This Is Florida · Festivals
Gasparilla 2027: everything you need to go to Tampa's pirate invasion
Gasparilla Pirate Fest is Saturday, January 30, 2027. It is free to watch. A pirate ship and a flotilla invade downtown Tampa, then a parade rolls 4.5 miles along Bayshore Boulevard.
The short version
- What: Tampa's pirate festival, held since 1904. Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla sails in on the Jose Gasparilla, demands the key to the city from the mayor, then leads a victory parade.
- Cost: free to watch. Reserved seats currently run from $55 to $190, and the Invasion Brunch is $175.
- Deadline to know: early bird seat pricing ends Thursday, December 31, 2026. Tickets have no refunds or exchanges.
- Getting a free spot: arrive any time after dawn and physically hold your place. You can bring a chair or blanket, but not a tent, rope, or fence.
- Do not bring: coolers, outside food or drink, glass, pets, drones, tents, personal scooters, golf carts, or weapons.
- Do not park in the neighborhoods: it is not permitted next to the route, and towing is enforced. Use a garage, the streetcar from Ybor City, or a ride-share.
- Bringing kids: Children's Gasparilla, the Saturday before, is the alcohol-free day.
2027 details still coming: the festival's 2027 parade map and music lineup say "TBD," and its streetcar and bus guide is due "later this Fall." The city says to check back as the dates get closer. Anything marked 2026 below is last season's plan, shown so you know what to expect. Check it again in January.
2027 dates
| Date | Event | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., Jan. 23, 2027 12:00 to 7:30 p.m. | Ashley Children's Gasparilla presented by Chick-fil-A Tampa Bay | Bayshore Boulevard, Bay to Bay to Edison Avenue | Free. Reserved seats sold. Alcohol-free. |
| Sat., Jan. 30, 2027 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. | Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest | Convention Center, Bayshore Boulevard, downtown Tampa | Free. Reserved seats and brunch sold. |
| Sat., Feb. 27, 2027 from 4:00 p.m. | Gasparilla Outbound Voyage | Sparkman Wharf, downtown Tampa | The page does not list a price. |
The event says the Pirate Fest falls on the last Saturday in January, and Children's Gasparilla falls the Saturday before. Times can change.
Which day should you pick?
- Coming with young kids: Children's Gasparilla. It has an airshow, a bike safety event, a parade, and fireworks, and alcohol is banned.
- Want the pirate ship and the full party: the Pirate Fest. It has the invasion, the big parade, music stages, and beer and wine sales.
- Want a calmer look at the ship: the Outbound Voyage at Sparkman Wharf in February.
What happens on Pirate Fest day
| Time | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | Gasparilla Invasion Brunch (ticket required) | Tampa Convention Center |
| 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. | Live music before and after the parade | Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (Ashley Drive and Twiggs Street) and MacDill Park (Ashley Drive and Whiting Street) |
| 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Gasparilla Invasion | Across the bay, up Seddon Channel, into the Convention Center basin |
| 1:00 p.m. | Ship docks. The captain meets the mayor and demands the key to the city. | Tampa Convention Center |
| 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. | Parade of Pirates | Bayshore Boulevard into downtown Tampa |
The invasion
The Jose Gasparilla sails in with a flotilla of hundreds of boats, firing its cannons. The city describes the ship as 165 feet long and built of steel, with three masts 100 feet above the deck. Tugboats tow it, with a crew of 700 pirates. The event calls it the world's only fully rigged pirate ship.
The parade
The parade begins at Bay to Bay Boulevard, runs north on Bayshore, passes through downtown, and ends at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The krewe lists over 140 units, including more than 103 floats, 5 marching bands, and over 50 krewes. Krewes throw beads, treasures, and doubloons to the crowd.
The parade lineup comes out in mid-January. It is posted on the event site.
Cross Bayshore early. The event strongly advises crossing before the parade starts. Reserved ticket holders may cross only at their gate, only at a break in the parade, and only when police allow it. The event says it is not responsible if you arrive late and cannot reach your seat.
The crowd
The event and the city expect more than 300,000 people. The krewe says one half million. The city warns traffic will be heavy, so plan extra time.
Outbound Voyage
On February 27, the krewe boards the ship with local pediatric cancer survivors, sails around Davis and Harbour Islands, and returns to a celebration at Sparkman Wharf starting at 4:00 p.m.
