The new location for Tampa's  Summer of Rum Festival 2017 on the grounds of  Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in Downtown Tampa, practically doubles the size of this revved up Labor Day Party in Tampa featuring Mr. Boombastic, Shaggy himself!  Providing room for new Rum Shacks, Seating Areas, and Cool Activities, 2017 is gearing up to be one hell of an event!

Shaggy headlines, with Tef London, Landsharks, Unmotivated, Freecoasters, Impulse, Steel Drum Bands and DJ Cardinale also taking the stage. A fan of the Pina Colada, Daiquiri, Rum Runner, Hurricane, Mai Tai, Mojito, and an island vibe, read on...

Summer of Rum Festival 2017 tickets are not expensive, General Admission at $15 Presale| $18 Early Bird, and $20 Regular | $25 at the door gives you access to the Festival with all day re-entry privileges.  Enjoy live entertainment, different rum zones, rum shacks, games, and more while you sip on specialty rum drinks available for purchase from 70+ professional bartenders who pour well!

VIP is changing for the better too, only 350 VIP Tickets will be sold according to Monica Varner of Big City Events, (hosts for 2017 Tampa Bay Bloody Mary FestivalTampa Bay Margarita Festival 2017 Featuring Bare Naked Ladies).  Varner explained, "We take the feedback from our events to heart, continuously striving to improve event experiences for our guests. By limiting VIP entry, we better the VIP space, can offer plenty of seating and shorten drink lines at the VIP Bar."  

Inside the Cruzan Rum VIP Experience, you receive UNLIMITED RUM DRINKS from the VIP bar, prime views of the main stage, a decorated shade area, seating and a cooled air-mist system. VIP Tickets are $85 Presale | $95 Early Bird and $115 Advance | $125 Regular.

The island theme and incredible line-up of talent are sure to keep you dancing all day as you enjoy your favorite summer drinks!  Are you a Rum Connoisseur? Consider upgrading your tickets with the Grand Rum Tasting Pass; this ticket is an Add-On to both VIP and GA. 

From 2-6 pm in Kiley Gardens, next to the Festival, the Grand Rum Tasting Pass invites you to taste a variety of rums from the Carribean to locally distilled varieties, try basic to ultra premium Rums in a collectible Summer of Rum shot glass. The Tasting Pass Add-on is $20 Advance | $25 Regular | $30 Door. Only a limited number of tasting passes are available. 

Stay for the big kabooms after the fest, yes, FIREWORKS will signal an end to summer, well at least on the calendar anyway following Shaggy's last song. 

What better way to celebrate Labor Day in Tampa at the 2017 Summer of Rum Festival hanging with friends, enjoying an island drink, playing games and listening to fantastic reggae and ska bands?

Pirates and their wenches and rum lovers in all shapes and sizes will come together to celebrate the end of summer, the Labor Day weekend in Tampa, and a love for everything Rum! As Cap'n Jack Sparrow said, "There's one kind word can change someone's day, Rum!" So who are you going to call to invite?

 

The Details

  • Must be 21 to enter
  • No coolers or pets, but you can bring chairs, blankets and fun friends
  • No tents or wagons
  • Drinks range from $4-6, wine is $6, water is $2.50
  • Food is available from multiple food trucks on site, or visit a Downtown Tampa Restaurant
  • Watch for details about the 'Rum Run,' the 5K race before the Festival

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Money may not be able to buy you happiness, but it can buy you RUM, and entry into one of the greatest summer festivals in Florida. Is it a pirate's life for you? If so, buy your tickets today and save some money before this summer fun party in Tampa sells out! Nothing says island like Rum, and nothing brings the Caribbean to Tampa, like the  Summer of Rum Festival. Looking to connect to more fun things to do in Tampa? Looking for the best events in Tampa? Register on 813area.com and 727area.com too to cover both sides of the bay!