November is almost here and with it brings a combination of seasonal festivals, holiday celebrations, and of course Florida fun in the sun here in Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores Beach. There’s fishing and food festivals and sand sculptures, oh my! Let’s take a look at the highlights of November at the beach. Have you booked your Gulf Coast vacation rental yet?
Old Salt Fall King of the Beach Fishing Tournament
November 8-10, 2018
Madeira Beach, FL
The Old Salt King of the Beach is perhaps the oldest, and absolutely the richest, Kingfish tournament in the United States. If you fish for Smoker Kings, you should be fishing the 25th Annual Old Salt Fall King of the Beach. Big fish, big money! This 3-day waterfront festival is all about fishing, boating and eating. There are over 100 marine related vendors onsite including a full boat show display. The tournament offers free admission, free parking, and free water taxi.
Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Seafood Festival
November 9-11, 2018
Tarpon Springs, FL
The 31st Annual Sponge Docks Seafood Festival takes place along Dodecanese Blvd offering plenty of tasty choices to please everyone’s palate, including non-seafood items for land lubbers. Continuous live music is once again offered all weekend long, featuring local and regional musicians. Artisans, craftsmen and other vendors show and sell nautical and food related art, crafts, fishing apparel, kitchen and cooking items, food samples and much more.
Taste of IRB
November 10, 2018
Chic-A-Si Park, Indian Rocks Beach
Come out and enjoy great food, music and fun for the 12th Annual Taste of IRB from 3-9p.m. featuring food from a variety of local restaurants, beer, wine, soda and water. Bring beach chairs and/or blankets and spend the evening listening to great music, sampling the best fare the beach has to offer, and partying with good friends and neighbors. See you there!
Veterans Boat Parade
November 10, 2018
Madeira Beach, FL
This event is an annual boat parade honoring all branches of the military. It is to honor all veterans, promote patriotism and fundraise money to be donated to local veteran’s charities. Contact the American Legion Post 273 for more info on how you can help. Join in on honoring our Veterans by entering your boat or watching from the shore as they travel past.
Sanding Ovations Sand Sculpting
November 14-18, 2018
Treasure Island, FL
Treasure Island, Florida’s sand sculpture capital, hosts the 10th Annual Sanding Ovations Masters Cup. All it takes is several tons of sand, plenty of water, and lots of imagination to build a masterpiece—at least it does for the 10 competitors. The competition is invitational, and has grown to be the largest masters competition in the Southeast United States.The beach food court, arts and crafts marketplace and three days of live music make Sanding Ovations a must-see event on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Suncoast Jazz Festival
November 16-18, 2018
Clearwater Beach, FL
The 28th annual Suncoast Jazz Festival takes place on the award winning Sand Key, Clearwater Beach. The festival presents over 80 musicians/ bands and guest artists from all over the nation spanning traditional jazz, big band, swing, zydeco, banjos, rockabilly plus 2 very talented high school jazz bands perform throughout 5 indoor venues. Dedicated Jolley Trolley buses allow attendees to freely ride from one resort to another throughout the 3-day festival weekend. Check out this local Florida favorite!
Christmas Town
November 17-December 31, 2018
Busch Gardens Tampa
Celebrate the holidays with Santa, Rudolph and more. Christmas Town beams with twinkling lights, Yuletide shows, holiday shopping and even a visit to Santa’s House. Plus, beloved characters from the television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer return for some festive fun. The Christmas cheer begins on select dates from Nov. 17 through Dec. 31. Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa is included with your park admission.
Thanksgiving on the Gulf Coast
November 22, 2018
Indian Rocks Beach & Indian Shores
Holidays spent at the beach are just better! Not only do you get to enjoy the usual festivities and celebrations, but you also get white sandy beaches, sparkling Gulf of Mexico waters, and warm Florida sun to go along with it all. Did you know that it’s not too late to book your Florida Thanksgiving getaway? Check out the amazing deals on our available Gulf beach vacation rentals over the holiday and book yours today. Let us know if we can help!
Black Friday
November 23, 2018
Gulf Coast of Florida
There are plenty of places to shop ’til you drop during your Florida Gulf beach vacation. Check out the local shops in Indian Rocks Beach, visit John’s Pass Historic Village and Boardwalk, or take a trip into the cities of Clearwater, Tampa or St. Pete for a day of shopping and gift buying for the upcoming holiday season. Stop in at the Beach Welcome Center and let us show you where to go to shop local.
Holiday Lights in the Garden
November 23-December 30, 2018
Florida Botanical Gardens, Largo
Escape into a wonderland of twinkling lights and fun entertainment with over 1 million LED lights shining throughout the gardens. This is a family-friendly event with nightly entertainment including visits with Santa. Refreshments are available, as well as holiday-themed gifts at the Botanical Bounty Gift Shop. The event begins at 5:30p.m. and a $4 suggested donation is much appreciated.
Festival of Trees
November 24, 2018
Various Locations
The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce hosts its inaugural Festival of Trees event Saturday, Nov. 24, at various locations. The Festival of Trees is family-friendly where visitors will be able to vote for their favorite tree and donate to Tampa Bay Watch while getting into the spirit of giving through holiday music and treats. This event happens locally both in the Town of Indian Shores Municipal Center, 19305 Gulf Blvd. and in the City of Indian Rocks Beach, 1507 Bay Palm Blvd.
IRB Christmas Tree Lighting
November 30, 2018
12th Avenue Park, IRB
Kick off the holiday season with us at the annual Indian Rocks Beach Christmas Tree Lighting at 7p.m. Enjoy seasonal treats, live entertainment and the warmth of the community spirit at this annual holiday event. Come on out of for an evening of fun and festivities with your family, friends and neighbors. It’s a local favorite, so don’t miss it! See the Indian Rocks Beach Christmas tree lit up in all its glory. Hope to see you there. We love Christmas at the beach!
Will we see you this November on Florida’s Gulf Coast?
We sure hope so!
