Hot Air Balloons, LGBTQ+ Pride, Clay Shoot Benefit: FL Weekend Events

TAMPA BAY, FL — Looking for something fun to do this weekend? There’s something for every interest — from a Hot Air Balloon Festival to a clay shoot fundraiser to a wine festival and art events.

Venice Blues & BBQ Festival

Enjoy live music on two stages from both national and regional touring acts Friday through Sunday at the Venice Airport Festival Grounds. Experience a Florida BBQ Association-sanctioned competition with a People's Choice Award, live muralists painting, food trucks, drinks, vendors and more.

Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Gala “Moulin Rouge! The Musical”

This gala and performance takes place Friday at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. The evening starts with a bayside cocktail celebration and dinner at 5 p.m. followed by a performance of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.”

Hot Air Balloon Festival

See incredible hot air balloons on Friday, 5 to 10 p.m., at the Florida State Fairgrounds. There will also be craft and retail vendors, food, and monster show kites.

Girl Scout Cookie and Wine Pairing

Pair your favorite Girl Scout cookies with wines at Aspirations Winery in Clearwater on Friday at 7 p.m.

Hillsborough Fire Museum and Sincerely Santa Clay Shoot

The Hillsborough Fire & EMS Museum and Sincerely Santa Tampa host their annual clay shoot fundraiser on Saturday, 8 a.m.. The event will fund efforts to provide toys and clothes to at-risk children during the holiday season.

Gulfport Art in the Yard

Gulfport artists transform their own frontyards into open-air galleries on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Howard Alan Art Festival

Explore the work of more than 100 talented exhibitors while strolling through the stunning displays of life-size sculptures, spectacular paintings, one-of-a-kind jewelry, photography, ceramics and more on Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Hyde Park Village.

Empty Bowls

The Clay Center of St. Petersburg hosts this fundraiser for local charities that fight hunger on Saturday starting at 11 a.m. Attendees will enjoy soup and salad from local restaurants, take home an artisan-crafted bowl and bid on a silent auction.

Uncorked Tampa Wine Festival

Sip and savor more than 100 wines and bubblies from across the globe, as well as some spirits and canned cocktails at this wine festival on Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m., at Tampa’s Water Works Park.

Crawfish Boil

Bayboro Brewing in St. Petersburg hosts this all-you-can-eat crawfish boil on Saturday, 3 p.m. There will also be craft beers and live music.

Bands on the Bay

This live benefit concert headlined by the Black Honkeys is set for Saturday, 3 to 10 p.m., and will support the Mattie Williams Center and the Kiwanis Club of Safety Harbor. It will take place at Waterfront Park in Safety Harbor.

Battle of the Minds

This trivia game fundraiser, taking place Saturday, 6 p.m., at the Coliseum, benefits the St. Petersburg Free Clinic. There will also be a silent auction.

Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation 25th Anniversary

This event, set for Sunday at noon, combines a polo game with the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation’s 25th anniversary celebration. Prior to the game, there will be a mix and mingle with food, and a brief program to announce the foundation’s fundraising goal for the year and to hand out several awards.

Friendly City Pride

This LGBTQ+ pride festival at Oscura in Bradenton takes place on Sunday, 2 to 7 p.m. Attendees will enjoy arts, music, food trucks, coffee, craft cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks, and information from community partners and nonprofit organizations.

Polish American Society Grand Reopening

The Polish American Society of St. Petersburg hosts its grand reopening after significant hurricane damage on Sunday, 2 p.m. Entry is free. There will be polka music and a cash bar.