Gasparilla Music Festival returns to a brand-new home in Downtown Tampa this weekend

The popular Gasparilla Music Festival is making a comeback after a one-year hiatus, relocating to Meridian Fields near Water Street and Channelside in downtown Tampa.

Gasparilla Music Festival is back! With the crowd-pleasing annual music festival making a comeback this weekend following a one-year hiatus due to what organizers called "ongoing financial strains."

The three day festival which has previously been held at Julian B Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa, returns following its one year break to a new home, Meridian Fields near Water Street and Channelside in downtown Tampa.

Taking place from Friday, April 10 - Sunday, April 12, 2026, this year's festival features musical acts from a wide variety of genres, together with cuisine from the region’s top restaurants, and a marketplace, art installations, and more.

“We’re beyond excited to bring the Gasparilla Music Festival back and right where the pulse of Tampa is beating the strongest,” said David Cox, president of the Gasparilla Music Festival. “Water Street’s energy, its close connection to the waterfront, and its proximity to Ybor City make it the perfect home to bring fans, artists, and the community together as we launch a new era for this festival.”

The new 11.5-acre home for the festival is Meridian Fields, located close to the Selmon Expressway, the old flour mills, Water Street and Channelside.

To bring the space to life, organizers have brought in more than 100 yards of fresh turf, transformed the previously gravel-filled lot into a festival field ready to welcome 8,000 fans each day to the event.

The festival which serves as a fundraiser, helping to put instruments into the hands of kids across Tampa Bay, will feature multiple stages with more than 50 performers set to perform throughout the weekend.

Friday's lineup features: Mt. Joy, Shakey Graves, GZA & the Phunky Nomads, lovelytheband, and Tom G, while Saturday's lineup includes Two Friends, Jai Wolf, Bryce Vine, Kasbo, and Forester. Rounding out the wekend on Sunday is a lineup including Gov’t Mule, Drive-By Truckers, Cimafunk, Kaitlin Butts, The Suffers and East Nash Grass.

For more info and tickets, click https://gasparillamusic.com

Gasparilla Music Festival is produced by the 501(c)(3) non-profit Gasparilla Music Foundation and proceeds benefit youth music education.

The Gasparilla Music Foundation was founded in 2011 with financial support from several Tampa Bay area based businesses and the organization’s founding members, The Ring of Fire.

As part of its mission to support and promote music and education, the organization operates throughout the year providing scholarships and instruments to music students and paid performance opportunities for local musicians.

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