Turning the page on the last year means that the festival season awaits.
Of special note is the return of the Cotee River Bike Fest which runs Jan. 17 – 19 after being postponed from the original October date due to the devastating aftereffects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. It will be one of two held in 2025 with the second one to be held again in October.
This month is one for foodies with local offerings such as FarmNet’s Collard Green & Winter Garden Fest (Jan. 4) at the NPR Public Library and the Raising Cane and Sugar Fest (Jan. 11), and annual Kumquat Fest (Jan. 25), both held in Dade City. All serve as precursors for the upcoming Florida Strawberry Festival (Feb. 27 – March 7) and the more locally Cindy’s Pet’s Strawberry Fest traditionally held the first Sunday in March. Add to that the Pasco County Fair (Feb. 17 – 23).
A most important special event is the African American Club’s MLK Celebration & Symbolic Walk on January 20 at the historic Booker T. Washington School in Port Richey. That event celebrates the life of Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. in bringing together a diverse slate of speakers and collaborative message of peace and justice along with artistic performances featuring youngsters in the club’s afterschool arts program.
Get out and enjoy some music in the outdoors as NPR Library’s Riverside Concert Series and NPR Parks and Rec’s Concerts in the Park continue with free performances held in Sims Park in downtown NPR.
Backyard gardeners looking to get planting might want to check out seminars and programs offered by Pasco Master Gardeners.
Pasco Audubon is hosting birding programs and ventures, and Pasco County Parks and Rec has archery and fishing activities on the agenda.
Scroll down to explore or use the Quick Search Feature to find specific events
QUICK SEARCH
Festivals | Concerts & Movies In the Park
Gardening – The Florida Way
Parks & Rec | Biking, Hiking, Birding, StoryWalk®
Stepping Out | Library | Diversion Calendars
FESTIVALS | CONCERTS | MOVIES IN THE PARK
NPR FarmNet Collard Greens & Winter Garden Fest, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, January 4 at the New Port Richey Public Library in downtown NPR | Free
The Ninth Annual Collards Festival & Winter Garden Expo will feature cool-weather produce, bedding plants, and seedlings. Sample tastings and prepared season food items, cookbooks and gardening materials for sale. Educational programs.
NPR Library Riverside Concert Series, featuring Hungry Town, 6 p.m. Friday, January 10 in Sims Park in downtown NPR | Free
Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson, through their years of worldwide touring and tireless devotion to many classic genres of music, have crafted Hungrytown into a true artistic hybrid, able to hold Celtic and Americana, ballads and psychedelia, sunshine and darkness, joy and despair–not only within the same album, but within the same song.
This performance will take place in the southwest corner of Sims Park, near the Grassin Bridge. Please feel free to bring your own camp chair or blanket for seating.
For information access the NPR Library Event Calendar here.
Raising Cane and Moonshine Festival, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, January 11 at the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City | $10 adults, $5 students, under 5 free
See live syrup making at the museum’s fully operational cane mill. Taste and vote for your favorite at the Southern Syrup-Makers Association Syrup Tasting Competition. Explore the Moonshine Shed exhibition. Listen to local moonshine stories. Savor the flavors of FREE moonshine and rum samples, meticulously crafted by talented local distilleries.
Live Entertainment, food and craft vendors, axe throwing, blacksmith demonstrations, and more. All museum buildings are open, where history comes alive with every step. Discover the rich heritage of the region and gain a deeper understanding of the pioneers who shaped our community.
New Port Richey Florida Arbor Day Celebration, 10 a.m. at Francis Avenue Park in New Port Richey
New Port Richey, Florida’s 2025 Arbor Day celebration will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 17 at Frances Avenue Park. The event will include the city’s Environmental Committee, city staff, council members, and a fourth-grade class from Genesis Elementary School
NEW DATE!! Cotee River Bike Fest, Friday, January 17 – Sunday, January 19 in Sims Park and downtown New Port Richey
Take 2! NPR puts out the welcome mat for the annual Cotee River Bike Fest which was postponed from the original October date due to the hurricanes that blew through creating damage throughout Pasco County.
Live music on two stages, vendors, bike show, wrestling matches, fire dancers, food trucks and more.
Martin Luther King Day Jr Celebration & Symbolic March, 10 a.m. Monday, January 20 at the Booker T. Washington School in Port Richey
This annual event features a symbolic march down March from the Union Baptist Church to the historic Booker T. Washington School on Pine Hill Road in Port Richey followed by guest speakers and artistic performances.
Kumquat Festival, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, January 25 in Dade City
Enjoy the unique, quaint and family fun of “old Florida” during the 2025 Annual Kumquat Festival®
– it’s one of a kind! You’ll have the opportunity to eat delicious food, visit hundreds of arts and crafts vendor booths , listen to music and learn about kumquats, “the little gold gems of the citrus industry”.
Concert in the Park Series featuring Heart Tribute Band, Saturday, January 25 in Sims Park in downtown New Port Richey | Free
NPR Parks and Rec continues its annual Music Series in the Park. Bring blankets and lawn chairs.
