Heavy Traffic Expected St. Patrick’s Day Weekend In Tampa: Police

TAMPA, FL — It’s going to be a busy weekend in downtown Tampa with a St. Patrick’s Day parade and other festivities coinciding with spring break and various other events.

The city encourages visitors and residents to plan ahead and be prepared for detours, potentially congested roads and parking spots likely to fill up quickly, according to a Tampa Police Department news release.

• Florida State Thespians at Tampa Convention Center, Wednesday through Saturday;
• Pied Piper’s XOXO Carnival at Armature Works, Thursday through Sunday;
• Molten Florida Pre-Qualifier volleyball tournament at Tampa Convention Center, Friday through Sunday;
• Comedian Tom Segura at Amalie Arena, Saturday, 8 p.m.;
• Tampa’s Downtown River O’ Green at Curtis Hixon Park, Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and
• Rough Riders St. Patrick’s Parade, which will move from Ybor City to downtown Tampa for the first time, Saturday, 5 p.m.

Increased foot traffic is also expected downtown on Sunday for St. Patrick’s Day.

It's anticipated that tens of thousands of visitors will fill the downtown area through Sunday, police said.

Visitors attending events should arrive early and consider using alternative transportation, including parking in Ybor City and taking the free TECO Streetcar, using the DASH service operated by the Tampa Downtown Partnership, or using any of the available eBike and eScooter rental services, the department said.