Things to Do in St. Petersburg in November

VerdictGood
Ranked#3 of 12
PricesModerate

November is when St. Petersburg, Florida finally exhales after 5 months of summer. The afternoon thunderstorms that hammer the city from June through September have tapered off to roughly 54mm of rain for the entire month, down from August's 206mm. Highs settle around 25°C (77°F), lows dip to 17°C (63°F), and the air loses that thick, saturated quality that defines Tampa Bay summers. For the first time since May, you can walk outside at 2 p.m. without the feeling of stepping into a steam room.

The timing works in your favor in a few ways. Hurricane season technically runs through November 30, but the statistical risk drops sharply after mid-October. The Saturday Morning Market in downtown St. Pete is running every Saturday with over 100 vendors. The SHINE Mural Festival typically adds its final new walls in early November. Gulf of Mexico water temperature still sits near 24°C (75°F). Snowbird season is ramping up but hasn't peaked, so Fort De Soto's beaches and Beach Drive's restaurants remain accessible without the 45-minute waits and packed parking lots of February.

To be fair, November sits in a transitional stretch. The Warehouse Arts District holds its Second Saturday ArtWalk on November's second weekend, and The Dalí Museum runs extended evening hours on Thursdays through the winter season. A handful of seasonal restaurants along Gulf Boulevard and Treasure Island don't reopen from their summer hiatus until late November or December. The full winter festival calendar, including the St. Pete Indie Market at Green Bench Brewing and the holiday boat parades, hasn't kicked in yet. You might find the city quieter than expected on weeknights, particularly along Central Avenue after 10 p.m.

Why visit in November

The driest month of the year at 54mm of rainfall and roughly 6 rainy days, compared to 206mm and near-daily storms in August.
Gulf of Mexico water temperature still hovers near 24°C (75°F), warm enough for swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking without a wetsuit.
The Saturday Morning Market runs every Saturday in downtown St. Pete with over 100 vendors selling produce, prepared food, and local crafts.
Hotel rates sit between the summer lows and the January-March peak, so you get dry-season weather at shoulder-season prices.
The SHINE Mural Festival typically wraps its final new walls in early November, and over 100 permanent murals from past years make comfortable walking tours possible in the mild temperatures.

Worth knowing

Hurricane season technically extends through November 30. A late-season tropical system tracking into Tampa Bay is unlikely but not impossible.
The full winter festival and event calendar doesn't begin until December. November's cultural programming is lighter than January through April.
Some seasonal restaurants and bars that close for summer don't reopen until late November or December, particularly along the Gulf beach communities.

Best for

Think twice if

Weather measured 25° / 17°C 54mm rain · 6 rainy days · 73% humidity rains perceptibly ~0.8h/day · 91% of mornings dry

Crowds medium

Pack Light layers are the key for November in St. Pete. Pack breathable cotton or linen for daytime, a light pullover or hoodie for evenings when temperatures dip to 17°C (63°F), and a packable rain jacket for the occasional passing shower. Sandals for the beach, walking shoes for the 3-4 mile mural tours and downtown exploring.

November brings some of the most comfortable conditions of the year to St. Petersburg. The humidity eases to about 73%, still noticeable if you're coming from a dry climate but a genuine relief from the 85-90% of July and August. Afternoon thunderstorms, nearly a daily occurrence from June through September, become rare. You'll likely see rain on about 6 days, usually brief and light. Mornings tend to start around 17°C (63°F), cool enough that some longtime residents pull out light jackets for early walks along the waterfront. By midday, temperatures climb to about 25°C (77°F), warm enough for the beach but never punishing. The UV index still reaches 5-6 on clear days, enough to burn fair skin in about 30 minutes even though the sun feels mild.

Seasonal caution

Hurricane season officially extends through November 30. Late-season tropical systems are rare in Tampa Bay, but check the NOAA forecast before booking non-refundable travel in early November. The last significant November hurricane impact in the region was decades ago, though the 2022 season reminded everyone that late storms are possible.

Year-round climate

Averages from the last 5 years.

