St. Petersburg’s arts community will gather on September 19 for the long-awaited Manhattan Casino ribbon cutting at the historic Manhattan Casino. The event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., is one of several major cultural observances featured in the city’s September arts newsletter, alongside Free Museum Day 2026 and a full calendar of public art and neighborhood events. While city officials say more details are coming soon, the ribbon cutting signals an important moment for a landmark deeply tied to the city’s Black history and community legacy.
The celebration arrives amid a month focused on preservation, public art, and community participation. Recent highlights include the restoration of Ed Ross’s “Untitled Ceramic Wall” at Campbell Park and the unveiling of the Lakewood Connector Community Mural, both underscoring St. Pete’s commitment to honoring local stories through art. The Manhattan Casino event is expected to continue that theme, bringing residents, artists, and civic leaders together to recognize a place that has long served as a cultural anchor.
With public input central to the city’s arts planning, the ribbon cutting offers more than a ceremonial reopening. It represents a renewed investment in history, place, and the role of arts in shaping St. Petersburg’s future.