Tampa Bay’s Oct. 16-18 weekend includes a full slate of live music, sports and community events, from WMNF’s annual Halloween Ball in Tampa to the multi-day Clearwater Jazz Holiday at Coachman Park.
WMNF’s Halloween Ball 2026 is scheduled for Friday at New World Tampa. The fundraiser combines live performances, costumes and dancing in support of the community-powered independent radio station.
Clearwater Jazz Holiday begins Thursday and continues through Sunday at Coachman Park on the Clearwater waterfront. WMNF describes the four-day festival as featuring jazz alongside blues, funk, soul and contemporary performers, with food vendors also part of the event.
Friday’s concert calendar also includes Cavetown with Chloe Moriondo at Jannus Live in St. Petersburg and Quinn Sullivan at the Safety Harbor Art & Music Center. On Saturday, Jannus Live hosts Toadies with Local H and Emily Wolfe, while John Németh performs in Safety Harbor.
Sports fans have several home events to choose from Saturday, including the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Vancouver Canucks at Benchmark International Arena, the USF Bulls against Kent State at Raymond James Stadium, and the Tampa Bay Rowdies against Detroit City FC at Al Lang Stadium. The Rowdies’ Ruff and Rowdies Night includes a limited number of dog-friendly tickets.
Sunday brings The Smashing Pumpkins to Benchmark International Arena, Snail Mail and Soccer Mommy to The Orpheum, and Sauce Boss to the Safety Harbor Art & Music Center. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also scheduled to face the Pittsburgh Steelers at Raymond James Stadium.
Also on Saturday, Rides by the River runs from 6 to 9 p.m. around Armature Works. The free car gathering showcases classic cars, muscle cars, imports, exotics and custom builds, with proceeds benefiting Metropolitan Ministries, according to WMNF.
