Things to Do Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

A group portrait of the five members of the band Donna the Buffalo standing outdoors in a desert landscape. From left to right: Kyle Spark, Mark Raudabaugh, Tara Nevins, Jeb Puryear, and David McCracken. They are all smiling and dressed in casual, roots-rock attire, including flannel shirts and denim. Tara Nevins, in the center, wears a blue plaid shirt and a decorative belt, while Jeb Puryear to her right wears a patterned hat. The background features a large, rocky hill under the soft glow of golden hour light, with a rustic wooden building visible on the left.

Music

Before NYE gig in Clearwater, Donna The Buffalo’s Tara Nevins recalls the best gig she ever saw

by Josh Bradley December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

There’s currently no telling whether Jim Lauderdale will show up for a guest spot, but expect an accordion-drenched career retrospective to kiss 2025’s ass goodbye next week.

Music

Photos: Chiodos, Hawthorne Heights, more tear up The Ritz Ybor

by Josh Bradley December 19, 2025December 19, 2025

A high-contrast, dramatic photo of singer Josh Groban performing on stage. He is wearing a dark suit, a black shirt, and clear-rimmed glasses, holding a microphone close to his face with a focused expression. In the dimly lit background, several members of an orchestra are visible, including two cellists in the mid-ground. The lighting is moody, with purple and white highlights catching the performers against the dark stage.

Music

Josh Groban, Jennifer Hudson co-headline tour in Tampa this summer

They’ll raise us up.

by Josh Bradley December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

Jack Met of AJR performing live on stage, singing into a microphone, wearing a white t-shirt and his signature fuzzy hat under red and blue concert lighting.

Music

AJR plays a free concert in Tampa tomorrow

Ordinaryish people unite.

by Josh Bradley December 16, 2025December 17, 2025

A full-length promotional photo of the rock band Evanescence, featuring five members standing in a dimly lit, warehouse-like space. The room is saturated with a dramatic red glow from vertical light tubes placed on either side of the band and behind them. The floor is reflective, mirroring the red light.

Music

Evanescence bringing stacked world tour to Tampa this summer

The game is *not* over.

by Josh Bradley December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

Vincent Neil Emerson, wearing a denim shirt and jeans, sits on a wooden chair and plays an acoustic guitar. He is in a cozy room with dark green bookshelves flanking a fireplace, a patterned black and white wall, and a large black and white checkered rug. A pinkish-orange velvet couch is visible on the right.

Music

Outlaw country troubadour Vincent Neil Emerson plays headlining Tampa show in February

If you feel that outlaw country music is on life support, you’ll gain a little bit of hope upon listening to the 33-year-old hidden gem.

by Josh Bradley December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

A line of wooden reindeer cutouts stands on a grassy lawn at night, each decorated with a red bow and green wreath around its neck. They are connected by a string of white Christmas lights acting as reins. In the background, several Christmas trees are illuminated with colorful lights and bright orange star toppers, creating a festive park scene.

A new Christmas food fest premieres in St. Pete next weekend

‘A Taste of the North’ takes over Spa Beach at the St. Pete Pier.

by Selene San Felice December 8, 2025December 8, 2025

A person with shoulder-length wavy hair and a neutral expression looks off to the right. The subject is wearing a printed t-shirt featuring smiley faces and eyes, with tattoos visible on the arms, under harsh studio lighting.

Music

Bluegrass fusion phenom Billy Strings returns to Tampa on spring tour

Welcome to the era of arena-grass.

by J.C. Roddy December 8, 2025December 8, 2025

A portrait of five musicians standing closely together outdoors against a hazy blue sky. Four of the subjects wear hats (a fedora, a cap, and a flat cap), and one is holding a cowbell and stick, while another is holding a trumpet.

Music

Groovy, retro jam scene favorite The California Honeydrops comes to St. Pete in January

The Oakland outfit is supporting a new album, ‘Redwood Highway.’

By J.C. Roddy/Cigar City SoundsDecember 8, 2025December 8, 2025

A heavily faded, sepia-toned vintage black-and-white photograph of a large cast or studio group from the mid-20th century. The subjects are formally dressed, with some standing in rows and two seated figures in the foreground, and the image is marked by blemishes and water stains.

