What to know about the 2026 Gasparilla festivities
By Meleah Lyden
January 14, 2026 at 1:00 PM EST
From air invasions and parades to parking information, here's a guide for Gasparilla.
Ahoy, matey!
Gather all ye mates and be ready to shiver me timbers as pirates invade beloved Tampa — demanding the key to the city.
The city's signature event has been celebrated annually since 1904 and hosted by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, according to its website. After the invasion, there's a celebratory parade down Bayshore Boulevard.
Hundreds of thousands of onlookers gather for both the children's Gasparilla and the regular Gasparilla pirate fest every year.
From air invasions and parades to parking information, here's a guide on what to know.
Children's Gasparilla
When: Saturday, Jan. 24, from 12 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Events:
Bicycle + Pedestrian Safety Rodeo
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. (1469x826, AR: 1.778450363196126)
Gasparilla Air Invasion
Map of route for the 2026 Children's Gasparilla Parade. (1213x1213, AR: 1.0)
Nightime Gasparilla Air Invasion
Netflix's Love on the Spectrum, Madison Marilla and Tyler White, will be the Grand Marshals. They're a Tampa Bay-based couple who are autism advocates. White is a singer, event DJ and concert emcee, while Marilla is an educator, entrepreneur and founder of Madizen LLC — a jewelry and accessories brand.
This year's community heroes are Carnell Barton and Shakur McCrone. McCrone is an 18-year-old Tampa resident and Barton is his nephew. They courageously helped a neighbor during a house fire last December. According to a release, when flames from an abandoned home on East Baker Street grew, the pair realized an older woman was still inside an adjacent home. So, they ran toward the danger and pounded on her door until it opened so she could be brought to safety.
Parking
Complimentary trolley service is available. It picks up at Platt and Bayshore Boulevard — near Publix — 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.
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.
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.
More information
Gasparilla Pirate Fest
When: Saturday, Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Events:
Gasparilla Invasion Brunch
Map of the parade route for Gasparilla in 2026. (1222x1252, AR: 0.9760383386581469)
Gasparilla Pirate Fest Stage Performances
You can park 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.
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.
The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) will also provide free shuttle and TECO Streetcar Service to the parade. Routes vary by time. See the map below for more.
Map showing streetcar and bus service for Gasparilla 2026 on Jan. 31. (650x942, AR: 0.6900212314225053)
More information
Pirate playlist
To get you in the swashbuckling spirit, check out this playlist we put together last year with a sampling of all the best ballads for pirates and buccaneers.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1TvJbd4QHacwFwpnk9Nwsr
Gather all ye mates and be ready to shiver me timbers as pirates invade beloved Tampa — demanding the key to the city.
The city's signature event has been celebrated annually since 1904 and hosted by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, according to its website. After the invasion, there's a celebratory parade down Bayshore Boulevard.
Hundreds of thousands of onlookers gather for both the children's Gasparilla and the regular Gasparilla pirate fest every year.
From air invasions and parades to parking information, here's a guide on what to know.
Children's Gasparilla
When: Saturday, Jan. 24, from 12 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Events:
Bicycle + Pedestrian Safety Rodeo
- 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.
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. (1469x826, AR: 1.778450363196126)
Gasparilla Air Invasion
- 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.
- Time: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: Along Bayshore Boulevard
- What: 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.
- 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.
Map of route for the 2026 Children's Gasparilla Parade. (1213x1213, AR: 1.0)
Nightime Gasparilla Air Invasion
- 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.
- 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.
Netflix's Love on the Spectrum, Madison Marilla and Tyler White, will be the Grand Marshals. They're a Tampa Bay-based couple who are autism advocates. White is a singer, event DJ and concert emcee, while Marilla is an educator, entrepreneur and founder of Madizen LLC — a jewelry and accessories brand.
This year's community heroes are Carnell Barton and Shakur McCrone. McCrone is an 18-year-old Tampa resident and Barton is his nephew. They courageously helped a neighbor during a house fire last December. According to a release, when flames from an abandoned home on East Baker Street grew, the pair realized an older woman was still inside an adjacent home. So, they ran toward the danger and pounded on her door until it opened so she could be brought to safety.
Parking
Complimentary trolley service is available. It picks up at Platt and Bayshore Boulevard — near Publix — 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.
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.
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.
More information
- Event parking options
- Children's Gasparilla Road Closure and ADA Access Map
- Children's Gasparilla Parade Road Closure Schedule
- Children's Gasparilla Parade Traffic Advisory
- Children's Gasparilla Parade Escooter & Ebike No-ride Zones
- Gasparilla Safety Tips
Gasparilla Pirate Fest
When: Saturday, Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Events:
Gasparilla Invasion Brunch
- 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.
- 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.
- In a Jan. 29 update, the course for the invasion slightly changed due to the weather. It will now sail directly from Port Tampa Bay to the Tampa Convention Center. It'll still come down the Seddon Channel between Harbor and Davis Islands. Be sure to check with @GasparillaTampa on social media for the latest updates as well.
- 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 for a prime spot.
Map of the parade route for Gasparilla in 2026. (1222x1252, AR: 0.9760383386581469)
Gasparilla Pirate Fest Stage Performances
- 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.
You can park 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.
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.
The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) will also provide free shuttle and TECO Streetcar Service to the parade. Routes vary by time. See the map below for more.
Map showing streetcar and bus service for Gasparilla 2026 on Jan. 31. (650x942, AR: 0.6900212314225053)
More information
- Event parking options
- Rideshare restricted areas
- Gasparilla Legal Alcohol Zone Map
- Boat docking restrictions
- E-scooter and Ebike no-ride zones
- Alternate routes to Water Street area
- ADA parking and routes to access Fort Brooke Garage
- Access routes to William Poe Garage
- Detour Route for Benchmark International Arena
- Detour Route to Tampa General Hospital
- Detour Route to HCA Florida South Tampa formerly Memorial Hospital
- Detour Route for Kennedy Blvd. (SR 60 East/West)
Pirate playlist
To get you in the swashbuckling spirit, check out this playlist we put together last year with a sampling of all the best ballads for pirates and buccaneers.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1TvJbd4QHacwFwpnk9Nwsr