Monthly climate averages for St. Petersburg
Month	Avg high (°C)	Avg low (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
Jan	20	12	60
Feb	23	15	64
Mar	25	17	51
Apr	28	19	64
May	30	23	63
Jun	31	25	154
Jul	32	26	128
Aug	32	26	206
Sep	30	24	153
Oct	28	21	103
Nov	25	17	54
Dec	22	15	63

Holidays and festivals in November

Public holidays

Veterans Day(Veterans Day)11 November 2026
Thanksgiving Day(Thanksgiving Day)26 November 2026

When is Christmas season in 2026?

27 November to 26 December 2026

Christmas season is a major cultural celebration in St. Petersburg. In 2026 it runs from 27 November to 26 December 2026.

Christmas Lights Wonderland St. Pete Golf Cart Tour

1.5–2 hr
Free cancellation
Easy pace

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Headline events

Citywide Free

SHINE St. Pete Mural Festival

Late October through early-to-mid November

One of the largest urban mural festivals in the southeastern United States. International and local artists paint large-scale murals on building walls across downtown St. Petersburg over a 2-3 week period. The city now has over 100 permanent murals from past festivals, and November typically sees the final new pieces of each year's program go up. Walking tours, artist talks, and evening events run alongside the live painting. Worth noting that even after the festival ends, every mural remains permanently on display.

#SHINEStPete

Best things to do in November

Self-guided SHINE Mural Festival walking tour

art and culture

Over 100 permanent large-scale murals cover building walls across the Central Arts District, the 600 Block, and stretches of Central Avenue between 1st and 31st Streets. In early November, you might catch artists still painting that year's new pieces. The murals range from 2-story abstract compositions to photorealistic portraits. You'll smell fresh aerosol paint near active walls and hear the rattle of spray cans from a block away.

The festival typically wraps its final new walls in early November, and mild 25°C temperatures make 2-3 hour outdoor walking tours comfortable for the first time since May.

Booking tipDownload the St. Pete Arts Alliance mural map app before you go. The murals are spread across roughly 35 city blocks.

Kayaking through Fort De Soto's mangrove trails

outdoor

Fort De Soto Park sits at the southern tip of Pinellas County, where mangrove-lined waterways wind between 5 interconnected islands totaling 1,136 acres. The kayak trail follows a marked path through tunnels of red mangrove roots where you'll spot manatees, dolphins, ospreys, and the occasional roseate spoonbill. The water is calm and shallow, rarely more than a meter deep.

Gulf water at 24°C is still warm enough that a capsize is refreshing rather than dangerous, and the summer jellyfish population has thinned significantly. November's lower humidity makes paddling for 2-3 hours manageable.

Booking tipLaunch from the boat ramp near the East Beach area. Weekday mornings before 9 a.m. mean fewer motorboats in the channels.

The Dalí Museum

art and culture

The permanent collection at The Dalí Museum on Bayshore Drive SE holds over 2,400 works, including 8 of the 18 large-scale masterwork oil paintings Dalí produced between 1948 and 1989. The building itself, designed by Yann Weymouth, features a geodesic glass bubble structure called the Enigma that rises 23 meters above the ground floor. The collection also includes drawings, photographs, sculptures, and an immersive digital exhibit in the basement-level Avant-garden.

November's shoulder-season crowds mean shorter wait times at the entrance and more space in front of major works like The Hallucinogenic Toreador (4 meters tall). Summer's school groups are gone.

Booking tipThursday evenings the museum stays open late, and the adjacent waterfront park is a good spot for sunset views over Tampa Bay.

Cycling the Pinellas Trail

outdoor

The Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail runs 47 miles from Tarpon Springs in the north to St. Petersburg in the south, following the old CSX rail corridor through 7 Pinellas County communities. The St. Pete section passes through the Warehouse Arts District, crosses over the 4th Street overpass, and connects to downtown near Tropicana Field. The path is flat, paved, and separated from road traffic for most of its length.

November's average high of 25°C and low humidity make a 2-3 hour ride comfortable. During summer months, heat index values above 38°C make midday cycling risky.

Booking tipBike rental shops cluster around the downtown St. Pete trailhead near 1st Avenue South. Reserve ahead for Thanksgiving weekend.

