TAMPA, Fla. — It's time again to get decked out in your best pirate gear: the 2024 Gasparilla Pirate Fest invades Tampa Bay on Jan. 27. Thousands of residents are expected to flock along the sidewalks of Bayshore Boulevard and downtown Tampa to pay homage to the mysterious, but legendary pirate José Gaspar. 

Before you start brushing up on your pirate lingo, here’s what you need to know before joining in on the weekend's festivities.

What Is Gasparilla? 🏴‍☠️

Basically, it's Tampa’s version of Mardi Gras, but with pirates. A tradition since 1904, Gasparilla is a huge parade featuring an “invasion” of downtown Tampa led by pirate José Gaspar and his band of swashbuckling pirates, played by local organization Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla (YMKG). Members of YMKG will sail aboard the José Gasparilla II, a specially built “pirate ship” equipped with mini cannons that fire off throughout the journey.

The pirates will then make their way on land at the Tampa Convention Center, where the fate of the city lies in the hands of Mayor Jane Castor and whether she will surrender the key to the city or not. No matter the outcome, the crew will then celebrate parade around the town, throwing beads and other goodies from floats.

Here's a preview of the parade from last year's festivities:

2024 Children’s Gasparilla 🦜

Kids can pillage and plunder at the Children's Gasparilla Parade on Jan. 20 from noon to 7:30 p.m.

Festivities include a preschoolers’ stroll where kids under 5 and their families can get geared up in their best pirate attire and enjoy a half-mile walk down Bayshore Boulevard with decorated wagons, strollers and tricycles. The event requires pre-registration and you can sign up here. 

There will also be an air invasion featuring airplanes that will put on a performance over Tampa’s waterfront with skywriting and a parachute jump. The day will wrap with a “Piratechnic Finale,” where fireworks will light up the sky at dusk.

Start Times ⏰ 

The Children’s Gasparilla runs from noon to 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 27th’s Gasparilla invasion runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The parade will roll through Tampa from 2 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Both are free events where all can attend, so all you will need to do is find a nice spot to view the action and have fun. But be sure to get out there early, because the city is preparing to host hundreds of thousands of attendees at this year’s parade.

Schedule of Events for the Children's Gasparilla:

• 12 - 2 p.m.: Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Rodeo- Bayshore Blvd between Rome and Dakota Ave. (Free to participate, no registration required)
• 12 - 4 p.m.: Gasparilla Air Invasion
• 2 - 3 p.m.: Gasparilla Preschooler’s Stroll (Pre-registration required)
• 4 - 6:15 p.m.: Children’s Gasparilla Parade
• 6 -7 p.m.: Nighttime Gasparilla Air Invasion
• 7 -7:30 p.m.: “Piratechnic Finale” Fireworks Show

Parade Routes 🗺️

Parking 🚗

The city of Tampa says that traffic in and around downtown Tampa will be heavy during the day of both parades. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to arrive and secure parking. 

Children's Gasparilla - $15 Event Parking: 

• Pam Iorio Parking Garage (South Florida Avenue & Channelside Drive): 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Tampa Convention Center Garage (Tampa Street & Brorein Street): Open 24/7
• Fort Brooke Garage (Whiting Street, between Franklin Street & Florida Avenue): 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Whiting St. Garage (North Morgan Street): 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Selmon Expressway Downtown parking lots: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• On-street parking meters will be enforced from 8 a.m. until midnight

The Jolley Roger Trolley will run on a continuous loop during the children's parade from 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., picking up and dropping off event attendees at the intersections of both Platt Street and Bayshore Boulevard, as well as Bay-to-Bay Boulevard and Bayshore Boulevard for free. 

Gasparilla Pirate Fest - $20 Event Parking: 

• Pam Iorio Parking Garage (South Florida Avenue & Channelside Drive): 8 a.m. – Limited spaces
• Tampa Convention Center Garage (Tampa Street & Brorein Street): Open 24/7
• Fort Brooke Garage (Whiting Street, between Franklin Street & Florida Avenue): 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Whiting St. Garage (North Morgan Street): 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Selmon Expressway Downtown parking lots: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Royal Regional Lot (Tampa Street & Fortune Street): Open 24/7
• Scott Street Lot (Morgan Street & Scott Street): Open 24/7
• Poe Garage (North Ashley Drive & W. Cass Street): Due to the parade route, this garage will close from 1 – 6 p.m. No entry or exit will be allowed during this time.
• Twiggs Street Garage (Twiggs Street, west of Nebraska Avenue): Open 24/7, Standard hourly rate with a $12 maximum
• **Centro Ybor Garage (5th Avenue & 15th Street): Open 24/7, Standard hourly rate with a $12 maximum
• **Palm Avenue Garage (13th Street & 9th Avenue): Open 24/7, Standard hourly rate with a $12 maximum
• On-street parking meters will be enforced from 8 a.m. - midnight

**NOTE: The free, TECO Line Streetcar (running 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 a.m.) and the free, HART bus shuttle service (running 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.) will be available to transport between Ybor City and Downtown Tampa.

