Enjoy an “Open House” Celebration of Free Events at Tampa's Benchmark International Arena!

Free Celebration includes Maren Morris Concert, Lightning Watch Party, Arena Food Tasting, Public Skate and Family Movie Night

Vinik Sports Group, in partnership with Benchmark International, is ready to welcome the Tampa Bay community to Benchmark International Arena for a three-day, weekend-long “Open House” celebration, Friday, Oct. 17 through Sunday, Oct. 19.

The arena, home to the Tampa Bay Lightning and a hub for world-class entertainment, will host free events designed to connect with the community and showcase the arena’s many offerings. 

“Benchmark International Arena belongs to Tampa Bay,” said Steve Griggs, CEO of Vinik Sports Group. “This Open House is about inviting everyone across the Bay Area to experience what makes this building and our community so special.” 

The weekend will feature something for everyone. Festivities begin Friday night with a Lightning Watch Party as the Bolts take on the Detroit Red Wings at 6 pm. Fans can gather in the arena to cheer on the Bolts on Lightning Vision. Guests can also enjoy OVG’s (Oak View Group) Taste of Tampa, a culinary showcase highlighting arena food partners and local flavors from OVG’s in-house culinary team. 

Saturday evening, Grammy Award-winning artist Maren Morris brings her powerhouse vocals to the arena for a free concert at 7 pm, as the headliner of the Open House Weekend. 

On Sunday morning, families can lace up their skates for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to skate on the same ice as the Lightning, beginning at 9 am. The weekend concludes that afternoon with a community movie screening of Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out at 4:30 pm. 

With family-friendly pricing on food and beverages and open access to the arena, the Open House highlights Vinik Sports Group and Benchmark International’s dedication to making events accessible and enjoyable for the entire Tampa Bay community. 

Check out the latest entertainment news from throughout Central Florida.

Events Schedule

• Friday, Oct. 17 at 6:00 p.m. – Tampa Bay Lightning Watch Party + Taste of Tampa

• Saturday, Oct. 18 at 7:00 p.m. – Maren Morris Concert

• Sunday, Oct. 19 at 9:00 a.m. – Public Skate

• Sunday, Oct. 19 at 4:30 p.m. – Inside Out Movie Screening

Free tickets for each event are available now at gofevo.com/group/openhouseweekend.

Advanced parking passes can be reserved through ParkWhiz.com.

For full details, visit benchmarkintlarena.com/openhouse or call 813.301.2500.

Looking for more fun events and things to do in Central Florida? Check out our Events Guide. We also publish weekly and monthly event guides with the can’t-miss happenings throughout Central Florida.

Before attending any of the events listed on Gotta Go Orlando, you should contact the organizer or venue to confirm that the event is taking place as information, changes, and cancellations can occur.

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