Gasparilla Music Festival
If Florida is a part of your next RV trip, stop at the Gasparilla Music Festival to enjoy sun-soaked beaches, delicious food, and excellent live music.
Event information
The Gasparilla Music Festival is an annual event that takes place in Downtown Tampa, Florida. It showcases music by local and national artists from many different genres like pop, rock, indie, hip hop, and rap. The goal of the event is to support and promote musicians, bands, and small businesses in the region.
It is organized by the Gasparilla Music Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes music education for all. They are also involved in several other initiatives, such as providing instruments and scholarships to students. Several businesses from the Tampa Bay area support the organization and the festival each year.
Acho Brother, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles, JudyAnne Jackson, Ryan Adams, Cage The Elephant, Moon Taxi, Erykah Badu, Houndmouth, Whiskey Gentry, The Gaslight Anthem, Modest Mouse, Family And Friends, The Flaming Lips, Los Amigos Invisibles, and Connor Zwetsch are some of the artists who have performed at Gasparilla Music Festival in the past.
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Kiley Gardens Park in downtown Tampa serve as the venues for the festival. A number of stages are set up throughout the venue areas where all the performances take place. In addition to world-class live music, festival-goers can enjoy delicious food and beverages from top restaurants and vendors in the region.
If Florida is a part of your next RV trip, stop at the Gasparilla Music Festival to enjoy sun-soaked beaches, delicious food, and excellent live music.
Tickets
You can choose from General Admission or VIP tickets for the Gasparilla Music Festival. They range in price from $30 (single-day general admission pass) to $200 (two-day VIP pass). The VIP pass usually includes access to premium viewing areas, exclusive lounges and tents, air-conditioned restroom trailers, and complimentary drinks.
The proceeds from ticket sales go towards furthering the initiatives of the Gasparilla Music Foundation. Children under the age of twelve can enter the festival for free as long as a ticket-bearing adult accompanies them. Check out the official festival website for more information on tickets and pricing.
Explore Gasparilla Music Festival RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
Driving in the region can be a pleasure thanks to the wide roads and great scenic views on the way, though congestion is to be expected during the festival. The Tampa area is home to numerous channels and smaller bays; remember to look for right-of-way signs when crossing bridges. Motorists can efficiently get to Downtown Tampa from the nearby areas of Orlando, South Tampa, and Brandon. Simply follow the signs for Ashley Drive. Detailed driving instructions are provided on the Gasparilla Music Festival website.
Parking areas
There are several private and city-owned parking lots nearby, where paid parking is available. Parking is usually charged on an hourly basis. You may also find street parking throughout the downtown area, which is usually free on weekends. However, it can be difficult to nab these spots on the days of the event.
Public Transportation
Busses operated by HART (Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority) offer routes that will get you downtown in Tampa. Another option is to take a ride on the TECO Streetline car and get off at a stop close to the venue. You can also get there by taxi, ride your bike, or hop on a water taxi for a unique experience.
Where to stay
Onsite
Onsite camping or parking overnight on the grounds will not be permitted at the Gasparilla Music Festival. Book a spot at a campsite or RV park nearby in advance.
Nearby
Tampa is a haven for lovers of RV camping since the region has plenty of attractions and stays a bit warmer than the northern portion of the country. Many of the campgrounds and RV parks in the area are close to the beach and will give you access to many fun seaside activities. The ones that are further inland are better for budget campers since they are more pocket-friendly.
Getting around
Skateboards, rollerblades, hoverboards, scooters, or other personal motor vehicles will not be allowed on the festival grounds. You do have the option of riding your bike to the venue, but you'll need to park it at a designated bike rack. There is a separate drop-off area for patrons with disabilities as well as accessible viewing areas.
What to pack
Clothing
It's likely to be pretty hot during the day, so go dressed for the weather. Most festival-goers may choose tank tops, t-shirts, shorts, and summer dresses. Opt for light, breathable clothing in natural fabrics and shoes that you can walk around in for extended periods. This way you can stay cool and comfortable all day.
Gear
Only small bags and backpacks will be allowed into the Gasparilla Music Festival. Be sure to carry sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses, earplugs, a hat, and a factory-sealed or empty bottle of water. Also, take a low backed chair or a lightweight blanket to sit on if you desire. The chairs will be allowed only in certain parts of the venue.
Health & Safety
Protect yourself from the heat with adequate sun protection and remember to stay hydrated. It is easy to get carried away with all the great music and fun and forget to take care of yourself. Keep your cell phone fully charged and stay close to your group to avoid getting lost. Lost and found services can be located on the festival map.
Where to eat
Cooking
Bringing outside food or beverages is not allowed at the festival. The policies regarding open fires and types of fuel vary from one campsite to another. So, if you'd prefer to make your own meals and snacks, check what's allowed at your chosen camp in advance. Grocery options sit about a ten-minute walk from the festival ground, but you may find it simpler to find the bulk of your items near your campsite.
Restaurants
Tampa Bay is on the rise as one of the country's top food destinations. The main reason for this is that you'll find excellent food at every price-point. The city has a long-standing culinary history. Local chefs and restaurateurs go out of their way to showcase seasonal ingredients, indigenous food, and farm-fresh produce.
Vendors
Gasparilla Music Festival organizers focus on promoting local chefs, restaurants, and caterers. So the food at the event will be a representation of the cultural complexity and culinary history of the region. Apart from the delicious savory and sweet eats, you'll also be able to enjoy a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Safety
Security
Security personnel and festival volunteers will be present at all the entrances. Bags will be checked before entry, and you may be subjected to an airport-style pat down. Ensure that you're not carrying any prohibited items like alcohol, weapons, or illicit drugs upon entry. These will be confiscated, and you may be escorted out.
Weather
The weather is typically hot and humid much of the year but may be somewhat mild in the spring. There is always a chance of rain affecting the proceedings since the performances take place outdoors. Carry a rain poncho with you to avoid getting wet or standing in a long line to find one. Gasparilla Music Festival is a rain or shine event.
Medical
There will be a first-aid station at the venue, staffed with trained medical professionals. Volunteers and festival employees will be making rounds, so you can flag one of them down if you need assistance. Wheelchairs and medical scooters will be permitted, and every attempt will be made to accommodate patrons with disabilities.