Children's Gasparilla: January 23, 2027
| Time | What | Where or what to know |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. | Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Rodeo | Bayshore, between Rome and Dakota Avenues. Free, no registration. Free helmet while supplies last. |
| 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. | Gasparilla Air Invasion | Civilian aerobatic teams, vintage military aircraft, and a parachute team. |
| 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Preschooler's Stroll | Ages 5 and under, with an adult, in pirate clothes. Howard Avenue north to Rome Avenue. |
| 3:30 to 6:15 p.m. | Children's Gasparilla Parade | Bay to Bay north along Bayshore to Edison Avenue, 1.5 miles. The 3:30 start is new in 2027. |
| 6:20 to 7:00 p.m. | Nighttime Air Invasion | Parachute jump and a fireworks flight. |
| 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. | Piratechnic Finale | Fireworks launched from barges centered at Howard and Bayshore, set to music you can hear at show center. |
- Stroll sign-up: pre-registration is required, and walk-ups are not allowed. No motorized vehicles. Stroll details and registration.
- Free trolley: the Jolley Roger Trolley loops from Platt and Bayshore (near Publix) to the Bay to Bay area, from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event says it is wheelchair accessible. Children's parking and trolley.
- Sensory relief tent: offered at the southwest corner of Barcelona Street. This is for Children's Gasparilla only, not the Pirate Fest.
- Alcohol: banned and strictly enforced.
Attendance figures also differ here: the event says more than 150,000, and the krewe says over a quarter of a million.
Free spots and reserved seats
Watching for free
You may claim space in designated areas along the route by arriving early, any time after dawn, and staying in the spot. Bring a chair or blanket. You cannot hold space with rope, stakes, fencing, or a tent. Portable toilets are on both sides of the route, near reserved sections, and downtown.
The official pages give no list of free places to watch the invasion. The event sells the Invasion Brunch as the best view.
2027 Pirate Fest tickets
| Ticket | Price shown Nov. 6, 2026 | Where | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasion Brunch | $175 | Tampa Convention Center | Brunch buffet, cash bar, general seating at the table you select. Invasion view. |
| Scully North Hospitality | $190 | Just north of Albany Avenue and Bayshore | Bleachers, pre-parade entertainment, picnic buffet, 2 drink tickets. |
| Scully South Hospitality | $190 | Just north of Carolina Avenue and Bayshore | Bleachers, pre-parade entertainment, picnic buffet, 2 drink tickets, private bathrooms. |
| Bleachers at Barcelona | $55 to $65 | Waterside, near the parade start. Cross at Gate 2. | Assigned bleacher seat. |
| Bleachers at Marina District | $60 to $70 | Waterside, near Verne, between the Davis Islands and Platt Street bridges. No access from the Platt Street Bridge. | Assigned bleacher seat. Closest bleachers to the brunch. |
| First Mate at Carolina | $80 to $85 | Waterside, between Rubideaux and Ardson | Assigned chair, two rows. |
| First Mate at Rome | $85 to $90 | Waterside, between Gunby and Rome, near mid-route | Assigned chair, two rows. Closest to Hyde Park Village. |
| First Mate at Marina District | $85 to $90 | Center median, between the Davis Islands and Platt Street bridges | Assigned chair. Closest First Mate seats to the Convention Center. |
2027 Children's Gasparilla tickets
| Ticket | Price shown Nov. 6, 2026 | Where | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scully North or South Hospitality | Adult $165 Child $55 | Near Albany (North) or Carolina (South) and Bayshore | Bleachers, entertainment, tented area, private bathrooms, buffet with drinks. |
| Bleachers at Barcelona | $55 to $65 | Waterside, Bay to Bay to Rubideaux. Gate 2. | Assigned bleacher seat. The Stroll does not pass here. |
| First Mate at Carolina | $65 to $70 | Waterside, Rubideaux to Ardson | Assigned chair. The Stroll does not pass here. |
| First Mate at Rome | $65 to $70 | Waterside, Gunby to Rome. Gate 10 or 11. | Assigned chair, near the middle of the route. |
- The ticket shop says prices include service fees, and sales tax is added at purchase.
