Tampa’s Gasparilla season kicks off this weekend

Grab your red bandanas and swords for what is aaaargh-uably the biggest Tampa Bay festivity: Gasparilla.

Whether you want to snatch some beads at the parades or enjoy some live music, the two-month long celebration has something for every type of pirate. The puppy parade went down last weekend, but here are some of the best events happening across Tampa Bay as part of Gasparilla season 2025.

Children’s Gasparilla—Saturday, Jan. 18, Noon- 7:30 p.m. on Bayshore Boulevard

• Pirate air invasion Visible from Bayshore Boulevard, the Children’s Gasparilla festivities promises a full day of celebrations at no charge. Mini pirates will get the chance to see treasure fall from the sky, literally, from 12 p.m.- 4 p.m. With demonstrations by aerobatic teams, vintage military aircrafts and the Chuters Parachute Team, the kiddos will get a chance to turn their attention to the sky.
• Bike + pedestrian safety rodeo To promote safe bike riding for the kids, a mini traffic lane is set to open on one block of Bayshore Boulevard between Rome Avenue and Dakota Avenue. Children will be able to bike through from noon- 2 p.m. with assistance and a new helmet that they get to keep. No prior registration is needed, however, helmets are limited.
• Preschoolers stroll For Tampa’s newest and youngest pirates, kiddos in decorated wagons and costumes can take part in an hour-long preschooler stroll at 2 p.m., right before the children’s parade.
• Children’s Gasparilla parade The parade along N Bayshore Blvd. will feature the mini Bay Pirates, school marching bands and decorated floats all the way to Edison Avenue. Kiddos start walking at 4 p.m. and are predicted to finish at 6:15 p.m.  Attendance is free, but for those who want to choose a bleacher seat can scoop one starting at $61.
• Nighttime Gasparilla air invasion and ‘Pirathecnic Finale’ Not enough parachute action at noon? No worries, the aerobatic teams, aircrafts and chutes return from 6:15 p.m.- 7 p.m. for an encore. For the last bang, kids will have a grand finale with fireworks, at 7 p.m., recreating the imaginary battle of pirates v against the City of Tampa.

Gasparilla Pirate Fest—Saturday, Jan. 25. 10 a.m. Downtown Tampa and Bayshore Boulevard

• Gasparilla invasion brunch Those who want a closer look on the invasion can buy tickets for the Gasparilla Brunch at 10 a.m., and secure a table for 10 people who’ll enjoy breakfast over cocktails at the convention center. Tickets for the brunch experience are $165. Brunch ends at 1 p.m.
• Gasparilla invasion The day-long celebration on Saturday, Jan. 25 is technically a two-parter: The invasion and parade. The Ye Mystic Krewe sails into the invasion towards the Tampa Convention Center at 11:30 a.m., taking over the city for another day, well until they reach shore at 1 p.m. Applications to officially add your boat to the parade closed in October, but if you are feeling lucky, the Gasparilla Dock Lottery might be your chance. By arriving at the dock at 8 a.m. on Jan. 25 25, you might get the chance to join the invasion. There’s no cover, but bleacher and brunch tickets are available at gasparillatreasures.com.
• Need a boat? GetMyBoat rents pirate-themed pontoons, complete with a captain. Prices and boat options range from hourly rates. For four hours, prices range from $700-900, while and eight-hour outing goes from $1,300-$1,500. More than 400 boat options are available.
• Gasparilla Parade of Pirates Making their way to the Bayshore streets with decorated floats and side cannons, the pirates will parade along a five-mile route from 2 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. Paradegoers can snatch colorful beads and cheer on Tampa’s new conquerors.
• Gasparilla Pirate Fest Stage performances Going all day from 10 a.m-8 p.m., live music takes over two different stages: Curtis Hixon WaterFront Park and MacDill Park. At the Curt, the stage will focus on Latin music, with performances by Champán D’Barrio Orchestra and Afinque All Stars. MacFill will stage Captain Mike & The Shipwrecked and Kyle Ingram Trio + Horns. Both will have a break in performances from 3 p.m.- 5:30 p.m., so they don’t outshine the pirates.

