Ahoy, lil’ mateys! Prepare to kick off the Gasparilla season with a swashbuckling pirate palooza and parade for buccaneers of all ages! On Saturday, January 18, from noon – 7 p.m., the pirates invade Tampa Bay with a spectacular 1.5-mile parade route featuring 125 dazzling floats and treasure galore for the little ones to collect.
The adventure unfolds along Bayshore Boulevard, from Bay to Bay Boulevard, and marching north to Edison Avenue. Presented by Chick-fil-A Tampa Bay, the alcohol-free Gasparilla Children’s Parade offers a day of FREE family-friendly fun.
ADVERTISEMENT
If you want to plan your plunder, you can reserve seats for your whole crew here.
NOTE: You do not need a reserved ticket to cross to the waterside of the Children’s Gasparilla Parade parade route. Parade crossings are located at each block of the Parade Route from Barcelona Street to Edison Avenue, permitting access to the waterside of Bayshore Boulevard.
Parking and accessing the Children’s parade
The City of Tampa has an interactive parking map ahead of Children’s Gasparilla. Various city parking garages will be open and available on a first-come, first-served basis. See a full list of road closures and parking information courtesy of the City of Tampa here.
Fort Brooke Garage – 107 N Franklin Street
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.: $14 | 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.: $20
Whiting St. Garage – 118 S Florida Ave
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. -$15 / 4pm – 9pm $20
Selmon Expressway Downtown parking lots – 201 S. Ashley Drive; 301 S. Florida Avenue
8 a.m. – 3 p.m. – $15 / 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. $20
Complimentary trolley service is available on the day of Children’s Gasparilla. It picks up at Platt and Bayshore Boulevard (near Publix) and drops off at Bay to Bay and Bayshore Boulevards. The trolley will loop continuously from 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. before and after the parade.
The full Gasparilla Children’s Parade schedule
Here’s a quick breakdown of events throughout the day. This is a general summary; you can find all the information directly on Gasparilla’s website.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Rodeo (12:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m.): Young pirates can take free bicycle safety lessons on Bayshore (between Rome and Dakota). They can also get a free helmet (while supplies last) and ride through a fun course to learn life-saving skills!
Air Invasion (12:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m.): Look to the skies for the Gasparilla Air Invasion’s biggest show yet! Enjoy aerobatic teams, vintage military planes, and the Chuters Parachute Demonstration Team.
Preschooler’s Stroll (2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.): Tampa Bay’s youngest pirates (5 and under) will be parading in decorated wagons, bikes, and strollers along Bayshore Boulevard from Howard to Rome Avenue, presented by Primrose School.
Children’s Gasparilla Parade (4:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m.): A 1.5-mile route of vibrant display of parade floats, krewes, marching bands, dance units, and community groups for all ages of pirates to enjoy. 
Nighttime Air Invasion (6:15 p.m. -7:00 p.m.): Continue the aerial excitement at dusk with a precision parachute jump by The Chuters and Ghostwriter Airshows’ fireworks flight!
Piratechnic Finale (7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.): Experience an unforgettable “Piratechnic” fireworks finale as the Krewe reenacts the battle between YMKG pirates and the City of Tampa, setting the stage for next Saturday’s Gasparilla Pirate Fest. The pirates might win!
Where to eat after the parade
Looking for some kid-friendly dining options after the parade festivities? Here’s a quick guide of spots within walking and driving distance of the festivities along Bayshore Boulevard.
- South Howard:
- Bella’s Italian Cafe, 1413 S Howard Ave
- Sally O’Neal’s Pizza, 1319 S Howard Ave
- Water + Flour, 1015 S Howard Ave
- Ava, 718 S Howard Ave
- Hyde Park:
- Forbici Modern Italian, 1633 W Snow Ave
- Willa’s, 1700 W Fig St
- Downtown:
- The Pearl, 823 Water St C100
- 3 Corners Pizza, 813 Water St
- Cava, 1001 Water St Suite 110
- Big Rays Fish Camp, 333 S Franklin St
- Melting Pot Social, 105 W Tyler St
- Armature Works, 1910 N Ola Ave
- Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Dr
- Columbia Cafe at Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Water St
ADVERTISEMENT
