Free things to do in Tampa

44 free things to do and get in Tampa and around the Tampa area, including 12 attractions, 9 entertainment, 8 classes & fitness.

Free account: save favorites and get the best picks every Thursday.Get my FreeBee list

Tomorrow 12 listings

AttractionsFree (worth about $10)

Florida Botanical Gardens: 150 acres of gardens, always free

Daily, 7am to sunset (closed the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)

Florida Botanical GardensLargo

Pinellas County's botanical garden in Largo covers 150 acres of formal gardens, scenic landscapes and native habitats. Admission is free and it's open daily from 7am to sunset. Leashed pets are welcome. Entrances on Ulmerton Road and Walsingham Road.

Verified Oct 27 · pinellas.gov

No catch

AttractionsFree (worth about $15)Happening now

USF Contemporary Art Museum: free Ellen Harvey retrospective

Mon–Fri 10am–5pm (Thu until 8pm), Sat 1–4pm; closed Sundays and USF holidays

USF Contemporary Art MuseumTampa

PICTURE(SQUE): Ellen Harvey Works, 1999–2025 fills USF's Contemporary Art Museum with four bodies of work, including The Disappointed Tourist (300-plus paintings of places that no longer exist) and a 100-foot painting of Florida. The exhibition and its events are free and open to all.

Verified Oct 27 · cam.usf.edu

No catch

ServicesFree (worth about $50)

Free SNAP and benefits application help at Feeding Tampa Bay

Mon & Fri 8:30am–5pm; Tue–Thu 8:30am–6pm

Feeding Tampa Bay Causeway Center

Feeding Tampa Bay navigators help you apply for SNAP (food stamps) and other benefits, free and confidential, walk-in or by appointment, at the Causeway Center in Tampa. They also connect people to food assistance, family services and financial assistance, and can help by phone in any language.

Verified Oct 27 · ftb.org

No catch

FoodFree (worth about $12)For people who qualify

Free three-course meal every day at Trinity Cafe in Tampa

Mon–Fri 11:30am–12:30pm; Sat–Sun 9–10am

Trinity Cafe NebraskaTampa

Feeding Tampa Bay's Trinity Cafe is a free, full-service restaurant for anyone who needs a meal, open 365 days a year. Walk in, no call needed: weekdays 11:30am–12:30pm, weekends 9–10am. Eat on-site or take a meal to go.

Verified Oct 27 · ftb.org

No catch

AttractionsFree (worth about $10)

Weedon Island Preserve: free trails, boardwalks and nature center

Preserve daily 7am–sunset; center Thu–Sat 9am–4pm, Sun 11am–4pm

Weedon Island PreserveSt. Petersburg

A 3,195-acre coastal preserve on Tampa Bay with boardwalks and trails, well known for birding and fishing, and a Cultural & Natural History Center with hands-on exhibits about the area's ecosystems and the Indigenous peoples who lived here for thousands of years. The preserve is open daily from 7am to sunset; the center is open Thursday to Saturday 9am–4pm and Sunday 11am–4pm. Guided hikes and birding tours run too.

Verified Oct 27 · weedonislandpreserve.org

No catch

AttractionsFree (worth about $8)

Brooker Creek Preserve: free trails and nature center in north Pinellas

Preserve daily 7am–sunset; center Thu–Sat 9am–4pm, Sun 11am–4pm

Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education CenterTampa

Pinellas County's largest natural area, about 8,700 acres of forested wetlands and pine flatwoods near Tarpon Springs, with boardwalks, hiking and horse trails and an Environmental Education Center with exhibits. Free admission (donations welcome). The preserve is open daily 7am to sunset; the center is open Thursday to Sunday.

Verified Oct 27 · brookercreekpreserve.org

No catch

Show 6 more tomorrow

This weekend 7 listings

AttractionsFree (worth about $10)

Heritage Village: free historic village and museum in Largo

Wed–Sat 10am–4pm; Sun 1–4pm

Heritage VillageLargo

Pinellas County's history park in Largo, with historic houses, a boat shop and exhibits you can explore on your own or with a guide. Free admission (donations welcome). Volunteers often demonstrate crafts on weekends, like blacksmithing at the old Homestead Forge.

Verified Oct 27 · heritagevillagefl.org

No catch

EntertainmentFree (worth about $10)

Largo Live: free live music every Friday at Horizon West Bay

Fridays, 7–11pm (dates listed Oct 30 – Dec 18; none Nov 27)

Horizon West BayLargo

Kick off the weekend with free live music on the new stage at Horizon West Bay in downtown Largo, Fridays from 7 to 11pm, with a rotating food truck. Bring blankets or chairs; leashed pets welcome. Free parking in the on-site garage, entering from 1st Avenue NW.