Sunset at Pass-a-Grille Beach

outdoor

Pass-a-Grille sits at the southern end of St. Pete Beach, a narrow strip of sand where Gulf Boulevard dead-ends and the Intracoastal Waterway meets the open Gulf. The beach faces due west with no high-rises blocking the sky. The sand is fine, white, and cool underfoot by late afternoon in November. November sunsets hit around 5:35 p.m., painting the sky in oranges and pinks that reflect off the flat Gulf surface.

November's dry air produces clearer sunsets than the hazy, humid summer months. The 5:35 p.m. sunset time means you don't have to wait until 8:30 p.m. as in June. Crowds are lighter than January-March.

Booking tipThe small municipal lot fills by 4 p.m. on weekends. Park along Gulf Way side streets or arrive before 3 p.m.

Exploring the Warehouse Arts District

art and culture

The Warehouse Arts District occupies several blocks south of Central Avenue between 10th and 16th Streets, anchored by working artist studios, galleries, and creative businesses in converted industrial buildings. The district includes ArtsXchange, a multi-studio complex in a former warehouse, and several independent galleries that open their doors during the Second Saturday ArtWalk each month.

The Second Saturday ArtWalk in November typically draws fewer visitors than the packed winter-season events from January through March, making it easier to talk with artists and browse without crowds. Comfortable evening temperatures around 20°C make the outdoor walking pleasant.

Booking tipThe ArtWalk runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the second Saturday. Start at the ArtsXchange building and work your way north toward Central Avenue.

What to eat in November

In season: fruit

Early-season Florida citrus
November marks the beginning of Florida's citrus harvest. Early navel oranges and Ruby Red grapefruit start appearing at the Saturday Morning Market and roadside stands around Pinellas County. The fruit tends to be tart and bright at this stage, not yet at its sweetest peak, but the freshness is hard to match. Temple oranges and Honeybells come later in January.

On menus now

Stone crab claws
Florida's stone crab season opens October 15 and runs through May 1, making November the first full month of reliable supply at St. Pete restaurants. The claws are served cold with a tangy mustard-based dipping sauce. The sweet, firm meat has a texture somewhere between lobster and shrimp. Restaurants along Beach Drive and the Gulf beach communities typically run stone crab specials throughout November as the catch ramps up.
Gulf oysters on the half shell
Cooler Gulf of Mexico water temperatures in November improve the flavor and texture of locally harvested oysters. Raw bars and seafood restaurants across St. Pete feature them chargrilled with garlic butter or served raw with mignonette and horseradish. The Oyster Bar on 4th Street North and several Beach Drive spots tend to have the freshest supply. November's cooler water means the oysters are plumper and brinier than what you'd get in August.
Smoked mullet spread
A Tampa Bay staple that peaks during the cooler months when mullet run thick through Boca Ciega Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway. The fish is smoked over local mangrove or oak, flaked, and blended with cream cheese, hot sauce, and a squeeze of lime. You'll find it at the Saturday Morning Market and at waterfront spots like Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish in South Pasadena, which has been smoking mullet since 1951.

Regular events in November

Second Saturday ArtWalkFree

Monthly gallery walk through the Warehouse Arts District south of Central Avenue. Working artists open their studios, galleries host openings, and food trucks line the streets between 10th and 16th Streets. Live music at several venues along the route.

Second Saturday of November, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

St. Pete Indie MarketFree

Local makers, artists, and small-batch producers set up at Green Bench Brewing Company on Baum Avenue North. Handmade goods, vintage clothing, local art prints, and craft beverages. The November edition typically features holiday-themed vendor lineups.

One Sunday in mid-November

Tampa Bay Rays offseason events at Tropicana Field

While the MLB season has ended, Tropicana Field occasionally hosts community events, concerts, and holiday markets in November. The venue sits at the edge of downtown St. Pete and remains a neighborhood anchor.

Various dates throughout November

Thanksgiving weekend dining along Beach Drive

Beach Drive NE restaurants, including several with waterfront patio seating overlooking the Marina and Vinoy Park, typically offer special Thanksgiving menus from Thursday through Sunday. Reservations fill faster for Thanksgiving weekend than any other November dates.

