This past weekend, St. Pete Pier transformed into a vibrant hub of music, art and celebration as the long-anticipated We Belong Here Festival made its Tampa Bay debut (Dec. 13 and 14). For two days, locals and visitors alike filled Spa Beach Park with a shared excitement that felt unmistakably St. Pete: open-hearted, creative and ready to celebrate together.
Set against the glittering backdrop of Downtown St. Pete, the festival’s signature 360-degree main stage and multiple performance spaced hosted over 30 artists, blending world-renowned electronic music with an unmistakable Florida chill. Attendees danced in the sand, soaked in the winter sunshine and moved shoulder-to-shoulder with friends, neighbors and new faces who quickly felt like community.
The weekend featured powerhouse headliners including Kaskade, Lane 8, &friends and ODESZA, supported by an eclectic lineup that kept the pier buzzing from afternoon sunsets to late-night crescendos. With every set, the festival showcased why St. Pete has become a rising destination for music lovers – it’s not just the views; it’s the people who bring the energy to life.
But We Belong Here wasn’t only about music. Throughout the weekend, visitors wandered through curated food offerings, immersive art installations and shaded lounge spaces that created a festival experience as scenic as it was inclusive. The thoughtful layout honored what locals love most about the Pier: its ability to be a gathering place for everyone – families, friend groups, solo explorers and passionate music fans all sharing the same space.
That sense of togetherness extended beyond the festival gates. While the event drew its share of conversations around sound levels, it also opened the door for meaningful dialogue about how large-scale events can coexist with the rhythms of city life. St. Pete is known for championing creativity while still protecting community effort – and We Belong Here became a real-time example of how those values meet in the middle.
True to their name, organizers carried their community-first mindset into the week with a post-festival beach and Pier cleanup, partnering with The Blue Urban Project. Volunteers, including festival attendees, local residents and supporters, gathered Tuesday morning to restore Spa beach and the surrounding walkways. It was a powerful reminder that events aren’t just something we attend; they’re something we take responsibility for as a community.
As the final beats faded and the sun set on an unforgettable weekend, one thing became clear: We Belong Here has carved out something special for St. Pete. Not just a music festival – but a moment where the city’s spirit was on full display. A moment where artists, locals and dreamers shared the waterfront and created memories woven into the fabric of our every-growing arts and culture scene.
If this first year is any indicator, St. Pete may have just welcomed a new tradition: one rooted in music, community and the belief that belonging isn’t something you find … it’s something you create together.