The Sunrise Sale takes over downtown today
Shop the Sunrise Sale in your pajamas, tour a new downtown Beatles museum, and see the $115M hotel just approved at John's Pass.
The 53rd Annual Sunrise Sale takes over downtown St. Pete today, Thursday, July 16, with local shops opening early for a day of deals. Billed as the city's earliest event, it invites shoppers to browse downtown storefronts in their pajamas before the rest of the Burg is fully awake. The long-running tradition keeps the same early-morning, deal-hunting format that gives the sale its name. Participating local businesses across downtown offer discounts through the day. (I Love the Burg)
St. Pete moves toward a public vote on vacant city lots
St. Pete is advancing a housing plan for vacant city-owned lots, and the decision could go to voters. Under the proposal, residents would decide whether to remove the lots from the city's Charter Park and Waterfront Map. That ballot question would determine whether the sites can move ahead under the housing plan. The parcels' protected status on the map is what the proposed vote would change. (St. Pete Catalyst)
Madeira Beach OKs a $115M John's Pass hotel
The Madeira Beach City Commission unanimously approved a $115 million upscale Marriott hotel at the east end of the John's Pass boardwalk. The five-story, 87-room project from developer JPV Hotel would rise along 129th Street E. on a 1.5-acre site now used for parking. Commissioners signed off at their Wednesday meeting. The approval allows the existing parking area at the boardwalk's east end to become the hotel site. (St. Pete Catalyst)
A big Beatles museum opens in downtown St. Pete this month
The Penny Lane Beatles Museum is opening a new, larger home in downtown St. Pete this July. The collection, which has operated in Dunedin since 2017, is moving to the city and is described as one of the biggest Beatles museums outside England. The downtown debut brings a large trove of Fab Four memorabilia into the heart of St. Pete for local fans and visitors, expanding on the footprint the museum kept in Dunedin. (I Love the Burg)
Pirate Candy Shop lands on Central Avenue
Pirate Candy Shop has opened a location on Central Avenue in St. Pete. The company launched its first store in Tampa in November 2025 and is now expanding across the bay with the new Central Avenue storefront. The move adds another shop to the Central Avenue corridor and marks the brand's arrival on the St. Pete side after starting out in Tampa. (St. Pete Catalyst)
PAVA Cool Art Show, Saturday, July 18
The 37th Annual Cool Art Show, presented by the Professional Association of Visual Artists, takes over the historic St. Petersburg Coliseum on Saturday, July 18. The one-day event brings together 70 of Florida's artists under one roof at the Coliseum for the long-running show. (I Love the Burg)
Spotlight Tampa Bay: Community Conversations, Thursday, July 16
Spotlight Tampa Bay: Community Conversations comes to Hough Concert Hall on Thursday, July 16. The program is scheduled at the St. Pete concert hall for a one-day engagement. No start time was included in the available event details, so check the venue page before heading out. (The Palladium events)
An Evening with Eric Darius, Friday, July 17
CJH Presents an Evening with Eric Darius takes the stage at Hough Concert Hall on Friday, July 17. The concert is set at the concert hall venue in St. Pete for one night. No start time was included in the available event details, so check the venue page before heading out. (The Palladium events)
The Petty Experience, Saturday, July 18
The Petty Experience comes to the Side Door Cabaret on Saturday, July 18. The performance is part of the weekend's live-music schedule at the St. Pete venue, landing the same weekend as the Cool Art Show across town. No start time was included in the available event details, so check the venue page before heading out. (The Palladium events)
RANDOMIZE immersive exhibit at FloridaRAMA
RANDOMIZE, a new immersive exhibit from artist Chad Mize, is on view at FloridaRAMA this summer, with Monday, August 31 on the calendar for the show. Visitors can step inside the installation for the experience at the St. Pete space. (Visit St. Pete-Clearwater events)