Make way, mateys, pirates are coming! The Annual Gasparilla Pirate Invasion and Music Festival begins its celebration soon! This event is free to the public and features children’s parades and activities, music, food, concerts, skydiving, a pyrotechnic show, a parade, a film festival, and more. Ticketed bleacher seating is reserved or available at the door, first-come first-serve. Check out the event schedule below:
Official Gasparilla Bourbon and Boweties Bangle Launch Party!!January 10, 2018:Join us at Ferg’s Live Tampa at 5:30 pm for the Pre Pirate invasion, Party .
We will have lots of official 2018 Gasparilla Pirate Fest & Parade of the Pirates Merchandise available, including the Official 2018 GasparillaBourbon and Boweties Bangle!
Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres provided by Ferg’s Live Tampa, photo ops with some of our favorite pirates and be the first to get this limited edition 2018 #Gasparilla Bangle!!
January 20, 2018
The children’s extravaganza, offers several Alcohol free events. First is the Bicycle Rodeo at 11:00 am. It’s open to all who want to learn safety tips for biking with traffic, and includes an obstacle course to help learn life saving skills. Kids can win free helmets while supplies last.You’re invited to dress up in pirate attire for the 1/2-mile Preschooler’s Stroll, starting at 1:30 pm. Decorate your wagons and tricycle/bicycles and introduce your kids to the experience of being part of a parade. Download your Parade Application PDF to sign up (walk-ins are not accepted, remember to sign up).
Get ready for the Air invasion at 2:45-as US special jump teams put on their Skydiving extravaganza. The Children’s parade, starts on Bayshore Blvd. at 3:30, ends at Edison on the other end of the Bay. Reserved bleacher seating is recommended as the price goes up $10 the day of the event, if seats are still available.
The Night Air Invasion is an encore performance return at 6:15 by the US Jump para-commandos.
At 7, treat your family to the amazing Piratechnic War re-creation between Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and the City of Tampa.
Streetcar and Bus services available for Gasparilla.
January 27th
At 11:30, the Gasparilla is making its way into Tampa Bay surrounded by a flotilla of pleasure crafts to re-enact the Invasion at Tampa by the pirateJose Gaspar. Prepare for a ship full of rambunctious swashbucklers and booming cannons on their route through Hillsborough Bay. At 1:00 they dock at the Tampa Convention Center, where the mayor of Tampa surrenders the Key to the City of Tampa to the Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe.
After the surrender, the victory celebration parade of Pirates and Scallywags down Bayshore Boulevard begins. Pirate ships and over 100 festive floats are joined by marching bands and social organizations. Get your spot along the 3.8-mile route and share in the bounty as the Krewe tosses treasure, glittery beads and doubloons.
Throughout the day, activities run from 9 am to 9 pm and feature live music on several stages from Riverwalk Park to downtown Tampa’s, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, MacDill Park, The Sail Pavilion at the Tampa Convention Center, and Fergs Tampa. Options range from from brunch and cocktails in the Casino to free outdoor venues along the Bay.
Plan your Events according to your schedule and preferences. Some venues sell out fast, so don’t wait! The Gasparilla Invasion Brunch at the Tampa Convention Center includes live entertainment, a buffet brunch with cash bar, and reserved table seating for one of the most unique and colorful spectacles found anywhere in the world. Tickets are available on-line (www.GasparillaTreasures.com) or by phone (813) 251-8844
March 3~ Join the fun as Gasparilla heads back out to sea. This event partners with the music and arts with an all day celebration. At 4:30 the ship will be at channelside Bay Plaza, disembarking at 6:30, with a final cannon salute, with live music til 10pm.
March 3-4~ Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in Curtis Hixon Waterfront park, Tampa. Download your Venue map. and events Calendar. Start at the Tampa Art Museum with Chalk walk. 10 professional Chalk Artists bring their amazing 8’x8’ chalk drawings to life in this interactive live-art experience.
March 10-11~Frontier Communication Presents, The Gasparilla Music Festival in Downtown Tampa. Check the Line-up and get your tickets for a premium show. You can buy tickets, ahead, on line for individual artists.
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Stay at the Beach, Play in town.
Photos are from the Gasparilla Website, and event info can be found here along with map and parking and shuttle service.
