Tampa’s downtown is temporarily transformed into a pirate haven as locals and visitors join in the festivities of Gasparilla, an annual celebration themed around pirates.

Revered as the “signature event” of the city, Gasparilla honors the legendary 18th-century Florida pirate known as José Gaspar, or Gasparilla. For a single day, it captures “the essence of historic pirates along with sparkling treasures for all to enjoy.” A multitude of activities, including a brunch, parade, and live shows, draws in hundreds of thousands of participants.

“For over a century, Tampa’s most cherished tradition has commemorated the adventurous life of Jose Gaspar and the joyous antics of his band of pirates,” the Gasparilla Pirate Fest website states. “Currently, events related to Gasparilla invite enthusiasts from across the United States to Tampa Bay to engage in a variety of festivities.”

The 2025 edition of the Gasparilla Pirate Fest features the 106th Gasparilla Invasion and the Parade of the Pirates, sponsored by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.

What is the Gasparilla Pirate Festival?

Gasparilla can be described as a pirate invasion that culminates in a lively parade along Tampa’s celebrated Bayshore Boulevard. According to the Gasparilla Pirate Fest, this event has been held every year in Tampa since 1904.

The tradition of Gasparilla started in 1904 when local organizers turned the tale of Gasparilla into the focus of that year’s May Day celebrations. As noted on the Gasparilla Pirate Fest website, the Tampa Tribune printed a set of letters from Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, a group of 50 men organized by George Hardee, which detailed pirate invasions led by King Gasparilla and his entourage.

When May Day arrived, members of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla delighted residents by riding on horseback throughout the city. This prompted officials to decide to make Gasparilla a regular part of the city’s annual celebrations, according to festival organizers.

Reactions on social media to this year’s ‘pirate invasion’ in Florida

Milania Giudice, daughter of Teresa Giudice from “Real Housewives of New Jersey,” is seen enjoying Gasparilla 2025.

Contributors: Samantha Neely and Lianna Norman, YSL News Network – Florida