The Tampa Bay region is set for a record-breaking Spring Break season, and multiple major events in the Sunshine City are drawing thousands to our downtown area.

Localtopia, a celebrated all local shopping event featuring well over 200 St. Pete- and Pinellas County-based businesses, was the first of three weekends of major activity in the ‘Burg. While no official attendance numbers were released, the crowds at Localtopia around Williams Park were monumental. Several vendors we spoke had record days, selling out of food, merch, and even handing out all educational pamphlets they had stocked up on.

Localtopia and Grand Prix provide boost for small businesses

Two weeks later the Grand Prix was in town and may have held its biggest event ever. Bon Jovi was in attendance, along with David Letterman. Poison frontman Bret Michaels performed live and hundreds of thousands of visitors packed our waterfront area to experience the action in person.

In 2023, an economic impact study indicated the three-day event infused $61 million into the local economy.

This coming weekend, March 14-17, Reggae Riseup could have an attendance of 15,000+ visitors per day over the course of the weekend at Vinoy Park. Headliners include big-name acts such as Lupe Fiasco, Damian and Stephen Marley, Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, and Soja. 

Reggae Riseup and Paddy Fest electrify downtown St. Pete

Last year’s festival created an estimated $22 million in economic impact for the city, which you can read about here, and that number is only expected to grow.

March 16 and 17 will also include the new downtown tradition Paddy Fest at Williams Park. Organizers have doubled down and opened the party up to everyone. In addition to all the food and drink, there will be kid’s game areas, the massive Modern Shore Kids Zone with tons of inflatables and special appearances by local mascots.

The entire weekend is a celebration of all things Celtic, complete with tons of Irish food (corned beef, anyone?), Irish whiskey and beer, and live Irish music, including multiple sets from the world champion Dunedin Pipe Band.

If we look further back (to January) the WWE Royal Rumble brought nearly 50,000 eager attendees to Tropicana Field. Those visitors explored the city, stayed at local hotels, and flocked to nearby restaurants and bars before and after the major spectacle.