Children's Gasparilla: parade time, route, seats and parking

Children's Gasparilla is Saturday, Jan. 23, 2027, on Bayshore Boulevard. Free; the parade starts at 3:30 p.m. and fireworks close the night at 7 p.m.

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Dates, times, the route and ticket prices come from the organizers’ Children’s Gasparilla page, its schedule and FAQ. This page is updated for each year’s parade at the same address.

Children’s Gasparilla is Saturday, Jan. 23, 2027, on Bayshore Boulevard. It is free. The day runs from noon to 7:30 p.m., and the parade itself is from 3:30 to 6 p.m., a later start than in past years, according to the ticket office. The organizers are EventFest and Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla; the city says more than 300,000 spectators are expected across this parade and Gasparilla Pirate Fest a week later.

Know before you go

Date: Saturday, Jan. 23, 2027, noon to 7:30 p.m.

Parade: 3:30 to 6 p.m., Bay to Bay Boulevard north to Edison Avenue

Cost: free; reserved seats $55 to $70

Alcohol: none. The organizers say the event is alcohol-free and that is strictly enforced

Questions: EventFest, 813-251-3378; reserved tickets, 813-251-8844

The schedule for 2027

Times are from the organizers’ schedule of events and are subject to change.

Time	Event	Where
Noon to 2 p.m.	Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Rodeo	Bayshore Boulevard, between Rome and Dakota avenues
Noon to 3:30 p.m.	Gasparilla Air Invasion airshow	Over Bayshore
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.	Preschooler’s Stroll	Howard Avenue to Rome Avenue
3:30 to 6 p.m.	Children’s Gasparilla Parade	Bay to Bay Boulevard to Edison Avenue
6:15 to 7 p.m.	Nighttime Air Invasion	Over Bayshore
7 to 7:30 p.m.	Piratechnic fireworks finale	Barges off Howard Avenue and Bayshore

Bicycle rodeo: free, no registration. Children get a new bicycle helmet to keep while supplies last, then ride a small traffic course.
Preschooler’s Stroll: children 5 and under, in wagons, trikes and strollers. You must pre-register.
Fireworks: launched from barges centered on Howard Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard and set to music played over speakers at show center, the FAQ says.

Reserved seats and prices

Watching from the curb is free. Reserved seats for 2027 are sold through GasparillaTreasures.com (813-251-8844):

Bleacher seats at Barcelona Street and Bayshore: $55 to $65, near the start of the route on the waterside. The Preschooler’s Stroll does not pass this section.
First Mate seating at Carolina Avenue or Rome Avenue: $65 to $70.
Scully hospitality tents (north and south): $165 for adults and $55 for children, with bleacher seats, a buffet with drinks and private restrooms. Ages 2 and under are free.

Road closures, parking and the free trolley

Closures: many streets close for the parade. The city posts the closure map on its Gasparilla parade information page as the date gets closer; last year’s version was the Children’s Gasparilla road closure and ADA access map. The city’s special events office is at 813-274-8750.
Parking: city garages and lots downtown charge a special event rate on entry, and some businesses sell passes for private lots, the parking page says. Parking in the neighborhoods next to the route is not allowed; Tampa police enforce it and cars are towed.
Free trolley: the Jolly Roger Trolley loops from Platt Street and Bayshore (near Publix) to Bay to Bay and Bayshore from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. It is wheelchair accessible.
Crossing Bayshore: cross before the parade starts. Once it is moving, crossing is only at reserved-seat gates during a break, with an escort.

Accessibility and the sensory tent

A limited number of free spaces for vehicles with a disabled parking permit are at Howard Avenue and Palm Drive, first come, first served.
A viewing area for guests with disabilities is at Howard Avenue and Bayshore. Each guest may bring up to three people. There are no seats or bleachers there.
A sensory relief tent, run with the city’s Autism Friendly Tampa Advisory Group, CARD-USF and Sunrise Group, is at the southwest corner of Barcelona Street. It is offered at the children’s parade only.

What to bring and what to leave

From the organizers’ FAQ:

Allowed: strollers, chairs and blankets. You may claim curb space any time after dawn by being there.
Not allowed: tents, rope or fencing to save space, coolers (small soft bags for child care or medical needs are fine), glass, grills, scooters, outside food and drink.
Rain: the parade goes on in the rain. EventFest, the krewe and the city may cancel it if dangerous weather threatens safety.
Lost children: take them to the nearest police officer.

Frequently asked questions

When is Children’s Gasparilla 2027? Saturday, Jan. 23, 2027, according to the organizers, EventFest and Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. It is always the Saturday before Gasparilla Pirate Fest.

What time does the Children’s Gasparilla parade start? The 2027 parade runs from 3:30 to 6 p.m., a later start than in past years. The day’s events begin at noon and the Piratechnic fireworks finale runs from 7 to 7:30 p.m.

Is Children’s Gasparilla free? Yes. The event is free to attend. Reserved bleacher seats for 2027 cost $55 to $70, and hospitality tents cost $165 for adults and $55 for children.

Can you drink alcohol at Children’s Gasparilla? No. The organizers say Children’s Gasparilla is an alcohol-free event and the rule is strictly enforced.

Where is the Children’s Gasparilla parade route? The parade steps off at Bay to Bay Boulevard and Bayshore Boulevard and runs north along Bayshore for 1.5 miles to Edison Avenue.

What this means for you

Families who want a curb spot near Howard Avenue, where the fireworks are centered, should come early: space goes to whoever is there first.
Take the free trolley from Platt Street instead of trying to park near the route.
If you live along Bayshore, check the city’s closure map in January for when your street closes and reopens.