Find below quick bites of news from around the city of St. Pete and the greater Tampa Bay area. Coverage includes restaurant openings, big city news, food festivals, community events, local accolades, and more. Have a news tip? Send it to info@ilovetheburg.com.

20 years of Schakolad Chocolate Factory in St. Pete

The chocolatiers on the 400 block of Central Avenue are celebrating their 20 year anniversary as Tampa Bay’s oldest chocolate house. Come tour the factory, enjoy their world famous chocolate coffees, imported French pastries and, of course, their fine, gourmet chocolates. The ribbon cutting celebration takes place October 10 from 10am-11am at 401 Central Avenue.

I Like it Hot! Pepper Festival returns to Largo

The “I Like It HOT!” festival is celebrating its 24th anniversary with a fiery lineup that promises to be one of the hottest events of the season. It takes place September 14-15 at the Largo Event Center (6264 126th Ave N). This spicy food show brings together specialty exhibitors offering unique sauces, salsas, seasonings, rubs, plants, food products, gadgets, kitchenware, and more. Visitors can sample hundreds of items, from mild to wild, while enjoying food trucks and dynamic demonstrations.

Festival highlights include popular contests like the Extreme Lolli Lick-A-Thon, the jalapeno pepper eating challenge, and a favorite vendor competition. Amateurs can showcase their skills in BBQ, hot sauce, and salsa categories, with fierce competition for top honors. The event is pet and family-friendly, with free admission and parking for all attendees. More details available online.

Code Wiz opens in St. Pete

The grand opening of St. Pete’s first Code Wiz is set for September 14 from 10am-1pm at 956 62nd Ave N. The festivities will include vendors, a raffle with prizes, and tons of coding adventures. Code Wiz is a top-rated coding and robotics school for kids ages 7 – 17. Grand opening info can be found here. Visit Code Wiz’s website for info on programs they offer for kids and teens in Pinellas County.

Sunset Cruise around Egmont Key

Join Take MAR and Hubbard’s Marina for a memorable sunset cruise around Egmont Key on October 18 from 6pm-8pm, where you’ll connect with Egmont Key Alliance members, supporters, and friends. Enjoy refreshments and music as you watch the sun dip below the Gulf of Mexico’s horizon. Your ticket includes a 1-year membership to the Egmont Key Alliance, giving you access to all the perks of membership, including monthly trips out to the island. In partnership with Hubbard’s Marina, this event promises to be a delightful mix of camaraderie, stunning views, and environmental awareness.

Location: Ft. DeSoto Bay Fishing Pier – Egmont Key, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, FL. Click here to reserve your spot.

The Greek Market, a new 4th Street treasure

Greek Market is a store full of delicious European food and products. “In our store, we sell fresh Feta Cheese, Spinach Pies, Baklava, Olives, and much more,” write the owners. Visit it at 6835 4th St N.

Second Screen Cinema takes over Green Light Cinema

Second Screen Cult Cinema and Green Light Cinema invite cinephiles to their “Spooky Season Selections,” a must-see series for the Halloween season. Save the dates for these special screenings:

• Thursday, September 19 at 7pm: Ed Wood (1994, Directed by Tim Burton)
• Thursday, October 17 at 7pm: An American Werewolf in London (1981, Directed by John Landis)

Bring your friends, grab some drinks and popcorn, and enjoy these one-night-only screenings with fellow film enthusiasts. Tickets are available online. Green Light Cinema is located at 221 2nd Ave N and tickets are available online.

Yo-Yo Ma performing with The Florida Orchestra in 2025

Legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma will join The Florida Orchestra for its gala benefit concert on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at 8 pm at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, the orchestra announced today. The 19-time Grammy Award winner will perform Dvorak’s beautiful, soul-stirring Cello Concerto in this one-night-only special event, conducted by Music Director Michael Francis. Tickets go on sale exclusively to orchestra subscribers on October 15.

For more on Yo-Yo Ma, click here.

Lida’s Jungle hosts Fall Evening Market

September 22 is the autumnal equinox- what better way to celebrate than to enjoy local makers, food and music? Lida’s Jungle will host a Fall Evening Market from 5pm-9pm. It’s free to attend, and select plants will be 50% off. Visit it at 3101 Dr. MLK Jr St N. See the event page for all the information.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event

The City of St. Petersburg’s Sanitation department invites residents to participate in a crucial community event aimed at the safe disposal of household hazardous waste. This event offers an opportunity for residents to responsibly dispose of items such as oil, antifreeze, household chemicals, lawn and garden products, mercury-containing devices, paint products, pool/spa chemicals, signal flares, and rechargeable batteries.

The event takes place on September 28 from 9am-2pm at 3200 34th Street South. More information here.

Sunday Market returns to St. Pete this October

Tampa Bay Markets monthly shopping event returns to St. Pete High on Sunday, October 6. It runs from 10am-2pm every Sunday from October through May. St. Pete High is located at 2501 5th Avenue North. Shop for flowers, ice cream, fresh produce, local art, gifts, soaps and so much more.

Info available on Facebook. See all of Tampa Bay Market’s events here.