Fourth Thursday through Sunday of November

Best places this November

Fort De Soto Park
park
A 1,136-acre county park spread across 5 interconnected islands at the mouth of Tampa Bay. North Beach consistently ranks among Florida's top beaches. The park includes a 7-mile paved trail, a historic fort from the Spanish-American War era, two fishing piers, and kayak launch points into the mangrove channels. Camping is available at 238 sites, and November is the most popular month for reservations.
Tierra Verde
The Dalí Museum
museum
Home to the largest collection of Salvador Dalí works outside Spain, with over 2,400 pieces including 8 masterwork-scale oil paintings. The Yann Weymouth-designed building on Bayshore Drive features the Enigma, a 23-meter geodesic glass bubble. The adjacent waterfront garden overlooks Tampa Bay.
Downtown St. Pete
Beach Drive NE
dining and nightlife
The main waterfront dining and gallery corridor running along the western edge of downtown, overlooking the St. Pete Marina and Vinoy Park. Restaurants, wine bars, and boutique shops occupy the ground floors of historic buildings. On November evenings, patio dining is comfortable for the first time since the spring.
Downtown St. Pete
The Saturday Morning Market
market
St. Petersburg's flagship outdoor market occupying a full city block in the Al Lang Stadium parking area. Over 100 vendors sell local produce, prepared foods, baked goods, artisan crafts, and live plants. Live music plays throughout the morning. The market runs every Saturday from October through May.
Downtown St. Pete
Pass-a-Grille Historic District
beach
A quiet, walkable beach community at the southern tip of St. Pete Beach. Gulf Way, the main street, runs about 8 blocks from the Don CeSar hotel to the jetty at the southern point. Small restaurants, an ice cream shop, and a handful of galleries line the street. The beach faces the open Gulf with unobstructed sunset views.
St. Pete Beach
Sunken Gardens
garden
A 4-acre botanical garden in the middle of St. Petersburg, originally planted as a private garden in 1903. The garden sits in a natural sinkhole, putting you below street level among more than 50,000 tropical plants, a butterfly house, and mature banyan trees. November's dry weather and lower sun angle make the garden more comfortable and better-lit for photography than summer visits.
Central St. Pete
Gulfport Waterfront District
neighborhood
A small artsy community about 10 minutes south of downtown St. Pete. Beach Boulevard runs a few blocks of independent shops, cafes, and galleries ending at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom on Boca Ciega Bay. Tuesday evening fresh markets run year-round, and the First Friday Art Walk draws a loyal crowd.
Gulfport

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Breathable cotton or linen shirtsDaytime temperatures still reach 25°C (77°F). Synthetic fabrics trap heat against your skin at this humidity level.Shop
Light pullover or hoodieEvenings and early mornings dip to 17°C (63°F), enough to want a layer on the waterfront where the bay breeze adds a chill.Shop
Packable rain jacketRain falls on about 6 days in November, usually brief showers. A compact jacket you can stash in a daypack covers it.Shop
Reef-safe sunscreen, SPF 30 minimumThe UV index still reaches 5-6 on clear November days. Fair skin burns in about 30 minutes even though the sun feels mild.Shop
Walking shoes with good treadMural walking tours cover 3-4 miles on sidewalks and some uneven brick surfaces in the Warehouse Arts District.Shop
Sandals or water shoesFort De Soto's beaches have some shell fragments near the waterline, and the kayak launch areas have rocky patches.Shop
Polarized sunglassesLow-angle November sun reflects hard off the Gulf surface and white sand, especially during the 4-5 p.m. sunset hour.Shop
Daypack or crossbody bagUseful for carrying water, sunscreen, and your rain layer during market visits and trail rides where there's no shade or storage.Shop

Insider tips

The Saturday Morning Market gets crowded after 10 a.m. on November weekends. Arrive by 9 a.m. to browse comfortably and get the best selection from produce vendors, who sometimes sell out of specialty citrus by mid-morning.
Fort De Soto's campground fills weeks in advance for November. If you want one of the 238 sites, book through Pinellas County Parks as soon as reservations open. Thanksgiving week sells out fastest.
The SHINE murals are spread over 35+ blocks, but the densest concentration sits between 1st and 6th Avenues South, from 5th to 16th Streets. Start there if you have limited time.
Beach Drive restaurants that don't need reservations the rest of November will likely require them for Thanksgiving weekend. Book by early November if you're visiting over the holiday.
The Pinellas Trail's downtown St. Pete section connects to the waterfront via the Demen's Landing path. You can ride from the trail directly to the Marina and the Dalí Museum without touching a road.
Gulfport's Tuesday Fresh Market is a smaller, less touristy alternative to the Saturday Morning Market. It runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. along Beach Boulevard with local vendors, food stalls, and live acoustic music on the waterfront.

