Tampa Bay residents and visitors are in for an eventful weekend as the area hosts several major attractions including Riverfest, Country Thunder music festival, and Kentucky Derby celebrations.
Riverfest returns to Tampa as a free two-day festival spanning the entire length of the Riverwalk this Friday and Saturday, May 2-3. The public event showcases Tampa’s cultural institutions, local musicians, and restaurants through various family-friendly activities. Festival highlights include Taste of Riverwalk on Friday night and Taco Fest on Saturday. Visitors can enjoy live music in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and witness a spectacular balloon glow at sunset on both nights. ThetampariverwalkThat\’s So Tampa More information is available at thetampariverwalk.com/events/riverfest.html.
Other Riverfest attractions include a wiener dog derby on Saturday starting at 11 a.m., a lantern parade Saturday at 8:30 p.m., yoga sessions, a water ski show, and a paddle invasion. This year’s headliner, Sister Hazel, will perform on Saturday night at Curtis Hixon Park. City of Tampa
Country music fans will flock to Raymond James Stadium for Country Thunder Florida all weekend from May 2-4. The festival kicks off with performances by Riley Green, Ella Langley, and Dillon Carmichael on Friday. Saturday will feature Blake Shelton, Jake Owen, and Chayce Beckham, while Sunday’s lineup includes Jelly Roll, Ashley McBryde, and Clint Black. Visittampabay + 2 Tickets and more information are available at countrythunder.com/florida.
For horse racing enthusiasts, Derby Day at Tampa Bay Downs offers the perfect venue to experience “the most exciting 2 minutes in sports.” The track will feature a live racing card followed by a simulcast of the 151st Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3. Eventbrite Tickets are available at eventbrite.com/e/kentucky-derby-day-2025-at-tampa-bay-downs-tickets-1083330894869. Another option is the Derby at the Pier celebration on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., which includes waterfront views, fashion contests, and festivities at Spa Beach Park on the St. Pete Pier.
Comedians Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura, along with country star Jelly Roll, are hosting the 2 Bears 5K at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, May 4. The event combines their comedy world with personal fitness goals discussed on their podcast “2 Bears, 1 Cave.” Participants receive shirts and medals, with a focus on the after-party featuring a DJ, food, and drinks. Tampa Bay Times + 2 Registration information can be found at 2bears5k.com.
Other notable events this weekend include the AMAZE magic show direct from London’s West End at the Straz Center’s Jaeb Theater, the Moving Day Tampa Bay supporting those affected by Parkinson’s disease at Al Lopez Park, and River Jam celebrating Temple Terrace’s 100th anniversary at Riverhills Park.
With so many events happening simultaneously, Tampa Bay residents have plenty of options to make the most of the first weekend in May.