Hundreds of thousands of onlookers gather for both the children’s Gasparilla and the regular Gasparilla pirate fest every year. <\/p>\n
From air invasions and parades to parking information, here’s a guide on what to know. <\/p>\n
Children’s Gasparilla <\/p>\n
When: Saturday, Jan. 24, from 12 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. <\/p>\n
Events: <\/p>\n
Bicycle + Pedestrian Safety Rodeo <\/p>\n
Time: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Bayshore Boulevard between Rome Avenue and Dakota Avenue What: Kids get a free, brand-new bicycle helmet that they can keep (while supplies last). They then hop on one of the rodeo’s bicycles and do a mini-traffic course designed to teach safety. It’s free and no registration is required. <\/p>\n
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Workers piece together bleachers for use during the upcoming Gasparilla parades along Bayshore Boulevard at Inman Avenue in Tampa on Jan. 12, 2026. The city has been preparing seating areas along the parade route for the Children’s Gasparilla Parade on Jan. 24 and Gasparilla Pirate Fest on Jan. 31. <\/p>\n
Gasparilla Air Invasion <\/p>\n
Time: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. What: Look up at the sky to see civilian aerobatic teams, vintage military aircraft and the Chuters Parachute Demonstration Team performing their largest airshow yet. Learn more here<\/a>. <\/p>\n Gasparilla Preschooler’s Stroll <\/p>\n Time: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Along Bayshore BoulevardWhat: Children 5 and under wearing their best pirate attire strut their stuff in specially decorated wagons, t-rikes and strollers. It’s presented by Primrose Schools. You’d have to preregister for it. <\/p>\n Children’s Gasparilla Parade <\/p>\n Time: 4 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Where: Begins at Bay to Bay and Bayshore Boulevard What: Pirates, floats, marching bands and more head north along Bayshore Boulevard before ending at Edison Avenue. It’s considered the largest children’s event in the country. The event is free, but here’s how to get reserved seating<\/a>. <\/p>\n Map of route for the 2026 Children’s Gasparilla Parade. <\/p>\n Nightime Gasparilla Air Invasion <\/p>\n Time: 6:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. Where: They land at DeSoto and Bayshore Boulevard. This is one block north of Howard and Bayshore. What: Performances include a precision parachute jump from The Chuters Parachute Demonstration Team and Ghostwriter Airshows’ signature fireworks flight, according to the website. <\/p>\n “Piratechnic Finale” <\/p>\n Time: 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. What: The Krewe recreates the imaginary battle between the pirates of YMKG and Tampa to set the scene for the Gasparilla Pirate Fest the next weekend. <\/p>\n Parking<\/p>\n Complimentary trolley service<\/a> is available. It picks up at Platt and Bayshore Boulevard \u2014 near Publix \u2014 and drops off at Bay to Bay and Bayshore Boulevard. It’ll loop continuously throughout the day and after the parade. The hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. <\/p>\n You could also park at various garages and lots in downtown, but these have a special-event parking rate you pay upon entry. Area organizations and companies also tend to offer parking on their properties. You’ll want to check with the businesses to buy a parking pass for their private lots in advance. <\/p>\n Also, parking in neighborhoods bordering the parade route is not allowed. If you park around there, you do so at your own risk and could get towed. Tampa’s interactive map allows residents to input their home addresses and access parking restrictions in their respective neighborhoods here<\/a>.<\/p>\n For any more questions, head to Gasparilla’s FAQ page<\/a>. <\/p>\n Map of trolley route and parade for the 2026 Children’s Gasparilla. <\/p>\n Gasparilla Pirate Fest <\/p>\n When: Saturday, Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. <\/p>\n Events: <\/p>\n Gasparilla Invasion Brunch <\/p>\n Time: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Where: Tampa Convention Center What: Enjoy a meal and cocktails while witnessing the invasion. Seating is limited and costs $180. Here’s how to purchase your tickets in advance<\/a>. <\/p>\n Gasparilla Invasion <\/p>\n Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Tampa Convention Center What: Jose Gasparilla sails into the basin with hundreds of vessels and pirates of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. The ship docks at 1 p.m., where the captain meets Mayor Jane Castor to make his final demand for the key to the city. <\/p>\n Gasparilla Parade of Pirates <\/p>\n Time: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Where: Down Bayshore Boulevard in a 4.5-mile walk along Hillsborough Bay through downtown Tampa. What: Victory parade. It’s free to attend, but you can reserve your seats in advance<\/a> for a prime spot. <\/p>\n Map of the parade route for Gasparilla in 2026. <\/p>\n Gasparilla Pirate Fest Stage Performances <\/p>\n Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Where: Curtis Hixon Park at Ashley Drive and Twiggs Street and MacDill Park at Ashley Drive and Whiting Street. What: Live entertainment before and after the parade. Here’s the lineup<\/a>. <\/p>\n Parking<\/p>\n You can park<\/a> at various garages and lots throughout downtown, but there will be a special event parking rate you’ll have to pay upon entry. Area organizations and companies also tend to offer parking on their properties. You’ll want to check with the businesses to buy a parking pass for their private lots in advance. <\/p>\n Also, parking in neighborhoods bordering the parade route is not allowed. If you park around there, you do so at your own risk and could get towed. Tampa’s interactive map allows residents to input their home addresses and access parking restrictions in their respective neighborhoods here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Map](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768471900_688_.jpeg\"\/)
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