Tampa Bay’s first full October weekend brings concerts, cultural celebrations and a packed slate of home sports events from Friday, Oct. 2, through Sunday, Oct. 4.
Friday’s music options include folk-rock band America at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Streetlight Manifesto at Jannus Live and reggae artist Mighty Mystic at SHAMC. Los Tigres del Norte are scheduled at Benchmark International Arena, while comedian Atsuko Okatsuka brings her Big Bowl Tour to Tampa Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday features WMNF’s seventh annual Tom Petty Birthday Tribute from 6 to 11 p.m., honoring the Gainesville native with performances by local musicians and Petty fans. Other concerts include CAAMP at the Mahaffey Theater, The Beths at The Ritz Ybor and Mariachi El Bronx at Jannus Live.
For daytime festivities, the fourth annual Piertoberfest runs from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday at the St. Pete Pier, with German beer and food, folk dancers, the Apple Strudel Oktoberfest Band, games and stein-hoisting competitions. In Brandon, Ferman Chevrolet hosts a free Hispanic Heritage Month fiesta from noon to 3 p.m. with Latin food, salsa lessons, DJ Moyo, family activities and ticket drawings. Sparkman Wharf also hosts a free Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., while supplies last.
Sports fans have several Saturday choices: the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Washington Capitals at 7 p.m. at Benchmark International Arena, and USF football meets Temple at Raymond James Stadium at 7:30 p.m. The Tampa Bay Rowdies play Miami FC at Al Lang Stadium at 7:30 p.m. for Keep It Local Night, while the USF Ice Hockey Club faces the University of Tampa at AdventHealth Center Ice at 7 p.m.; admission to that game is free. The Tampa Bay Rays’ American League Division Series Game 1 is also listed for Saturday at Tropicana Field, with the time still to be determined.
Sunday closes with Ziggy Marley at The BayCare Sound in Clearwater at 5 p.m., the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium at 1 p.m., and Tampa Bay Sun FC meeting Lexington SC at 5 p.m. during its Noche Latina celebration.