- Early bird pricing for both events ends Thursday, December 31, 2026. The shop does not say what the price is after that.
- No refunds or exchanges. The Pirate Fest seats are sold as rain or shine.
- Check the logo: Children's tickets have a white logo, and Pirate Fest tickets have a black logo.
- Strollers must go under the bleachers or in a spot that does not block anyone.
Buy from Gasparilla Treasures or call 813-251-8844.
Parking and getting there
Neighborhood parking: the event says parking in neighborhoods bordering the route is not permitted, Tampa Police strictly enforce it, and towing is strictly enforced. Check the city's neighborhood parking map before you park anywhere near South Tampa.
2026 Pirate Fest garages
The city has not posted 2027 rates. These are the 2026 options from the city parking bulletin.
| Place | Hours | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Pam Iorio Garage (S. Florida Avenue and Channelside Drive) | 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. | $30 |
| Tampa Convention Center Garage (Tampa and Brorein Streets) | 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. | $30 |
| Fort Brooke Garage (Whiting Street, Franklin Street to Florida Avenue) | 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. | $30 (the advisory also lists $35.55 reserved online) |
| Whiting Street Garage (N. Morgan Street) | 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. | $30 |
| Selmon Expressway downtown lots | 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. | $30 |
| Royal Regional Lot (Tampa and Fortune Streets) | 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. | $30 |
| Scott Street Lot (Morgan and Scott Streets) | 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. | $30 |
| Poe Garage (N. Ashley Drive and W. Cass Street) | 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. No entry or exit 3 to 7 p.m. | $30 |
| Twiggs Street Garage (west of Nebraska Avenue) | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. | $25 |
| Centro Ybor Garage (5th Avenue and 15th Street) | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | $20 |
| Palm Avenue Garage (13th Street and 9th Avenue) | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | $20 |
On-street meters were enforced from 8 a.m. to midnight. Watch the closing times: some lots listed closing at 6 p.m., the same time the 2027 parade is scheduled to end. Ask the garage what happens if you return later. Children's day has its own city parking sheet.
Ride in from Ybor City
In 2026 the city encouraged parking in Ybor and riding in. It listed the free TECO Line Streetcar from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. and a free HART shuttle from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., running between Ybor and downtown. The streetcar site still says rides are fare free, and its regular service runs every 15 minutes. HART can be reached at 813-254-4278.
Other ways in
- Ride-share: the event suggests it, but the city also publishes restricted areas. See the 2026 restricted area map.
- Shared scooters and e-bikes: no-ride zones reach a few blocks out from the route. See the 2026 no-ride map. Personal scooters are banned at both events.
- Your own bike: you can ride to the event, then you must walk it inside the street closure. Do not leave it unattended or lock it to private or city property. In 2025 the city said most of its garages had free bike parking.
- Golf carts: personal carts are not allowed at either event.
- Traffic updates: call 511 or use FL511.com.
Road closures
The 2027 list is not posted. This is what the city's 2026 advisory listed for the Saturday event, as a guide to what to expect. The complete list ran much longer.
| 2026 timing | Main roads closed |
|---|---|
| Friday 10 a.m. to Sunday 5 a.m. | Gandy Boulevard, Zion Street to Bayshore |
| Friday 10 p.m. to Sunday 5 a.m. | Bayshore, Gandy to Platt. Bay to Bay, Bayshore to MacDill. Davis Islands Bridge off-ramp onto Bayshore. |
| Saturday 3 a.m. to midnight | Bayshore, Brorein to Platt. Platt and Channelside, Plant to Franklin. |
| Saturday 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Crosstown eastbound Willow Avenue exit (Exit 4) |
| Saturday 7 a.m. to midnight | Ashley Drive, Brorein to Channelside. Brorein Street. Franklin and Water Streets. Harbour Island Bridge. |
| Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Kennedy, Florida to Hyde Park. Ashley Drive, Tyler to Brorein. Downtown cross streets to Ashley. |
| Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight | N. Boulevard, Kennedy to Main |
| Saturday 2 to 9 p.m. | Streets west of the river near Willow, Cass, and Laurel, with more added through 4:30 p.m. |
For Children's day in 2025, the city closed Bayshore from Gandy to Platt starting at 8 p.m. the Friday before. See the 2025 children's advisory. For questions, the festival points to the city's special events office at 813-274-8750; the city's page lists 813-274-8854.
