Tampa Republic

As we prepare to enter the New Year, the City of Tampa is expecting heavy traffic in downtown and the surrounding area on New Year's Eve. With a number of large-scale events taking place, thousands of visitors are expected to flock to the city, potentially causing delays for drivers.

According to the City's Mobility Department, traveling around downtown may be slower than usual due to the events scheduled for Sunday, December 31st. These events include the Saints vs. Buccaneers football game at 1pm, the Canadiens vs. Lightning hockey game at 7pm, the ReliaQuest Bowl Parade & Pep Rally at 5:30pm on 7th Ave in Ybor City, and several public and private New Year's Eve parties throughout downtown.

To alleviate parking issues, the City is encouraging visitors to take advantage of the FREE TECO Streetcar, which will be in operation until 1am. Additionally, AAA is offering their Tow-to-Go service from now through 6am on Tuesday, January 2nd. This service will transport drivers and their vehicles to a safe location within a 10-mile radius for free. Both AAA members and non-members can call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246 to utilize this service.

In order to minimize any potential inconveniences, drivers are advised to arrive early for their events and allocate extra time to find parking. It is also recommended to take a picture of the parking location as a reminder, and to take a photo of children in case they get lost in the crowd. The City of Tampa is also reminding everyone to have a designated driver and to refrain from drinking and driving.

As always, caution is advised when navigating large crowds, with special attention to pedestrians in the area. The City of Tampa wishes everyone a safe New Year's celebration filled with laughter and cheer.

For more information, you can contact the City of Tampa at 306 East Jackson Street, Tampa, Florida 33602, or call (813) 274-8211.

Connect with the City of Tampa on social media using the hashtag #TampaProud.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.tampa.gov/news/2023-12/heavy-traffic-expected-downtown-tampa-new-years-eve-133821