39 Gasparilla events happening in the Tampa Bay area this month – Tampa Bay Times

It is once again time for the krewe of the 165-foot Jose Gasparilla II pirate ship to sail down Seddon Channel and wreak havoc on Tampa. Here are 39 ways you can join in the fun and celebrate Gasparilla season.
Gasparilla Rum and Cigar Tasting: Enjoy Gasparilla Rum samples and a Jose Gaspar cigar. $50-$60. 6-8 p.m. Jan. 18. Centro Asturiano, 1913 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa. 813-229-2214.
Gasparilla Wreath Making: Gather your krewe and grab some brew and grub to get crafty making a 25-inch Gasparilla wreath with mesh, ribbons and ornaments. Starting at $140. 6-9 p.m. Jan. 19. AR Workshop Tampa, 2414 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa. 813-515-0833.
Gasparilla Barrrrr Olympics: Teams of four dress like a pirate crew and go head to head in old-fashioned bar games including cornhole, beer pong, darts, giant pong, quarters and more. $100/team. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 20. Rec Dec, 380 105th Ter. NE, St. Petersburg. 877-820-2582.
Children’s Gasparilla: Children’s Gasparilla consists of multiple events. The day starts with a Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Rodeo from noon-2 p.m. between Rome Avenue and Dakota Avenue. Kids get a free bicycle helmet before traversing a mini-traffic course. Look up into the sky from noon-4 p.m. for the Gasparilla Air Invasion featuring civilian aerobatic teams, vintage military aircraft and the Chuters Parachute Demonstration Team. Children ages 5 and younger dress like pirates and strut their stuff along Bayshore Boulevard in the Gasparilla Preschooler’s Stroll from 2-3 p.m. The Children’s Gasparilla Parade begins at 4 p.m. at Bay to Bay and Bayshore Boulevard. It runs north on Bayshore and ends at Edison Avenue at 6:15 p.m. A Nighttime Air Invasion takes place from 6:15-7 p.m. featuring a fireworks flight. Pirates and fireworks combine for the Piratechnic fireworks finale from 7-7:30 p.m. Free. Noon-7:30 p.m. Jan. 20. Tampa, along Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa. 813-251-3378.
Gasparilla Mixology Class: A Gasparilla-themed mixology class with rum tasting, tapas and photo backdrops. $70. 5-8 p.m. Jan. 20. 82 Degrees West Distilling, 6430 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. 813-820-0944.
Gasparilla Kick-Off: Kick off Gasparilla with an open bar happy hour 6-9 p.m., $15 Bacardi buckets and $3 beers.$15. 6 p.m.-3 a.m. Jan. 25. MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa. 813-251-8999.
Shipwrecked: A music and pirate heritage experience with live music on multiple stages, live art, heritage exhibits, food trucks, performers and vendors. $30-$100. 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Jan. 26-27. Cuban Club, 2010 N. Avenida Republica De Cuba, Tampa. 813-248-2954.
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Gasparilla Eve Party: Slide into Gasparilla at this party with DJ dancing, open bar happy hour 6-9 p.m., $15 Bacardi buckets and buy one get one free Nutrl. $25. 6 p.m.-3 a.m. Jan. 26. MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa. 813-251-8999.
Pre-Gasparilla Party: Warm up for Gasparilla at this party with live music by Ladder 9, followed by karaoke. No cover. 6-9 p.m. Jan. 26. Pete’s Place, 4145 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. 813-282-9039.
Gasparilla Pre-Party: Pirate comradery, dancing, food, drinks and live music by the Surfin’ Raccoons. No cover. 6-10 p.m. Jan. 26. Jimmy Guana’s, 401 Second St., Indian Rocks Beach. 727-595-8356.
Gasparilla Pre-Invasion Party: Dance like a pirate at this warm-up party with a raffle, drink mixers, beer and barbecue food for purchase. $15, $10 members. 6:30-10:30 p.m. Jan. 26. Tampa Cruis-A-Cade Clubhouse, 2002 Cruis A Cade Place, Tampa. 813-393-1011.
Official Gasparilla Pre-Invasion Party: Join the Rough Riders to celebrate the upcoming invasion with a cash bar, DJ dancing and live ’80s music by Rubix Cubed. $25. 7-10:30 p.m. Jan. 26. Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa. 941-735-9033.
Gasparilla Scavenger Hunt: Join the Loud Runners Tampa Bay for an early morning scavenger hunt as the parade is being set up. Free. 6 a.m. Jan. 27. Tampa General Hospital, 409 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa.