Alcohol and the wet zones
- Who can buy: adults 21 and older, with a valid photo ID. Beer and wine are sold at Gasparilla Charity Beer Gardens. The event says 100% of the net revenue supports local charities.
- Where you can drink: on public property, only inside the wet zones. In 2026 those ran along the parade route and into Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. See the 2026 wet zone map. The 2027 map is not posted.
- Not in the neighborhoods: the map says "No drinking in neighborhoods."
- Open containers: not allowed outside the wet zones.
- Bans: no coolers, kegs, or anything for serving alcohol to a crowd, and no glass of any kind. The city calls for zero tolerance on underage drinking and disruptive behavior.
- Children's Gasparilla: no alcohol at all.
What to bring and what to leave home
Allowed
- A chair or blanket
- Strollers
- A small soft-sided cooler or lunch bag, for child care or medical needs only
- Bags and backpacks, which can be searched
- Service animals
Banned
| Type | Items |
|---|---|
| Food and drink | Outside food or drink, coolers, kegs, glass of any kind, styrofoam cups or containers, grills |
| Holding space | Tents, fences, stakes, rope. The city also lists umbrellas. |
| Getting around | Personal scooters, golf carts, vehicles of any sort |
| Safety | Weapons of any sort, illegal drugs, drones |
| Animals | Pets |
| Selling and promotion | Banners and signs without written approval, advertising, giveaways, contests, selling anything, collecting people's contact details |
Costume props: the list says weapons "of any sort" and prints no exception for costumes. Leave the sword and pistol at home, or ask the organizers first at 813-251-3378.
Good to know
- Food: the event lists over 100 food, drink, and novelty vendors.
- Cash machines: the event says there have been no ATMs on site since COVID-19.
- Rain: the parade goes on in the rain. Dangerous weather can cancel it.
- Cameras: by entering, you agree the organizers may use photos and video of you, without payment.
- Beads: never throw them in the water. The city's Bead-Free Bay campaign says it is prohibited and harms marine life.
Accessibility
| Event | Parking | Viewing area |
|---|---|---|
| Pirate Fest | Limited spots in Fort Brooke Garage, first come, first served. Disabled permit required. Parking fee applies. | Free area at Ashley Drive and Whiting Street. No seats or bleachers. Up to 3 guests per patron. 2026 map |
| Children's Gasparilla | Limited free spots at Howard Avenue and Palm Drive, first come, first served. Disabled permit required. | Howard Avenue and Bayshore. No seats or bleachers. Up to 3 guests per patron. Map |
Reserved seats are also available for both events, and the brunch for the Pirate Fest. Call 813-251-8844 and tell the ticket representative what you need. The city's accessibility contact is TampaADA@tampagov.net.
Safety and lost kids
- Emergency: call or text 911.
- Police non-emergency: 813-231-6130. To send a tip, text SAFETAMPA and your tip to 847411.
- Event updates: in 2026 the city offered alerts by texting GASPARILLA to 888-777, and a question line on Pirate Fest day at 833-872-4636 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Confirm these for 2027.
- Pick a meeting place first: the city warns cell service may be limited.
- Kids: take a photo of your child in costume on parade day. If you lose your child, tell the closest officer right away. Officers are stationed along the route.
- Lost items: on site, give them to an officer or event staff. Afterward, call 813-251-8844 or 813-251-3378. The FAQ lists both.
Going by boat
The public dock lottery has passed. The Convention Center's slip lottery was November 5, 2026, and you had to be there in person. The form says drawn numbers go on a waitlist. Call 813-274-8312 about the waitlist or for any openings.
Rules for the flotilla
- Have a designated driver. The event says impaired boaters will have their boat towed unless someone aboard can operate it.
- About 40 law enforcement boats patrol the water.
- Personal watercraft and boats without motors are barred from the invasion and its route.
- The route is idle speed, no wake. No anchoring or loitering along the route or in the Seddon Channel turning basin.
- Boats longer than 65 feet need secured dock space and a permit to take part. Call the krewe at 813-251-4500.
- You may not come ashore along the Bayshore balustrade or any other property without a permit.