Road Closures ⛔

Children's Gasparilla

Jan. 19, 10 p.m. - Jan. 20, 12 a.m. 

• Bayshore Boulevard between West Gandy Boulevard and West Platt Street
• Davis Islands Bridge off-ramp onto Bayshore Boulevard

Jan. 20, 12:01 a.m. - Jan. 20, 12 a.m.

• West Bay to Bay Boulevard between South Ysabella Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard

Jan. 20, 3 p.m. - Jan. 20, 12 a.m.

• Eastbound lanes on West Bay to Bay Boulevard at South MacDill Avenue 

Gasparilla Pirate Fest 

Jan. 26, 10 p.m. - Jan. 27, 12 a.m.

• Bayshore Boulevard between West Gandy Boulevard and West Platt Street
• West Bay to Bay Boulevard between Bayshore Boulevard and South Ysabella Avenue
• Davis Islands Bridge off-ramp onto Bayshore Boulevard 

Jan. 27, 3 a.m. - 12 a.m.

• Bayshore Boulevard between West Brorein Street and West Platt Street
• West Platt Street/Channelside Drive from South Plant Avenue to South Franklin Street

Jan. 27, 5:30 a.m. - 12 a.m.

• Crosstown - Eastbound South Willow Avenue Exit Ramp (Exit 4)

Jan. 27, 7 a.m. - 12 a.m.

• South Ashley Drive between Jackson Street and Brorein Street
• Brorein Street from South Jefferson Avenue to South Parker Street
• South Franklin Street between Channelside Drive and Harbour Island Bridge
• Water Street between South Franklin Street and South Florida Avenue
• East Washington Street between South Ashley Drive and South Tampa Street
• East Whiting Street between South Ashley Drive and South Tampa Street

Jan. 27, 9 a.m. - 12 a.m.

• East Kennedy Boulevard between North Florida Avenue and South Plant Avenue
• North Ashley Drive between East Cass Street and East Jackson Street
• East Jackson Street from North Ashley Drive to North Tampa Street
• East Madison Street between North Ashley Drive and North Florida Avenue
• East Twiggs Street between North Ashley Drive and North Florida Avenue
• East Zack Street between North Ashley Drive and North Florida Avenue
• East Polk Street between North Ashley Drive and North Florida Avenue

Jan. 27, 11 a.m. - 12 a.m.

• West Cass Street between North Willow Avenue and West Tyler Street
• West North A Street from North Willow Avenue to North Newport Avenue
• West North B Street from North Willow Avenue to North Newport Avenue
• West Fig Street between North Willow Avenue and North Gilchrist Avenue
• West Carmen Street between North Willow Avenue and North Delaware Avenue
• North Newport Avenue between West Cass Street and West North A Street
• North Gilchrist Avenue between West Cass Street and West Fig Street
• North Boulevard between West Cass Street and West Main Street

Jan. 27, 1:30 p.m. - 12 a.m.

• Cass Street between West Tyler Street and North Tampa Street 
• West Tyler Street between North Tampa Street and West Cass Street

Jan. 27, 2 p.m. - 12 a.m.

• North Boulevard between West Kennedy Boulevard and West Cass Street

Jan. 27, 3 p.m. - 12 a.m.

• West Bay to Bay Boulevard (Eastbound closure only) between South MacDill Avenue and South Ysabella Avenue
• West Platt Street at South Howard Avenue
• West Platt Street at South Willow Avenue
• West Platt Street at South Boulevard 
• South Willow Avenue between West Kennedy Boulevard and West Platt Street
• South Boulevard between West Kennedy Boulevard and West Platt Street 
• East Whiting Street between Tampa Street and Franklin Street

Jan. 27, 4:30 p.m. - 12 a.m.

• West Kennedy Boulevard (Eastbound closure only) at South Himes Avenue 
• West Kennedy Boulevard (Eastbound closure only) at South MacDill Avenue
• West Kennedy Boulevard (Eastbound closure only) at South Howard Avenue
• West Kennedy Boulevard (Eastbound closure only) at South Boulevard

Accessibility ♿

Accessible parking for the children’s parade can be found at the intersection of West Palm Drive and South Howard Avenue. The viewing area will be located at South Howard Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard.

Accessible parking for the main parade can be found at the Fort Brooke Garage located on Whiting Street. Access to Whiting Street may be accomplished by traveling south on Tampa Street or north on Florida Avenue. The viewing area will be located along Ashley Drive and Whiting Street. 

Other Transportation Methods 🚌

There are alternative ways to get around town safely during the main Gasparilla parade. Check out these transportation services:

Downtown Tampa: Ride HART to Marion Transit Center in Downtown Tampa with a $4 all-day pass. Purchase with the Flamingo Fares mobile app, on the bus with cash only (no change provided), or in advance at HART retail outlets. Monthly passes can also be used.

