Farmore's Ultimate Guide to Conquering Gasparilla in Tampa

One of the best parts of living in Tampa is the annual Gasparilla festival. This amazing festival draws crowds in the hundred-thousands, so some planning ahead is necessary for ensuring a fun festival experience for everyone! Here are our insider tips for making the most out of Gasparilla.

The History of Gasparilla

The Gasparilla Pirate Festival has been held in Tampa every year since 1904. The festivities center on the mythical Spanish pirate José Gaspar (also known as Gasparilla). According to legends, Gaspar was a formidable pirate in the 1700s who established a secret pirate kingdom on Gasparilla Island in Tampa Bay. As the legend is told, Gaspar was nearly captured by the United State Navy but instead chose to throw himself overboard shouting, “Gasparilla dies by his own hand, not the enemy’s!”

The fact that there are no actual documents supporting these legends has no bearing on the festival itself, started as a one-day re-enactment of Tampa’s historic pirate invasion by the José Gasparilla flotilla. During the re-enactment, the José Gasparilla docks at the Tampa Convention Center, where the mayor surrenders the key to the City of Tampa into the hands of the Captain.

The club Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla staged the first event in 1904, modeled after the “krewes” which participate in Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Nowadays, the krewes of Knights, Conquistadors, Gauchos, Sirens, Shamrocks, Rumrunners and Rough Riders each have a distinct theme, costume and rituals.

What began as a one-day event has since expanded into a “Gasparilla season,” which runs from mid-January to mid-March and features three large parades and other activities. The Parade of Pirates, held the last Saturday in January, is the focal point of Gasparilla.

2020 Gasparilla Festivities

There are countless Gasparilla festivities, events and brunches during Gasparilla season. We recommend monitoring local news sources like the Tampa Bay Times for information on all of them. However, here are the main Gasparilla events you’ll want to note and prepare for.

January

Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza - January 18th