Events

The party is here: Tampa Bay’s 2024 Guide to Gasparilla

We’re breaking down this year’s schedule of events, parties, and sharing our local tips.

January 23, 2024 • 
Bailey Lefever
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Are you prepared for the pirates’ invasion?

Photo via the City of Tampa

Happy Gasparilla week, TBAY. We’re ready for a swashbuckling good time.

This upcoming Saturday, Jan. 27 marks the 106th Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of Pirates. Here’s the rundown of this year’s Bayshore party + the week’s events leading up:

Schedule

  • Gasparilla Invasion Brunch: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Gasparilla Invasion: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Parade of Pirates: 2-5:30 p.m.
  • Pirate Fest Stage Performances: 10 a.m-8 p.m.

Parties/other events

Editor’s note: This is a just a handful of the Gaspy events this week. Find more options on our calendar — or fee free to add your own.

  • Movie on the Lawn | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa | Free | Tow the kiddos and pals along for a showing of “Hook,” featuring Captain Hook, an adult Peter Pan, and the whole Neverland crew.
  • Gasparilla Eve & Gasparilla | Friday, Jan. 26-Sunday, Jan. 27 | 5-3 a.m. | Grove Soho, 406 S. Howard Ave., Tampa | Free | Jam out to live tunes, sip on free mimosas at the Champagne Pregame, and hang out in the Mich Ultra Party Zone.
  • Rough Riders Pre-Gasparilla Invasion Party | Friday, Jan. 26 | Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa | $25 | Kick off the festive weekend with a party featuring music by DJ Kenny Kelly and Rubix Cubed.
  • Gasparilla Invasion Brunch | Saturday, Jan. 27 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Top Shelf Sports Lounge, 401 E. Jackson St. Ste. 101., Tampa | $65 | Fuel up for the festival with all you can eat brunch and a few drinks — buy tickets online and pick up your wristband and tickets day of.
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Get your hands ready and eyes peeled to catch those beads.

Photo via City of Tampa

Tips

  • There are still some bleacher and individual seats available for purchase — for those who don’t want to stand the entire time or would like the option to sit.
  • Brush up on the City of Tampa’s wet zone map before the festival. The map details where drinking is legal along the route — and where to buy more booze.
  • A reminder: We pulled together this roundup of local eateries serving up pirate-themed treats like matchas + sword-adorned milkshakes.
  • Parking will likely be extremely difficult in Hyde Park and throughout South Tampa. The city is running extra Tampa Streetcar and bus services during the festivities, so you can skip the car entirely. Take a peek (and bookmark) at the routes.