If you’re not spending the day at Clearwater Beach, Busch Gardens or one of the other numerous year-round attractions found in the Tampa area, head to one of these unique festivals, sporting events or concerts! Whether you want to test your luck at animation, learn more about Ybor City’s history with cigars, taste new seafood favorites or celebrate Halloween with a worldwide crowd, you’re in luck!

Sports

National league and college teams are geared up to entertain and hopefully awe their fans this fall season, which marks the start to months of football and hockey in the Tampa area. Purchase tickets in advance for the best chance at seeing live action!

For Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL football tickets, visit buccaneers.com.

For Tampa Bay Lightning NHL hockey tickets, visit tampabaylightning.com.

For University of Southern Florida Bulls football tickets, visit gousfbulls.com.

Indoor Activities

Now through Dec. 23 at the Dunedin Fine Arts Center, explore how contemporary art ties into 18th century art at the Cabinet of Natural Curiosities exhibit. Admire a variety of sculptures, paintings, ceramics, jewelry and more.

At the Museum of Science and Industry, visitors can still view the special Animation Exhibit! Learn how animation was first created, explore the process it takes to create our favorite animated characters, and test your luck at creating animation! Tons of information is available for those who plan on making a career out of it.

Year-round, you can enjoy visits to the Florida Aquarium, Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, Channelside, Lowry Park Zoo, the Tampa Gallery of Photographic Arts, Tampa Theatre and so many more museums and parks! For more information on permanent attractions, visit islandtime.com.

Outdoor Activities

Between Oct. 15 and Oct. 18, head to Coachman Park for the annual Clearwater Jazz Holiday. Here, you can enjoy four free days of world-class jazz performances.

On Oct. 31, celebrate Halloween with a worldwide crowd by attending Guavaween, the annual Tampa celebration that attracts travelers to its parade, costume contest, and national and local concerts. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., bring your kids along for a scavenger hunt, candy, rides and more. After 4 p.m., dance away the night in costume at the adult festivities in Ybor City, full of restaurants and nightclubs!

On Nov. 1, plan on attending the Conga Caliente Festival for a taste of worldwide entertainment! Live performances include nationally and internationally talented stars. Aside from the entertainment, an assortment of foods and crafts are available for purchase.

Savor gourmet Florida favorites at the annual Ruskin Seafood and Arts Festival on Nov. 3 and 4. At Simmons Park, over 20 vendors will offer samples of seafood specialties, such as shellfish, oysters, alligator, clam chowder and so many more! A craft show and live entertainment are also provided.

View the historic Ybor City like you’ve never seen it before! On Nov. 20, after purchasing a “passport”, enjoy a guided tour of Ybor City, admission to the Ybor City Museum State Park, and tours of the J.C. Newman Cigar Factory, Oliva Tobacco Company and Tampa Sweethearts Cigar Company. Head home with a bag full of cigar treats and souvenirs.

On Nov. 21 in Ybor City, attend the Cigar Heritage Festival between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. for samples of cigars from around the world! Also enjoy cigar demonstrations, cigar rolling, live entertainment and a variety of ethnic food and drinks.

Concerts and Theatre

Brad Paisley, with Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne, Oct. 16, Ford Amphitheatre

Walking With Dinosaurs, Oct. 17, St. Petersburg Times Forum (Ice Palace)

Robin Williams, Oct. 20, USF Sun Dome

All Time Low, Oct. 26, The Ritz Ybor

REO Speedwagon and Styx, Oct. 30, Ford Amphitheatre

Brand New, Nov. 5, The Ritz Ybor

Wonderland: Alice’s New Musical Adventure, Nov. 24 through Jan. 3, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center

Miley Cyrus, Dec. 1, St. Petersburg Times Forum (Ice Palace)