Arts & Entertainment

For centennial finale, St. Pete City Theatre recreates its own 1940s ‘Christmas Carol’ WSUN broadcast

It shows select nights Dec. 12-21.

by David Warner December 6, 2025December 8, 2025

Two performers embracing on a dark stage lit by warm spotlights, likely from a holiday production. The person on the left has long, curly hair and wears a white lace overlay, while the person on the right wears a green knit beanie and a collared shirt. Small, illuminated Christmas trees stand on the set behind them.

Arts & Entertainment

Four holiday theater productions to check out in Tampa Bay

More ‘Caol’ing, plus an adaptation of an O. Henry classic.

by David Warner December 6, 2025December 6, 2025

A close-up theatrical shot of two musicians. One person, wearing an earth-toned outfit, is singing and playing a large acoustic guitar, while the other person, in dark jeans and a sheer top, holds a small fiddle or violin and looks off to the side.

Arts & Entertainment

St. Pete’s American Stage puts a 21st century twist on a holiday classic

VIP tickets for ‘The Magi’ allow audience members to sit at one of five tables on stage, complete with table-side service.

by David Warner December 6, 2025December 6, 2025

A performer with dark hair styled up and red lipstick sings with an open mouth, holding a black microphone. Warm bokeh lights and a bright blue vertical beam of light are visible in the dark background.

Arts & Entertainment

St. Pete’s freeFall Theatre is going longer and stronger for its 2025 rendition of ‘A Christmas Carol’

Four singers will be onstage along with Matthew McGee.

by David Warner December 6, 2025December 6, 2025

An individual, identified as Juan Rodriguez, performing as a Foley artist on stage. The person, wearing a fedora and a graphic t-shirt, holds up a heavy metal chain in the air while looking towards it. A piano, a microphone, and various sound props are set up around them.

Arts & Entertainment

Jim Sorensen presents his favorite parts of ‘A Christmas Carol’ in Tampa

The music and most of the sound effects will be handled by Juan Rodriguez.

by David Warner December 6, 2025December 6, 2025

A bearded man wearing tan overalls over a blue shirt smiles broadly while balancing three plates of food on his arm and hand. He has a pair of scissors tucked into his chest pocket and stands in front of a long dining table set for an outdoor evening event, with other guests visible in the dark background.

ArtistTree Gardens and Keel Farms host a locally sourced ‘gardinner’ next week

It’s karmically delicious.

by Selene San Felice December 3, 2025December 3, 2025

Two women smile and wave while participating in an outdoor race. The woman on the left wears a blue shirt, glasses, and a headband with reindeer antlers and ornaments, while the woman on the right wears a black shirt with the text "I'M ONLY A MORNING PERSON ON" and a Santa hat headband. Both are wearing race bibs for a "Hot Chocolate 15k/5k" event, with other runners visible in the blurred background.

Arts & Entertainment, Events & Film, Sports & Recreation, Things to Do

Hot chocolate lovers run through Downtown Tampa next weekend

You don’t have to sweat for the free Hot Chocolate Expo.

by Selene San Felice December 3, 2025December 3, 2025

A close-up outdoor photo of a long-haired individual singing into a microphone. The subject is wearing dark sunglasses and a short-sleeved white button-down shirt with a small pattern. A tattoo is visible on their arm.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music and concerts happening December 4-11

Including a whole lot of festivals.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley December 2, 2025December 2, 2025

A musician in a jumpsuit and cap is captured playing an electric guitar aggressively in the foreground, bending over a stack of effects pedals. Blue stage lighting illuminates the drummer and another guitarist in the background.

Music

Have Gun, Will Travel launches new EP in St. Pete on Friday

The Americana scene staple has a reflection on NASA’s late-’70s satellite program.

by Ray Roa December 2, 2025December 2, 2025

Two people posing in a studio against a neutral background. The person on the right has their hand in their pocket and is looking straight at the camera, while the person on the left is wearing a patterned top and also looking directly ahead.

Music

Tampa’s Sweetwater farm hosts ‘Farm Aid’ concert this weekend

And there’s now an option to camp at the farm after the show.

by Ray Roa December 2, 2025December 2, 2025

A high-contrast photo capturing the face of a subject at a formal event. The light source is coming from the side, highlighting the cheekbones and giving the subject's hair a rich color. The background is dark and abstract.

Arts & Entertainment

Crispin Glover will perform and meet Tampa fans for three nights starting Thursday

He’s at Sun-Ray Cinema Dec. 4-6.

by Matthew Moyer December 2, 2025December 2, 2025