Verified Oct 27 · playlargo.com

No catch

Kids & familyFree (worth about $10)

Free blacksmithing demonstrations at Heritage Village

Select Saturdays, 10am–2pm

Heritage Village, Homestead ForgeLargo

Volunteer blacksmiths fire up the old Homestead Forge at Heritage Village on select Saturdays from 10am to 2pm, hand-forging traditional goods. The volunteer schedule can change, so call (727) 582-2123 to confirm a date. Admission to the village is free.

Verified Oct 27 · heritagevillagefl.org

No catch

Classes & fitnessFree (worth about $20)

How to Start Beekeeping: free class at the Lutz library

Sat, Nov 7, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Lutz Branch Library, Community RoomTampa

Learn the basics of starting your own hive, including equipment, hive setup, bee care and best practices, in a free adult class at the Lutz Branch Library. Perfect for anyone thinking about becoming a beekeeper.

Verified Oct 27 · hcplc.libnet.info

No catch

Kids & familyFree (worth about $5)

Free miniature train rides at Largo Central Park (Train Weekend)

Sat, Nov 7 – Sun, Nov 8

Largo Central Park

The Largo Central Railroad club runs free miniature train rides through Largo Central Park on the first full weekend of the month, 10am to 2pm. Kids must ride with an adult and everyone needs shoes; no pets. Fill out the waiver before you arrive to save time. Donations to the club are appreciated.

Verified Oct 27 · playlargo.com

Catch: Riders sign a waiver · Not for pregnant riders; kids ride with an adult

Classes & fitnessFree (worth about $15)

Free Yoga in the Park at Crescent Lake (Get Fit St. Pete)

First Saturday of each month, 9–10am

Crescent Lake ParkSt. Petersburg

A free all-levels outdoor yoga class run by the city's Get Fit St. Pete program on the first Saturday of each month, 9 to 10am. Meet on the northeast side of Crescent Lake Park on Fifth St. N. You sign in with a free Get Fit membership, online ahead of time or at the park.

Verified Oct 27 · stpeteparksrec.org

Catch: Free Get Fit St. Pete membership sign-up required

Classes & fitnessFree (worth about $10)

Speaking of History: St. Augustine in the War for Independence

Sun, Nov 8, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Heritage VillageLargo

A free history talk at Heritage Village: Trevor Bryant on St. Augustine's role in the American War for Independence.

Verified Oct 27 · heritagevillagefl.org

No catch

Coming up 19 listings

EntertainmentFree (worth about $15)

Rock the Park: free live music at Curtis Hixon Park

Thu, Nov 5, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Curtis Hixon Waterfront ParkTampa

Rock the Park is a free monthly concert series showcasing local bands of all genres at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park on the Riverwalk, produced by the Tampa Downtown Partnership and Brokenmold Entertainment for more than 15 years. The organizer's page gives both 6pm and 6:30pm as the start, so arrive by 6.

Verified Oct 27 · tampasdowntown.com

No catch

EntertainmentFree (worth about $10)

Free Film on the Lawn at USF: Man on Wire

Thu, Nov 12, 7:00 PM

USF Contemporary Art Museum lawnTampa

USF's Contemporary Art Museum screens Man on Wire, the documentary about Philippe Petit's 1974 high-wire walk between the World Trade Center towers, outdoors on the museum lawn at 7pm. Bring a blanket or lawn chair; the museum provides pre-movie refreshments.

Verified Oct 27 · cam.usf.edu

No catch

ServicesFree (worth about $30)

Free paper shredding and medication drop-off in East Lake

Sat, Nov 14, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

East Lake High SchoolTampa

Pinellas County Consumer Protection hosts a free shred event for Fraud Awareness Week at East Lake High School, 9 to 11am or until the truck is full. Bring up to 3 boxes or bags per vehicle. The Sheriff's Office also collects unused or unwanted medication.

Verified Oct 27 · pinellas.gov

Catch: Only for: Pinellas County residents · Limit 3 boxes or bags per vehicle; ends early if the truck fills

Kids & familyFree (worth about $10)

Free behind-the-scenes tour of Pinellas County's garbage and recycling complex

Fri, Nov 20, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Pinellas County Solid Waste, Tour ClassroomSt. Petersburg

See where your trash goes: a free tour of about 90 minutes at the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex, with a classroom session and a driving tour (you stay in the tour vehicle) past the Waste-to-Energy Facility, the landfill and the yard-waste-to-mulch area. For ages 8 and up; reserve a spot on the county page. More dates: Dec. 11 and Jan. 29.

