With Gasparilla this weekend, the pirate spirit has infected its last bunch as we prepare for this Saturday. The downtown and south Tampa areas are sure to be packed this year and parties will be everywhere you look. Whether you have a few hours or the entire weekend open, here are a few of the Gasparilla events happening in the area. Pirate dress: optional. 21+ IDs: encouraged.
Shipwrecked Music Festival
The Cuban Club, 2010 N Avenida Republica de Cuba, Tampa, FL 33605
Friday, January 26 and Saturday, January 27
Over 50 artists across three stages will be performing at Shipwrecked this year, including headliners The Floozies, Liquid Stranger, Jantsen, Kyle Kinch, Black V Neck and more. There will also be an immersive art and vendor village for the festival. This event is 18+.
Remaining tickets start at $80.
Gasparilla Kick-Off at MacDinton’s!
MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 South Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33606.
Thursday, January 25 6 p.m. – 3 a.m. | Friday, January 26 – 6 p.m. – 3 a.m.
This Irish pub has indoor and outdoor spaces and DJs all night. Thursday night’s kick-off includes an open bar happy hour from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m., $15 Bacardí Buckets and $3 beers. Friday night will have an open bar happy hour from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m., $15 Bacardí Buckets and BOGO nutrls.
Cover for Thursday’s event is $15 and Friday’s event is $25, both with early bird discounts.
7th Annual Gasparilla Bar Crawl and Brunch
Grove Soho, 406 South Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33606.
Saturday, January 27, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
If you don’t want to stay put, Downtown Crawlers is working with many venues in the area for their annual bar crawl and brunch event. Crawl tickets include a pirate costume contest, five free welcome shots at the participating bars of your choice and free cover at participating venues. Brunch tickets include buffet-style brunch, bottomless mimosas from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and full access to the crawl.
Brunch tickets are $69, and crawl-only tickets are $29. Ticket sales end January 22.
Gasparilla Invasion Brunch Cruise
Yacht StarShip, 603 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 33602.
Saturday January 27, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Yacht StarShip’s Invasion Cruise will allow guests to cruise alongside the flotilla during the invasion reenactment. A brunch buffet, reserved tables, two alcoholic drink tickets for guests 21+ and DJ entertainment will be available. Sailing in the flotilla will be approximately two hours and will dock at the Tampa Convention Center for a great view of the pirate ship arriving.
Tickets start at $299 for adults and $229 for children ages 2 – 12.
2024 Bar HWRD Gasparilla Block Party
Bar HWRD, 302 South Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33606.
Saturday, January 27- Sunday, January 28, 11 a.m.- 3 a.m.
Bar HWRD’s block party takes place mainly outdoors, with a mechanical bull shark, full-service bars, ice luge, games, food stations and music all night long. This is a big party for 21+ only.
Remaining tickets start at $75.
14th Annual Gasparilla Extravaganza
The Westin Tampa Waterside, 725 S Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602.
Saturday, January 27, 11:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Another Gasparilla celebration will be at the Westin Tampa, hosted by Father of Mine. This kid-friendly event has a great view of the Invasion. The event will also feature an open bar, and indoor and outdoor spaces.
Tickets start at $200.
Alpharilla: The Official Black Gasparilla Party
Flexx Sports Bar & Ultra Lounge, 2003 East 7th Ave., Tampa, FL 33605.
Saturday, January 27, 3 p.m.- 8 p.m.
If you want to stay in Ybor, 7th Avenue always has something going on. One of these is at Flexx Sports Bar, where the local Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity chapter is hosting its Alpharilla event. A full food menu and full bar will be available. Pirate garb is encouraged for their best-dressed contest, which will have a prize for the winner. Reserved sections and tables are available.
Early bird cover is $35 and general admission is $50.
Gasparilla Bead Recycling
The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, Florida 33602.
Saturday, January 20- Sunday, February 11, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Once Gasparilla starts coming to a close, don’t forget to recycle your beads at the Florida Aquarium! These donated beads will be cleaned, repackaged and resold, aiming to leave the waters as clean as they were before.
For every five-gallon bucket of beads dropped off, receive a 50% off general admission to the aquarium.
Hair of the Dog Gasparilla Party at MacDinton’s!
MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 South Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33606.
Sunday, January 28, 11 a.m.- 3 a.m.
A recovery morning is going to be needed regardless of what you’re doing when the Invasion happens. MacDinton’s will help bring you back with their Hair of the Dog event. Brunch will be served from open to 1 p.m. and bottomless mimosas will be offered until 6 p.m.
There is no cover, but tickets for bottomless mimosas are $15.
Curious what the locals do? Check out how they prepare for the invasion. Or if you’d like info on advertising with us, click here!
