The third annual SHINE Mural Festival returns to downtown St. Petersburg Oct. 5-14.

The festival showcases local and international artists whose murals are designed to unite, revitalize and challenge the community using the power of art. Attendees follow maps to discover more than 35 murals by renowned artists such as Los Angeles-based Cryptik and Australian Sam Yong. Also, a bike tour, “Tour De Shine,” is returning, with dates to be posted online soon.

The opening party, “Dream Big. Be Big,” is Oct. 7 at Childs Park Recreation Center and benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters and Florida Dream Center.

– Sarah Bounaim, B2 Communications

Grab a picnic blanket and cross your fingers for a fall breeze because St. Petersburg Preservation’s annual “Movies in the Park” series is almost here. Bring the family, a date or your dog to North Straub Park every Thursday in October for a free flick in the open air.

The lineup:

Oct. 5 – “Mamma Mia!”

Oct. 12 – “Some Like It Hot”

Oct. 19 – “Spaceballs”

Oct. 26 – “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”

Food and drink vendors are on-site if you don’t feel like packing anything. Local bands kick off the night at 6 p.m., with the film at dark.

— Tyler Killette, B2 Communications

Tampa Bay Fashion Week, which runs Oct. 4-7, is celebrating its 10^th anniversary.

The main runway show, on Oct. 6, features a mix of local and regional designers at International Plaza such as Elizabeth Carson Racker Design, Banana Republic and Ohlendorf Atelier.

Proceeds benefit My FairyGodfathers Foundation, a nonprofit that inspires confidence in girls and women who’ve faced adversity. The foundation has partnered with a number of philanthropic organizations in the past, including PACE Center for Girls and Dress for Success.

Visit their website for details about other events, including a service day at the Glazer Children’s Museum.

– Olivia Kresic, B2 Communications

I grew up religiously reading and watching the “Harry Potter” series, so I was quick to jump at the chance to relive the first movie on the big screen. But it comes with a twist.

As “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” plays on a giant screen at the Straz Center, The Florida Orchestra will perform John Williams’ score in real time. Performances run Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.

Also coming up at the Straz: a concert featuring music from “Star Trek” and “Star Wars” Feb. 9-11. It’s billed as the ultimate musical showdown between Trekkies and The Force.

– Alana Siceloff, B2 Communications

The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance organizes the monthly Second Saturday ArtWalk street festival to showcase new works of art around the ‘Burg.

This festive tradition began nearly 20 years ago with the Downtown Arts Association. Today, the ArtWalk includes more than 40 galleries and studios. Free ArtWalk trolleys were added in 2012 to shuttle visitors to all of St. Pete’s five art districts: Waterfront Arts District, Central Arts District, Edge District, Grand Central District and Warehouse Arts District.

This month’s ArtWalk is from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 12, rain or shine. The trolley comes about every 30 minutes.

– Olivia Kresic, B2 Communications

The United Nations Association of Tampa Bay is hosting an event to raise awareness of gender equality and women’s empowerment called UNIFIED.

UNIFIED is an interactive, live-art fundraiser that includes a panel discussion with local leaders on how to collectively drive tangible change in gender equality. The panelists include Lorna Taylor of Premier Eye Care and Beth Houghton of St. Petersburg Free Clinic.

The July 27 event at the Morean Center for Clay will showcase local and international artists. Proceeds from a live auction will benefit CASA.

Tickets are $100 each; or $90 for groups of five or more.

– Olivia Kresic, B2 Communications

Celebrate diversity with the many St. Pete Pride events, like a concert or special beer tasting, June 21-25.

The main event, the St. Pete Pride Celebration and Parade, takes place Saturday, June 25. It moves to a downtown route along Bayshore Drive this year, but it still promises as many sequins, beads and feathers as years past. Attend for free, or pay to get a better view from the Bleachers at Straub or The Glamstands.

Cap the fun with live entertainment and LGBTQ+ friendly exhibitors at the St. Pete Pride Street Festival in the Grand Central District on Sunday.

– Alina Hall, B2 Communications

The Beer Project is back!

The annual event, held on June 9 this year, showcases a variety of local brews inspired by works at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg.

Fifteen local independent brewing companies are taking part, including Flying Boat Brewing Co., Big Storm Brewing Co. and Cigar City Cider & Mead.

Attendees can view galleries and sample exclusive Florida-themed beer in celebration of the upcoming Skyway exhibit, which celebrates local art made in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.

Tickets are $75; or $30 for designated drivers. Proceeds help preserve the art in the museum’s collection.

– Alina Hall, B2 Communications

The Tampa Bay Margarita Festival is back and promising to be better than ever.

The fifth anual event at Curtis Hixon Park on Saturday, May 27 features Barenaked Ladies as the headliner and a host of new signature drink flavors.

Last year’s event was hot and the margarita lines were long. This year organizers plan to double the number of bartenders and revamp the payment system to get the lines moving. They also announced new “cool zones” to help people beat the heat with misters.

Tickets range from $25 to $3,000 for a private, all-inclusive cabana for 10.

– Alina Hall, B2 Communications

It’s May and that means Thursday Movies in the Park are back at St. Petersburg’s North Straub Park.

The evenings feature live music, classic movies and local food vendors along the waterfront. Blankets and low seating are encouraged. Hosted by St. Petersburg Preservation, the events begin at 7 p.m. and are free, but donations are accepted.

