Tampa Republic

The annual Gasparilla Pirate Fest is set to take place on Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Tampa. The event will see thousands of participants and spectators gather along Bayshore Boulevard and Downtown Tampa. As part of the preparations, significant road closures and traffic disruptions are expected throughout the day.

The City of Tampa has announced that several streets around the parade route will be closed or restricted to local traffic starting Friday night, January 24. These measures are aimed at ensuring smooth operations during the festivities.

The road closures include various segments of Bayshore Blvd from Friday evening until early Sunday morning. On Saturday, additional roads such as Ashley Dr, Brorein St, and Franklin St will also be closed for most parts of the day. Further restrictions apply to other roads including Kennedy Blvd and Cass St at different times throughout Saturday.

Residents and visitors are advised to use alternative routes when navigating through the city during these times. The City's Mobility Department suggests considering other forms of transportation such as parking in Ybor City and using the TECO Streetcar service. Additional public transport options include HART buses with Route 1 being free this month.

Scooter users should note that No-Ride Zones will be enforced near the parade route from Friday evening through Sunday noon.

For more information about parking garages and an interactive neighborhood parking map related to Gasparilla, visit tampa.gov/Gasparilla.