Climb Aboard the Country's 3rd Largest Parade
GASPARILLA PIRATE FEST
Named for pirate Jose Gaspar, who terrorized the coastal waters of West Florida during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Tampa's annual Gasparilla celebration begins with the Gasparilla Invasion. Over 750 swashbucklers invade Tampa Bay aboard the majestic pirate ship "Jose Gasparilla," kicking off a full schedule of pirate-themed events.
Once ashore, the captain and his Mystic Krewe celebrate their takeover of the city with a four-mile long Parade of Pirates, unloading untold Gasparilla treasures for visitors and locals to plunder. The third largest parade in the United States, the Parade of Pirates is attended by 300,000 onlookers, many donning period-themed pirate garb.
The festivities continue into the evening at the Gasparilla Pirate Fest Street Festival with live music, food and entertainment.
