Invasions are welcome in Tampa Bay! Gasparilla Pirate Fest returns every January, bringing the spirit of pirates past and glittering treasures for visitors and locals to plunder. The 4.5-mile parade route, led by the captain and his Ye Mystic Krewe, is followed by over a hundred floats winding through historic Bayshore Blvd and downtown Tampa, creating the third-largest parade in the United States.
Convention Center Invasion: 11:30am - 1:00pm
Parade of Pirates: 2:00pm - 6:00pm
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.
Colorized photo from 1947 via Burgert Brothers
The Jose Gasparilla sets sail at the south end of Hillsborough Bay at 11:30am, sails north to Seddon Channel (between Davis Islands and Harbour Island), continues north and docks at the Tampa Convention Center at 1:00pm.
The parade begins at Bay to Bay and Bayshore Blvd. and continues along downtown to Brorein Street, then turns on Ashley Drive. The parade ends at Cass Street & Ashley Drive.
The best seats for the invasion are at the Gasparilla Invasion Brunch at the Convention Center. However, there are many other places in downtown Tampa – waterfront hotels, places along Davis Islands and Harbour Island – to view this spectacular event! Purchase tickets at Gasparilla Treasures™.
Available at the Tampa Convention Center and throughout downtown, but plan to arrive early as parking fills up quickly for the event. All side streets along Bayshore are closed to traffic.