About 20 Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla floats await upcoming parades in a West Tampa warehouse. Photo by Diane Egner

Beads, beads, beads are the local currency during Gasparilla, starting with the Children's Parade on January 22, 2022. Photo by Diane Egner

Everything you want to know about Gasparilla 2022Parades, festivals, history, and more

Tuesday, January 11, 2022 | Source: Tampa Bay Parenting

The Gasparilla Parade of Pirates takes place Jan. 29, 2022 along Bayshore Boulevard in South Tampa. This image of a Ye Mystic Krewe float was taken in 2020. Photo by Diane Egner

The Gasparilla Children's Parade kicks off the 2022 annual festivities on Saturday, January 22. This image is from the last parade held in 2020. Photo by Diane Egner

Hundreds of thousands of parade goers are expected to line the Gasparilla parade route, begging for beads and displaying debauchery as festivities return in 2022 after taking a year off due to COVID. Photo by Diane Egner

The 2022 Gasparilla Children's Parade returns to Bayshore Boulevard in South Tampa on Jan. 22, with the more popular Parade of Pirates following on Jan. 29. Those two public events are the highlights of Tampa's Gasparilla-related celebrations, parties, and festivals (arts, music, film) that stretch well into March. Learn more about Gasparilla's history and what to expect this year at Tampa Bay Parenting magazine.