TAMPA, Fla. — While the Tampa Bay area is not in the path of totality for the 2024 total solar eclipse, there still will be a partial eclipse with darkening skies. A few viewing parties are planned for people who want to catch a glimpse.
In Tampa, the eclipse begins at 1:43 p.m. on Monday, April 8, with mid-eclipse happening around 3 p.m. This is about when 65% of the sun will be covered by the moon.
Tampa Bay-area solar eclipse viewing parties:
Clearwater Beach
The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival and Visit St. Pete/Clearwater are hosting an eclipse beach party.
The first 2,500 people will receive specially designed collectible eclipse glasses. The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival will also host a special live sand sculpting event to celebrate.
Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative
Multiple libraries will be streaming the eclipse from NASA TV from 1-3:15 p.m. Here are the ones included:
- John F. Germany Public Library
- SouthShore Regional Library
- Egypt Lake Partnership Library
The Burton Memorial Library is having a viewing party on its lawn and will be giving out glasses starting at 1 p.m. with a limit of two per family.
The Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library will have a viewing party for kids where they can learn why solar eclipses occur and create a viewer from 2:15 to 4:15 p.m.
Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
The museum in Tampa will host a "solar eclipse celebration" included with its general admission.
There will be hands-on activities starting at 2 p.m., with the best time to view the eclipse at 3 p.m.
Admission is $18.50 for adults and $4.50 for children and one pair of solar eclipse glasses per ticket will be given out. The ticket is valid starting at 10 a.m. so visitors can visit other exhibits.
Safety Harbor Public Library
The library is having a viewing party at the Safety Harbor Waterfront Park from 1:30-4 p.m. They will be passing out free eclipse glasses.
Seminole Community Library
This library is encouraging people to bring chairs, blankets and snacks to watch the eclipse at the St. Petersburg College Seminole Campus behind the library
There will be limited seating for a live stream in the air-conditioned program room. One pair of eclipse glasses per person for ages 3 and up will be provided while supplies last.
Great Explorations Children's Museum
Visitors can see the eclipse at 2:45 p.m. at Crescent Lake Park in St. Petersburg and explore the planetarium.
St. Petersburg College Planetarium
The planetarium will be open to the public, weather permitting, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Eclipse viewers and telescopes with solar filters will be available for use.
Visitors can also watch the spectacle in the quad area of the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus. There will be other viewing areas near the Technical and Natural Science buildings.
Parking for the library is accessible from 67th Street at 9th Avenue N. Parking also is available in the north and west lots of the campus on 69th Street at 5th Avenue N.