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Every city has its local holidays. Whether the holiday memorializes important historical events or marks the city’s birth date, these special days distinguish cultures between cities, countries, and geographical regions.
In recent years, Tampa has started to celebrate a new holiday called 813 Day. It’s got a pretty simple origin story, but the people of Tampa never really needed an excuse to celebrate their beautiful city.
Keep reading to get a guide on how you can make the most of 813 Day in Florida’s Champa Bay.
As we said, 813 Day started simply enough, without any historical event or milestone to mark. Instead, it all comes down to telephone numbers. 813 is Tampa Bay’s area code. Over the last five years, August 13 has become an observed celebration of the city’s beauty and culture. Notice that the date reads 8/13. Neat, huh?
The holiday has become particularly popular with the rise of social media because Tampa Bay locals get the opportunity to share their favorite pictures from their hometown. Now August 13 is an unofficial but beloved star on the calendar, with concerts, deals, and festivities offered by town officials, stores, and restaurants.
You can also celebrate by sporting some Tampa Bay gear. Check out our collection of locals-only t-shirts.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Tampa for 813 Day, there are lots of ways to celebrate. Here’s our guide for how to make the most of this holiday.
Take Advantage of Awesome Deals
Inspired by this number-driven holiday, many Tampa restaurants and food trucks offer deals and meal specials for $8.13. Local stores run giveaways and discounted prices to help mark the special day.
Many businesses actually offer steals for weeks starting on 7/27 (Clearwater and St. Petersburg’s area code) up to 813 Day, so type “727 to 813 deals” into your browser to see which of your favorite local spots are joining in on the celebration.
While you’re enjoying deals, you’ll also experience the best of local businesses, making this a true highlight of Tampa’s best.
We can’t guarantee that a sports game is happening on 8/13 of any given year, but we think it should be at the top of your list if it is.
If baseball is your game, The Tampa Bay Rays will be finishing up the regular season around that time and sure to be playing at least a few home games. If you’re more of a football fan, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be in the middle of their training camp, which is a great time to beat the crowds and see the team practice up close. You can watch the team prep on its own, or you could watch a scrimmage game to get a taste of the upcoming Bucs roster and NFL season.
Sports are the very center of Tampa’s culture, and we can’t imagine a better way to celebrate the day than hitting up Tropicana Field or AdventHealth Training Center.
You can rock this Champa Bay t-shirt when you do, so there’s no doubt who you are rooting for. It comes in nine colors, all of which are outfitted with ultra-soft fabric, a baby rib collar, and a reinforced side-seam, making it your new favorite tee.
If the Rays or the Bucs are away, do the Tampa Riverwalk on 813 Day because it’s one of the best free activities the city has to offer. It’s a great place to watch the many bikers and joggers packing the boardwalk.
This 2.4-mile stretch of Tampa’s waterfront boasts incredible views, museums, and restaurants, boasting lively music and street performers. You can walk along the water and pack a picnic for the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The Riverwalk has numerous food trucks and eateries, so if you’re in the mood for a Cuban sandwich, this is the place to go.
On 813 Day, it’s sure to be a bustling spot as the entire city turns out to salute The Big Guava.
One of the biggest perks of living or visiting West Florida? The beaches, of course. August 13th is the perfect time of year to spend an afternoon on one of Tampa’s many beaches, soaking up the rays and taking a dip in the Gulf.
Madeira Beach has lots of shops to explore, as does the boardwalk at John's Pass Village. You could even make a day trip to Anna Maria Island to see some of the whitest sands and bluest waters Florida has to offer.
Just remember to wear sunscreen and hydrate, of course.
If that all sounds a little too sandy for your taste, we recommend checking out the local murals in Downtown Tampa. The Tampa art scene has exploded over the last few years, especially for large-scale outdoor paintings.
The city has put together a guide so you can be your own docent, exploring the murals throughout Downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg. On Saturdays, St. Petersburg offers an art walk where local galleries and artists take to the streets. You can explore unique sculptures, paintings, and pottery while you take in the incredible views of the city.
There’s a little something for everyone in Tampa’s arts scene.
One of our favorite components of 813 Day is seeing the community rally around the city, both in-person and online. When lockdowns kept the city from gathering together, everyone shared their favorite photos of Tampa on social media, leading to an explosion of Tampa Bay content on everyone’s feeds.
Check out the #813Day hashtag to see views of all the diverse, unique places and experiences that make Tampa, Tampa. And when 813 Day comes around again, post a picture or video of your favorite part of the city, whether it’s the views, the food, or the championship-winning sports teams. Go Bucs!
Tampa Bay locals clearly don’t need many excuses to celebrate their city, and it’s no wonder why. The beaches, culture, and sports teams keep 813-area-coders busy and happy under the West Florida sun. With four major sports teams, there’s never a dull moment in Champa Bay.
If you get a chance to enjoy Tampa for 813 Day or you call the city home, make sure you take advantage of the many deals, try to see a sports game, and enjoy the local scenery from either the citywide boardwalks or the many local beaches. Check out the local arts scene and spend some time on the #813Day tag to join in the celebration of all things Tampa. At the very least, call an 813 number and wish them a very happy August 13!
We can’t imagine a better outfit for 813 Day than our 813 t-shirt, with a vintage feel and look. Check it out for yourself or the Tampa local in your life.
Sources:
A Tour of the Tampa Riverwalk | Visit Tampa Bay
It's That Time of The Year Again…Happy #813Day! | Hillsborough County
