The Gasparilla Music Festival is back, and it's better than ever! This year's event is happening at the gorgeous Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Kiley Gardens Park in Downtown Tampa on Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10.
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This Tampa festival features top musical acts from a wide variety of genres as well as a delectable smorgasbord of food and drink options from Tampa Bay's best restaurants and craft breweries - it's a great time that also helps a great cause.
Sponsored by Cigar City Brewing, the festival fun kicks off Saturday at noon with tons of music, activities, and culinary and potable delights. The full schedule with detailed time and stage information will be out any moment now, but you won't want to miss a second of what the Gasparilla Music Festival has in store.
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Among the many kick-ass musical acts appearing on Saturday are festival favorites Tank and the Bangas (a simply divine and super-funky dance act) from the Big Easy, hip hop legends The Pharcyde, and folk-rock hipster darlings The Avett Brothers.
Between sets, be sure to check out the delectable eats and the vast selection of craft beer at the Calle Cocina, the Gasparilla Music Festival ode to local cuisine that showcases Tampa's rich cultural history and creativity.
Sunday's groove cranks up at the totally-civilized time of 3 p.m. and will be loaded with memorable performances and lots of fun. Get ready to shake a tail feather to the energetic bluegrass stylings of The Infamous Stringdusters, and we're sure you'll appreciate the sick beats of the New Orleans Suspects' Tribal Gold. Capping off a day of sure-to-be incredible experiences, Austin icon Gary Clarke, Jr. will knock you out of the park on Sunday evening with his explosive blend of blues, soul, and rock.
The Gasparilla Music Festival is more than just the best spring music festival in the region: the festival helps raise funds and awareness for musical education and other worthy programs.
The Gasparilla Music Foundation was founded in 2011 with support from many of Tampa Bay's leading citizens and business organizations. Through their Recycled Tunes program, the foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of the area's under-served and impoverished school children by ensuring access to music education and musical instruments.
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The Gasparilla Music Foundation also raises awareness of other issues in our community, such as encouraging public and alternate transportation, promoting local musicians and cuisine, preserving the region's cultural heritage, and minimizing the environmental impacts of festival production.
Tickets for the Gasparilla Music Festival are on sale now! Weekend passes begin $60, and single day tickets start at $40. Feeling fancy?
Splurge on the Gasparilla Music Festival sweet VIP action, which includes a premium viewing area, dedicated VIP bars with a few free drink surprises, and exclusive, air-conditioned personal refreshment rooms (no portable potties for you!).
Find more Gasparilla events in Tampa by registering on 813area, your free guide to everything going on in Tampa Bay.
Cover photo courtesy of Adobe Stock Images