March 24 – April 4, 2027
Visitor Info
Everything you need to plan your festival trip — flights, hotels, local favorites, and a map of every venue.
Getting here
Travel
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
About 30 minutes by car from downtown St. Petersburg. The most convenient airport for national and international flights.
Airport directionsDowntown St. Pete is compact and walkable; most festival venues are within a 10-minute drive of each other.
PSTA buses and the SunRunner rapid transit connect downtown to the beaches and Pinellas Park.
Rideshare and taxis are widely available; venues have dedicated parking or nearby street parking.
Where to stay
Hotels
Official festival hotel
Mint Hotel
Official festival hotel. Festival guests receive 30% off — book with the link below.
Book 30% off for festival guestsThe Vinoy Resort
Iconic waterfront hotel in the heart of downtown St. Pete.
The Hollander Hotel
Boutique spot in the EDGE District, close to The Studio.
The Don CeSar
Pink palace on St. Pete Beach for a splurge after the show.
Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown
Reliable, walkable to central arts district venues.
Where to eat
Restaurants & Coffee
Bodega
Cuban street food and fresh juice on Central Ave.
Red Mesa
Upscale Mexican in a lively setting, great for a pre-theatre dinner.
The Reading Room
Bookstore cafe with a tucked-away wine bar.
Bandit Coffee
Serious coffee and pastries in the EDGE District.
Casita Taqueria
Fast, flavorful tacos near The Studio.
Black Crow Coffee
Local favorite with a cozy patio.
Find your way
Venue Map
Plan your trip
Suggested
itineraries
Three ready-made routes through the festival. Steal one wholesale or use it as a starting point — every venue is minutes apart.
One weekend
Fri – SunFly in Friday afternoon, see three events, eat well, and be back at TPA by Sunday evening.
Friday
- Land at TPA, 30 minutes to the Mint Hotel, check in and drop bags.
- Early dinner on Central Ave — Bodega or Casita Taqueria.
- Evening production, then the kick-off party with the artists.
Saturday
- Coffee at Bandit, walk the Central Arts District.
- Afternoon staged reading — short, sharp, and usually the most surprising thing you'll see.
- Dinner at Red Mesa, then an evening production and a post-show artist meet-up.
Sunday
- Brunch downtown, then a matinee or an interactive experience.
- Beach detour on the SunRunner if your flight is late.
- Head to TPA.
The whole festival
12 daysBoth weekends, every production and reading, with the weekdays paced for breathing room.
Opening weekend
- Kick-off party and the first two productions.
- Saturday double-header: reading in the afternoon, production at night.
- Sunday matinee and a slow evening on the water.
Midweek
- One event a night — readings and experiences land here.
- Days free for the Dalí, the Chihuly Collection, and the pier.
- Midweek artist panel and the industry script room.
Closing weekend
- The industry-heavy weekend: three to four plays in three days.
- Meet-ups after every performance.
- Closing night party with the full festival company.
Industry three-day
Fri – Sun, second weekendThe producer's route: maximum new work, mornings kept clear for meetings.
Friday
- Arrive by noon, script room open in the afternoon.
- Two evening events at walkable venues.
Saturday
- Morning meetings, afternoon reading, evening production.
- Artist meet-ups after both.
Sunday
- Matinee, closing conversations, evening flight out.
For everyone
Accessibility
All venues offer accessible seating and entry; please contact individual venues for specific accommodations. For questions about ASL, audio description, or other access needs, email us at admin@storykeepers.org and we'll connect you with the right venue.
Ask an accessibility questionBefore you come
Festival
FAQ
What is the St. Pete New Works Festival?+
Twelve days of brand-new American plays across four St. Petersburg companies — full productions, staged readings, and interactive experiences, plus parties and panels that put audiences in the same room as the artists.
When and where does it happen?+
March 24 – April 4, 2027, at The Studio, freeFall Theatre, and The Off-Central, with a few additional venues to be announced. Everything is within a short drive of downtown St. Petersburg.
Is there a festival pass, or do I buy show by show?+
Individual tickets go on sale first through each producing company's box office. Flex 3, Full Festival, and Industry passes are being finalized — see the Passes page and we'll tell you the moment they open.
What should I budget for a full weekend?+
Plan on roughly $25–$45 per production, less for readings, and free entry to the Friday kick-off parties with any festival ticket. The Mint Hotel offers festival guests 30% off, and most venues are walkable or a short rideshare apart.
Do I need to be in the industry to attend?+
No. Every performance, panel, and party is open to the public. Artists, producers, and programmers are welcome too — the festival is built to be a place where new work gets seen by the people who can move it forward.
What should I wear?+
Whatever you like. This is Florida in the spring: bring a light layer for air-conditioned theatres and comfortable shoes for the walk between venues.
Are the shows appropriate for all ages?+
Content varies by show — new work often goes to sharp places. Age guidance and content notes appear on each show page as productions are finalized.
How do I get here and get around?+
Fly into Tampa International (TPA), about 30 minutes away, or St. Pete–Clearwater (PIE). Downtown is walkable, the SunRunner connects downtown to the beach, and rideshare is easy and cheap between venues.
Can I submit a play or volunteer?+
Yes to both. Submissions for the 2028 festival open June 1, 2027 — full-length plays, no fee, with priority for queer playwrights and playwrights of color; see the Submissions page. Volunteer shifts and artist housing are on the Volunteer & Host page.
Who do I contact with a question?+
Email admin@storykeepers.org. For press or partnership inquiries, use the same address and put PRESS or PARTNER in the subject line.
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