Free in St. Pete: the Pier, its splash pad and Monday dance night, city beaches, dog parks, the Pinellas Trail, Weedon Island, libraries and city holiday events.

Last checked 2026-10-10. Facts come from the City of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation, the St. Pete Pier and Pinellas County. “Free” means the organizer lists no charge; parking may still cost.

St. Petersburg’s best-known sights cost nothing to see: the Pier and its waterfront parks, the city beaches, the Pinellas Trail and the county’s mangrove boardwalks at Weedon Island. The city adds free seasonal events most months, and seven public libraries.

Plan ahead

On the St. Pete Pier

  • Walk the Pier District, 30 minutes before sunrise to 11 p.m. daily. See our St. Pete Pier guide.
  • Majeed Foundation Splash Pad, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the Glazer Family Playground, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Movement Mondays, 7 to 9 p.m. every Monday: music, flow arts and dance with local DJs.
  • Flicks and Food Trucks, third Friday of each month: a free outdoor movie.
  • Fitness in Family Park: Sunset Yoga the first Wednesday, Pilates the second Wednesday and an F45 bootcamp the first Friday of each month.
  • Public art: the “Morning Stars” mosaic and the World’s First Airline Monument.

All from the Pier’s visitor page, FAQ and events calendar.

Beaches and waterfront parks

From the city’s beaches page:

  • Spa Beach Park, 600 2nd Ave. NE, by the Pier.
  • North Shore Beach, 901 North Shore Drive NE, open from 30 minutes before sunrise to 11 p.m.
  • Maximo Park Beach, Sunshine Skyway Lane South and Pinellas Point Drive South.
  • Lassing Park, 2042 Beach Drive SE, open from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; no swimming.

Check the city’s recreational water quality page before swimming. The downtown waterfront parks hold the city’s holiday lights from Nov. 28 to Jan. 1.

Trails and nature

Pinellas County lists no admission fee for the Pinellas Trail or Weedon Island Preserve on its pages.

  • Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail: 47 miles from downtown St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs, 7 a.m. to sunset daily.
  • Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive NE: more than 4.7 miles of boardwalks and trails through a 3,000-acre preserve on Tampa Bay, plus a fishing pier and the preserve’s cultural and natural history center.
  • Six city dog parks, dawn to dusk; see dog-friendly St. Petersburg.

More on walking and biking trails. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve charges a small admission ($3 adults, $1.50 ages 3 to 16).

Libraries

The St. Petersburg Library System has seven libraries with free programs for babies, children, teens and adults, from early-literacy sessions to book clubs and a Saturday yarn guild. Branch addresses are on our kids’ activities page.

Free city events through the year

From the parks calendar and the city’s Holidays in the Sunshine City page:

Event When
Tricks, Treats and Trunks, Campbell Park Recreation Center Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Trail-or-Treat, Boyd Hill (registration required) Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, noon to 2 p.m.
Haunted Fire House, Fire Station 10 (Fast Passes $10) Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Santa Parade and Tree Lighting, downtown Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Holiday Lights and Displays, downtown waterfront Nov. 28, 2026, to Jan. 1, 2027
Holiday Movies in the Park Dec. 5 and 12, 2026, from 6:30 p.m.
Meet Santa in the Park, North Straub Park Dec. 12-13 and 18-23, 2026, 6 to 9 p.m.
City egg hunts (2026 dates) Saturday, April 4, 2026

Details: Halloween events, holiday lights and Christmas events and Easter.

Markets

The Saturday Morning Market downtown, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from October to May, and the St. Pete Sunday Market are free to walk; see farmers markets. Shopapalooza, Nov. 28 and 29, 2026, in Vinoy Park, has free admission; see Black Friday and holiday shopping.

What this means for you

  • Parking is the usual cost; the free Downtown Looper links the Sundial garage and the Pier.
  • Kids are free at Friday night St. Pete Shuffle; adults who are not members pay $10.
  • Watch the city’s parks calendar for new free events each month.

Related: kids’ activities, things to do this month and date night.

Frequently asked questions

Is the St. Pete Pier free?

Yes. The Pier District is free to walk from 30 minutes before sunrise to 11 p.m., and its playground, splash pad and Monday night Movement Mondays are free. Parking and food cost extra.

Are St. Petersburg beaches free?

The city’s Spa Beach, North Shore Beach and Maximo Park Beach have no admission charge listed by the city. Swimming is not allowed at Lassing Park.

What free events does St. Petersburg hold?

City favorites include the Santa Parade and Tree Lighting, the waterfront holiday lights, Holiday Movies in the Park, the Tricks, Treats and Trunks trunk-or-treat and the spring egg hunts. The Pier adds a free movie on the third Friday of each month.

Is the Pinellas Trail free?

Pinellas County lists no fee for the trail. It is open 7 a.m. to sunset daily, running 47 miles from downtown St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs.