7 Cheap Things To Do In Tampa Bay This Weekend

TAMPA, FL — Finding new and interesting things to do over the weekend can be tough. Finding things to do on a budget can be even tougher. Fortunately, Patch has you covered!

Here’s a roundup of ideas from across Tampa Bay of free or cheap activities you might want to check out the weekend of July 21-23:

Catch A Movie On The Green

If catching a free flick in a park sounds like a plan, head down to Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa. As part of an ongoing event at the Glazer Children’s Museum, there’s a free showing of “Iron Giant” planned at the park starting at 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 21. To find out more, check out the event’s listing on Visit Tampa Bay.

Go Gaga Over Legos

The Art of Brick continues in Tampa at no cost to the public this weekend. The exhibit includes more than 100 works of art crafted from Legos. The display was brought to the region at no charge to viewers courtesy of the Vinik Family Foundation. The exhibit is open for viewing at 802 E. Whiting St. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each Wednesday through Saturday through Sept. 4. For more information, check out this related story.

Check Out A Classic Comedy

Mel Brook’s classic “Young Frankenstein” is getting some screen time at the Tampa Theatre this Sunday, July 23 at 3 p.m. While tickets to check out the 1974 classic will set you back $10, the laughs should be worth it. Doors for the show open at the 711 N. Franklin St. theater at 2 p.m. For more information, visit the Tampa Theatre online.

Spit Some Watermelon Seeds

If you don’t mind a bit of a drive to Polk City, July 22 is the date for the big Watermelon Festival. The event takes place at Freedom Park at 100 Berkley Road from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Featuring music, food, games, crafts and more, the event is intended to offer good, clean fun. Watermelon eating, carving spitting and other contests are also planned. To find out more, visit the event’s website.

Celebrate Christmas In July

St. Petersburg’s Sundial is pulling out all the stops for a Christmas in July celebration July 21-22. While you may want some cash along to take part in “holiday sales” at the 153 Second Ave. N. venue, the event is free to attend. The folks at the Sundial have it on good authority that Santa may just show up in his beach finest while the forecast calls for snow. The fun takes place during normal operational hours both days. To find out more, visit the Sundial online.

Watch The Sunset

If you haven’t checked out the nightly Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival on Clearwater Beach, this event can go easy on your wallet if you let it. The daily festival runs from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Clearwater Beach’s Pier 60. Beyond the sunsets, the party include crafts, arts, street performers and other attractions. Find out more on the Sunsets at Pier 60 website.

Wish Snooty Happy Birthday

Bradenton’s celebrity manatee Snooty turns 69 on Friday. To celebrate, the folks at the South Florida Museum are throwing the famous critter a bash. The party takes place July 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 201 10th St. W. museum. While the outdoor party is free, museum and aquarium entry does come at a price. In honor of Snooty’s birthday, however, tickets are half off. For more information, check out this related story.

For other events in and around Tampa Bay, be sure to check out your local Patch’s calendar. If you’re an event organizer and need to get your celebration listed, check out this story for information on how to get started.

Photo courtesy of Eckley Media