Catch a screening of the popular film “The Princess Bride” on May 11, with music by guitar-and-violin duo Jeff and JJ Pattishall. “Footloose” is on tap the following week with an opening performance by acoustic folk group The Joe Milligan Project.

– Alina Hall, B2 Communications

Many of the nonprofits participating in Give Day are hosting special events on May 2. Some highlights:

– Join NOMAD Art Bus, Boards for Bros, Bess the Book Bus and others for art, music and more at caravan stops throughout the area. Paint and skateboard from 4:30-6 p.m. at St. Petersburg’s Campbell Park, then join the wrap party at the Skatepark of Tampa.

– Donate to High Risk Hope to receive a $25 voucher for Hyde Park Village, which is also hosting events throughout the day.

– Visit a BurgerMonger location to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.

– Wilma Norton, Community Foundation of Tampa Bay

Established in 1997, Festa Italiana Weekend celebrates the rich Italian culture and heritage in Tampa. The Italian Club of Tampa (L’Unione Italiana) hosts the annual multi-day festival April 6-9 at the Italian Club and Centennial Park in Ybor City.

Festa Italiana offers bocce tournaments, wine tastings and a talent show, but it culminates Sunday, April 9, with Tampa Bay restaurateurs serving up Italian dishes and tastings along with musical performances and entertainment for children and adults.

Sunday’s festivities take place from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Ticket prices range from $5 in advance to $75 VIP packages.

– Alana Siceloff, B2 Communications

While St. Petersburg’s pride parade is more well-known, Tampa has a long history of inclusiveness through its GaYbor district in Ybor City. Befitting this tradition, the third annual Tampa Pride Parade will be held in Ybor City on March 25.

Ybor City has been home to gay bars and drag shows since the early ’80s, and in 2015, Gayborhood.com placed Ybor City in the Top 10 Best Gay Travel Destinations in the United States.

The parade travels down Seventh Avenue, starting at 1 p.m., after a tribute to the Orlando Pulse victims in front of Centro Ybor.

– Katie Wilcox, B2 Communications

The Florida Strawberry Festival, named one of Top 40 Fairs in North America, returns to Plant City March 2-12. It began in 1930 to celebrate Plant City’s bountiful strawberry harvest, and today, visitors can enjoy strawberries prepared in every way imaginable – from traditional strawberry shortcake to strawberry pizza.

The festival’s family-friendly attractions include carnival rides, art exhibits and livestock shows. See the daily concert series with stars like Willie Nelson, The Blues Brothers, Patti LaBelle, Rascal Flatts and more.

Festival tickets start at $10 for adults. Spots in the grandstand seating for concerts are included with festival admission.

– Alana Siceloff, B2 Communications

The Valspar Championship returns to Tampa Bay this year March 9-12 at the Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor.

The tournament is a big deal in the golf world with 144 PGA Tour golfers vying for top position, but it also benefits several local charities. Last year, more than $2 million was raised.

Country music singer Toby Keith will headline the Valspar LIVE! Concert after play on Saturday evening, and admission to the show is free to ticket holders on that day.

Single day tickets range from $39-$50; kids 15 and under are free with a paid adult.

– Alana Siceloff, B2 Communications

The Knight Parade, hosted by the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago, is the largest illuminated parade in the southeast. Its history dates back to the 1970s.

Thousands of participants from Tampa Bay area krewes join the Knights each year. This year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take top billing as the grand marshal, along with special guest The Glazer Family Foundation.

The parade rolls down Ybor City’s Seventh Avenue starting at 7 p.m. on Feb. 11. Revelers should arrive early to get a good spot along the route as they fill up fast, or purchase bleacher seats online.

– Katie Wilcox, B2 Communications

For over 100 years, Tampa has prepared to face the “threat” of the legendary José Gaspar during the annual Gasparilla Invasion. On 11:30 a.m. Jan. 28, 500+ pirates will swarm Tampa’s waters to “take the city” aboard the Jose Gasparilla, pirated by the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.

When the ship docks at the Tampa Convention Center, Tampa’s mayor will surrender the “Key to the City” to the pirates, who then take to the city to celebrate their plunder in the Parade of Pirates.

The 2 p.m. parade features over 90 floats, 50 pirate krewes, and 350,000 expected attendees.

– Katie Wilcox, B2 Communications

The College Football Playoff National Championship will make its debut in Tampa at Raymond James Stadium at 8 p.m. Jan. 9. The championship is expected to bring more visitors and more money to the Tampa Bay area than the 2012 Republican National Convention.

Other interesting facts:

– The 35-pound trophy is handmade, standing 26.5 inches tall and constructed from 24-karat gold, bronze and stainless steel.

– This year marks the first outdoor site for the championship.

– The game site is determined through a bidding system, much like the Super Bowl, and is booked through 2020. Next up – Atlanta.

– Alana Siceloff, B2 Communications

Tampa Pig Jig started six years ago as an intimate backyard barbecue competition among friends. Today, it’s one of Tampa’s signature events with more than 7,000 barbecue and music fans converging at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.

To date, Pig Jig has raised more than $1M for NephCure Kidney International, a nonprofit committed to finding a cure for two debilitating kidney diseases – FSGS (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis) and nephrotic syndrome.

Rock band O.A.R. headlines this year’s event on Saturday, Oct. 22. For $40, enjoy live music and games while 50 amateur barbecue teams battle for awards and bragging rights.

– Laura Fontanills, B2 Communications