September in Florida is still summer, no matter what the calendar says. But something shifts in Downtown New Port Richey this month. The theatre lights up with a golden ticket, Sims Park fills for a night of remembrance and a night of rock, the Riverside Concert Series returns to the water, and the month ends with the Fourth Friday market and Pasco Pride on back-to-back days. Almost all of it happens within a short stroll of The Central on Orange Lake.

September at a Glance

  • Wed, Sept. 2, 5:30 to 7:30 PM: Meet Us on Main, Vino and Vibes, 6317 Adams Street
  • Fri, Sept. 4, 5 and 8 PM: Turnstiles: The Ultimate Billy Joel Tribute, Richey Suncoast Theatre
  • Sat, Sept. 5, 5 to 8 PM: End of Summer Spectacular and Movie in the Park, Sims Park
  • Wed, Sept. 9, 6 to 7 PM: Thrive at Night Yoga, Cavalaire Square
  • Fri, Sept. 11, 7 PM: 25th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial and Remembrance Ceremony, Sims Park
  • Fri, Sept. 11 to Sun, Sept. 20: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The New Musical, Richey Suncoast Theatre
  • Sat, Sept. 12, 11 AM to noon: Thrive on the Square, Cavalaire Square
  • Sat, Sept. 12, 11 AM to 1 PM: Okra Occasion, New Port Richey Public Library
  • Sat, Sept. 12, 7 PM: Concert in the Park with Rooster, Sims Park
  • Sun, Sept. 13, 11 AM to 1 PM: Sunshine Sessions, Cavalaire Square
  • Fri, Sept. 18, noon: Ribbon cutting for Dough and Drafts, 6351 Grand Boulevard
  • Sat, Sept. 19, 8:30 to 11 AM: Cotee River Cleanup, Sims Park Boat Ramp
  • Fri, Sept. 25, 6 PM: Riverside Concert Series with Jahfari Reggae Band, Sims Park
  • Fri, Sept. 25, 6 to 10 PM: Fourth Friday Block Party and Bazaar, Downtown New Port Richey
  • Sat, Sept. 26, 1 to 7 PM: Pasco Pride Festival, various Downtown locations

A Golden Ticket at Richey Suncoast Theatre

The big show of the month is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The New Musical, Roald Dahl’s story of Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka’s golden ticket, on stage at Richey Suncoast Theatre on Grand Boulevard. It runs two weekends, Sept. 11 to 13 and Sept. 18 to 20, with evening and matinee performances. The Friday, Sept. 18 show is ASL interpreted. Before the run begins, the theatre hosts Turnstiles: The Ultimate Billy Joel Tribute on Friday, Sept. 4, with 5 and 8 PM shows benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Twenty-Five Years Later: Remembering 9/11 in Sims Park

On Friday, Sept. 11, the City of New Port Richey and its 9/11 Committee mark the 25th anniversary of the attacks with a ceremony in Sims Park at 7 PM. NYPD Motorcycle Division officer Robert “Bobby” Albertson will share his experiences from that day and the weeks after, the Seven Springs Middle School Chorus will perform, and local clergy will speak about finding hope. A patriotic country concert by Pfister, Pitts and Pfriends follows at 8 PM. Come early for memorabilia and military vehicle displays and student artwork, and bring a chair; seating is limited.

Saturday, Sept. 12: The Busiest Day of the Month

Start the morning with Thrive on the Square, Main Street’s free monthly wellness series in Cavalaire Square, then walk over to the New Port Richey Public Library for the Okra Occasion, a celebration of one of Florida’s most underrated summer vegetables, with samples, seeds and a recipe tasting contest. That night, the city’s free Concert in the Park series brings Rooster, a Tampa Bay tribute to Alice in Chains, to Sims Park at 7 PM, with Tampa hard rock band Nicaea opening. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is on stage the same night if you would rather catch a show.

New on Grand Boulevard: Dough and Drafts

On Friday, Sept. 18 at noon, New Port Richey Main Street celebrates the opening of Dough and Drafts at 6351 Grand Boulevard with a ribbon cutting. It is one of Richey Suncoast Theatre’s VIP Perks partners, and it sits across Grand Boulevard from The Central on Orange Lake.

Give Back to the River

The Cotee River Cleanup returns Saturday, Sept. 19, from 8:30 to 11 AM. Volunteers meet at the Sims Park Boat Ramp for gloves, bags and assignments to clean the river and city parks. Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards are welcome, and a volunteer cookout follows. Pre-registering gets you a t-shirt.

Fourth Friday, Live Reggae and Pasco Pride

The last weekend of the month is a big one. On Friday, Sept. 25, the New Port Richey Public Library’s Riverside Concert Series opens its season in Sims Park at 6 PM with the Jahfari Reggae Band, playing ska, rocksteady, roots and dancehall. The same evening, Grand Boulevard, Nebraska Avenue and Main Street close to cars for the Fourth Friday Block Party and Bazaar, the monthly evening market of local artisans, makers, bakers and small businesses, from 6 to 10 PM. On Saturday, Sept. 26, the Pasco Pride Festival fills Downtown from 1 to 7 PM with live performances, vendors, food trucks, a family fun area and a low-stimulation zone.

Every Week Downtown

A few rhythms keep going all month: the Tasty Tuesdays Community Market in the library courtyard at 5939 Main Street on Tuesday mornings, the Walk and Talk Club leaving from the same courtyard on Monday mornings, and Sunshine Sessions, the city’s free, all-ages music gathering in Cavalaire Square on Sunday, Sept. 13.

September in New Port Richey: Frequently Asked Questions

When is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Richey Suncoast Theatre?

Sept. 11 to 13 and Sept. 18 to 20, 2026, with evening and matinee performances. The Sept. 18 performance is ASL interpreted.

When is Fourth Friday in September?

Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, from 6 to 10 PM in Downtown New Port Richey.

Who is playing Concert in the Park in September?

Rooster, a Tampa Bay Alice in Chains tribute band, with opener Nicaea, on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 7 PM in Sims Park. The concert is free.

Is New Port Richey holding a 9/11 ceremony in 2026?

Yes. The 25th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial and Remembrance Ceremony is Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 PM in Sims Park, followed by a concert at 8 PM.

When is the Cotee River Cleanup?

Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, from 8:30 to 11 AM, starting at the Sims Park Boat Ramp.

When is Pasco Pride 2026?

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, from 1 to 7 PM at locations across Downtown New Port Richey.

Life at The Central

September is easier when the theatre, the park and the river are all a short stroll from your front door. Take a look at our community amenities, check floor plans and availability, or schedule a tour. You can also call or text 727.478.0770 to learn more about life here.

Featured photo: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The New Musical at Richey Suncoast Theatre. Photo courtesy of Richey Suncoast Theatre.