- In 2026 the Coast Guard enforced its regulated area from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Spectator boats could pass outside it but could not anchor, block, or enter without approval. See the Coast Guard's 2026 notice.
- In 2026 the Ballast Point Park boat ramp closed from 9 a.m. to noon. See the 2026 docking map and city safety page.
Convention Center slips
- Dates: Friday, January 29, 8 a.m. to Sunday, January 31, 5 p.m.
- Size: slips are 40 feet long and 20 feet wide, with a 65-foot maximum boat length.
- Cost: $4 a foot, with a $160 daily minimum and a 3-day minimum, plus 7.5% tax and a one-time $160 security fee. That works out to at least $676 for a boat of 40 feet or less. This total is our math from the form.
- Power: ordered separately, at $955 for 50 amp or $655 for 30 amp, paid in full by January 20, 2027.
- On the dock: wristbands required, based on your boat's rated capacity. No food, drinks, or furniture on the docks. The captain must be available to move the boat.
- If you get a waitlist call: you have 24 hours to accept and pay in full. No refunds.
Dock form and rules. The krewe is also auctioning one VIP boat slip beside the ship, with bidding ending December 1, 2026.
How to take part, not just watch
| Way to take part | What it takes | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Pirate Parade float or unit | Written request to the Parade Committee at office@ymkg.com, on organization or company stationery. Full rules | Packets usually go out in June or July. The deadline is usually October, so ask about a waitlist or plan for 2028. |
| Children's Parade | Parade applications are open to the public. Application page | Ask the event at 813-251-3378 whether 2027 spots remain. |
| Preschooler's Stroll | Ages 5 and under, with an adult, in pirate clothes. Register | Register before the event. No walk-ups. |
| Join a krewe | Over 60 krewes belong to the Inter-Krewe Council, which has a Find A Krewe page. | Contact the krewe you are interested in. |
| Volunteer | Groups can email office@eventfest.com to hear about openings. | No date listed. |
| Sell food or goods | Vendor permit required. Unpermitted sellers are shut down. | The FAQ says 2027 applications are not yet open. |
Parade entry costs and rules
- Entry fee: $1,000 non-commercial, $2,500 commercial, $500 for 501(c)(3) groups with proof. The krewe says these can change.
- Insurance: at least $1 million in general and auto liability, naming the krewe, EventFest, the City of Tampa, and sponsors as additional insured.
- Floats: must be professionally built. Walking-only units are not allowed.
- No promise: receiving a packet does not mean you are approved, and there is a waiting list.
The rest of the season
These are separate events with their own organizers.
| Event | When | What |
|---|---|---|
| Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic | Feb. 19 to 21, 2027 | 15K and 5K on Saturday, half marathon and 8K on Sunday, dog walk on Friday, expo Friday and Saturday. |
| Illuminated Knight Parade | The 2026 parade was Feb. 14. The page we checked does not show a 2027 date. | Night parade on 7th Avenue in Ybor City, held since 1974. Bleacher seats are sold. |
| Gasparilla Festival of the Arts | The 2026 festival was Feb. 28 to March 1. The page we checked does not show a 2027 date. | Free outdoor art festival at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. |
The history and the legend
Gasparilla started in 1904 to promote Tampa's May Day festival. A krewe of local men rode in on horseback and "captured" the city. Pirates first invaded by ship in 1911.
- 1937: first krewe-owned ship.
- 1947: first children's festival.
- 1954: the Jose Gasparilla II first sails.
- 1975: last invasion up the Hillsborough River, after the Crosstown Expressway was finished.
- 1988: invasion and parade move from Monday to Saturday.
- 2001: moved to the last Saturday in January.
- Canceled: 1918 to 1919, 1942 to 1946, and 2021.
Was José Gaspar real? Treat him as legend. The festival and krewe tell his story, including a last battle in 1821 and lost treasure. The krewe says he "supposedly" left a fortune, and the City of Tampa calls him "mythical." The official pages we read do not prove he lived.
