And off they go, all fancied up, their bikes decorated with feathered boas and flowers. This global event has evolved into a big movement promoting women’s visibility and personality. Photos by Carole Devillers

Presented by TT Art Collective at Curtis Hixon Park for Fourth Friday, muralist artist and former NFL player Aaron Evans works on a painting representing his brand “King-Frog” to be on display in IKE Smart City kiosks in Tampa. Photos by Carole Devillers

Friends enjoy the casual and relaxed atmosphere of Sparkman Wharf on the Fourth Friday of August. Photos by Carole Devillers

A spiffy couple makes their way to one of the Fourth Friday cultural venues. Photos by Carole Devillers

Walking the Tampa Riverwalk is a great choice to connect to the participating venues while enjoying the colorful lighting display on the architecture. Photos by Carole Devillers

Fourth Friday, the monthly arts & culture crawl in Tampa’s downtown, resumed on Aug. 27th, attracting visitors with free live music and food and drink specials. Photos by Carole Devillers

Singer artist and emcee/producer Jinx, a Tampa native, performs with his wife Shelby Sol and their band, on the Straz Center’s Riverwalk stage during a free outdoor concert for Fourth Friday. Photos by Carole Devillers

Artist Crystaline Rojas of A Splash Of Passion Art contributes to the event at Curtis Hixon Park by creating a new artwork. Photos by Carole Devillers

As a "Sip & Stroll" Fourth Friday venue, Sparkman Wharf is a popular destination. Alcoholic consumption is allowed when purchased from participating vendors. Photos by Carole Devillers

A beautifully detailed mural depicting Tampa’s past and present maritime history adorns one side of Maven Designs building in the Channel District. Photos by Carole Devillers

Tampa

Tampa is on the verge of achieving many long-planned ambitions. Downtown and waterfront developments, the expansion of the city's port and airport, a planned and a substantial increase in research and academic activities at the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa and Hillsborough Community College fuel its progress.

Feature Story

An aerial view of the Midtown East office tower in January 2025

10 projects to watch in (the rest of) 2025 (and beyond)

Christopher CurryWednesday, March 5, 2025

For Good

During Ramadan, Dates, a Middle Eastern fruit, are often the first food item eaten along with water to break the fast.

Muslims celebrate holy month of Ramadan

Kiran Malik-KhanFriday, February 28, 2025

For Good

Director Vanessa Cerallo and the professional Flamenco dance troupe Alma Y Fuego perform at the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce 78th Fiesta Day.

Photo story: 78th Ybor Fiesta Day

Kimberly DeFalcoWednesday, February 26, 2025

For Good

To wrap up Black History Month, USF scholar Julie Buckner Armstrong discusses Florida's Black literary history.

USF scholar explores Florida's Black literary history

Kiran Malik-KhanWednesday, February 26, 2025

For Good

Hillsborough County Department of Aging Services dietitian Brian Taylor serves up meals for the county's seniors and healthy eating advice for all ages.

Hillsborough County Aging Services dietitian serves up healthy eating advice for all ages

Philip MorganWednesday, February 26, 2025

Feature Story

The UACDC plans to use an EPA grant for community revitalization projects like the future Economic Development Center at its Cultural Campus

In North Tampa's University Area, EPA grant is potential "game changer"

Joshua McMorrow-HernandezWednesday, February 26, 2025

Feature Story

Masthead gallery: West Tampa Black History walking tour

Carole DevillersWednesday, February 26, 2025

For Good

"Invisible Immigrants" tells the story of Spanish immigrants like Prudencio “Pete” García, who arrived in St. Louis, Missouri from Asturias, Spain in 1907 and became a prominent figure in the city’s Spanish immigrant community.

"Invisible Immigrants" exhibit on Spanish emigration making U.S. debut at Tampa Bay History Center

Philip MorganWednesday, February 19, 2025

Innovation News

Entrepreneur and fashion designer Saher Jawad's Lutz-based Pakistani clothing boutique Eastern Clozet has built a large and loyal customer base while celebrating Pakistan's fashion and culture.

