Looking for fun family and kid-friendly activities this weekend in and around St. Petersburg, Florida? We’ve got you covered with this curated local guide.
This list is brought to you by @sunshinecitywithkids. Events Beyond the Burg are made possible by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.
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Check back each Wednesday for updates, and be sure to submit your events to our calendar. Looking for more? Check out our full weekend events roundup. Find the best kid-friendly restaurants in St. Pete here.
Family and Kid-Friendly Events This Weekend: May 15-May 17
What:Sharkapalooza 2026
When: Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Coachman Park, Clearwater
Coachman Park in Clearwater goes full ocean for a free, family-friendly festival dedicated to sharks, marine conservation, and coastal art, with ocean-inspired vendors, interactive educational exhibits from marine experts and conservation nonprofits, a kids zone, live entertainment, and a raffle benefiting ocean protection efforts. Few causes benefit more from a well-organized community festival than shark conservation, and Sharkapalooza has figured out that leading with art, music, and hands-on activities for kids is a considerably more effective recruitment strategy than leading with statistics.
What: Wolves: Photography by Ronan Donovan — Family Day
When: Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: The James Museum, St. Pete
A decade of National Geographic fieldwork comes to the James Museum as photographer Ronan Donovan’s stunning images and videos of wild wolves from Yellowstone and Canada’s Ellesmere Island explore the complicated, often misunderstood relationship between wolves and the humans who share their landscapes.
What: Painting in the Park 2026
When: Saturday, May 16 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Pete
Families, friends, and art lovers of all ages are invited to spend the day exploring 20+ colorful, creative, messy, and marvelous art activities inspired by works from the museum’s collection. Activities are designed for everyone—from toddlers and teens to adults ready to rediscover their inner artist. Free for everyone!
What: Movies in the Park: A Night at the Museum
When: Saturday, May 16, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Where: Coquina Key Park, St. Pete
Coquina Key Park hosts a free community movie night screening A Night at the Museum under the stars, with Lazy Crave Ice Cream and 2 Chic’s Chili Food Truck on site and plenty of lawn space for blankets and chairs. Arrive between 7 and 8 p.m. to claim your spot before dusk, and consider that watching a movie about a museum coming to life outdoors at night is either a very deliberate programming choice or a genuinely happy coincidence.
What:St. Pete Italian Fest
When: Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: Vinoy Park, St. Pete
Vinoy Park’s scenic waterfront becomes an Italian marketplace for a full day of pasta, pizza, pastries, espresso, live music, a cannoli eating contest, bocce ball, grape stomping, and an artisan vendor marketplace, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Gulfport Senior Center. General admission starts at $10 in advance and climbs to $20 at the gate, while a $55 VIP Tasting Tent option exists for anyone who considers a private shaded setting and curated tastings the correct way to approach eight hours of Italian food and friendly chaos by the water.
What: Marlins vs. Tampa Bay Rays
When: All Weekend, May 15-17, Various Times
Where: Tropicana Field, St. Pete
The Rays host the Miami Marlins at Tropicana Field for a three-game weekend series, with first pitches set for 7:10 p.m. Friday, 4:10 p.m. Saturday, and 12:15 p.m. Sunday. Three games against an intrastate rival, three chances to make things uncomfortable for a Florida team that had the audacity to show up on the wrong coast.
Looking for more? Check out our full weekend events roundup, and follow @sunshinecitywithkids on Instagram and TikTok for even more family-friendly content!
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