Verified Oct 27 · pinellas.gov

Catch: Free reservation required: spaces are limited · Only for: ages 8 and up

EntertainmentFree (worth about $10)

Concert Series on the Breezeway: free live music at Largo Golf Course

Fri, Nov 20, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Largo Golf Course

An evening of free live music from The Smartest Monkeys at the Largo Golf Course breezeway, with Two Grandma's Soul Food selling dinner. The series returns Dec. 18 and monthly into spring.

Verified Oct 27 · playlargo.com

No catch

ServicesFree (worth about $30)

Free paper shredding and medication drop-off in Gulfport

Sat, Nov 21, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Gulfport Senior CenterTampa

Another free Fraud Awareness Week shred event from Pinellas County Consumer Protection, this time at the Gulfport Senior Center, 9 to 11am or until the truck is full. Up to 3 boxes or bags per vehicle; Gulfport Police collect unused medication.

Verified Oct 27 · pinellas.gov

Catch: Only for: Pinellas County residents · Limit 3 boxes or bags per vehicle; ends early if the truck fills

Show 13 more coming up

Always free 6 listings

AttractionsFree (worth about $60)

Free family museum passes from any Pinellas library

Any day

Pinellas Public Library Cooperative member librariesTampa

Adult cardholders at any Pinellas Public Library Cooperative library can borrow a pass for free family admission (up to 2 adults and 3 kids under 18 from the same household) to 15 museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Florida Holocaust Museum, Henry B. Plant Museum, Sunken Gardens, Imagine Museum and Great Explorations Children's Museum. Passes are checked out in person, first come, first served, and are good for one visit within 7 days. No overdue fines.

Verified Oct 27 · pplc.us

Catch: Adult PPLC library card in good standing required · Passes are first come, first served, checked out in person

Classes & fitnessFree (worth about $20)

Free Maker Studios at the Clearwater Main Library (no card needed)

Any day

Clearwater Main Library, Maker Studios

Maker spaces across three floors of Clearwater's Main Library: a laser engraving station, sewing and Cricut stations, digitization equipment, art instruction and woodworking classes, plus drop-in sessions and personal training. The studios are free and open to the public, and you don't need a library card. Some stations are reserved online; ask about material costs for 3D printing.

Verified Oct 27 · myclearwaterlibrary.com

Catch: Some stations need an online reservation

Classes & fitnessFree (worth about $15)

Free Sunset Yoga on the Green at Coachman Park

Mondays, 6:30–7:30pm

Coachman Park, The GreenClearwater

A free weekly yoga class hosted by the Clearwater Y In Motion on The Green, the big lawn at downtown Clearwater's Coachman Park, every Monday from 6:30 to 7:30pm. Parking is throughout downtown.

Verified Oct 27 · myclearwaterparks.com

No catch

ServicesFree (worth about $150)For people who qualify

Free legal consultations with Gulfcoast Legal Services at the Sunshine Center

Fourth Wednesday of each month, 1–4pm

The Sunshine CenterSt. Petersburg

Intake attorneys from Gulfcoast Legal Services, a nonprofit that provides free legal help, meet people for consultations at The Sunshine Center on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 1 to 4pm. Listed by Pinellas County's Justice Coordination office. Bring proof of income; call (727) 821-0726 ext. 132 to ask what help is available for your situation.

Verified Oct 27 · pinellas.gov

Catch: Only for: income under 250% of the poverty level, with proof (crime victims and people 60+ may qualify regardless) · Only for: residents of Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties

Free itemsFree (worth about $9)

Free seed packs from the Clearwater library seed library

Any day

Clearwater Countryside Library and East Community Library

Pick up free vegetable, fruit, flower and herb seeds with your library card at the Clearwater Countryside Library and the Clearwater East Community Library. Take up to three packs at a time and nine a month, and keep them: nothing has to be returned.

Verified Oct 27 · myclearwaterlibrary.com

Catch: Clearwater library card required · Up to 3 packs at a time, 9 per month

ServicesFree (worth about $50)For people who qualify

Free birth certificate application help at St. Pete Free Clinic

Last Tuesday of each month, 9am–1pm

St. Pete Free ClinicSt. Petersburg

Gulfcoast Legal Services and St. Pete Free Clinic run a free monthly session to help people apply for their birth certificate: they prescreen eligibility, help fill out the application and answer questions on the spot. Last Tuesday of every month, 9am to 1pm. Useful if you need ID for a job, housing or benefits.

Verified Oct 27 · pinellas.gov

Catch: Applicants are prescreened for eligibility (Gulfcoast Legal generally requires income under 250% of the poverty level) · The certificate fee isn't covered on the page; ask