Gasparilla 2024

Post was created on 01/18/2024
Updates will be made as necessary
Last update was made on 01/20/2024

It’s the second half of January & that means it’s time yet again for the annual Gasparilla series of events! Festivities will kick off with the Gasparilla Children’s Parade on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 4:00pm, while the main event – the Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 2:00pm. Corresponding events will be held throughout the day on both the 20th & 27th.

As with both events, numerous roadways in South Tampa & Downtown Tampa – including the iconic Bayshore Blvd – will close to traffic. This post will outline what you’ll need to know before heading out!

Pirates, & Beads, & Transit…oh my!

General Links

City of Tampa Event Portal for Gasparilla: Contains maps of the parade routes, detailed street closure information, & detour information for important facilities such as Tampa General Hospital & HCA South Tampa Hospital.
Official Gasparilla Website: Provides comprehensive information regarding the Gasparilla events
HART Detour Information: Updates will be made accordingly prior to the start of the parades.

Gasparilla Children’s Parade

Saturday, January 20, 2024

While the tradition of Gasparilla dates back to 1904, the children’s parade began in 1947 as a way for families to enjoy the festivities in a more family-friendly environment. The day’s festivities will begin at 12-noon with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Rodeo. This will be complimented by the Gasparilla Air Invasion, with the Preschooler’s Stroll beginning at 2:00pm. The children’s parade will run from 4:00pm until about 6:15pm, followed by an evening Air Invasion, then finishing up with the Piratechnic Finale Fireworks Show at 7:00pm.

Several streets will close to accommodate the above events. Those attending should be aware of where to go to attend the parade, as well as where to park if driving in. The Clearwater Jolley Trolley will operate the Jolly Roger trolley shuttle service from 11:30am until 8:30pm for those who park in downtown Tampa or utilize HART transit routes that begin/end at the Marion Transit Center.

If you plan to park in one of the parking garages in either Downtown Tampa, Channelside, Hyde Park, or Ybor City, please make sure you remember where you parked. Also, keep in mind that many streets will be closed throughout the area. Please also be sure to bring cash, because some lots may only accept cash as payment. Additionally, please be aware that the City of Tampa prohibits parking on some streets.

HART Bus Service

Routes 14, 19, & 360 are on detour during the day.

Jolley Trolley Shuttle

Attendees can catch the Jolly Roger trolley shuttle by the Publix at Platt St & Bayshore Blvd. Shuttles will take attendees to Bay to Bay Blvd by the Selmon Expressway on-ramp & will operate between 11:30am & 8:30pm.

Cross-Bay Ferry

Will operate a normal weekend schedule.

Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates

Saturday, January 27, 2024

The main highlight of the Gasparilla series of events is the Parade of Pirates, which attracts thousands of attendees from across the region & beyond each year! The day kicks off a brunch event at the Tampa Convention Center at 10:00am, which then leads into the pirate invasion at 11:30am – where the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla demand the mayor to hand over the key to the city. At 2:00pm, the parade begins, complimented by live entertainment in downtown Tampa during the course of the day.

Numerous streets will close throughout South Tampa & downtown Tampa to accommodate the above events. Additionally, there will be maritime restrictions in Hillsborough Bay & in around downtown Tampa imposed by the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure everyone’s safety. These restrictions mean that the Cross-Bay Ferry will not be able to operate during the course of the weekend.

Because of the parade route and disbursement of the floats at the end of the parade, the Platt, Brorein, Kennedy, & Cass bridges will all be closed. That means your only points of egress into downtown Tampa from the west will be the Selmon Expressway, the Laurel St Bridge, & I-275.

If you don’t need to be in downtown Tampa during Gasparilla festivities, please do not enter the area! I cannot stress this enough!

For those traveling to Davis Island and Tampa General Hospital, access will be maintained to the island, but the on/off-ramps to/from Bayshore will all be closed. Please be sure to plan ahead for this, as HART will suspend normal bus service to & from the hospital.

HART Bus Service

Because of roadway closures, several HART routes will be on detour. Additionally, the TECOline Streetcar will operate modified service during the day – with some stations being unavailable. The agency will also provide continuous shuttle bus service between downtown Tampa & Ybor City to help transport parade attendees to & from downtown.

Before boarding HART buses, please be sure to have your fare ready. You can download the Flamingo Fares App online, or purchase a physical Flamingo Fares card from designated purchase locations. Please keep in mind that the TECOline Streetcar is FARE FREE!

View the HART Informational Flyer

Detailed bus route detour maps for Routes 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 19, 30, 360LX, & 400 will be posted during the week of January 21 – 27.