Community Calendar

Join us for VETFest 2025, a vibrant celebration of veterans, active duty service members, and their families. Held in the heart of St. Petersburg, this free community event brings together local organizations, resources, and entertainment to honor those who served.

Highlights Include:

VA Benefits Assistance & Claims Support
Free Living Will & Health Care Surrogate Forms
Expungement/Sealing of Criminal Records
Disaster Relief Resources
Raffles, giveaways, and free Publix gift cards for early registrants
Community booths, music, and refreshments

Whether you're a veteran, a caregiver, or a supporter, VETFest is your chance to connect, celebrate, and access valuable services—all in a welcoming, festive atmosphere.

Admission is free. No registration required for attendees.

To table the event or to share resources, contact: ajones@bals.org

🌟Save the Date and join us for the 2025 Twinkle Ball! On Wednesday, November 12, The Ora will light up with moving stories from our Campus of Hope & Healing, as we celebrate FIVE years of impact for children and families in foster care through our work. Sponsorship opportunities are available ✨

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte
(October 31 - November 15, 2025)
Duplicity, disguises, and delightful deception in 18th century Naples.
Così fan tutte, or The School for Lovers, follows the story of two naive young soldiers who prank their brides-to-be to test their faithfulness. But the sisters to whom they are betrothed have plans of their own. Find out who ends up schooling whom in Mozart's delightful comedy with a masterful score.

Performance Dates & Times:
Friday, October 31, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.

This year, the Climate Adaptation Center's (CAC) conference will focus on How Climate Warming Is Reshaping Florida’s Ecosystems. The CAC will bring together leading scientists and biodiversity experts for an immersive, solutions-driven event focused on one of the most urgent challenges of our time: the impact of climate warming on biodiversity.

Whether you’re guiding decisions for your organization, community, government, or philanthropy, or simply want to understand what’s at stake, this event is designed for people who want to turn knowledge into action.

🌎 Learn what’s changing in Florida’s ecosystems
🌿 Understand how biodiversity loss affects everything from agriculture to tourism
💡 Discover innovative adaptation and resilience strategies from top experts
🤝 Connect with leaders shaping the future of Florida’s environment

Go nose to nose with Big John, the World’s Largest Triceratops, in an immersive and playful dinosaur exhibit at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Downtown Tampa. Whether you have a child at home or not, all are welcome to visit this colossal exhibit, 66 million years in the making.

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte
(October 31 - November 15, 2025)
Duplicity, disguises, and delightful deception in 18th century Naples.
Così fan tutte, or The School for Lovers, follows the story of two naive young soldiers who prank their brides-to-be to test their faithfulness. But the sisters to whom they are betrothed have plans of their own. Find out who ends up schooling whom in Mozart's delightful comedy with a masterful score.

Performance Dates & Times:
Friday, October 31, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.

Go nose to nose with Big John, the World’s Largest Triceratops, in an immersive and playful dinosaur exhibit at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Downtown Tampa. Whether you have a child at home or not, all are welcome to visit this colossal exhibit, 66 million years in the making.

Kick off your weekend under the stars at the Friday Night Moonlight Market at The Hub at Bexley! Enjoy live music, explore unique finds from local vendors, and discover special Friday night deals from nearby restaurants, including adult beverages to sip while you shop. Bring the whole family – including your furry friends – to this fun, family- and pet-friendly event! Join us for an evening filled with local charm, music, and Friday night vibes in Land O Lakes!

2nd Fridays Creative Happy Hour brings the party to the gallery and transforms Art Center Sarasota into a vibrant hub of creativity, conversation, and connection.

Put your art smarts to the test! Join us for an energetic night of trivia celebrating everything from classical masterpieces and contemporary icons to Sarasota’s local legends and weird art history facts. Whether you’re an art history buff or just winging it, this evening promises friendly competition, laughs, and creativity that colors outside the lines. $15 for New Friends of the Art Center, FREE for Members.

The Tampa Bay History Center will host its annual gala Friday, Nov. 14 under the leadership of chair couple Duncan and Jessica Belser, who return for a second year. The evening’s theme, “Something in the Air: Celebrating Our Civilian and Military Aviation History,” will guide the night.

Rather than speeches, a formal program or auctions, guests will enjoy live music and open bars while taking in terrace views of the Tampa Riverwalk and sampling buffets from the Columbia Café throughout the museum’s galleries.

Attire is black tie; aviators are optional. Ticket options include patron, individual and young professional for those under 40, each offering varying levels of recognition and a charitable donation component. Sponsorship opportunities range from platinum to silver, offering exclusive benefits and acknowledgment.

For those unable to attend but wishing to contribute, donations are another way to support the gala and its chairs. All donations are 100% charitable. Proceeds benefit the History Center’s student and education programs, many of which are offered free to the community thanks to donor support.

About Tampa Bay History Center

The Tampa Bay History Center is a Smithsonian-affiliated museum dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the Tampa Bay region. The center offers exhibits, educational programs and events that engage learners of all ages. For more information, visit www.tampabayhistorycenter.org.