Pakistani boutique making waves in Tampa Bay

Kiran Malik-KhanWednesday, February 19, 2025

Feature Story

Hillsborough County Public Schools district literacy coach Kaitlin Powers Behn says "students are thriving" with the UFLI Foundations method of teaching reading.

Hillsborough schools, community nonprofits innovate to improve childhood literacy

Philip MorganWednesday, February 19, 2025

For Good

Amanda Gabaldon’s “mania variations,” is one of four upcoming Tampa Bay art projects receiving support from the Gobioff Foundation microgrant program

Gobioff Foundation microgrants support Tampa Bay artists' projects

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

For Good

Thanks to a community fundraising effort, "When the Righteous Triumph," a play depicting Tampa's civil rights lunch counter sit-ins, returns to the stage in March for a limited run at the Straz Center's Jaeb Theatre.

"When the Righteous Triumph": Story of Tampa's lunch counter sit-ins returns to stage in March

Philip MorganWednesday, February 5, 2025

Feature Story

Dancer Annelise Bond performs at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Dance Rising Tampa Bay's first film "Tampa Iconic."

Dance Rising Tampa Bay's "The Power of Water" spotlights area's dance talent, precious waterways

Deborah Bostock-KelleyWednesday, February 5, 2025

Feature Story

HCC Art Galleries second "Now on View" festival features artists like Emma Quintana, who created this installation for the inaugural festival last year.

February arts: HCC "Now on View" festival, Black History Month events

Christopher CurryWednesday, February 5, 2025

For Good

The Krewe of the Knights of Sant' Yago's Illuminated Knight Parade down Ybor City's Seventh Avenue is a celebration with a purpose, helping Latino and economically underprivileged students pay for college.

Krewe of Sant' Yago Knight Parade: A night for beads and bachelor's degrees

Tashie TierneyTuesday, February 4, 2025

For Good

Success 4 Kids & Families is now part of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, a merger intended to ensure the long-term growth of behavioral and emotional counseling programs for children, teens, and young adults

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay adds Success 4 Kids & Families

Philip MorganWednesday, January 29, 2025

Development News

Blind Tiger Cafe's Roberto Torres has built a successful business and helped build a stronger community.

Blind Tiger's Roberto Torres: Building Tampa’s future with coffee, community, and creativity

Allison KoehlerWednesday, January 29, 2025

Development News

On his popular Tampa Bay Developer podcast, fifth-generation Tampanian Garrett Greco talks Tampa history, growth, and culture with the city's movers and shakers.

Podcasts and properties: Garrett Greco talks all things Tampa development

Kiran Malik-KhanWednesday, January 29, 2025

Partner Content

Artist Anthony Freese's mural at Roland Park K-8 is part of a community-focused public art initiative in Tampa's Westshore District.

Westshore District cultivates community, creativity with public art

Christopher CurryWednesday, January 29, 2025

For Good

Filmmaker and USF affiliate faculty Tamara Nemirovsky's award-winning documentary "Second Chances" follows four people's journey through homelessness, addiction, and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Second Chances:" USF faculty's award-winning documentary on addiction, recovery

Deborah Bostock-KelleyTuesday, January 28, 2025

Load More Stories

Tampa Highlights

Downtown Dwellers: Raising urban kids in Tampa Read Article

For Downtown Tampa families with young children, the neighborhood isn’t an urban jungle. It’s an urban jungle gym.

Photo: Lauren, Hudson, and Bryan Durkin pick up a popsicle at Duckweed Urban Market in downtown Tampa. by Amber Sigman

1 Million Cups: Meet local doers tackling opportunities in the global marketplace Read Article

Pitch your business concept and get constructive criticism among friends and neighbors at 1 Million Cups Tampa.

Photo: (L-R) Maria Gibbs, Scott Hutterman, Dr., Loren Murfield, and Jared Kohn at 1 Million Cups in Tampa. by Amber Sigman

Q&A: Ashly Anderson and Shaun Drinkard, Tampa Downtown Partnership Read Article

When President and CEO Christine Burdick retires from her post at the Tampa Downtown Partnership, she will leave behind a team of creative thought leaders working to enhance the city's urban scene. Meet two key team members.

