Gasparilla 2025: A look at the pirate festival in Tampa, Florida

Pirates are temporarily taking over downtown Tampa to celebrate Gasparilla, an annual pirate-themed festival.

Known as the city's "signature event," Gasparilla was named after famed Florida pirate José Gaspar from the 18th century, who went by Gasparilla.

It brings, for one day only, "the spirit of pirates past and glittering treasures for visitors and locals to plunder". Hundreds of thousands have gathered to participate in countless pirate-themed activities, including a brunch, parade, and live performances.

"For more than 100 years, Tampa’s longest-standing tradition has celebrated the legendary life of Jose Gaspar and the revelry of his legion of pirates," said Gasparilla Pirate Fest on its website. "Today, Gasparilla events attract fans from all over the United States to Tampa Bay to participate in various activities."

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

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What is the Gasparilla Pirate Festival?

Gasparilla is essentially a pirate invasion, culminating in a celebratory parade down Tampa’s famed Bayshore Boulevard. According to Gasparilla Pirate Fest, it has been celebrated every year in Tampa since 1904.

Gasparilla became a time-honored tradition in 1904 after local planners decided to make the legend of Gasparilla into the theme for that year's May Day celebration, said Gasparilla Pirate Fest on its website. The Tampa Tribune published a series of letters from Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, a crew of 50 men assembled by George Hardee, which offered details about pirate invasions by King Gasparilla and his court.

When May Day Festivities arrived, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla pirates appeared on horseback throughout the city, to the delight of locals. Officials decided later that Gasparilla would be integrated permanently into the city's annual festivities, festival organizers said.

Social media reacts to this year's 'pirate invasion' in Florida

Milania Giudice, daughter of Teresa Giudice of "Real Housewives of New Jersey" fame, enjoying Gasparilla 2025.

Contributing: Samantha Neely and Lianna Norman, USA TODAY Network - Florida

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gasparilla 2025: Tampa hosts public pirate party