Avoid these mistakes

Assuming the Gulf beaches are too cold for swimming in November. Water temperature still sits near 24°C (75°F), warmer than most swimming pools. You don't need a wetsuit until January or February.
Skipping sunscreen because it's not summer. The UV index at 5-6 is deceptive when the air feels cool. Burns happen faster than visitors expect, especially on the water during kayak trips.
Driving to Fort De Soto on a Saturday without checking the toll booth wait. Weekend mornings can stack up at the Pinellas Bayway toll. Arrive before 9 a.m. or go on a weekday.
Booking a hotel for Thanksgiving week at the same rate as early November. The holiday week is the pricing peak of the month, and some Beach Drive and beachfront properties run noticeably higher than the first three weeks.
Expecting fall foliage. St. Pete is subtropical. The trees stay green year-round. If you're hoping for orange and red canopies, this is the wrong destination.

Practical tips for November

November is the transition month between summer's empty-restaurant ease and the full snowbird season that runs January through March. Restaurants and attractions are open but not yet overwhelmed, so you can usually get same-day reservations and walk onto beaches without circling for parking. The exception is Thanksgiving week, when both tourists and visiting family members push demand closer to winter-season levels. Book Thanksgiving dinner reservations by early November, and reserve Fort De Soto campsites as far in advance as possible. For daily planning, mornings tend to be clearest and coolest, making 8-11 a.m. the best window for outdoor activities like kayaking, cycling the Pinellas Trail, or walking the mural district. Afternoon temperatures are comfortable but the sun angle gets strong between noon and 3 p.m. Sunset is around 5:35 p.m. in November, which means early dinner reservations at waterfront restaurants give you the best light. The PSTA bus system connects downtown St. Pete to the Gulf beaches via the Suncoast Beach Trolley, running roughly every 30 minutes along Gulf Boulevard from Pass-a-Grille to Clearwater Beach.

FAQ

Is November a good time to swim in the Gulf at St. Petersburg?

The Gulf of Mexico water temperature in November still hovers near 24°C (75°F), which is warm enough for comfortable swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking without a wetsuit. Most visitors from northern climates find it pleasant. The water doesn't drop below 20°C until January.

Does St. Petersburg have a risk of hurricanes in November?

Hurricane season officially extends through November 30, so technically yes. In practice, the risk drops sharply after mid-October. Late-season tropical systems tracking directly into Tampa Bay are statistically rare. That said, travel insurance with weather coverage is worth considering for early November bookings, and checking the NOAA forecast a week before travel is a reasonable precaution.

How crowded is St. Petersburg in November compared to winter?

November sits in the shoulder zone. Snowbird season is beginning but hasn't peaked. You'll notice more visitors than summer, but Beach Drive restaurants still have same-day availability and Fort De Soto's parking lots don't fill until mid-morning on weekends. By January, parking at popular beaches fills by 10 a.m. and restaurant waits stretch well past an hour.

What should I wear in St. Petersburg in November?

Daytime calls for light, breathable clothing. Cotton or linen works well at 25°C (77°F) with 73% humidity. Bring a light hoodie or pullover for evenings and early mornings, when temperatures dip to around 17°C (63°F). A packable rain jacket handles the occasional passing shower. You won't need anything heavier than a light sweater.

Is the Saturday Morning Market running in November?

Yes. The Saturday Morning Market runs every Saturday from October through May in downtown St. Pete. It typically opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 1 p.m. November is a good time to visit because the winter-season crowds haven't fully arrived yet, but the full vendor lineup of over 100 stalls is already in place.