Sant’Yago Illuminated Knight Parade—Saturday, Feb. 8. 7 p.m. Ybor City

After spending two weeks pillaging about town, pirates head to the historic district for an illuminated party and parade that gives new meaning to the word “lit.” The night parade will mark the 51st annual Tampa civic pride event, the first taking place 1974. Lining up on 7th Avenue, marching bands and floats will take the pirate pride to Ybor. More information is at krewesantyago.org.

Gasparilla Festival of the Arts—Saturday-Sunday, March 1-2. Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, Tampa

The festival once had a home at the Florida State Fair, but after complaints about nude pictures and controversial art pieces in 1969, the exhibit was moved to the streets of downtown Tampa. Now on its 55th edition, Gasparilla Festival of the Arts (GFA) features Ashli Harper piece “The Fight,” a portrayal of a Black woman in boxing gear, surrounded by pink tones, representing strength and resilience.

Harper’s textured art style stands out, featuring thick acrylic paint strokes on the canvas. The Plant City native and was an emerging artist in the festival 2024 and is now headlining the event. The showcase in March will feature 250 artists and 15 emerging artists. More information is at gasparillaarts.com.

Gasparilla International Film Festival—Thursday-Sunday, March 27-30

For its 18th edition, the Gasparilla Film Festival (GIFF) returns at the end of March. GIFF is run by the nonprofit Tampa Film Institute and includes films in 19 different categories, including grand jury and audience choices. Film submissions are still open online. The location for the 2025 GIFF is still to be decided, but past editions took place at Westshores AMC and the Tampa Theatre. More information is at gasparillafilmfestival.com.

Gasparilla Distance Classic—Friday-Sunday, Feb. 21-23

For every type of runner, the Gasparilla Distance Classic Race is a flat course with four different distances and challenges to choose from. The 48th edition of the race happens in between Brorein and Franklin Streets in downtown Tampa. For runners accompanied by their furry friends, the Hot Diggity Dog Walk will be the day before the human races in February. , times differ, Downtown Tampa. rungasparilla.com
Parking and transportation

Festival attendees can park at any of the five public downtown Tampa parking garages or street parking metered spots. The parade and parks can be accessed by foot via the Riverwalk. If your group needs a ride and a responsible designated drive, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit’s Route 1 is free of charge and runs from the University Area through the Heights neighborhoods and directly into downtown Tampa. More information is available at rungasparilla.com.

Parties

• Swashbuckler Of Pride Hillsborough County’s LGBTQ+ Caucus takes over 1920 in Ybor City for a four-hour throwdown to cap off Gasparilla. There’ll be a DJ, costume contest, and even VIP rooftop access. Saturday, Jan. 15. 8 p.m.-midnight. $25-$40. 1920 Ybor. 1920 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. actblue.com
• Shipwrecked Music Festival Less grunts and more wubs please. The Shipwrecked Pirate and Music festival at the Cuban Club is the bassiest parade opener, happening a day before and the day of the parade of pirates. The lineup consists of over 20 EDM headliners across two days. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 24-25. 5 p.m.-midnight. $45 & up. The Cuban Club, 2010 N Avenida Republica de Cuba, Ybor City. @shipwreckedfest on Instagram
• Gasparilla afterparty w/Italian Krewe If you are looking for an after party to soak up the booze, this Italian after party is for you. The Italian Club of Tampa and Krewe Italia host their first ever Gaspy after party after the parades on Saturday, with live music, dancing and catered food. Tickets are non-refundable and priced at $25 online. Saturday, Jan. 25. 6 p.m.-10 p.m. $25. The Italian Club of Tampa, 1731 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. italian-club.org
• Gasparilla cleanup krewe Tampa streets and waterways need cleaning after the day parade, and while the city does a good job, Adventure Outfitters Dive Center is looking for volunteer divers, kayakers, shore personnel, and data collectors to help with a cleanup on Sunday, Jan. 26 that involves removing plastic beads from the waters around Julian B. Lane Park, Ballast Point pier. Picnic Island and more. Non-divers can help with onshore activity, too. Sunday, Jan. 26. 9 a.m. RSVP via info adventuretampa.com or by calling 813-832-6669. @adventuretampa on Facebook

Readers and community members are always welcome to send letters to the editors Please let us know if we may consider your submission for publication.

Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.

Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | BlueSky

This article appears in Jan 16-22, 2025.