Gasparilla 2025: Here’s what you need to know about the annual pirate parade

On By Littum

TAMPA, Fla. – Hello girlfriend! Pirates will pillage and pillage their way through Tampa when the annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival returns this month.

Here’s everything you need to know, including where to park, the parade route, where you can drink alcohol and more.

When is Gasparilla 2025?

Gasparilla 2025 is Saturday, January 25.

Schedule of events

  • Gasparilla Invasion Brunch is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A Gasparilla Brunch will be held at the Tampa Convention Center with limited seating. Click here to buy tickets.
  • The pirate invasion will last from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The legendary Jose Gasparilla will sail into the Tampa Convention Center basin along with a magnificent flotilla of hundreds of vessels and the infamous pirates of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.
  • The Parade of Pirates is from 2 – 5 p.m. Hundreds of pirates will march 4.5 miles along Bayshore Blvd., tossing pearls along the way.
  • Gasparilla Pirate Fest stage performances are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Live entertainment will be held before and after the parade at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and MacDill Park. Click here for concert details.

READ: Børnegasparilla 2025: Here’s what you need to know

Where should I park for Gasparilla 2025?

Parking will be available at the Tampa Convention Center and throughout downtown, but parking fills up quickly. All side streets along Bayshore Blvd. is closed to traffic.

Available event parking options include:

  • Pam Iorio Parking Garage (S. Florida Ave & Channelside Dr.) 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Tampa Convention Center Garage (Tampa St. & Brorein St.) Open 24/7
  • Fort Brooke Garage (Whiting St. between Franklin St. & Florida Ave.) 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Whiting St. Garage (N. Morgan St.) 8 a.m. – 7 p.m
  • Selmon Expressway Downtown parking lots 8 a.m.-7 p.m
  • Royal Regional Lot (Tampa St. & Fortune St.) Open 24/7
  • Scott Street Lot (Morgan St. & Scott St.) Open 24/7
  • Poe Garage (N. Ashley Dr. & W. Cass St.) Open 24/7 – Due to the parade route, this garage will close from
  • Twiggs Street Garage (Twiggs St., west of Nebraska Ave.) 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Centro Ybor Garage (5th Ave. & 15th St.) Open 24/7
  • Palm Ave. Garage (13th St. & 9th Ave.) Open 24/7 On-street parking meters will be enforced from 8:00 a.m. to midnight

Note: There is a $20 event fee to park in City of Tampa garages.

The free TECO Line Streetcar (8:30 – 2:30) and the free HART Bus Shuttle (9:30 – 19:00) will be available for transportation between Ybor and downtown Tampa.

READ: Gasparilla security: Law enforcement prepares for pirate invasion after terror attack in New Orleans

Where is alcohol allowed during Gasparilla 2025?

  • Alcohol may only be consumed in approved areas along the parade route.
  • Parade goers cannot drink alcohol in quarters.

Alcohol is allowed inside approved "wet zones" during Gasparilla 2025. The map is on loan from the city of Tampa.

Alcohol is permitted in approved “wet zones” during Gasparilla 2025. Map issued by the City of Tampa.

What is the Gasparilla 2025 parade route?

2025 Gasparilla Parade of Pirates begins at Bay to Bay Blvd. and Bayshore Blvd.

It continues along Bayshore Blvd. to Brorein St., turning east on Brorein St. The parade ends at Cass St. and Ashley Dr.

The Gasparilla 2025 parade will march down Bayshore Blvd. on 25 January. Photo courtesy of the City of Tampa.

The Gasparilla 2025 parade will march down Bayshore Blvd. on 25 January. Photo courtesy of the City of Tampa.

Click here for more information.

The source: This Gasparilla Guide was written with information from the City of Tampa and the Gasparilla Pirate Fest website.

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