Where official sources differ
We print both and do not pick a winner. Confirm anything that matters to your plans.
| Topic | One source says | Another says |
|---|---|---|
| Pirate Fest crowd | Event: more than 300,000 | Krewe: one half million |
| Children's crowd | Event: more than 150,000 | Krewe: over a quarter of a million |
| Parade size | Krewe: over 140 units, more than 103 floats | Krewe's entry page: "We try to hold the parade to 100 units" |
| Brunch hours | Schedule: 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | Ticket: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
| Preschooler's Stroll | Schedule: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Stroll page: check-in 1:00, starts 2:00 p.m. |
| Kids 2 and under | Ticket notes: must have a ticket unless on an adult's lap | Hospitality listings: do not need a ticket |
| Scully North spot | Listing: landside | Same listing: center median |
| Scully South spot | Listing: near Carolina Avenue | Same listing: near Howard Avenue |
| Trolley drop-off | Parking page: Bay to Bay and Bayshore | FAQ: Bay to Bay and the Crosstown on-ramp, 1.5 blocks west of Bayshore |
| Parade end time | 2027 schedule: 6:00 p.m. | City's 2026 advisory: 5:30 p.m. |
| Outbound Voyage timing | History page: typically early March | 2027 date: February 27 |
| 1904 founders | Event: krewe of 50 men, Mary Louise Dodge | Krewe: forty members, Louise Francis Dodge |
| Gaspar's era | Event: battle in 1821 | City: late 18th century |
Questions people ask
When is Gasparilla 2027?
Gasparilla Pirate Fest is Saturday, January 30, 2027. Children's Gasparilla is Saturday, January 23, 2027, and the Outbound Voyage is Saturday, February 27, 2027. The Pirate Fest is held on the last Saturday in January.
Is Gasparilla free?
Yes. The event calls itself a free community event. You only pay if you want a reserved seat, the Invasion Brunch, parking, food, or drinks.
What time does the Gasparilla parade start?
The 2027 schedule lists the Parade of Pirates from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. The invasion runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The event says times can change.
Where does the parade go?
It starts at Bay to Bay Boulevard, heads north on Bayshore Boulevard, and goes into downtown Tampa, ending at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The event lists the route at 4.5 miles.
Can you drink at Gasparilla?
At the Pirate Fest, adults 21 and older can buy beer and wine with a valid photo ID, and can drink on public property only inside the city's wet zones. Children's Gasparilla is alcohol-free.
Can you bring a cooler to Gasparilla?
No. Coolers are not permitted, and neither is outside food or drink. A small soft-sided cooler or lunch bag is allowed only for child care or medical needs.
Can you bring a chair?
Yes. The event says you are welcome to bring a chair or blanket. Tents, rope, stakes, and fencing are banned, and the city also lists umbrellas as banned.
Where should I park for Gasparilla?
Use a downtown or Ybor City garage, or a ride-share. Parking in neighborhoods next to the route is not permitted and towing is enforced. In 2026, most event parking was $30 and the Ybor garages were $20. 2027 rates are not posted yet.
Are dogs allowed at Gasparilla?
No. Pets are not allowed. Service animals are the exception.
What happens if it rains?
The event says the pirates will invade and the parade will march on in the rain. Dangerous weather can cancel the parade. Reserved tickets have no refunds or exchanges.
Can my group be in the parade?
Groups apply to the Parade Committee in writing. Applications usually close in October, walking-only groups are not allowed, floats must be professionally built, and fees currently start at $500. The children's parade application is open to the public.
Sources
- Gasparilla Pirate Fest: home, FAQ, Pirate Fest schedule, Pirate Fest, parking, parade map, Children's, Children's schedule, Children's parking, Air Invasion, Preschooler's Stroll, Outbound Voyage, history
- Gasparilla Treasures: tickets and prices
- City of Tampa: 2027 parade information, safety, 2026 traffic advisory, 2025 children's advisory, 2026 parking bulletin, children's parking, 2026 wet zone map, no-ride zones, ride-share map, boat docking map, dock form, Gasparilla overview
- U.S. Coast Guard notice, Federal Register, January 9, 2026
- Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla: parade entry, participation, who we are, history, the legend, VIP boat slip
- TECO Line Streetcar, Inter-Krewe Council, Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic dates, Krewe of Sant' Yago Knight Parade, Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
Event details can change. Check the festival and City of Tampa pages before you go. Organizer contact: EventFest, Inc., 1200 W. Cass Street, Suite 110, Tampa, FL 33606, 813-251-3378. This Is Florida is not connected to the event.