Bayshore Boulevard is where you’ll want to be on pirate day.
TAMPA, Fla. — The Gasparilla Parade of Pirates route stretches along one of the more iconic settings in America: Tampa’s Bayshore Boulevard.
That’s no exaggeration! It’s considered the “Boulevard of Dreams,” known for its famous balustrades paralleling one of the longest continuous sidewalks in the U.S. But for a couple of Saturdays in January — especially when adults have their day — Bayshore Boulevard becomes a haven for swashbucklers.
Here’s what you should know about the 2026 Gasparilla Parade of Pirates route:
Gasparilla 2026 parade route
The 4.5-mile parade kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at Bay to Bay and Bayshore boulevards. Hundreds of floats and their pirate occupants then travel north — up Bayshore Boulevard to Borein Street, turning east on Borein and then north to Ashley Drive.
It ends at Cass Street and Ashley Drive.
You’re bound to find a good spot to watch the floats and festivities anywhere along Bayshore Boulevard and into the downtown area. If you’d like to sit, several ticket packages are available online for adults and children over 2 years of age for an assigned bleacher seat.
Children 2 years old and under who do not have a ticket must remain in an adult’s lap.
Organizers note that banners and signs are prohibited at the parade unless officially licensed and approved.
If you’re thinking of having a boat day for the festivities, officials note that boaters attempting to “come ashore” along the Bayshore Boulevard balustrade or any other property without a permit are strictly prohibited, due to docking space around downtown being limited.
