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Gear up for Gasparilla 2025

From the invasion to the parade, we’ve got you covered with tips, snack options, and new tradition ideas.

A pirate ship decked out with blue and red lights floats on the ocean under the glow of tons of red fireworks.

The pirates are coming.

Photo via @visittampabay

What’s that out there on the horizon? Ah, never fear, it’s a flotilla of friendly pirates prepared to come ashore on Bayshore Boulevard.

The annual Gasparilla festivities take over Bayshore Boulevard — and much of South Tampa — this Saturday, Jan. 25. Let’s get ready:

The basics

  • This year’s Invasion, hosted by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • The Parade of Pirates is booked for 2 to 6 p.m., featuring 140+ floats, bands, and merry pirate groups.

Key Tips

  • Make sure to make transportation plans — including rideshares and where you’re meeting up with friends — before you start celebrating.
  • The parade starts at Bay to Bay Boulevard and Bayshore Boulevard, runs along Bayshore Boulevard to Brorein Street. Then it turns east on Brorein Street, north on Ashley Drive, and ends at Cass Street & Ashley Drive.
  • There’s plenty of turkey legs and other casual eats to buy lining the parade route, but we recommend bringing your own water bottle to stay cool and hydrated in the crowds.
Three little kids dressed as pirates toss beads down to onlookers off of a float.

Get ready to grab gobs of beads.

Photo via @visittampabay

Pick up snacks

  • Keep the party fare local with a pirate-themed salted chocolate chip cookie tray from Bake’n Babes. And it’s more than just a platter. Your order includes light-up pirate sword wands, pirate telescopes, eye patches, pirate wind-up toys, and a Jolly Roger flag.
  • Or opt for a tray of classic Tampa Cuban sandwiches or guava cheese pastries from La Segunda. There’s breakfast and lunch covered.

Start a new tradition

No matter how long you’ve celebrated the pirate invasion, there’s always an opportunity to add new traditions to the fleet.

Consider inviting friends to brunch before the parade — so you can see the rest of Tampa dining in their garb. Or host a post-parade Lightning watch party. It’s a rematch against the Red Wings.

Are there any Gasparilla-related questions you want answered? Let us know.

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