2026 Children's Gasparilla Parade Traffic Advisory News General, News Transportation Advisories and Road Closures Arrr, ye landlubbers! Don yer finest pirate garb and ready[...]

Arrr, ye landlubbers! Don yer finest pirate garb and ready yerselves for the Children's Gasparilla Parade setting sail down Bayshore Boulevard on Saturday, January 24th at 4:00 PM.

Getting There:¶

Event goers are encouraged to arrive early and should consider using alternative transportation to get to and from the events, including parking in Ybor City and riding the TECO Streetcar. Downtown Partnership's DASH service will also be available for the Children's Parade.

The FREE Jolley Trolley service will be running on a continuous loop from 11:30am to 8:30pm picking up/dropping off at the intersections of Platt St. and Bayshore Boulevard (near Publix) and Bay-to-Bay and Bayshore Boulevard. Please note, this is a different service than the HART shuttles and TECO Streetcar.

Importantly, users of rented scooters need to be aware of the No-Ride Zones that extend a few blocks out from the parade route. View the No-Ride Zones here: https://www.tampa.gov/document/childrens-gasparilla-parade-escooter-ebike-no-ride-zones-134786

Parking:¶

Most City garages will be open with free bike parking inside. Vehicle parking will include fixed event rate. View the options here: https://www.tampa.gov/document/childrens-gasparilla-parade-parking-information-113206

Also, the City of Tampa has an online, interactive neighborhood parking map available which highlights neighborhood parking restrictions. View it here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/c36636cfcabf47edb27fe8813931e846

Safety:¶

• We encourage all Gasparilla attendees to use extra caution in and around the parade area due to the high volume of pedestrians.
• This is an alcohol-free event.
• Have fun, and if you see something, say something. Do not hesitate to text or call 911.

Schedule of Events:¶

• 12:00-2:00 PM: Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Rodeo- Bayshore Blvd between Rome and Dakota Ave. (Free to participate, no registration required)
• 2:00-3:00 PM: Gasparilla Preschooler's Stroll (Pre-registration required)
• 12:00-4:00 PM: Gasparilla Air Invasion including parachute jumpers
• 4:00-6:15 PM: Children's Gasparilla Parade
• 6:15-7:00 PM: Nighttime Gasparilla Air Invasion including the Jose Gasparilla ship light display
• 7:00-7:30 PM: "Piratechnic Finale" Fireworks Show

Roads Affected: ¶

Closure Type: Full Road/Lane

January 23, 10:00 PM to January 24, Midnight
• Bayshore Boulevard between W Gandy Boulevard and W Platt Street
• Davis Islands Bridge off-ramp onto Bayshore Boulevard
• W Bay to Bay Boulevard between S Ysabella Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard

January 24, 9:00 AM to January 24, Midnight
• Eastbound lanes on W Bay to Bay Boulevard at S MacDill Avenue

Event Website: https://www.tampa.gov/gasparilla

To see the latest road closures that may impact your commute, visit: Tampa.gov/road-closures.