Expand / Collapse search
☰

Children’s Gasparilla 2025: Here’s what to know

By
Published  January 7, 2025 2:27pm EST
Gasparilla Pirate Invasion
FOX 13 News

The Brief

    • Children’s Gasparilla 2025 is being held on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
    • The Children’s Gasparilla Guide provides everything you need to know, from where to park to what roads are closed to a schedule of events.
    • FOX 13 is a proud sponsor of Children’s Gasparilla and will be broadcasting the parade live on television and streaming it on FOX13News.com and on the FOX Local App.

TAMPA, Fla. - Ahoy mateys! Pint-sized pirates are getting ready to kick off Gasparilla season.

Children’s Gasparilla has been involved in pillaging and plundering since 1947, and FOX 13 is proud to be a sponsor. Here’s what to know about the 2025 event.

When is Children’s Gasparilla?

2025 Children’s Gasparilla

  • Saturday, January 18, 2025
  • 12-7 p.m.
  • Downtown Tampa

Schedule of events

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Rodeo

  • 12-2 p.m.
  • The bicycle rodeo will be held on Bayshore Blvd. between Rome Avenue and Dakota Avenue.
  • Free

Gasparilla Air Invasion

  • 12-4 p.m.

Gasparilla Preschooler's Stroll

  • 2-3 p.m.

(Pre-registration is required for this event.)

Children’s Gasparilla Parade

  • 4-6:15 p.m.

Nighttime Gasparilla Air Invasion

  • 6:15-7 p.m.

"Piratechnic Finale"

  • 7-7:30 p.m.

Where to park for Children’s Gasparilla

Parking is available in garages and lots throughout downtown Tampa. The city-run garages will have a special event parking rate for the event. Many area organizations also offer parking on their properties. City officials recommend checking with local businesses to purchase a parking pass for their private lots in advance.

Available event parking options include: 

Pam Iorio Parking Garage (S. Florida Ave & Channelside Dr.)

  • Closed for Arena Event

Tampa Convention Center Garage (Tampa St. & Brorein St.)

  • Open 24/7

Fort Brooke Garage (Whiting St. between Franklin St. & Florida Ave.)

  • 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. -$15 / 4 – 9 p.m. $20

Whiting St. Garage (N. Morgan St.)

  • 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. -$15 / 4 – 9 p.m. $20

Selmon Expressway Downtown parking lots

  • 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. -$15 / 3 – 9 p.m. $20

On-street parking meters will be enforced from 8 a.m. until midnight.

A free trolley service will also be available for Children’s Gasparilla. Pick-up and drop off will be at Platt and Bayshore Blvd (near Publix) and at Bay to Bay and Bayshore Blvd. The trolley will loop continuously throughout the day, before and after the parade, from 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

What roads are closed for Children’s Gasparilla?

Friday, January 17, 2025

  • Bayshore Blvd. Northbound/Southbound from Gandy Blvd. to Platt St./Channelside Dr. will close at 10 p.m.
  • Davis Islands Bridge off-ramp onto Northbound Bayshore Blvd. will close at 10 p.m.

Saturday, January 18, 2025

  • Bay-to-Bay Blvd. from Ysabella Ave. to Bayshore Blvd. will close at 12:01 a.m.
  • One eastbound lane and one westbound lane on Bay-to-Bay Blvd. from MacDill Ave. to Ysabella Ave. (to accommodate pedestrian walkway) will close at 9 a.m.
  • Eastbound Bay-to-Bay Blvd. at MacDill Ave. at 3 p.m.

Is alcohol allowed at the Children’s Gasparilla event?

No. Children’s Gasparilla is an alcohol-free event. Alcohol is prohibited and strictly enforced. 

What is the Children’s Gasparilla parade route?

The Children’s Gasparilla parade begins at 4 p.m. at Bay to Bay and Bayshore Blvd. and marches north along Bayshore Blvd. before ending at Edison Ave.

How to watch the Children’s Gasparilla Parade

FOX 13 is a proud sponsor of the 2025 Children’s Gasparilla parade, which will be broadcast live on television, streamed at FOX13News.com, and on the FOX Local app from 4-6:15 p.m.

The Source: This story was written with information from the City of Tampa and Gasparilla event webpage. 

 STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:

Gasparilla Pirate InvasionTampa