Sharkapalooza Makes St. Petersburg Its Forever Home with Two-Day Waterfront Festival at Spa Beach, St. Pete Pier

The ocean conservation art festival makes St. Petersburg its new home for its biggest year yet.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Sharkapalooza Foundation is proud to announce that Sharkapalooza 2027 will take place March 20–21, 2027, at Spa Beach at the St. Pete Pier. The move makes St. Petersburg the festival’s permanent home. The festival is free and open to everyone. Applications are open now for artists, nonprofits, and food and beverage trucks.

Following its most successful festival to date, Sharkapalooza is expanding into a two-day celebration of art, education, community, and conservation, the largest milestone in the organization’s history. For the first time, Sharkapalooza will also launch a national advertising campaign to draw artists and attendees from across the country to St. Pete.

A Bridge Between Art and Conservation
What sets Sharkapalooza apart is its role as a bridge between art and conservation. Scientists can tell people why the ocean matters, and artists can make them feel it. Sharkapalooza brings the two together in one place. The festival is a juried show, so every artist creates work about the ocean or the environment. Alongside them, marine biologists and scientists working in the field share their research, and nonprofits in ocean, environment, art, and science receive booth space at no cost.

“We’re artists, not marine biologists, and that’s our strength,” said Jessica Adanich, Founder and Executive Director of the Sharkapalooza Foundation. “Art draws people in, often people who’d never go to a science lecture. Once they’re curious, we connect them with the experts and organizations doing the work.”

Two Full Days of Art, Education, and Community
Situated along Tampa Bay with beach access, panoramic waterfront views, and direct connections to the St. Pete Pier, Spa Beach creates an unforgettable venue for an event built around the human connection to the ocean. Guests can expect:

• National juried artist selection, featuring ocean- and shark-inspired creators from across the country
• Shark science and conservation experts
• Interactive marine education experiences
• Family-friendly activities
• Live music and entertainment
• Food, drinks, and local vendors
• Inspiring opportunities to learn how everyone can help protect our oceans

From 10 Artists to a Movement
Sharkapalooza began with 10 artists and a single educational coloring sheet. Its fifth annual festival, held May 16, 2026, at Coachman Park in Clearwater, welcomed more than 2,000 attendees and 56 artists and community partners, and raised $5,000 for OCEARCH, the festival’s primary beneficiary. In 2027, its sixth year, Sharkapalooza comes to St. Pete.

Every festival is built around four pillars: Art, Community, Education, and Conservation, guided by a simple belief: change perception, change behavior, change outcomes.

Additional announcements, including featured artists, conservation partners, entertainment, and volunteer opportunities, will be released in the coming months.

Get Involved
Applications are now open for artists, nonprofits, and food and beverage trucks. To apply, sponsor, volunteer, or stay informed about Sharkapalooza 2027, visit Sharkapalooza.org.

About the Sharkapalooza Foundation
The Sharkapalooza Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funding for shark and ocean conservation through immersive art experiences, education, and community engagement. The Foundation brings together artists, scientists, educators, families, and conservation organizations to inspire a deeper appreciation for our oceans and the vital role sharks play in marine ecosystems. Sharkapalooza is a proud member of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce.

Media Contact
Jessica Adanich
hello@sharkapalooza.org
813-563-8345