• From University Area: Route 1*, 5, 6, 9*, 12, 400*
• From Temple Terrace: Route 6
• From Brandon: Route 8*, 360LX*
• From West Tampa: Route 7*
• From South Tampa: Route 19*, 360LX*
• From Tampa International Airport: Route 10*, 30*

*NOTE: HART Routes 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 19, 30, 400 and 360LX will be on detour during Gasparilla, and will provide limited service within Downtown Tampa and Hyde Park.

Ybor City: Ride free on the TECO Line Streetcar with continuous service from 8:30 a.m. - 2 a.m. between Ybor (Station 2 Centro Ybor) and downtown Tampa (Station 10 Dick Greco Plaza)

• Stations 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 will be closed until 3 p.m.
• Stations 1 and 11 will be closed all day

Channel District: Ride a free bus shuttle with continuous service from 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. between Channel District (near Station 7 Florida Aquarium Station) and Downtown Tampa (Station 10 Dick Greco Station)

Safety Tips 🚨

Siege responsibly! While you’re out celebrating the pirate takeover, the city of Tampa has a couple of reminders for you and your crew:

See Something, Say Something: The Tampa Police Department asks all attendees to remain vigilant during the parade and report any suspicious activity. Attendees can text SAFETAMPA and your tip to 847411 (TIP411) and you will receive a response.  You can also call 833-872-4636 on Saturday, Jan. 20 from 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. For all emergencies, dial 911. 

Have a Meeting Place: Due to large crowds, there may be limited cell service during the event. It’s important to establish a meeting place ahead of time in case some of your crew get lost.

Take a Photo of Your Child in Costume: This will help law enforcement officers quickly identify your child by their pirate garb. If you lose your child, alert the closest officer immediately. They will be stationed along the entire route.

Alcohol Consumption: Drinking is not allowed at the Children’s Gasparilla. The main Gasparilla will have "Wet Zones" established along the parade route and in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Consuming alcohol on public property outside these wet zones is prohibited. There is zero tolerance for underage alcohol consumption and disruptive behavior.

• No underage alcohol consumption
• No open alcohol containers or consumption outside of designated wet zones
• No coolers, kegs, or vessels that provide mass distribution of alcohol
• No glass containers of any type
• Use available event port-o-lets
• All bags and backpacks are subject to search

Weapons of any kind, glass containers, coolers, kegs, styrofoam cups, grills, tents, and fencing are just a few items that are prohibited during the event.

Can you bring a pet?: With the exception of service animals, pets are not allowed at either event.

Bicycles: Bicycles are allowed for transportation to the event site, however, within the event street closure, cyclists must walk with their bikes. The event site is very crowded with pedestrians, including small children. Do not leave your bicycle unattended and do not lock it on private or city property.

Shared E-scooters and E-bikes: A No-Ride Zone has been established for the Children's Gasparilla and the Gasparilla Pirate Fest for shared e-scooters and e-bikes. Personal scooters are not allowed at either event.

Golf Carts: Personal golf carts are not allowed at either event. Only golf carts used by authorized festival staff and vendors will be permitted. 

Boat Docking: Docking space in and around downtown Tampa for Gasparilla is extremely limited. Boaters attempting to “come ashore” along the Bayshore Boulevard balustrade or any other property without a permit are strictly prohibited. As the José Gasparilla II reaches the southern end of Harbour Island, vessel traffic entering the Tampa Convention Center Basin will be shut down at the Harbour Island Bridge, the Platt Street Bridge, the West side of Tampa General Hospital, and the Seddon Channel entrance to the Tampa Convention Center Basin. Vessels will not be permitted to be anchored, moored, or loiter within the Tampa Convention Center Basin. 

The boat ramp at Ballast Point Park will be closed on Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Throwing beads and other litter in the bay is prohibited. Beads and other non-biodegradable items are incredibly harmful to the environment and they pose serious threats to marine wildlife. The city of Tampa is raising environmental awareness with their campaign, #beadfreebay.

Other Things You Need to Know: 💡

Wear sunscreen. Even the best of pirates can’t avoid sunburn. Wearing sunglasses and/or a hat can also ward some of the edge off Florida’s harsh sun.

Stay hydrated! And no, alcohol is not a substitute for water. Bring some water and snacks along with you so that heat exhaustion and dehydration doesn’t ruin your day.

Bring cash. Some vendors will only be accepting cash, so while there will be ATMs along the parade route, it's a good idea to take out some cash beforehand.

Crowds not really your thing? Plan on having your own pirate party at home? Don’t worry: Spectrum Bay News 9 will be having coverage of the parade all day long!

And be sure to take a peek at our Spectrum News app so you can track weather before hitting the road.

Yo Ho Ho!