/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QMLP72WETYI6TKTRIBWI6S7HAY.jpg "Bring your pooch to the Dog Bar in St. Petersburg on Dec. 20 for the Ugly Sweater Pawty.")
ALL ELFED UP: SEASONAL SOIREES
Ugly Sweater Pawty: You and your pooch are invited to wear your most hideous sweaters to this holiday bash, where a contest for the fitted-out doggos awaits. Maxx & Me Pet Rescue provides the raffles, Jell-O shots and adoptable pups, while Boss Ross BBQ & Catering supplies the food. DJ tunes complete the fun. Free, food and drink additional. 6-11 p.m. Friday. The Dog Bar, 2300 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. (727) 317-4968. dogbarstpete.com.
Ugly Sweater Party: Ring in the season with a Tito’s Handmade Vodka-fueled celebration at MacDinton’s in Tampa, 405 S Howard Ave., at 7 p.m. Monday and in St. Petersburg, 242 First Ave. N, at 7 p.m. Tuesday. In addition to the ugly sweater competition offering prizes for the winner, a $5 Tito’s cider mule special, raffles and a photo booth are planned. Benefits the Tampa Rough Riders teddy bear drive. Free, food and drink additional. macdintons.com.
Ugly Sweater Party: You score free drinks for every toy donated, and don’t forget to arrive in digs that fit the theme. Benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation, All Children’s Hospital and Moffitt Cancer Center. $20 and up, $30 VIP. 9 p.m. Tuesday. 7th + Grove, 1930 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. (832) 757-3712. eventbrite.com.
SIP AND SNACK: HOLIDAY WINE TASTING
Don’t miss the next showcase of natural wines from Bandit Coffee Co. The beloved Grand Central District coffee shop has teamed up with City Beautiful Beverage Company for the Holiday Wine Tasting, promising four selections from Oregon-based Swick Wines and its own take on classic yuletide sides. The grub and vino are first come, first served, and bottles of each featured wine are $5 off. $10. 7-9 p.m. Thursday. 2662 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. banditcoffee.co.
POUR DECISIONS: PINTEREST & PINOT
Pinterest & Pinot fuses the worlds of wine and DIY projects for gift-giving season. As you down red wine, Mexican hot chocolate, cheese and other grub during the Gulfport Historical Society’s guided crafting workshop, create a set of four historic Gulfport photo coasters, a nautical bath bomb or both. Materials are provided and registration is required at gulfporthistoricalsociety.org. $20 and up, $15 and up members. 7-9 p.m. Saturday. Gulfport History Museum, 5301 28th Ave. S. (727) 201-8687.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MCZKUYZ24RGURNM4P2ZLLCBPCQ.jpg "Pinterest & Pinot will bring a guided crafting workshop with wine to the Gulfport History Museum on Dec. 21.")
CHRISTMAS ALTERNATIVE: FESTIVUS
Now in its third year, the annual tradition that is A Festivus for the Rest of Us brings a Festivus pole, raffles for Seinfeld-themed prizes and an area dedicated to the voicing of grievances to Brew Bus Brewing. Come dressed as your favorite character from the NBC sitcom. Free, food and drink additional. 6 p.m.-midnight Saturday. 4101 N Florida Ave., Tampa. (813) 990-7310. brewbususa.com. Tampa Beer Works is also ringing in Festivus through an ugly sweater contest and, of course, a Festivus pole. Air your grievances and demonstrate your feats of strength while enjoying beer, seasonal jingles and food. Free, food and drink additional. 6-11 p.m. Friday. 333 Falkenburg Road N, D-407, Tampa. (813) 685-1909. tampabeerworks.com.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/67QG34JSMNC6FNCZXNWNBDJ7VM.png "Dig in to Tampa Bay’s food and drink scenes")
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Explore all your optionsREADY TO STUMBLE: BAD SANTA BEER OLYMPICS
Pour Taproom hosts the Bad Santa Beer Olympics, which invites you to throw down with a team of four in several drinking games. Admission includes access to the games and all the brews you need. Prizes go to the top two teams. $15. 6-10 p.m. Friday. 225 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 440-6677. pourtaproomstpete.com.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/J4S6V5WIRQI6TIRQPAY4DVT77I.jpg "On Dec. 20, the Bad Santa Beer Olympics will invade St. Petersburg's Pour Taproom.")
WHISKEY BUSINESS: SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAYS
Spirit of the Holidays puts the whiskey of Tampa-based Dark Door Spirits in the spotlight. The local distillery’s crew leads this festive tasting, followed by a how-to on punch bowls featuring their Spirit of IPA Whiskey designed for any parties you have coming up. Expect passed and plated eats, too, including beef tartare, charred avocado, roasted duck breast and pork belly. $100, $175 for two. 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday. Epicurean Theatre at the Epicurean Hotel, 1207 S Howard Ave., Tampa. (813) 999-8700. epicureanhotel.com.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/0318649c-dd74-4d8e-bde2-8f1daaadedbe.png "Meaghan Habuda - Senior Engagement Editor")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/odX75L8kqqWqpPEGZB7s1PnieAc=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/PHZS3JTCHBGEFLKDKAUK2OURVE.JPG "Here’s how the Tampa Bay area is observing Hanukkah")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/ti6i-fwh4hMMSFsUkZz7BnZ5uGo=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/YXUOJZGEQ4I6TKTRIBWI6S7HAY.jpg "Festivus: Share your complaints and grievances for 2023")
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/www.tampabay.com/resizer/R4x_IbjNZ-KSjNGKi6TDqmsoGqM=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/2LO72PBTG5HJ5BODKNC7KRLCJ4.JPG "For decades, a Florida woman had no sense of smell. Can she get it back?")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/enMIZZ9Q1dB8uoe76N52uxKpbiE=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FVQKFX47CNE2VIVRROVTWIFSSY.jpeg "St. Petersburg First Friday block party is canceled indefinitely")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/xY-U4m8M6Q9vYQsJXlPcgmDazkU=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/2MJUSGOUKFCWNHXALFCVITXF5I.jpg "As your abandoned Florida sweater, these are my demands")
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