Welcome back, everyone! What an exciting exciting few weeks we have ahead in St. Pete. Localtopia this weekend, Mardi Gras next week, and the Grand Prix at the end of the month. February is prime time here in the ‘Burg.
In other exciting news, Sunny St. Pete now has over 5,500 readers, and we’re growing by hundreds per week! Thank you all for the continued support and for sharing the newsletter with your friends! It means the world to me, and I hope you’ve been enjoying the content and finding it useful.
DINNER CLUB
Sunny St. Pete is more than a newsletter! The goal for Sunny St. Pete has always been to celebrate St. Pete and bring the community together in real life. By popular demand, we’re launching the first Sunny St. Pete Dinner Club on Wednesday, March 4! Six people. One table. A great meal. Meaningful conversation & new friends.
How it works:
Take a short personality quiz
Get matched with 5 compatible guests
We choose the restaurant and handle logistics
(Optional) Head to a casual afterparty for everyone to meet
You just sign up below and show up
📍 Downtown St. Pete
🗓️ Wednesday, March 4 at 6:30pm
Can’t make this one? You can still sign up to get updates on future dinners.
LOCALTOPIA GUIDE
St. Pete’s largest local celebration is back for its 13th year this Saturday at Williams Park. There’ll be over 300 independent businesses and community organizations. Enjoy the music, art, food, drinks, and all kinds of activities for the whole family.
Here’s some of the most important info to know before you go:
The streets around Williams Park will be closed for the event
Parking can be tricky — take the Sunrunner and/or the Central Ave Trolley for free on Saturday.
If biking, there’ll be a free bike valet available on the corner of 2nd & 2nd.
Rideshare pickup/dropoff is at the corner of 4th St. and 2nd Ave N.
In addition to downtown street parking, there are a few garages to park in (South Core Garage, Sundial Garage, MAACM Garage).
The event is family friendly, but due to the size of the crowd, pets are not allowed!
Bring your appetite, there’ll be plenty of food!
To see the vendor/food/music lineup for the event, visit: https://localtopia.keepsaintpetersburglocal.org/
BE MINE
Looking for some Valentine’s Day ideas? Here’s a few good ones whether you’re looking to go casual or sweep someone off their feet:
For free
Secret Garden: While it’s not really a secret (you can find it on Google Maps), it's a nice, secluded, little garden with different seating areas on the tip of Upham Beach on St. Pete Beach. You can’t drive directly to it, so you’ve got to walk along the beach to get there. It’s a great spot for a romantic picnic with your darling!
Localtopia: for a more casual, daytime Valentine’s Day experience.
For that romantic vibe
Allelo & Cassis: both Beach Drive staples are offering special romantic menus.
In Between Days: for a truly unique vibe, check out this Tokyo-style listening room for an intimate, vinyl-fueled evening.
Don CeSar: Style, luxury, and ocean views with a special 3-course Valentine’s Day menu. Get a reservation.
For a unique date
Valentine’s Day Comedy Shows: Live, laugh, and love at one of the series of standup shows at different venues around the city. Get tickets.
Love You First at FloridaRAMA: Grab your girls for an elevated Galentine’s celebration inside our favorite immersive art experience, complete with cocktails and a DJ dance party. Get tickets.
Glass Art at the Morean: Get hands-on with a "Be My Valentine" glassblowing workshop—it’s definitely more memorable than a box of chocolates! Get tickets.
CIVIC NEWS
Watering restrictions: Due to current drought conditions, SWFWMD has issued a Phase 2 Water Shortage Order for St. Pete. To conserve water, the city is shifting to a temporary, once per week watering schedule for potable or private well sources (not including reclaimed). Even number addresses can water on Saturday, odd number addresses on Sunday. Watering times are 5-9am or 7-11pm. Hand watering is still allowed anytime.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN ST. PETE
February is Black History Month, and there are tons of ways to learn about and celebrate Black history in St. Pete. Here’s a few:
Celebrate the rich history and flavors of the Sunshine City at the 9th annual Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, a free block-party style celebration at the Woodson, featuring live music from Grammy-winner Sevyn Streeter, local vendors, and the legendary collard green cook-off.
Check out the Civil Rights in the Sunshine City exhibit at the St. Pete Museum of History.
The city government also has a variety of Black History Month events, including multiple film nights, galas & celebrations, special museum exhibits, and storytelling shows. See the events.
BAYFRONT BULLETIN
Want to spread the word about your business, a project you’re working on, an exciting event, a hiring opportunity, or just want to say hi to thousands of neighbors?
SPONSORS WANTED: To help support this (one man) newsletter operation and our mission of providing a FREE resource to bring the community together, we’re looking for sponsors! Want to get in front of thousands of your neighbors for your event or business? Partner with us.
DOODLE TEE: Hand drawn and screen printed right here in St. Pete in collaboration with local print company Sick Dope Fresh. Available as both a crop top and t-shirt. Get yours before they’re gone.
FLIGHT DEAL: Take a week trip from TPA to Madeira, Portugal. See volcanic islands, Funchal & Madeira wine.
‘BURG ABODES: Willingham House from famous architect William Jolly $875,000 | 3bd 2ba | 1,848 sqft. An extremely unique, dodecagon house with huge windows created by the famous architect who created the old pier, Pasadena Community Church, and the Williams Park Band Shell.
LAST WEEK’S SCRAMBLE: Wetlands
LOGBOOK
CONDITIONS |
|---|
SUNRISE 7:10am ↑ |
SUNSET 6:10pm ↓ |
MOON Waning crescent |
LOW TIDE 5:36am |
HIGH TIDE 6:19pm |
WEEKEND TEMPS high 50s - low 70s |
WEEKEND RAIN high chance on Sunday evening |
WHAT’S AFLOAT
FRESH CAUGHT FEATURES
Fat Tuesday Crawfish Boil | 3 Daughters Brewing | Feb 17, 6pm – 10pm | $65 – $75 🎟️
St. Pete’s biggest Mardi Gras party returns to 3 Daughters Brewing for its annual all-you-can-eat crawfish feast. Dive into a massive spread of crawfish, sausage, potatoes, corn, and mac and cheese, topped off with a slice of fresh king cake.
Your ticket includes the full feast, two drinks of your choice, a souvenir cup, and plenty of beads to get you in the spirit. While you peel, enjoy live Zydeco music from T-Bone Hamilton on the main stage.
Pro Tip: Early bird tickets are $65 but will jump to $75 day of. This event is a local legend and regularly sells out, so snag your spot early!
FRIDAY 13
Pinellas Run Club Friday Night Lights | Gibbs High School | Feb 13, 5:30-11pm | $50 🎟️
Competitive local hybrid team race
Galentine's Day + The Scarlet Letter | The Book Lounge + American Stage | Feb 13, 8pm | $78 🎟️
Bouquet workshop and theater tickets
St. Pete’s Super Greek Festival 2026 | St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church | Feb 13-15, 11am-10pm | $3
Joyous family Greek culture celebration.
SATURDAY 14
(Be sure to see the Valentine’s Day section above in the newsletter for some more Valentine’s events!)
Naturalist Guided Tour | Weedon Island Preserve | Feb 14, 9:30am | Free 🎟️
Explore coastal ecosystems and cultural history
Mixology Cocktail Course + The Scarlet Letter | American Stage | Feb 14, 8pm | $78 🎟️
Preshow book, play, plus cocktails
Rays Fan Fest Block Party | Tropicana Field | Feb 14, 1-5pm | Free
Signings, games, sales, and leadership.
Reggaeton & Roses | 2200 1st Ave S | Feb 14, 8-11pm | Free
Reggaeton music, drinks, and dancing
Cupid's Red Thread Party St. Pete | Red Thread | Feb 14, 9pm-2:45am | $19+ 🎟️
Red-lit late-night DJ dance party
Fire & Light Anniversary Celebration Valentine’s Gala | Imagine Museum | Feb 14, 6-10pm | $25-$50 🎟️
Gala dinner, music, art auction
Sip, Savor and Swoon: A Night of Wine & Chocolate | Schakolad Chocolate Factory | Feb 14, 7-9pm | $35 🎟️
Curated wine and chocolate pairing event
St. Petersburg Second Saturday ArtWalk | St. Petersburg Arts Districts | Feb 14, 5-9pm | Free
Monthly city arts open house
SUNDAY 15
Crescent Battle of the Batter | Crescent Lake Park | Feb 15, 2-5pm | Free
Community bake-off near Crescent Lake
Festivals of Speed | Vinoy Park | Feb 15, 11am-3pm | $20 🎟️
Exotic car display and refreshments
St Pete Winter Pride | Cocktail St. Pete | Feb 15 - 22, hours vary | Prices vary
Festival includes parties, trivia, drag
HIIT the Ground(s) Running | Crescent Lake Park | Feb 15, 9am | Free 🎟️
Run, workout, coffee meetup downtown.
**There were so many events this weekend that we ran out of space (email size limits) to list events Mon-Wed next week. Be sure to check the link below if you’re looking for the week ahead!
ON THE HORIZON
Want to see events beyond the next week? Use the guide below.
MARKETS
Looking for details on markets this week?
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Thanks so much for reading! As always, you can reply directly to this email with any feedback.
Stay Sunny,
Josh