Photo: Ashly Anderson, senior design manager for Downtown Tampa Partnership by Amber Sigman

Transformational change underway in North Hyde Park, West Tampa Read Article

The diversity of apartments, restaurants and shops in North Hyde Park is particularly attractive to young professionals and college students looking for an affordable neighborhood near downtown.

Photo: (L-R) James Rue and Gian Carlos Birriel co-own Raw Smoothie Co. Photo by Julie Branaman

Channel District grows along waterfront in Tampa Read Article

Looking across the horizon of downtown Tampa, what do you see? Construction cranes hovering over the Channel District as apartments, hotels and new shops emerge to create a walkable urban community.

Photo by Julie Branaman

Tampa Hackerspace provides a place to tinker Read Article

Tampa Hackerspace is helping to fuel Tampa Bay’s creative instincts, facilitating experimentation and collaboration with shared tools and space.

Photo: Mabel the T-Rex sculpted by J. Kent at Tampa Hackerspace. by Amber Sigman

Moving to downtown Tampa: Smart Lab brings innovative view Read Article

Suffolk’s Smart Lab featuring 3D virtual reality opens in the Channel District near Tampa Bay WaVE and Water Street Tampa, joining the Tampa Bay Area's growing innovation ecosystem.

Photo: USF’s new building rises a short distance from Channelside. Cheryl Rogers

Urban Stimuli: Meet CW a.k.a. Carolyn Wilson Read Article

Beyond her eponymous Gin Joint in downtown Tampa, Developer Carolyn Wilson is doing (and will continue to do) what she does best: Flex eternal good taste.

Photo: Carolyn Wilson or CW, owner and designer at CW's Gin Joint in downtown Tampa, wins the 2018 Private Sector Award. Amber Sigman

Commuter Challenge: Going carless in Tampa Read Article

Getting to work isn't easy for most of us using Tampa streets and Hillsborough County roads. So spend a week using alternative transportation and see what happens.

Photo: Tampa bicycle commuters Karen Kress, Alana Brasier, and Justin Willits. Photo provided by Karen Kress

Tampa Bay WaVE: Diversity highlights latest tech cohort Read Article

A diverse group of entrepreneurs completes its formal program with Demo Day at Tampa Bay WaVE, a nonprofit tech accelerator in downtown Tampa.

Photo: Jonathan Truong, co-founder of Verapy, a start-up at Tampa Bay Wave's Accelerator Build program. by Amber Sigman

Urban Stimuli: Armature Works, Tampa Heights Read Article

This is really Tampa: Armature Works will evolve how you think about Tampa Heights and the urban core.

Photo: A duo studies and reads at Union Coffee and Tea in Armature Works. Amber Sigman

What's next for Florida: Sam Gibbons, Tampa Read Article

When it comes to transportation, the goal must to be find equilibrium between what is socially, economically, and environmentally just for all people.

Photo: The Smart Mobility Division, created in early 2018, will oversee Tampa's $40 million transit system upgrade. Diane Egner

Tampa Bay Area thought leaders share what they anticipate most in 2018 Read Article

Find out what's on the minds of local thought leaders at the start of the new year, and what it could mean for you.

Photo: Tampa thought leaders

A typical day along the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. Diane Egner

The new smart car pilot program launched by Florida DOT, HART, and BEEP of Orlando gives driverless rides along the Tampa Riverwalk and in Tampa Heights. Courtesy of HART

The Tampa Museum of Art is celebrating its centennial year with special exhibits and events. Photos by Kimberly DeFalco

Alexsandra Wolfe runs Pure-Sipity, a company combatting date rape. Courtesy of Alexsandra Wolfe

Zarra Elias and her family enjoying The Tampa Riverwalk.

A still clip from the documentary Tampa Beer: Crafting the Bay. Courtesy of Tampa Theatre

Elementary school kids color during the after-school program. Amber Sigman

Approximately the size of a shipping container, WaterCube TM is portable and can provide up to 10 million gallons of water daily without access to any water supply. Courtesy of Genesis Systems, LLC