GASPARILLA 2025
Generations of pirates flock to Tampa's Gasparilla fest
Pirate crews got to pillage and plunder their way through downtown Tampa with thousands of spectators in attendance.
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Pirate crews got to pillage and plunder their way through downtown Tampa with thousands of spectators in attendance.
Yes, Gasparilla is a FREE community event with over 100 years of history in Tampa Bay.
The event site is very crowded with pedestrians, including small children, and bicycles are permitted for transportation to the event site, but within the street closure cyclists must walk their bikes. Never leave your bicycle unattended and don't lock it to private or public property.
The event will house more than 100 food, beverage and novelty vendors for your convenience. You are encouraged to support those officially licensed vendors, as their earnings go toward covering production costs of the event.
Coolers and glass containers are not permitted because they are prohibited by the City of Tampa ordinance, and they can be dangerous in large crowds. Grills, except for those belonging to official vendors, are also not allowed on event grounds. You are also asked to not use or bring styrofoam cups/containers to the event.
You can TEXT the keyword SAFETAMPA and your tip to number 847411(TIP411), and you will receive a response. You can also make that a contact in your phone ahead of time, just so you have it.
Call 833-872-4636(TPA-INFO)
Due to the amount of people who come to this event, cell service can't always be relied on for communication. It is recommended that you come up with a place where everyone can meet ahead of time in case someone gets lost.
After everyone is dressed up and ready to go, be sure to snap some photos of everyone in your group.
This will help law enforcement be able to quickly react and identify your child in their costume. If you lose your child during the event, find the nearest law enforcement officer ASAP! They will be all along the parade route.
Drinking is PROHIBITED during the Children's Gasparilla Parade on January 21. The City of Tampa will release a map of all the WET ZONES along the parade route and in the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park area closer to the event. Consuming alcohol outside of the wet zones is prohibited.
Pets (with the exception of service animals) are not allowed at the event.
Children's Parade Road Closures:
Friday, January 10th to Saturday, January 24th
Friday, January 17, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 18, 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, January 18, 3:00 p.m.
Courtesy: Tampa.gov
Gasparilla Pirate Fest Road Closures: (Click on image for PDF)
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk about Tampa's signature party and how much people are looking forward to it in 2022.
The legend of Jose Gaspar is just that, but the Tampa Bay History Center shares actual pirate history to share during Gasparilla Season
The origin of the basis for Tampa's largest celebration is still a mystery.
Bay area residents may have heard some cannon fire on Tuesday as the pirates descended on Tampa City Hall.
For this year's event, the city made an extra effort to be inclusive of children who may be overstimulated by some of those sights and sounds.
The people of the krewes of Gasparilla in the Tampa Bay area are marauders, partiers and fundraisers!
Plant Museum host to secrets of Gasparilla Pirate Parade orgins
Anne Barlett, owner of South Tampa Trading Company, spends months each year making costumes for the parade.
