Children’s Gasparilla

A vibrant and colorful illustration of a children’s Gasparilla celebration in Tampa, featuring happy kids dressed as pirates aboard a pirate ship with skull-and-crossbones flags. The scene includes palm trees, a treasure chest overflowing with gold coins, a Ferris wheel, and the Tampa skyline in the background, with sunny skies and playful beach elements.

Ahoy Lil’ Mateys!

The 78th Annual Children’s Gasparilla returns Saturday, January 18, along Tampa’s beautiful Bayshore Blvd. This beloved event has grown into one of the largest children’s events in the country and it’s a MUST experience with the kids at least once. Can you believe it’s already Gasparilla Season in Tampa Bay?

Tampa Bay Parenting has all you need to know about Children’s Gasparilla! So let’s get into it!

What is Children’s Gasparilla

Children’s Gasparilla (it also goes by various other names like Gasparilla Kids’ Parade, Gasparilla Children’s Parade, Kids Gasparilla, etc. – but it’s officially Children’s Gasparilla) is a family-friendly, alcohol-free celebration in Tampa that puts kids at the center of the pirate-themed fun. It serves as a G-rated counterpart to the larger Gasparilla festivities the following weekend.

Dating back to 1904, Gasparilla originated as a “pirate invasion” during Tampa’s May Day festival and evolved into its own Mardi Gras-style event, inspired by the mythical pirate Jose Gaspar. Since 1947, the Children’s Gasparilla Parade has been held the week before the main event, offering families a chance to enjoy a day of beads, trinkets, and pirate revelry along Bayshore Boulevard, free from alcohol and with kids as the stars of the show. The official website is available here.

Events and Things to Do

In addition to the actual parade, which features dozens of floats rolling down Bayshore Boulevard throwing beads, there’s a Gasparilla bike safety rodeo with free helmets, a Preschooler’s Stroll for the little pirates, an “Air Invasion” and SOCOM jump, and to cap it all off, a magnificent Piratechnic fireworks display over the bay. Events begin at noon on January 18, and end with the 7:30 fireworks – scroll down for a detailed schedule.

A family dressed in pirate costumes poses with a creatively decorated cardboard pirate ship stroller at the Gasparilla Preschool Stroll event, standing in front of a backdrop that reads "Gasparilla Preschool Stroll."
Preschooler’s Stroll – A Parade Made for Little Pirates from 2-3pm
Gasparilla-bicycle-rodeo
Bicycle + Pedestrian Safety Rodeo from12-2pm
Parachutist from The Chuters descends with a colorful parachute and a large American flag during the Gasparilla Air Invasion in Tampa.
Gasparilla Air Invasion from 12-4pm
best viewing spots Children's Gasparilla Parade
Gasparilla Children’s Parade from 4-6:15pm
Colorful fireworks burst over the water during the Piratechnic Fireworks Extravaganza at Children’s Gasparilla, with a brightly lit pirate ship in the background.
Children’s Gasparilla Piratechnic Fireworks Extravaganza at 7pm

Maps, Schedules and Information

Here’s the schedule for all of the annual events for the Children’s Gasparilla in 2025

Piratechnic Finale – 7:00 pm-7:30 pm
Pirate + pyrotechnics = Piratechnics! This firework finale recreates the imaginary battle between the pirates of YMKG and the City of Tampa that began in 1904. This bold, colorful finale sets the scene for the energetic Gasparilla Pirate Fest that will take place the following Saturday, January 25th.

Bicycle + Pedestrian Safety Rodeo – 12:00pm-2:00pm
During this free event, participants will be fitted with a free, brand-new bicycle helmet to keep (while supplies last). They can then hop on one of the Rodeo’s bicycles and traverse through a mini traffic course that teaches bicycle and pedestrian safety.

Gasparilla Air Invasion – 12:00 pm-4:00 pm
The Gasparilla Air Invasion is back with its largest airshow yet! Watch civilian aerobatic teams, vintage military aircraft and The Chuters Parachute Demonstration Team make their way through the sky. The show will begin at noon and run through the start of the parade at 4:00.

Gasparilla Preschoolers’ Stroll presented by Primrose Schools – 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Calling Tampa Bay’s youngest pirates! The Preschoolers’ Stroll allows children ages 5 and under to strut their stuff along Bayshore Boulevard in their specially decorated wagons, bicycles, and strollers while donning their best pirate attire. The Stroll begins at Howard Avenue and ends at Rome Avenue.

Children’s Gasparilla Parade – 4:00 pm-6:15 pm
Brush up on your bead-catching skills! The Children’s Gasparilla Parade is widely considered the largest children’s event in the country. Beginning at Bay to Bay and Bayshore Boulevard, pirates, floats, marching bands, and more will march north, ending at 1904 at Edison Avenue. Be prepared for appearances by Tampa’s sports teams, mascots, favorite characters, and beads, beads, and more beads.

Gasparilla Nighttime Air Invasion – 6:15 pm-7:00 pm
The airshow fun continues during twilight hours. The performances will take place at dusk and will include a precision parachute jump, from The Chuters Parachute Demonstration Team and Ghostwriter Airshows’ signature fireworks flight.

A colorful 16:9 illustration for the Children's Gasparilla schedule, featuring a playful pirate theme with a treasure map, pirate ship, chest of gold coins, and a marked calendar. Cheerful icons like beads, swords, and pirate hats are scattered around, set against a vibrant Tampa skyline.
Children’s Gasparilla Schedule of Events
a lego pirate ship on a table in front of a legoland sign
LEGOLAND Florida to invade the Children’s Gasparilla