Ahoy mateys! It’s officially Gasparilla season for Tampa Bay residents! Are you planning to take your family to the Children’s Gasparilla Parade this year? If you’re not familiar with this event or will be attending for the first time, I got you covered! The Children’s Gasparilla Parade is an alcohol-free and family-friendly celebration that kicks off on Saturday, January 24th. Families will enjoy a parade that features Krewes, floats, bands and other entertainment that begins at Bay to Bay and Bayshore and ends at Edison Avenue. Scroll down to get all the details!
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My family has attended the Children’s Gasparilla Parade many times as residents of Tampa Bay. We always have a great time whenever we attend this huge event. When it comes to children, it’s always important to be prepared especially for the Gasparilla parade. It’s a huge event with so many things happening and one can get easily lost or overwhelmed. I hope you find this guide to the Children’s Gasparilla Parade in Tampa helpful.
Children’s Gasparilla Parade Schedule of Events
Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Rodeo | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
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 pm – 4:00 pm
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 pm – 3:00 pm
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 pm – 6:15 pm
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.
When to go to the Children’s Gasparilla Parade
The Children’s Gasparilla Parade starts at 12:00 pm, however, it’s best to show up hours earlier to get the best viewing spot. People are coming from all over, so all the good spots tend to fill up quickly. It’s also a good idea to allow yourself at least an hour to find parking and to walk to the parade route. Give yourself plenty of time so you’re not rushing with the kids. If you’re only interested in watching the actual parade, arrive around 2:30 pm to give yourself enough time to find parking and a viewing spot.
Where to park
There are many options for parking, but they fill up quickly. If you arrive early, you may find parking in the various garages and lots throughout downtown Tampa. However, these city-run garages have a special event parking rate paid upon entry. We’ve been lucky to find parking near Hyde Park but it’s a hit or miss. Local businesses and churches near the parade route may offer paid parking but pricing varies, and you may need to pay ahead of time. Be prepared to spend between $20 – $40 for prime parking spots. Parking in the neighborhoods bordering the parade route is not permitted and the Tampa Police Department will strictly enforce the event parking policies.
Complimentary trolley service will be available on the day of Children’s Gasparilla, picking up at Platt and Bayshore Boulevard (near Publix) and dropping off at Bay to Bay and Bayshore Boulevards. The trolley will loop continuously throughout the day before and after the parade, from 11:30 A.M. to 8:30 P.M.
Last year we parked at the BayStreet Commercial Center lot (611 West Bay Street). It’s near the end of the route so if you want to get close to the center of the parade route, lots of walking for your family.
Please note: Bring cash for parking. However, some lots may have cashless options. Do not leave valuables in your car and lock your doors.
What to bring to the Children’s Gasparilla Parade
If you have small children, I highly recommend bringing a stroller or wagon to the Children’s Gasparilla Parade. It’s easier to keep track of the little ones and it helps with the long walks. Trust me, your kids will get tired of walking especially after the event is over. You can decorate your stroller or wagon as a pirate ship to give the kids a cool ride. When my children were younger, I used cardboard boxes for their wagon, but some parents really go all out with their pirate ships. Bring a carrier to wear your baby once the parade starts. It’s a great way to keep little ones close and keeps your hands free to catch all the beads.
Planning to arrive early with your family? I suggest bringing a large blanket, towels or folding chairs to sit on. It may seem like a lot of stuff to carry but your children will thank you. This will also help keep your area reserved. You may also want to bring a soft-sided cooler (only ones permitted) filled with food for the kids, including lunch, lots of snacks, juice and water bottles. If you don’t want to carry a cooler filled with food and beverage, bring cash to make things easier when buying items from vendors. Some do not accept debit or credit cards.
Here’s a list of items you may want to bring to keep the kids entertained while they wait for the parade to start:
- Wagon
- Sunglasses
- Cooler
- Sunscreen (depends on the weather)
- First aid kit
- Bag for beads (reusable grocery bags or backpacks)
- Hand sanitizer or wipes
- Portable fan (depends on the weather)
- Bubbles (optional)
- Plastic swords (optional)
- Coloring books & crayons or Gasparilla scavenger hunt
- Hula hoop (optional)
- Glow sticks (if you’re staying late for the fireworks: great way to keep an eye on the kids)
- Ponchos (depends on the weather)
- Charging bank
- Toilet paper (in case the porta potty runs out)
- Insulated stainless steel water bottle
What to wear
It’s Gasparilla so dress the kids like a pirate. Over the years, I have stepped up my costume game for the boys. You can check out my Pinterest board or these DIY pirate costumes for some Gasparilla inspiration. Have no fear! Not everyone dresses up so no need to worry. As my children have gotten older, they don’t dress up like pirates anymore. However, I did make them custom Gasparilla shirts that they loved. You can also purchase Gasparilla pirate shirts, hats and other items from local shops. There’s a lot of walking during the Children’s Gasparilla Parade so wear comfortable shoes.
Check the weather on the day of the parade because it’s unpredictable in the Tampa Bay area. It can get cold around this time of the year so make sure to wear pants and a jacket. If rain is in the forecast, bring ponchos, umbrellas or rain jackets.
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of finding a place to enjoy the parade, reserved seats are available. For more information about reserved bleacher seating, visit the official Gasparilla website.
If you want to experience the Children’s Gasparilla Parade like a VIP, purchase the Children’s Gasparilla Scully Hospitality Experience. It’s located near the show center by Howard Ave. This ticket offers bleachers seats, pre-parade entertainment, and a picnic-style buffet. My family really enjoyed this gifted experience last year. Private bathrooms were available, so we didn’t have to leave the area. Visit my Instagram page to see our experience.
Watch the video below to see our experience at the 2022 Children’s Gasparilla Parade. Make sure to follow me on YouTube for more fun content!
You can find these adorable books about pirates on Amazon (As an Amazon Associate, I’ll earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. This only applies if you click through and make a purchase. Thank you for your support!), your local library or visit a local book shop.
- Goodnight Pirate by Michelle Robinson
- Pirasaurs! by Josh Funk
- The Pirates Next Door by Jonny Duddle
- Mermaid and Pirate by Tracey Baptiste
- Pirates Don’t Dance by Shawna J. C. Tenney
- Count With The Pirates! by Laura Coleman
- Pirates Are Coming by Condon John
- How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long
- Pirates Love Underpants by Claire Freedman
- Billy and the Pirates by Nadia Shireen
Check out these pirate digital products from my ETSY shop. Your kids will have a great time with these worksheets.
Looking for more pirate crafts as well as DIY projects and activities? Check out these fun ideas below to celebrate Gasparilla, Halloween or Talk Like a Pirate Day.
Remember, this is a family-friendly event. Be kind, have fun and take plenty of pictures.