Gasparilla Invasion Pre-Game: Prepare for a day of partying with an About Last Night IV drip, drinks and games. $150. 8-11 a.m. Jan. 27. RevIVe Hydration and Wellness, 2201 W. Swann Ave., Tampa. 813-291-4848.
Gasparilla Invasion Party: All scallywags and sea rovers are invited to the Junior League of Tampa’s Davis Islands headquarters for a front-row seat to watch the Gasparilla flotilla cruise down Seddon Channel. 21 and older only. $150, $55 guaranteed parking spot. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 27. The Junior League of Tampa Headquarters, 87 Columbia Drive, Tampa. 813-254-1734.
Gasparilla Bar Crawl: Join Downtown Crawlers for a pirate-themed pub crawl with a buffet brunch and bottomless mimosas. Upgrade to VIP for guaranteed admission to Treasure Cove during the parade. $29-$89. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 27. Haiku, 808 N. Franklin St., Tampa. 813-644-5787.
Gasparilla Bar Crawl and Brunch: The mutiny starts with a buffet brunch and bottomless mimosas, before setting off for a 15-stop bar crawl with five free shots, drink specials, photos and a costume contest. $29-$89. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 27. Southern Belle Country Bar and Grill, 1625 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa. 727-564-7554.
Gasparilla Day Parade Bus Ride: Meet at the temple for pre-parade cocktails. Then, board a bus to a drop-off point to watch the parade. After the parade, take the bus back to the temple for a post-parade party with DJ dancing, food and drink. Departures to parade at 9:30, 10, 10:30 and 11 a.m. $30. 9:30 a.m. Jan. 27. Sultans of Egypt Shriners Temple, 5017 E. Washington St., Tampa. 813-884-8381.
Club Sport Social Gasparilla Bus Trip: Meet at Rec Dec for a pre-party. Board a bus at 10 a.m. for transportation to a drop-off point in Hyde Park. Walk to the parade route. Meet at the Hyde Park Softball Field at 6 p.m. for transportation back to Rec Dec. $30. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 27. Rec Dec St. Pete, 380 105th Ter. NE, St. Petersburg. 877-820-2582, ext. 5.
Gasparilla Invasion Brunch Cruise: Eat a hearty brunch as you enjoy a closeup view of the Jose Gaspar ship and its flotilla as it makes its way through the downtown channel from Ballast Point. Yacht Starship will exit the flotilla and pull ahead to provide a great view of the hundreds of boats condensed into the small channel. After docking, passengers can stay aboard to witness the flotilla as the pirate ship arrives at 1 p.m. Starting at $199.95, $129.95 children. 10 a.m. Jan. 27. Yacht StarShip, 603 Channelside Drive, Tampa. 813-223-7999.
Gasparilla Pirate Fest Invasion Brunch: Enjoy a delicious meal and refreshing cocktails while witnessing the infamous pirates sailing up the Seddon Channel, firing their booming cannons from the Jose Gasparilla. $148. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 27. Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa. 813-251-3378.
Gasparilla Invasion Brunch: The seventh annual brunch party takes place on a two-level terrace overlooking the pirate invasion. Includes DJ dancing, open bar (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), carving station, eggs, sausage, bacon, beef sliders, turkey sandwiches, home fries, pastries and fruit. $175-$250. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 27. American Social Bar and Kitchen, 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa. 813-605-3333.
Gasparilla Shuttle: Board the Brew Bus in the Cigar City Brewing overflow parking lot for a ride to the Winn Dixie parking lot approximately 15 minutes walking distance from the parade route. Departures at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Return trips at 4:30, 5:45 and 7 p.m. Includes transportation, a voucher for a free six-pack of Florida Avenue Brewing Co. beer (to be redeemed at Winn Dixie) and a drawstring cooler. $40. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 27. Cigar City Brewing, 3924 W. Spruce St., Tampa. 813-348-6363.
Gasparilla Pirate Fest Stage Performances: Multiple stages with live entertainment before and after the parade at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (at Ashley Drive and Twiggs Street) and MacDill Park (at Ashley Drive and Whiting Street). Free. 10 a.m. -8 p.m. Jan. 27. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa. 813-251-3378.
Gasparilla Block Party: Party under a 5,000-square-foot tent where you’ll find a mechanical shark, bars, cabanas, outdoor games, an ice luge, food and DJ dancing. 21 and older only. $20-$3,000. 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Jan. 27. Bar HWRD, 302 S. Howard Ave., Tampa. 813-906-7885.
