Pup Speed Dating, Highland Games, Chinese New Year: FL Weekend Events

TAMPA BAY, FL — Looking for something fun to do this weekend? There’s something for every interest from Highland Games to a pup-filled sped-dating event to a farm-to-table brewery dinner to a Hispanic heritage festival.

Sarasota Highland Games & Celtic Festival

The Suncoast Scots present their second annual celebration of Scottish and Celtic heritage Friday and Saturday at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. The festival includes piping and drumming, athletics, live music, vendors, food, and more.

Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium

This traveling show filled with circus acts, including live acrobats, and comedy comes to the Sarasota Fairgrounds through Sunday. Get there early to check out the themed beverages served in Dr. Elixir’s Drink-Ory Garden.

Sarasota Opera Gala: “A Night in Seville”

Take a special journey to Seville in this season’s opening gala on Friday, 6 p.m., at The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, and be immersed in Spain’s beauty, culture, and vibe with all the splendor of the region’s cuisine, wine, and flamenco music.

Historic Kenwood Bungalowfest

This architectural home tour, rescheduled due to hurricanes, showcases the homes and additional dwelling units (ADUs) of St. Petersburg’s Historic Kenwood neighborhood on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. The tour will highlight Craftsman Bungalows, Frame Vernacular, Prairie, Mid-Century, Modern homes and more with a special glimpse into spaces beyond the bungalow.

Viva Tampa Hispanic Heritage Festival

This festival returns to Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11 a.m., with celebrity entertainment, culinary delights and interactive family-friendly fun.

Chinese New Year 2025

The Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans celebrates the Year of the Snake on Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Tampa Water Works Park. There will be authentic cuisine, traditional music and cultural performances.

Plenty of Paws Dog Speed Dating & Adoption Event

The Clay Center of St. Petersburg hosts this speed-dating event featuring five local dog rescue organizations and their cute pups on Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Love Your Library Fundraiser

This library fundraiser featuring the Florida Jazz Express celebrates romantic music from Broadway, movies and beyond on Saturday, 2 p.m., at the Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center in Odessa. There will also be a silent auction.

Farm-to-Brewery Dinner

15th Street Farm, a nonprofit urban educational farm, is teaming up with Grand Central Brewhouse in St. Petersburg for a three-course beer dinner at 5 p.m. following a farm tasting tour at 1 p.m.

Fit City 5K + 1-Mile Walk: Glow in the Park

Healthy St. Pete presents this all-ages race on Saturday, 5 p.m., at Vinoy Park. There will be glow games, live music, health-focused vendors and a glowing race route.

Brave Hearts: A Community Event Against Bullying

Nonprofit groups Wee Macree and IAmMore Foundation presents an afternoon filled with empowering activities designed by medical and education professionals, alongside the powerful voices of Mayor Jane Castor and MLB World Series star Nick Swisher on Sunday, 1 to 4:30 p.m., at Tampa City Center. There will be entertainment, prizes, and free resources for children and parents.