It’s that time of year again!
The time for pirates, parades, and a community gathering of epic proportions.
That’s right mateys, it’s Gasparilla Weekend!
The Tampa tradition that *almost* rivals Mardi Gras is back and there’s plenty of exciting things to do to celebrate. While the Invasion is the main event, there are plenty of other events to do and see to round out the Gasparilla experience. From welcome parties to pirate-themed bar crawls, Tampa’s got it all. So we’ve put a few of them together in a list! Here’s five things to do during Gasparilla Weekend that you might not know are happening:
Gasparilla Welcome Party
What better way to kick off Gasparilla than with a welcome party? Enjoy a free shot, drink specials, and some delicious, mouthwatering food while the DJ sets the mood with some awesome tunes. And of course, come dressed in your best pirate wear…it really wouldn’t be Gasparilla without it!
When: JAN 26 | 4PM–12 AM
Where: WaterWorks Bar & Grill
Gasparilla Weekend 2018
This one place does it all! Start your celebration Friday night with a party to kick off not only Gasparilla but the NHL Allstar Weekend too! That’s right, you get two big events in one city! If you’re looking for that ‘perfect view’ of the Invasion, look no further! Great views, great food, and great drinks. What more could you want? How about a post party? Yep, that’s happening too! And finally, you can wrap up the already exciting weekend with a brunch along the beautiful waterfront. It’s really the perfect package.
When: All weekend long, of course!
Where: American Social Tampa
Gasparilla Barrr Crawl
How many times a year is it socially acceptable to day drink? Here’s one of those times! Get three sheets to the wind by climbing aboard the party bus and setting sail to some of Downtown Tampa’s finest drinking destinations. The final bar before the parade is just a block away from Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, where you can catch all the action and enjoy the Gasparilla festivities! Finally, end the night with the official Gasparilla Barrr Crawl after party at the WaterWorks Bar & Grill. If you like drinking, this is the event for you. Oh, and did we mention the bottomless mimosa brunch?
When: JAN 27 | 10AM–3PM
Where: District Tavern (starting location)
Gasparilla Hangover Brunch
If you celebrated Gasparilla a little too hard the night before, you’re probably going to want to sleep in the next morning. And that’s okay! You can still catch a delicious brunch when you wake up! Enjoy delicious treats provided by Robert’s Meat & Catering, $15 bottomless mimosas, and live music. This is a great way to wrap up Gasparilla weekend!
When: JAN 28 | 12PM–4PM
Where: 81Bay Brewing Company
Sant’ Yago Knight Parade
Enjoy a little break from the Gasparilla festivities before getting back into the spirit for the Sant’ Yago Knight Parade. This tradition has followed Gasparilla since 1974 and is not to be missed! Beautiful floats, music and dancing, colorful costumes, and lots of beads come together to celebrate the pride of Ybor City. Seriously, you won’t want to miss this!
When: FEB 10 | 6:30PM–10:30PM
Where: Ybor City
This is just a taste of what Tampa and Gasparilla’s rich and vibrant culture has to offer. If you’re interested in these amazing events and the many more happening in Tampa Bay, check out our website and don’t forget to download the UNATION app! Happy pillaging!