Gasparilla Music Festival (GMF) is one of the top events of the year in Tampa. The celebrated event will showcase local artists, emerging artists from around the world, and today’s top headliners throughout a three-day weekend in Tampa. In years past, Tank and the Bangas, Run The Jewels, Father John Misty, Gary Clark Jr, Nas, and Sylvan Esso have all performed for a capacity Tampa crowd. GMF will run February 16-18, 2024 at Julian B Lane Riverfront Park (1001 N Blvd). Tickets are now on sale.
Young the Giant, Big Gigantic, and more to headline
The full lineup is out and this writer is very excited about it. At the top of the bill are Young the Giant, Louis the Child, Big Gigantic, and Lake Street Dive. Alt/pop-rock faves COIN make their return to a Tampa Bay that is always excited to see them. Other lineup highlights include hip-hop trio Digable Planets, singer-songwriter Trevor Hall, pop rockers Beach Weather, and alt/indie singer Aidan Bissett.
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For the folk crowd, Yonder Mountain String Band is at your service. If you’ve been online in the last year, you’ll recognize Surf Mesa’s Frankie Valli cover “ily (i love you baby)” when you hear it. GMF always delivers on the New Orleans energy and this year they’re bringing in the Rebirth Brass Band.
Ensure you arrive early so you don’t miss the GMF tradition of opening the festival with the Mt Zion Gospel Choir. Their good vibes always set the tone for a phenomenal Gasparilla Music Festival weekend. This fest always gives the stage to several local acts showing off the muscles of our local Tampa Bay music scene. We can’t wait to groove to local faves Shelby Sol, Ashley Smith & the Random Occurrence, and Minim. Judyanne Jackson is back again and we can’t wait. She first played GMF in 2018 when she was only 10 years old!
Music is for everyone. A festival that gives back and inspires the next generation.
What many don’t know is that the Gasparilla Music Festival is run by the Gasparilla Music Foundation, a Florida 501(c)-3 non-profit corporation. They supply hundreds of instruments to local students through their Recycled Tunes program every year. Have an instrument from that one time you played clarinet or trumpet in middle school sitting in your closet? Donate it to them! They’ll refurbish it and make sure it gets into the hands of an eager, young student hungry to make music right here in Tampa Bay. The Tampa Metro Youth Orchestra always plays a set and they’re a must-see.
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This year, they’re bringing back KIDS FEST. A fest within the fest, it runs from 1pm until 4pm on Sunday, February 18. Enjoy family-friendly activities like live music, free tie-dye shirt making, and instrument petting zoo, and more. Kids 12 and under are admitted FREE into the festival. Kids Fest will be located next to the playground in Julian B. Lane Park.
In addition to a music festival, GMF also doubles as a wonderful representation of our strong local food scene. A handful of Tampa’s top local restaurants provide concessions throughout the weekend and it’s one of our favorite parts of the experience.
Two-day GA passes are currently priced at $75, while a three-day ticket is initially priced at $95. VIP tickets start at $200; some are already sold out, so act quickly.
Calle Cocina: a celebration of local food
One of the best parts (after the music of course) of GMF is the food. The culinary lineup this year includes faves like Big Ray’s Fish Camp, Big Red BBQ, Lucky Tigre, Nebraska Mini Mart, and more. We can’t wait to try the vegan truffle mac and cheese from Cafe Hey. The Smokin’ Pork and Brisket Bowlz from Big Red BBQ will be our Saturday night dinner before the Young the Giant set. The Homewrecker Chili Cheese Dogs from Cena, is likely a Sunday afternoon treat as we listen to the sounds of Lake Street Dive.
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