October in Tampa: the Pig Jig Oct. 17, Hamilton at the Straz from Oct. 21, Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat Oct. 24 and Oktoberfest, plus Veterans Day Nov. 11.

Last checked Oct. 14, 2026. Events come from the City of Tampa calendar and the organizers’ own pages. This page is rebuilt on the first of each month and refreshed weekly; check the organizer’s link before you go.

October fills Tampa’s calendar: the Pig Jig on the river, Hamilton at the Straz, a pet parade in Hyde Park, a free trick-or-treat night on the Riverwalk and Oktoberfest to end the month. Veterans Day and the first holiday events follow in November.

Who to call

Thursday, Oct. 15

  • 3rd Thursday, 6 to 10 p.m., Madison Street between Meridian Avenue and Channelside Drive in the Channelside District. Free. City listing.
  • Tampa Theatre 100th Celebration, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St. Free and open to the public. City listing.

Weekend of Oct. 16-18

  • Art Fair Tampa, Friday to Sunday at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St. The organizers bill it as Tampa’s first art convention, with 300 artists. artfairtampa.com.
  • Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Saturday at Benchmark International Arena, 401 Channelside Drive. Registration opens at 8 a.m.; the walk follows the 8:30 a.m. ceremony. City listing.
  • Tampa Pig Jig, Saturday at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N. Boulevard. Music starts at about 1 p.m., with Thomas Rhett, Midland, Kameron Marlowe, Sister Hazel and Cassidy Daniels. Tickets on the Pig Jig site.
  • Spooktacular Science, 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at MOSI, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., from $20. MOSI.
  • USF vs. Kent State, 7 p.m. Saturday, Raymond James Stadium. USF Athletics.
  • Buccaneers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. Sunday, Raymond James Stadium. Buccaneers schedule.
  • The city expects heavy downtown traffic Saturday; see its traffic advisory. The full weekend is on things to do this weekend.

Oct. 21-25

  • Hamilton, Straz Center, Oct. 21 to Nov. 8. Straz Center.
  • HYROX Tampa, a fitness race of running and workout stations, Thursday to Sunday at the Tampa Convention Center. hyrox.com.

Saturday, Oct. 24

  • Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, 7 to 11:30 a.m., Raymond James Stadium. City listing.
  • Hyde Park Pet Parade, 10 a.m. to noon on Hyde Park streets. Free. City listing.
  • Guppyween at The Florida Aquarium, Oct. 24-31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 701 Channelside Drive. Children in costume get in free with a paying parent or guardian, with trick-or-treating on Oct. 24, 25 and 31. Aquarium page.
  • NAMIWalks Hillsborough, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rowlett Park, 2401 E. Yukon St. NAMIWalks page.
  • Fight Wright Against Breast Cancer Festival, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Perry Harvey Sr. Park, 1000 E. Harrison St., with a 5K walk and run. City listing.
  • Good Vibes: A Mental Health Block Party, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2601 E. Second Ave. in East Ybor. Free. Coppertail Brewing listing.
  • A Night at the Museum, 2 to 6:30 p.m., Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Water St. $20; the 15th annual family Halloween afternoon of trick-or-treating, candy and crafts. City listing.
  • West River Fall Festival, 3 to 7 p.m., 1502 W. Union St. Free; registration requested. City listing.
  • Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat, 4 to 9 p.m. at Cotanchobee Park, 601 Water St. Free. A “Thriller” flash mob at 4:30 p.m., costume contests at 5 p.m. and an outdoor movie at 7:15 p.m. Event parking is $10 from 2 to 9 p.m. at the Pam Iorio and Convention Center garages and the Selmon Expressway lots, the organizers say. Riverwalk page.
  • Asian American Film Series, Hillsborough College’s Performing Arts Main Stage Theatre in Ybor City. A red carpet and refreshments from 5 to 5:45 p.m., then the feature Paper Flowers and two short films. City announcement.

Sunday, Oct. 25

  • Taste of Latino Festival, noon to 6 p.m., Centennial Park, 1800 E. Eighth Ave. in Ybor City. Free. City listing.

Halloween weekend, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1

  • Oktoberfest Tampa, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive: 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The city lists tickets from $10. City listing.
  • The Halloween Party, 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the Cuban Club, 2010 N. Avenida Republica de Cuba in Ybor City. $67; a 13 Ugly Men fundraiser. City listing.
  • Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, Raymond James Stadium. Buccaneers schedule.
  • For trick-or-treat hours and neighborhood events, see our trick-or-treat guide and Halloween events.

November, plan ahead

  • Rock the Park, 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Free, on the first Thursday of each month through December. City listing.
  • Bolt Run, 7:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, from Benchmark International Arena along Bayshore Boulevard. City listing.
  • Ghana Day in Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, Rowlett Park. Organizer’s site.
  • Veterans Day Tribute, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, Hillsborough County’s Veterans Memorial Park, 3602 N. U.S. Highway 301. Free. City offices and schools are closed; details on our Veterans Day page.
  • 3rd Thursday, 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, Channelside District. Free. City listing.
  • Tampa Tattoo Arts Festival, Nov. 20-22, Tampa Convention Center. City listing.
  • Thanksgiving: the YMCA Turkey Gobble is 7 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26; closures and meals are on our Thanksgiving page.

What this means for you

  • Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 are the busiest Saturdays: plan parking downtown early, or use the free TECO Line Streetcar.
  • Many events are free, but the Pig Jig, MOSI, the History Center and the aquarium charge admission.
  • Expect downtown street and lane closures around the Convention Center, Curtis Hixon Park and Bayshore Boulevard on event days.

Coming up later: the Gasparilla Bowl on Dec. 18, Children’s Gasparilla, Gasparilla Pirate Fest, the Florida State Fair, the Sant’Yago Knight Parade and the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts.

Related: fall festivals and pumpkin patches, parks and trails and Tampa farmers markets.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Tampa in October 2026?

Highlights include the Tampa Pig Jig on Oct. 17, Hamilton at the Straz Center from Oct. 21, the Hyde Park Pet Parade and Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat on Oct. 24, the Taste of Latino Festival on Oct. 25 and Oktoberfest at Curtis Hixon Park Oct. 30 to Nov. 1.

When is Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat in Tampa?

Saturday, Oct. 24, from 4 to 9 p.m. at Cotanchobee Park, 601 Water St., Friends of the Riverwalk says. It is free.

What free events are in Tampa this month?

3rd Thursday, the Tampa Theatre 100th celebration, the Hyde Park Pet Parade, Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat, the West River Fall Festival, the Taste of Latino Festival and Rock the Park on Nov. 5 are all listed as free on the city’s calendar.

What is happening in Tampa in early November?

Oktoberfest runs through Nov. 1, the Buccaneers host the Falcons Nov. 1, Ghana Day is Nov. 7 at Rowlett Park and Hillsborough County’s Veterans Day Tribute is 10 a.m. Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park.