Ahoy! Pirates set to invade Tampa TODAY - All you need to know about today's Gasparilla Pirate Fest

Land, ho! Set a course for Tampa this morning, and be prepared for a spectacular day of great fun and high adventure at the 2023 Tampa Gasparilla Pirate Fest, a must do event!

The 2023 Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest returns to Tampa today, Saturday, January 28, bringing the spirit of pirates past and glittering treasures for visitors and locals to plunder.

Today is one of the highlights of the year in the Tampa Bay Area, so don't miss out, grab your beads, costumes, and eye patches and head to Tampa!

The memorable day will feature the 106th Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of the Pirates presented by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, plus Pirate Fest, featuring stages with live entertainment pre and post parade in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.

Here we bring you everything happening today, and when!

First up, parking, as you can imagine, the waterfront area of Tampa is going to be crazy busy, so follow directions from local law enforcement.

Parking

Parking will be available at the Tampa Convention Center and throughout downtown. Officials recommend attendees arrive early as parking will fill up quickly for the event.

Click here for more parking information, and details of road closures and detours.

Gasparilla Invasion: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

FREE EVENT

The Invasion

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.

“Land, ho! Set sail for Tampa!” Shouts the legendary pirate Jose Gaspar as his band of buccaneers sail across the Hillsborough Bay and return to the City of Tampa.

The Invasion Route

At 11:30 am, the only fully-rigged pirate ship in the world, the Jose Gasparilla, emerges at the south end of Hillsborough Bay followed by hundreds if not thousands of boats.

The vibrant Gasparilla Flotilla then makes its way across Hillsborough Bay and into Seddon Channel (between Davis Island & Harbour Island) and the Gasparilla Invasion has begun!

In this annual re-enactment of Tampa’s historic pirate invasion, the Gasparilla Flotilla – led by the Jose Gasparilla filled to the crow’s nest with swashbuckling pirates – creates a spectacular sight.

The U.S. Coast Guard is requesting that anyone who chooses to take their boat on the water Saturday to keep safety equipment on board and have two ways of emergency communication.

When the Jose Gasparilla docks at the Tampa Convention Center at 1pm, the Mayor of Tampa surrenders the Key to the City to the Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.

With the Key to the City in hand, the Krewe celebrates their victory in a Parade of Pirates down Bayshore Boulevard.

Gasparilla Parade: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

FREE EVENT

The Parade Of Pirates

To celebrate their capture of the City of Tampa, the Captain and his Krewe share their wealth of glittering beads, treasures and doubloons with a lively, enthusiastic crowd all along the 4.5 mile parade route.

“Make way, mateys!” shout Tampa’s original buccaneers as they wind their way down historic Bayshore Blvd. and into downtown Tampa – amidst colorful costumes and festive music.

Tampa resident Ric Flair, a WWE Hall of Famer, is this year's Grand Marshal.

The Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates will boast over 140 units – including more than 103 elaborate floats, 5 marching bands, over 50 distinct Krewes and, of course, those infamous YMKG pirates!

Parade Route

The parade begins at Bay to Bay and Bayshore Blvd. It continues along Bayshore Blvd. to Brorein St., turns east on Brorein St., then north on Ashley Dr. The parade ends at Cass St. & Ashley Dr.

Gasparilla Pirate Fest 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Gasparilla Pirate Fest

An expanded Pirate Fest in 2023 will feature stages along the Riverwalk in downtown Tampa, with live entertainment pre and post-parade in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (Ashley and Twiggs), and MacDill Park (Ashley and Whiting).

MACDILL PARK STAGE (98 ROCK):

10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. DJ/STATION MUSIC

11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Shawn Scheller and the Contenders

3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Break for Parade of the Pirates

5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. More is More

CURTIS HIXON PARK STAGE

9 a.m. – 10 a.m. DJ / STATION MUSIC

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Caliente Band

3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Break for Parade of the Pirates

5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Sol Caribe