Gasparilla Festival of the Arts Returns to Showcase True Tampa Talent

One of America's most prestigious fine arts and crafts shows is back! The Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts returns February 28-March 1, 2026, at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. The festival will showcase artists and their work, including ceramic, digital, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor, and wood. There will also be works by local young artists, fun exhibits, and a weekend full of live entertainment emceed by ABC Action News Meteorologist, Denis Phillips.

Keep reading to find out what you can expect, what to do, and how to make the most of your art festival day at GFA.

Local Artists Spotlight Program

Each year, the GFA selects five artists to be part of its Local Artists Spotlight Program. Funded by a grant from the Gobioff Foundation, the program advances GFA’s mission to bring the finest national and international artists to our area and supports the talented and diverse arts community here in Tampa Bay.

The artists will each receive a free space at the festival and will each have a “remote studio.” Guests will be invited to watch as they practice their craft and are encouraged to engage with these artists and ask questions about how they take an idea and transform it into a finished piece of art.

Once they complete their pieces, artists may sell them during the two days of the festival, giving guests the rare opportunity to own a piece of art that was created before their eyes.

Emerging Artists

The GFA also showcases the work of emerging artists, representing an array of styles and media. Out of all the applications this year, they selected fifteen artists.

The program recognizes and features the artwork of up-and-coming artists who wish to establish themselves in a professional visual arts career. “Emerging artists” are defined by GFA as one who makes less than 25% of their income from their art and has not participated in any major exhibitions.

Each of the fifteen artists will be provided with a booth and a $425 stipend for supplies as well as mentoring from established Tampa Bay artists. Artwork by each of the artists will be reviewed by the Festival Award Juror, and one of them will receive the $1,500 Emerging Artist Award.

Community Outreach Village

The Community Outreach Village was established for the purpose of presenting Festival goers with an opportunity to enjoy and purchase the artwork of special artists, such as artists with disabilities who participate through organizations such as Arts4All, Pyramid, Inc., and MacDonald Training Center. These groups appreciate the opportunity for their artists to earn income from sales as well as benefit from the public awareness their participation provides.

GFA for the Kids

Children's Activity Area

This year, there will be a Children’s Activity Area coordinated by the Tampa Museum of Art from 10 am-4 pm both days. Children will have the unique opportunity to learn actual techniques from participating artists! Kids can also put their artistic talents to use and color, paint and draw. This year’s focus is on art for the visually impaired.

Art Collectors in Training Program

The Art Collectors in Training program (ACT) was organized to encourage the appreciation of the arts in young people, ages 6-14, as an opportunity for them to view and purchase artwork on exhibit from artists participating in the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. Children will be able to shop in a “kids-only” shopping zone.

Most items will range from $5-10, with a small portion of the more valuable pieces of art priced slightly higher. After they purchase their items, young art collectors and their accompanying adult(s) can meet with the artists face-to-face (names and booth numbers will be displayed on the artwork)! The ACT will be available from 10 am to 4 pm both days.

Young Artists Expo

GFA’s Young Artists Expo (formerly Scholastic Showcase), which debuted in 2017, gives the community’s youngest artists an opportunity to display their artwork at the festival. The hope is that this experience encourages them to pursue their artistic talents and helps them recognize that becoming an artist is attainable and rewarding.

This year, the Community Outreach villages include works from the High School Art Competition and the K-12 Doodad Repurposed Sculpture Competition.

Interactive Experiences and Live Entertainment

There will be several interactive experiences for guests to experience.

• Carmada: Returning this year to present its Art Car Extravaganza. There will be new art cars on display, hands-on creative opportunities, and live vehicle transformations by local artists! Visitors will be encouraged to vote on their favorite art car, with prizes going to the artists.
• Community Design Collaborative Interactive Experience: An interactive structural element created by the Community Design Collaborative and affiliated organizations.
• NOMADstudio: The NOMADstudio Art Bus invites visitors to add to their giant mobile mural.
• TBBCA Chalk Walk: See specially commissioned Chalk Artists bring their amazing 8’x8’ chalk drawings to life in this interactive live-art experience, Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts' Chalk Walk.

ABC Action News Meteorologist, Denis Phillips, will return as the live entertainment emcee! Enjoy artistically themed entertainment and performances, including yoga, dance, puppets, stilt walkers, music, impersonators, visual artists, and more!

Admission and Special Event Info

General admission is free, and VIP tickets are available for $150. VIP tickets are valid for both days of the festival and includes access to their VIP tent area with shade, catered food, beer, wine, specialty cocktails, and private restrooms.

2026 Artist Awards Showcase

Guests can enjoy a special ticketed event called The Artist Awards Showcase on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Tampa River Center at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. This exclusive event showcases award-winning works from the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts that brings together patrons, supporters, and artists.

This is the public’s first opportunity to view and purchase the award-winning art. Tickets include admission, complimentary parking, live music, catered food, a full bar, and an opportunity to interact with the festival juror. Tickets are $154.64.

Where to Park

Festival goers can park near the festival at Howard Blake High School, just north of Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, for $15. All proceeds support the Blake High School Booster Club.

There is free parking at Julian B. Riverfront Park, located at 1001 N. Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33607.

Free street parking is available just west of the park. There are also several parking locations that may be walkable:

• Street Parking along Doyle Carlton Drive (5 min walk)
• Barrymore Hotel (7 min walk)
• Royal Street Regional Lot (10 min walk)

Garage parking is also available in the following nearby garages:

• Poe Garage (free shuttle location)
• Rivergate Tower Garage (free shuttle location)
• Ft. Brooke Garage

For more info and a map of parking options, visit GFA's site.

Details:

Saturday, February 28, from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Sunday, March 1, from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park
1001 N. Riverfront Park
Tampa, FL 33602

Featured image: Ashli Harper photo by Will Staples, for Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. 2024.

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