St. Pete Beach saves some of its best local moments for the middle of October, when the evenings cool off and the island belongs to the people who live here. Between October 15 and October 23, the city hosts a free Friday night concert at Horan Park, the library throws a Saturday jigsaw puzzle race, Corey Avenue turns into a Maryland style crab feast the same afternoon, and the Corey Avenue Sunday Market rounds out the weekend. Here are four picks that show off the town at its friendliest, from the bayside park to the heart of the downtown district.
Free Concert in the Park at Horan Park
Why It Stands Out
Friday, October 16, from seven until nine in the evening, St. Pete Beach Resident Services brings its October Concert in the Park to Horan Park at 7701 Boca Ciega Drive. The TC and Sass Band takes the stage, St. Pete Beach Fire Rescue provides hot dogs and burgers, and proceeds from beer and wine sales benefit the Suntan Art Center. The concert is free.
Best For
Families, couples, and longtime residents who like to catch up with neighbors on a lawn chair. The city's own invitation asks you to bring your appetite, your singing voice, and your dancing shoes, and that is a fair summary of the evening.
Neighborhood Angle
Horan Park sits on the bay side of the island along Boca Ciega Drive, a quieter stretch of St. Pete Beach that many visitors never see. Bring chairs or a blanket, arrive a little early to find a spot on the grass, and enjoy the view of the water as the light fades. It is the same park the city uses for its holiday boat parade viewing party in December, so it is worth getting to know now.
Jigsaw Puzzle Race at the St. Pete Beach Public Library
Why It Stands Out
Saturday, October 17, from eleven in the morning until one in the afternoon, the St. Pete Beach Public Library at 365 73rd Avenue hosts a Jigsaw Puzzle Race. Teams of up to four players each get an identical 500 piece puzzle, and the first team to finish wins. It is a friendly bit of competition in one of the most welcoming rooms in town.
Best For
Families with older kids, groups of friends, and neighbors who already argue happily over the edge pieces at home. It is also a lovely way for new residents to see how active the library is.
Timing and Planning
The library's listing does not mention a fee or a sign up, so check spblibrary.com or stop by the front desk before Saturday to confirm. Pick your teammates ahead of time and agree on a strategy. The library is a short walk from Corey Avenue, so it pairs easily with the afternoon crab feast.
Crabs for a Cure on Corey Avenue
Why It Stands Out
Saturday, October 17, from one until eight in the evening, the third annual Crabs for a Cure takes over the Corey Avenue Business District. It is an all you can eat Maryland style blue crab feast with other Maryland favorites, live entertainment, raffles, and auctions, sponsored by the Corey Avenue Business Association. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. Tickets are eighty dollars through the event's own site, crabsforacure.com.
Best For
Seafood lovers, groups of friends, and anyone who wants to spend a long Saturday afternoon on the avenue. If you have never cracked a blue crab with a mallet, this is a cheerful place to learn.
Insider Tip
Come hungry and dress for a mess. Organizers encourage guests to make a day of it, so visit the shops, restaurants, and local businesses along Corey Avenue before or after you eat. The listing does not say whether tickets will be sold at the door, so buy ahead if you have your heart set on going.
Corey Avenue Sunday Market
Why It Stands Out
Sunday, October 18, from ten in the morning until two in the afternoon, the Corey Avenue Business Association and Florida Penguin Productions host the weekly Corey Avenue Sunday Market. Expect fresh produce, artisanal foods, baked goods, handmade crafts, unique gifts, and live music along one of the most walkable beach town streets in Tampa Bay. Admission is free.
Best For
Everyone. Locals stock up on produce and breakfast from the food trucks, and visitors get an easy introduction to downtown St. Pete Beach.
What to Expect
Around one hundred vendors set up each weekend, according to the regional visitors bureau. Parking is free on Sundays at the library, at City Hall, and on regular streets, and the Sun Runner, the Beach Trolley, and the FreeBee shuttle all serve the market. Bring a tote bag and plan to linger over coffee.
Event Q&A
Which event is best for families?
The Jigsaw Puzzle Race on Saturday morning is made for family teams, and the Sunday Market is easy with kids in tow. Little ones ages three and up can also join Play with Clay at the library on Tuesday, October 20 from four to five.
Which event feels most on-brand for a date night?
The Concert in the Park on Friday, October 16. Bring a blanket, grab a glass of wine that supports the Suntan Art Center, and dance on the grass by the bay. Dinner on Corey Avenue or along Gulf Boulevard afterward makes a full evening.
Which event is worth planning ahead for?
Crabs for a Cure, since it is the only ticketed pick of the week at eighty dollars a person. Buy tickets online ahead of time and gather your group early so you can share a table.
Which event gives the best sense of local community?
The Concert in the Park. It is put on by the city for its residents, the fire rescue crew handles the grill, and the drink proceeds go back to a local arts center. You will meet more neighbors in two hours than in a month of beach walks.
What else is happening around town?
The library hosts the A Novel Idea Book Club on Thursday, October 15 from two to three, the Sunny Days Retiree Wellness Expo on Monday, October 19 from eleven to two, and an Inclusive Art Hour with Creative Clay on Thursday, October 22 from ten to eleven, with all materials provided. Metaphysically Me at 401 Corey Avenue holds a crystal infused morning meditation on Wednesday, October 21 at ten for ten dollars, and Jimmy B's Beach Bar at 6200 Gulf Boulevard has live music every night.
What is coming right after the window?
The Corey Avenue Sunday Market returns on October 25, and the monthly Corey Ave Sip and Stroll follows on Friday, October 30 from five to eight in the evening, a relaxed way to end the month on the avenue.
