September is shaping up to be a busy month in Tampa.
Football is returning, hockey is right behind it, major artists are coming to town, Halloween events are beginning, and Downtown Tampa has several community events worth checking out.
Whether you are looking for something to do with the family, a night out, live music, sports, or simply an excuse to spend some time downtown, here are some of the biggest things happening around Tampa in September 2026.
1. Start September With Free Events in Downtown Tampa
September 2 & 3, 2026
You do not have to spend much to find something to do downtown at the beginning of the month.
On Wednesday, September 2, the Mayor's Food Truck Fiesta returns to Lykes Gaslight Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Then on Thursday, September 3, Rock the Park takes over Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The free monthly concert series features live music in one of Downtown Tampa's best waterfront settings.
It is an easy way to get outside, explore downtown and support local food and music without buying a ticket to a major event.
2. Tampa Bay Comic Convention Takes Over Downtown
September 4–6, 2026
Labor Day weekend brings the Tampa Bay Comic & Pop Culture Convention to the Tampa Convention Center.
The three-day event runs September 4 through September 6 and includes celebrity appearances, panels, cosplay, vendors, gaming, anime, photo opportunities and other pop-culture experiences.
Even if you are not a serious comic-book collector, there is plenty for fans of movies, television, gaming and pop culture.
And because the convention is located right along the Tampa Riverwalk, it is easy to turn the trip into a full day downtown.
3. Howl-O-Scream Returns to Busch Gardens
Beginning September 11, 2026
It may still feel like summer outside, but Halloween starts early in Tampa.
Howl-O-Scream returns to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay beginning September 11 and runs on select nights through October 31.
The separately ticketed nighttime event transforms the park with haunted houses, scare zones, live entertainment and many of the park's rides operating after dark.
For families with younger children, Busch Gardens is also bringing back its daytime Halloween Spooktacular, beginning September 12.
So whether you want full-scale Halloween scares or something a little more family-friendly, September is when Tampa's Halloween season officially gets underway.
4. Bruno Mars Comes to Raymond James Stadium
September 12 & 13, 2026
One of September's biggest events is not happening for just one night.
Bruno Mars brings The Romantic Tour to Raymond James Stadium for two shows on September 12 and September 13.
Both concerts are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with RAYE and DJ Pee .Wee joining the tour lineup.
With tens of thousands of people expected around Raymond James Stadium, this is likely to be one of the biggest entertainment weekends Tampa sees all month.
If you are going, planning parking, dinner and transportation ahead of time probably will not be a bad idea.
5. September Is Also a Big Month for Concerts Downtown
Bruno Mars is far from the only major artist visiting Tampa.
On September 12, The Strokes bring their Reality Awaits North America tour to Benchmark International Arena.
Then on September 18, Zac Brown Band comes to the arena with special guest Brothers Osborne.
That gives Tampa a pretty impressive stretch of live music in the middle of September:
September 12: The Strokes
September 12 & 13: Bruno Mars
September 18: Zac Brown Band with Brothers Osborne
If concerts are your thing, September may be one of the better months of the year to be in Tampa.
6. Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final Comes to Tampa
September 19, 2026
Tampa is hosting something a little different this year.
For the first time, the Tampa Bay area will host the Red Bull Dance Your Style USA National Final at the Tampa Convention Center on September 19.
Sixteen of the country's top street dancers are expected to compete in one-on-one battles—but there is a twist: there is no traditional panel of judges. The audience votes to decide who advances.
The winner will represent the United States at the World Final in Zurich, Switzerland.
Doors are scheduled to open at 6:30 p.m., with the competition beginning at 8 p.m.
It is a major national event and another example of the variety of entertainment increasingly coming through Tampa.
7. Buccaneers Football Returns to Raymond James Stadium
September also means football season.
The Buccaneers begin their 2026 regular season on the road against Cincinnati on September 13 before returning to Tampa for back-to-back home games.
The 2026 home opener is Sunday, September 20 at 1 p.m. against the Cleveland Browns.
One week later, the Bucs host the Minnesota Vikings on September 27 at 4:05 p.m.
That means Tampa gets two home games in eight days—and the September 20 weekend is particularly packed with sports across the city.
8. The Tampa Bay Lightning Get Back on the Ice
Football will not be the only Tampa sports season getting underway.
The Lightning begin their 2026 preseason with a home game against the Nashville Predators on Sunday, September 20 at 5 p.m.
They return home again on Thursday, September 24 at 7 p.m. to face the Florida Panthers at Benchmark International Arena.
So September 20 gives Tampa sports fans an interesting option:
The Buccaneers kick off against Cleveland at Raymond James Stadium at 1 p.m., while the Lightning host Nashville downtown at 5 p.m.
Fall sports in Tampa are officially back.
Bonus: Spend a Sunday at Water Street Tampa
If stadiums and packed concerts are not your thing, there are plenty of more relaxed ways to enjoy the city too.
The Water Street Tampa Market is scheduled for Sunday, September 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Water Street district.
It can be an easy Sunday morning outing before lunch, a walk along the Riverwalk or one of the sporting events later in the day.
September Is a Great Month to Be in Tampa
There is a little bit of everything happening around Tampa this September.
You can start the month with free music downtown, spend Labor Day weekend at Comic Con, get an early start on Halloween at Busch Gardens, see some of the biggest artists in the country, and finish the month with Buccaneers and Lightning games.
And that is only a portion of what is happening throughout Tampa Bay.
At Generations Tax & Wealth Management, Tampa is more than where we work—it's our community. From local businesses and community events to everything that makes the Tampa Bay area a great place to live, we enjoy sharing what's happening around the place we call home.
Have a great September, Tampa!
Event dates, times and details were current as of August 26, 2026 and may be changed by event organizers. Check with the official event or venue before attending.