Tampa attends MLK parade
Tampa will be treated to the 36th Annual MLK Parade coming in mid-January to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.
President of the Tampa Housing Authority, Jerome Ryans, this year's Grand Marshal, will be leading the 2-mile procession. He will be followed by the Edward Waters Marching Band, the Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcats and over 100 high school bands, motorcycles, floats, cars, dance groups and horses.
Parade entries will cue up at Cuscaden Park, 2900 N. 15th Street and march through East Tampa, ending at Middleton High School 4801 North 222nd Street. Candy and colorful beads will be tossed to spectators.
Entry fees for state/county/local elected officials floats, walkers or vehicles will be free. Fees for marching bands and equestrian will also be waived. Motorcycle groups of up to ten two or three wheelers will cost $400 per unit; floats will be $#550 per unit; vehicles with or without walkers will cost $450, and walkers only will be $350 per unit.
The early entry deadline will be December 21st, and those entering between December 22nd and December 31 will need to pay a $50 late fee. No entries will be accepted after December 31st.
Parade entrants, especially the larger units such as marching bands, often get colorful banner printing done beforehand to have banners out in front to introduce them to the spectators.
The 2026 City of Tampa MLK 36th Annual Parade will step off at noon, Monday January 19th, 2026.
President of the Tampa Housing Authority, Jerome Ryans, this year's Grand Marshal, will be leading the 2-mile procession. He will be followed by the Edward Waters Marching Band, the Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcats and over 100 high school bands, motorcycles, floats, cars, dance groups and horses.
Parade entries will cue up at Cuscaden Park, 2900 N. 15th Street and march through East Tampa, ending at Middleton High School 4801 North 222nd Street. Candy and colorful beads will be tossed to spectators.
Entry fees for state/county/local elected officials floats, walkers or vehicles will be free. Fees for marching bands and equestrian will also be waived. Motorcycle groups of up to ten two or three wheelers will cost $400 per unit; floats will be $#550 per unit; vehicles with or without walkers will cost $450, and walkers only will be $350 per unit.
The early entry deadline will be December 21st, and those entering between December 22nd and December 31 will need to pay a $50 late fee. No entries will be accepted after December 31st.
Parade entrants, especially the larger units such as marching bands, often get colorful banner printing done beforehand to have banners out in front to introduce them to the spectators.
The 2026 City of Tampa MLK 36th Annual Parade will step off at noon, Monday January 19th, 2026.