2018 is off to a warm and sunny start with lots of palm trees, white sugar sands and sparkling Gulf of Mexico waters in the forecast. That’s pretty much every day on the Gulf Coast of Florida and we love it. How about you? Does your January include a little time in Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores, Florida? If so, we’ve rounded up some of the best family-friendly events for you to enjoy along with all that beautiful beach time. These Gulf Coast events are all close and convenient to your Indian Rocks Beach vacation rental or Indian Shores condo, so be sure to save these dates. There’s always lot of fun to be had in the Florida sun. We’d love to share a little of our paradise with you this month. Let us know if you’ll be here!
Pinellas Folk Festival
Date TBA
10a.m.-4p.m.
@Heritage Village, Largo
Listen to dozens of the Tampa Bay area’s premier folk musicians on traditional folk, gospel, country and bluegrass music on stages throughout the Village. It’s a great family-friendly event. Bring your family, bring your friends and enjoy the day strolling through Heritage Village.
Outback Bowl & Pregame Bowl Bash
January 1, 2018
Pregame bash starts at 9a.m.; Kick-off at noon
@Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
Are you ready for some football? It’s football in paradise! Watch as the Michigan Wolverines and South Carolina Gamecocks square-off on New year’s Day at Raymond James Stadium. It will be only the fourth time these teams have played in more than 125 seasons of football history. Kick-off time is noon and Outback Bowl tickets can be purchased here. Bowl fans can warm-up for the big game outside the stadium starting at 9a.m. with live music and a pep rally, sponsored by by Coca-Cola, The Tampa Bay Times, 970 WFLA and 620 WDAE Radio. Pregame festivities feature various displays from Busch Gardens, GEICO, Florida Blue, the U.S. Air Force, Outback Steakhouse and more. Food and refreshments are available for purchase. Find all of the pregame fun on the south plaza between gates C & D.
Tarpon Springs Epiphany
January 5-7, 2018
8a.m.-1p.m.
@St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Tarpon Springs
One of the country’s most celebrated Epiphany celebrations, which honors the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River more than 2,000 years ago, takes place in Tarpon Springs. This 100-plus year-old Tarpon Springs tradition is a day-long affair, which is highlighted by local teenage boys diving into Spring Bayou to retrieve a cross thrown into the water by an archbishop. The boy who surfaces with the cross is said to have good luck for the following year. What follows is an Epiphany Glendi, a lively gathering with food, drink and live music. All of the day’s events are free. (IMG Source: https://www.facebook.com/epiphanytarpon)
Treasure Island Kite Festival & Sport Kite Competition
January 13-14, 2018
10a.m.-5p.m.
@Thunderbird Beach Resort, Treasure Island
Come be amazed by talented kite flyers from all over the U.S. on Treasure Island Beach. Representatives from Revolution Kites and Prism Kites are giving flying demonstrations and allowing people a chance to learn how to fly. The free event runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days behind the Thunderbird Beach Resort. Let’s go fly a kite!
Martin Luther King National Parade & Family Fun Day
January 15, 2018
11a.m.
@St. Pete Pier & Tropicana Field
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the annual MLK National Parade & Family Fun Day in St. Pete! The nation’s longest-running parade honoring MLK starts at the St. Pete Pier at 11 a.m. and ends at 16th Street S, across from Tropicana Field. Following the parade, enjoy a Family Fun Day at Tropicana Field featuring a kids zone, entertainment, an education drive, day of service programs and more from 2:30-8p.m. (IMG Source: https://www.mlkdreambig.com)
Gasparilla Pirate Season in Tampa Bay
January 20, 2018: Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza
January 27, 2018: Gasparilla Pirate Fest
@Downtown Tampa Bay
Why the Gasparilla Pirate Fest Will Make You Say “Aye!”
Which Florida Gulf Coast events are you planning to attend in January? We want to know!