Save the Date! | Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, February 8 in downtown Zephyrhills |
Live Blues Concert, Cornhole Tournament, vendors, Kidz Zone, Hog Calling Contest, Wing Eating Contest and more.
Music lineup – Ed Wright, Kid Royal Band, Mark Shane & The Shane Gang
Chuck Riley All-Star Band featuring Tyrone Vaughn, Damon Fowler & RJ Howson
GARDENING – THE FLORIDA WAY
If you came here from somewhere else you might have learned already that there’s a bit of a knack to learning how to garden the Florida way. Fortunately, there’s help through free programs offered regularly by the UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Program. Check out below what’s being offered during the month of January.
For more events and info visit the UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Events page here.
UF/IFAS/Pasco Extension Master Gardener Program | Good Bug – Bad Bug, 9 – 10 a.m. Saturday, January 9 at Heritage Park in Land O’Lakes
Do you know that many are beneficial insects we want in our gardens? Learn to identify the good insects and how to control the unwanted, bad insects with an integrated pest management system.
This event will be at the Heritage Park (Land O Lakes Community Center) 5401 Land O lakes Blvd (Hwy 41) in Land O’ Lakes.
UF/IFAS/Pasco Extension Master Gardener Program | Attracting Backyard Birds, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 11 at the Zephyrhills Public Library in Zephyrhills
This presentation will explain the three main needs of wildlife-especially birds – quality food, safe cover, and fresh water. The talk includes the importance of native plants and creating habitats and landscaping that supports native and migratory birds.
Owls in Your Neighborhood, 2 – 3 p.m. Tuesday, January 14 at the New River Library in Wesley Chapel AND January 21 at the Centennial Park Library in Holiday
Learn about all the raptors that share our area and see how you can attract these marvelous creatures to your garden. Explore their habits and habitats and learn why it is so important to invite them to our neighborhoods.
For more events and info visit the UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Events page here.
UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Master Gardener Program | Warm Weather Seed Propagation and Vegetable Starts, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Wednesday, January 15 at the Starkey Ranch Library in Odessa |
This is an introductory seminar where you will learn to start vegetables from seed as the first step to growing your own food. Each time you start a seed, you get to witness the amazing transformation that takes place when you add a little water, light and warmth.
Learn how to choose the right seeds for warm weather planting, the soil mixture that will work best, how much water is needed, and then just sit back and watch as the tiny seeds grow into healthy plants.
UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Master Gardener Program | Examining the Dessert Rose, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 21 at the New Port Richey Public Library in downtown NPR
Not everything is as it seems with this unusual succulent known for its beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers and unusual growth habit.
PARKS AND REC
City and County Parks and Rec offer a plethora of activities for all ages at area recreation centers and wilderness parks with impressive amenities that reaches all areas of Pasco.
Whether you want to play tennis or basketball, swim laps or play paddleball or find a camp to keep the kids busy over school breaks. To learn more about specific classes, reservations access the links below and scroll down to check out special park programs being held in January
Pasco County Parks & Rec Reservations and Classes
New Port Richey Parks & Rec Classes and Info
Visit StoryWalk® projects at local parks | Ongoing
One way to get the kids out and foster a love for reading and nature is by visiting local parks with StoryWalk® Projects where you can take a walk and stop to read pages of a book at post stations along the way.
There are StoryWalk® projects in west Pasco parks at James E. Grey Preserve and Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey. Take a day trip to Dade City to visit the StoryWalk® project at Withlacoochee River Park.
Pasco Audubon Monthly Birding Hike, 8 a.m. Saturday, January 4 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey | Free
Meet at the Education Center for a 1 – 3 mile walk. For more info visit the Pasco Audubon website.
Pasco Audubon Educational Seminar – Live Raptor Birds, 11 a.m. Saturday, January 4 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey | Free
Gather in the education center for the Kestrel Kindergarten presented by Barb Walker from the Moccasin Lake Raptor Sanctuary. For more info visit the Pasco Audubon website
Pasco County Park Outdoor Adventure Programs | Archery Instruction, 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, January 12 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey | $15
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to enhance your skills, our programs offer simple, hands-on instruction in a fun and supportive environment. Each session focuses on fundamental techniques, helping you gain confidence while making new friends.
Pasco County Parks Outdoor Adventures | WRP Vamos a Pescar – Family Fishing Fun Day, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, January 11 at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City | Free | Register by January 10, 2025
This FREE fun-filled event is designed to introduce families to the vast outdoors, the sport of fishing and the importance of being stewards of Florida’s freshwater ecosystems. Hands-on educational activities will include fishing in the Withlacoochee River (water level permitting) and fishing basics learning stations.
Additionally, there will be a free rod/reel for the first 100 children ages 3 – 15 years old. For information or to register visit flpascocountyweb.myvscloud.com.
Be the first to comment