat cheap, head to La Sandwicherie for a gourmet sandwich or smoothie.
EDM Shows in Miami
Everyone knows that Miami is home to some of the best clubs south of the Mason Dixon line. And if you like EDM check out their star-studded lineup for Labor Day weekend. Zedd is scheduled to perform at LIV on Thursday, Steve Aoki will cake you at STORY on Friday and Cedric Gervais will knock your socks off during a heavy set on Saturday at LIV. Headbangers get hype for this crazy Labor Day weekend in Miami!
Vizcaya Museum and Garden
For a more calm and educational adventure head to the Vizcaya Museum and Garden for some beautiful real estate and interior design. This 20th century estate includes: Italian Renaissance Gardens, a native woodland landscape and a historic village outbuildings compound. But if you’re all about getting your likes up on Instagram, this luxury estate will provide you with the perfect backgrounds for your next picture! With views as beautiful as the ones at Vizcaya Museum, you might just break your own personal records for likes on Instagram.
And for more fun things to do this Labor Day weekend, go to 813area your local guide to Tampa!
Images courtesy of 813area.
