The Gasparilla Music Festival (2026) Returns to downtown Tampa! By Matthew Bretz After skipping a year the Gasparilla Music Festival, put on by Water Street Tampa, is returning to a new home at Meridian Fields April 10-12! Gates open daily at 3pm and tickets are available at www.gmftickets.com. Past lined-ups have included both national and local acts including Bog Boi, Sofi Tukker, Young MC, NAS, Coin and Band of Horses. This year the line-up is right on par with performances by Mt. Joy, Shakey Graves, GZA and the Phunky Nomads, lovelytheband, and Tampa legend Tom G. Saturday’s list includes Two Friends, Jai Wolf, Bryve Vine Kasbo and Forester. Closing Sunday night is returning favorite Gov’t Mule after a day of filled with Cimafunk, Kaitlin Butts, The Suffers, Easy Coast Nash and one of my all times— the Drive-by Truckers. “We are really excited for what we have in store this year,” said David Cox, the executive director of the Gasparilla Music Foundation. “We really think Tampa is going to be blown away not just by the incredible musicians by also by this amazing venue right in the heart of the city.” The 3-day festival will take place on 11.5 acres just north of the Water Street Tampa District at 101. S. Merdian Fields, placing the festival in the heart of downtown’s most energized district. Additionally the festival will include live performances and a free stage in the Water Street Tampa district. Organizers are expecting around 10,000 attendees daily and why wouldn’t they? Excellent music, bars and food vendors from the top spots around town and fun for families as well. The GMF has long been known for its cause which is to provide musical instruments for title one classrooms and help support local musicians when in need. Come out and do your part! You won’t regret it!.