Gasparilla Guide: Tampa Bays Piratical Season 2017

Gasparilla Block Party (11 am to 1 pm) Family Friendly

Hyde Park Village is kicking off Gasparilla season with a family-friendly Gasparilla Block Party! This is your chance to dress the kiddos, meet the YMKG Pirates, (most times better known as dad or grandpa) enjoy face painting, balloon animals, shop for Gasparilla gear, take away special giveaways, dance to live music and much more! Your little one never been to The Children's Parade?  This is the perfect opportunity to expose them to the fun pre-parade so they can get their parade plans in order! (Oh dad, can ya help me with this?)

Saturday, January 21st

2017 Gasparilla Children's Extravaganza (11 am to 7:30 pm) Family Friendly

The Gasparilla Children's Extravaganza is expressly for families and children and is an alcohol-free event. Enjoy activities for the kids, the parade, fireworks show and more along beautiful Bayshore Boulevard Linear Park, collect beads, and unforgettable memories at this year's parade!

Rough Riders - Party Like A Rock Star II  Pre and Post-parade parties (Pre is Friday 7 pm to 11 pm, Post is Saturday 4 pm -9 pm)  

The official Gasparilla PRE-PARTY takes place this year in the 2nd Floor Ballroom Hilton Tampa Downtown. The Rough Riders Parade After-Party takes place Saturday at the Hilton on the Patio.  Contact Carol at the Rough Rider Office. 813-248-1898 for specific information about ticketing and what they offer! 

Gasparilla Pirate Invasion VIP Experience (8:30 am to 1:30 pm) Limited Availability

This is Tampa Bay Fun Boats first exclusive VIP Gasparilla Boat Parade excursion! Only 20 Tickets are available to participate in the famous flotilla as the pirate sail up the bay Arrrrrrgh you in? Adults only, $125 per person.

Gasparilla Pirate Invasion Aboard Sir Winston (9 am to 1 pm)

Avast Ye, want to be on the water for the invasion? As the “Jose Gaspar” pirate ship enters the harbor it will be flanked by the Sir Winston, the Tallest Ship in the fleet during the invasion! 

Tampa FL, 33602.

2017 Gasparilla Invasion Brunch @ Tampa Convention Center (9:30 am to 1:00 pm)

Always a  fabulous buffet brunch, this pre-invasion foodie fest is held at the Tampa Convention Center beginning at 10 a.m. The party includes live entertainment, a cash bar and a reserved seat for the best view of the Invasion! Tickets are $98 until 1-21-17, they go up to $113 after the 21st so get your tickets now!  Children two years of age and under do not need a ticket, as long as they remain in the lap of an Adult Ticket holder at all times. The brunch does not include Parade Seating, only the invasion, however, you can purchase a COMBO Ticket. Click on the link to go to ticketing.

UT Alumni Gasparilla Brunch (10 am to noon)

Join the UT Tampa Bay Alumni Chapter for the annual Gasparilla Brunch on the West Verandah of Plant Hall at The University of Tampa. Enjoy an all you care to eat and drink breakfast buffet and free pa

Tampa FL, 33606. Phone 813-253-3333  (Photo courtesy of Marine Max)

Celebrate Gasparilla with I Wanna Wok and waterfront seating at The Sail Pavilion.  Enjoy live music, a full bar, bathrooms, easy parking in the garage, and more. Best part, NO COVER!  

Gasparilla Invasion Brunch Cruise | Yacht Starship (10:00 am to 1:00 pm)

Cruise alongside the “Jose Gaspar” pirate ship and the flotilla on a killer yacht! You will have a spectacular view of the Gasparilla Invasion and the annual flotilla from Yacht StarShip on the busiest day on the bay. Board and depart from Channelside at 10:30 AM to meet the Pirate Ship Jose Gaspar and the Pirate Invasion Flotilla as they leave the Yacht Club in Ballast Point.  Starship will have close-up views as they cruise alongside the flotilla. Yacht StarShip guests will experience a once in a lifetime view of the Invasion. Before the flotilla turns into the downtown channel, Yacht StarShip will exit the flotilla and proceed ahead, and provide a great view as hundreds of boats head into the channel. Subject to approval, Starship may return to the Convention Center dock and remain dockside where passengers can stay aboard to watch the flotilla as the pirates arrive and invade the city.

603 Channelside Dr, Tampa FL, 33602. Phone 813-223-7999
 

Gasparilla YARR'd Party (10 am to 10 pm)

CELEBRATE Gasparilla at 401 S Florida Ave. Com out to the Yaar'd for an all-inclusive party with enough booze even Jack Sparrow would be a proud pirate!  Get your piratical armband for only, $50 GA, $100 VIP (21+) and enjoy

• LOTS AND LOTS OF BEER!
• Private bathrooms
• Food
• Music ALL DAY!
• Private Security
• Party favors and lots more
•  kick ass LIVE BANDS "Titewad" "Buxton" & "DjFoolish" will be providing entertainment the whole day until 10p

Read more about this event in Best Gasparilla Post Parade Parties Tampa 2017

 

Brew Bus to the Gasparilla Invasion 2017 (10 or 11:00 am to 5 pm)

The cost is only $30 and all passengers will get a complimentary beer on the ride down. This craft-centric Brew Bus will depart from Dunderbräu Brewery (Mr. Dunderbacks) twice Gasparilla morning, once at 10 am and again at 11:00 am.  Return trips are first-come, first served with the last trip leaving the drop-off point at Winn Dixie in Hyde Park at 5 pm. Climb aboard the Brew Bus for the Gasparilla Invasion of Tampa Bay!

Ye $30 is for the round-trip transportation, a voucher for a FREE 6-pack of Brew Bus Brewing beer at Winn-Dixie, a cooler bag and some custom Brew Bus Beads, as well as a free pint at the Brew Bus Terminal. Tickets can be purchased at brewbususa.com/tours

All mates must be 21 years old or ye will be forced to walk the plank. All passengers will get a complimentary beer on the ride down. No outside alcohol can be consumed onboard.

2017 Gasparilla Pirate Festival (11 am to 9 pm)

The 2017 Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest features the 101st Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of Pirates presented by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. Gather yer crew along Bayshore or Downtown Tampa, dress like a Pirate (Where to find Gasparilla Gear) if ye choose, these pirates have been invading Tampa Bay for over 100 years now and if we have learned anything it is that it's better to be one of um' when they arrive!  From the water invasion to the street parade, over half a million people will be showered with beads and entertainment of all kinds!  The pride and joy of the city of Tampa this is a must-attend event. The hot ticket this year is the extremely Limited First Mate reserved chair seating. FIRST MATE SOUTH – located on the water side of Bayshore Boulevard, between Ardson and Carolina, and FIRST MATE NORTH – located on the land side of the parade route on Bayshore Boulevard, between Beach and Platt Street is single row, chair seating providing guaranteed front-row fun at Tampa`s historic parade. First Mate Seating Tickets are $60 per person (plus tax) in advance and are expected to sell out well in advance of the parades. These and regular reserved seating can be purchased on the Gasparilla fest site. Click the link above and head over to their site to reserve yours today! Head to the Riverwalk at  Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park following the parade for the party downtown, stages, bands and more will finish a perfect day in perfect piratical style!

Photo courtesy of Carlyn Bullock
 

Gasparilla 2017 Dockside Party

Celebrate Gasparilla with The Tropics Boat Tours for giveaways, DJ entertainment, and more! This is a FREE admission party from 2:30 to 6 pm.  Find the fun Dockside at  Tampa Convention Center ​

Tampa FL, 33602. Phone (727) 442-7433