Pirate Invasion: Dress the family as a pirate crew for this party with live music by Pirate Flag, food and drink specials, bounce house, giant inflatable slide, games, face painting, balloon art and a photo booth. No cover. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Jan. 27. Caddy’s, 20025 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores. 727-595-3172.
Gasparilla Invasion: Dress like a pirate and board the Pirate Water Taxi to be part of the action as you join the invading pirates on this floating party that includes two drink tickets. $149.95, $129.95 children. 11:30 a.m. Jan. 27. Pirate Water Taxi, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa. 813-390-3711.
Gasparilla Pirate Fest Invasion: “Land Ho!” The legendary Jose Gasparilla sails into the Tampa Convention Center basin along with a flotilla of hundreds of vessels. The ship docks at 1 p.m. and the captain meets the mayor of Tampa to make his final demand for the key to the city. Free. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 27. Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa. 813-251-3378.
Gasparilla Extravaganza: The 14th annual party includes a premium open bar, buffet, live music, a magician, face and body painting, silent auction, raffle, photos, private bathroom and parade viewing. Benefits the Father of Mine mentorship program. $175-$195, $30 children. 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Jan. 27. Westin Tampa Waterside, 725 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa. 813-229-5000.
Gasparilla Party: Drink like a pirate with $6 Captain Morgan drink specials. Pirate costumes encouraged. No cover. Noon Jan. 27. OZ Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Nightclub, 13577 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater. 727-533-9880.
Gasparilla Pirate Fest Parade of Pirates: The pirates have captured the city and it’s time for them to celebrate with a 4.5-mile parade along Hillsborough Bay and through downtown Tampa. Free. Bleacher seating available for purchase. 2-5:30 p.m. Jan. 27. Downtown Tampa, along Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa. 813-251-3378.
Gasparilla Tropical Throw Down: Meet at the Southside Soccer Complex (adjacent to the country club) for men’s and women’s three-on-three and co-ed four-on-four grass volleyball tournaments. AVP membership required. $75-$180/team. 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Jan. 28. St. Petersburg Country Club, 2000 Country Club Way, St. Petersburg. 727-867-2111.
Hair of the Dog: Gasparilla Party: You survived! Crush that hangover with bottomless mimosas (until 6 p.m.), brunch (until 1 p.m.), bloody Mary specials and sports on TV. No cover. 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Jan. 28. MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa. 813-251-8999.
Gasparilla Music Festival 2024: The Gasparilla Music Festival features more than 50 bands across five stages along Tampa’s waterfront. Enjoy award-winning food from Tampa’s top restaurants. This year’s lineup includes Young the Giant, Louis the Child, Big Gigantic, Lake Street Dive, Coin, Trevor Hall, Digable Planets and many more. Benefits youth music education in Hillsborough County. $50-$300, 12 and younger free. 4-11 p.m. Feb. 16, 1-11 p.m. Feb. 17, 1-9 p.m. Feb. 18. Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N. Boulevard, Tampa. 813-708-8423.
Gasparilla Classic: Nearly 6,000 male and female gymnasts from around the globe compete in seven gyms set up on the baseball field. Many gymnasts competing move on to represent their national teams in the Olympics. Benefits the Gasparilla Giving Back Campaign. $25, $20 children, $20 parking. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 23, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 24, 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 25. Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. 813-558-0035.
Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend: Saturday features the 15K race (6:45 a.m.) and the 5K race (9:20 a.m.) starting at Brorein Street and Franklin Street. Sunday features the half marathon (6 a.m.) starting at Platt Street and Bayshore Boulevard, and the 8K race (9:15 a.m.) starting at Bayshore Boulevard and Verne Street. Price varies by race. 6:45 a.m. Feb. 24, 6 a.m. Feb. 25. Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa. 813-254-7866.
Gasparilla Festival of the Arts: The Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts is one of the top outdoor, juried fine arts shows in the United States, showcasing a wide variety of art mediums and price points. Artists vie for nearly $100,000 in awards, including the $15,000 Raymond James Best-of-Show award. Also includes live music, culinary attractions and areas designed for children and families. Free. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. March 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 3. Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N. Boulevard, Tampa. 813-991-2334.
Gasparilla Outbound Voyage: Before returning to sea, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla boards the Jose Gasparilla II for a final Outbound Voyage. Free. Time TBA March 2. Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa. 813-251-3378.
Gasparilla International Film Festival: Tampa Bay’s largest celebration of independent film showcases films of all types and genres, including features, documentaries, shorts, music videos, international films and more. March 21-24. Times and locations TBA. (813) 693-2367.
Kelly A. Stefani is an editorial assistant who writes about things to do. Reach her kstefani@tampabay.com.
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