St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show Returns to the Waterfront January 15th–18th 2026

A January Tradition That Takes Over the Waterfront

Every January, downtown St. Pete quietly shifts gears. The docks fill in, tents rise along the water, and the city leans into what it does best. Turning the waterfront into a place where people naturally want to wander, linger, and look around!

The St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show returns January 15th–18th 2026, marking its 48th year on the St. Pete calendar. Set along the Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park, this is one of those events that doesn’t need hype. It’s already baked into winter in this city.

Dates and Hours to Plan Around

The show opens Thursday, January 15th and runs through Sunday, January 18th. Gates open at 10AM every day. Thursday through Saturday wrap up at 6PM, while Sunday closes earlier at 4PM.

If you like space to move and time to actually look at things, mornings are your friend. Weekend afternoons tend to be busier, especially once the sun is high and the waterfront fills in.

Right Along the Downtown Waterfront

The location does a lot of the heavy lifting here. Boats line the Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin, while Albert Whitted Park hosts the main exhibitor tents. It’s right in the heart of downtown, steps from the Mahaffey and the same stretch of waterfront locals already use as a weekend playground. Even if you’ve walked this area a hundred times, the show changes the energy in a noticeable way.

Not Just for People Buying a Boat

Yes, there are boats everywhere. Powerboats, sailboats, personal watercraft, kayaks, and yachts are all part of the mix, both in the water and on land. There are new models, brokerage boats, and plenty of “just looking” moments built in.

Beyond the docks, a roughly 40,000 square foot tent houses marine gear, accessories, electronics, services, and nautical art. It’s the kind of space where you walk in for five minutes and come out half an hour later having learned something you didn’t expect.

Seminars, Kids Clinics, and Learning as You Go

One of the better parts of this show is how approachable it feels. Complimentary seminars run throughout the weekend, covering boating skills and everyday life on the water without feeling overly technical or sales driven.

There are also kids fishing clinics and select on-water training opportunities, with some experiences requiring advance registration. It’s clearly designed for people who want to get more comfortable around boats, not just admire them from the dock.

Parking and Getting Around Without Stress

Preferred parking is available at the Mahaffey Theater garage at 400 1st Street South, with additional nearby garages typically listed by the event as options.

If downtown parking isn’t your thing, the Downtown Looper Trolley offers an easy way to move around the area once you arrive, especially if you plan to make a full day of it.

Supporting the Bay That Makes It All Possible

The show also highlights its partnership with Tampa Bay Watch. During ticket checkout, attendees have the option to support the organization’s restoration and education work focused on the Tampa Bay watershed. It’s a fitting tie-in for an event so closely connected to the water.

Doing the Boat Show the St. Pete Way

This is an event that works best when you don’t rush it. Walk the docks. Spend time in the tent. Sit in on a seminar if one catches your attention. Then roll straight into dinner or drinks nearby and let the day stretch a little longer.

Even people who swear they’re “not boat people” tend to leave enjoying themselves. There’s something about seeing the waterfront this active that just works.

Are you going for the boats, the gear, or just the excuse to spend a winter day by the water?