Festivals & Events
The sunshine is out and the festivals and events are sizzling! Taste Cajun flavors at a giant crawfish boil, listen to original music in Key Largo, celebrate Carnival in Orlando, and experience so much more.
Taste of the Beach
May 1
Fort Myers Beach
Every year, thousands of foodies gather on the scenic beaches of Fort Myers to savor different samples of seafood and other dishes from local vendors while enjoying live entertainment. Restaurants will offer up samples of their most popular dishes in the hopes of winning the Taste of the Beach Award honors in several categories, including Best Appetizer, Best Beef Dish, Best Seafood Dish, Best Chicken Dish, Best Dessert, Best Decorated Booth, and People's Choice. There is no better way to try all of Fort Myers’ best food all in one day. Competition never tasted so good!
fortmyersbeach.org
Pensacola Crawfish Festival
April 29 - May 1
Pensacola
Join the Pensacola community in chowing down on a local favorite: fresh-caught crawfish. Come to Community Maritime Park for one of the largest crawfish boils in the Southeast! 16,000 pounds of boiled crawfish, fresh from Louisiana, brought to you by Pensacola locals, Cordova Crawfish Company. Cajun fare features include: boudin, jambalaya, etouffee, fresh and fried seafood, gumbo, and many more! Traditional festival options are also available, such as: chicken baskets, bloomin’ onions hot dogs, po’boys and more.
fiestapensacola.org
Orange Blossom Jamboree
May 18-22
Brooksville
If you love music of any kind, then you cannot miss the four-day long jam session that takes place in beautiful Brooksville at the northern end of the Tampa Bay area. During the jamboree, dozens of Florida bands, ranging from funk to country to hard rock, play together in an awesome musical mashup. You can join the jamboree for a day or for the whole festival long, thanks to its location on a sprawling campground where you can stay in your RV or tent. Delicious food offerings will also suit every taste, from BBQ to vegan dishes and more.
orangeblossomjamboree.com
Key West Songwriters Festival
May 4-8
Key West
The Key West Songwriters Festival - the largest festival of its kind in the world. The festival revolves around five days and nights where live music bliss introduces crowds to the faces, voices and stories behind the songs! This year, the festival features country music superstar Chris Young.
keywestsongwritersfestival.com
Sunset Music Festival
May 27-29
Tampa
Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with crowds of fellow music lovers at one of the biggest concerts (and, subsequently, spontaneous dance parties) of the year in beautiful Tampa Bay! Thousands will flock to the Raymond James Stadium to see top rated and international artists perform their most-loved hits, ranging from pop rock to synth and country! Past years’ lineup included popular artists like Flux Pavillion, Bonnie X Clyde, Rusko, and more. New artists still to be announced!
smftampa.com
Orlando Carnival Downtown
May 27-29
Orlando
Celebrate the fantastic Caribbean holiday Carnival in downtown Orlando, with this family-friendly festival packed with pageantry and parties that observe Caribbean culture. The traditional Carnival parade features costumed dancers and performers with the iconic tall, feathered crowns. In addition to the colorful parade, you can enjoy live music, arts & crafts vendors and more.
orlandocarnivaldowntown.com
Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival
May 13-16
Fort Walton Beach
Bring the whole family to this fun-filled pirate festival, tons of activities for kids as well as vendors selling pirate booty and local crafts. There will be great live music, and food vendors offering everything from tasty seafood dishes to refreshing ice cream. A $15 daily wristband allows a full day of unlimited access to a Rock Climbing Wall, Euro Bungee, and seven interactive inflatables, all sponsored by Kid's Discovery Zone. Dressing up in your best prate gear is encouraged!
billybowlegsfestival.com
Turtle Treks
June through September
Fort Lauderdale
This fantastic event is hosted by the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale, and aims to connect nature lovers with turtles on a whole new level. Join them on select evenings in June through September to discover and identify sea turtles while uncovering the natural history and the myths and truths of the life of a turtle. With weather permitting, you might see a 300 lb. loggerhead venture out from the waves to lay her eggs on the beach! All of the Turtle Trek proceeds fund rescue operations for turtles.
seaturtleop.com
Sarasota Music Festival
June 5-26
Sarasota
Join in the excitement of this three-week-long music festival in the artistic community of Sarasota, when hundreds of promising music students from all over the world will showcase their talents and even learn new skills. Festival audiences are invited to attend any concerts or lectures, including the Thursday afternoon Artist Showcase concerts, Friday Festival chamber concerts, and Saturday Symphony orchestra concerts. Who knows, you may see a performance by a future musical star!
sarasotaorchestra.org
Florida Bridal & Wedding Expo
June 20
Miami
Find the perfect gown, photographer, DJ, and anything else you want for your special day at the Florida Bridal & Wedding Expo in Miami this summer. Whether you envision a formal black-tie affair or a casual barefoot ceremony on the beach, the carefully selected experts in the industry are ready to make your dreams come true. On top of finding your ideal vendors, you can enter to win $10,000 for your upcoming wedding, honeymoon, first house, or whatever you want!
flbridalshows-ma.com
Body Mind Spirit Expo
June 18-19
Tampa
Taking care of your whole body health is on trend, and you can discover more about this movement at the Body Mind Spirit Expo held at Tampa’s fairgrounds. The expo is held throughout the country on different dates, and blesses Tampa this June with insightful, helpful, and spiritual event where you can learn about about holistic health, including more about your own body and mind, during presentations and exhibits. Build your expo schedule around your interests when you sign up on the event website.
bmse.net
Suncoast Offshore Powerboat Racing Festival
June 26-27
Sarasota
One of the highlights of the summer is the thrilling annual Suncoast Offshore Powerboat Racing Festival, where million-dollar speedboats jet around just off the beach in Sarasota as they compete for first place (and bragging rights) during the Powerboat Grand Prix. You don’t need a ticket to watch the races - just bring a beach chair or blanket to sit on while you witness this can’t-miss event. In addition to the races, there are pre- and post-events happening throughout Sarasota, like powerboat displays, autograph signings, kickoff parties, and more.
sarasotapowerboatgrandprix.org
Davie Pro Rodeo
June 24
Davie
Located between Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale, the city of Davie draws visitors from the coastline to the countryside at their fun and fabulous Davie Pro Rodeo shows. Western fans of all ages will enjoy real Western entertainment right here in Florida with hair-raising competitions like bull riding and roping, with toe-tappin’ music and great food vendors. If you’re looking to stay in the area, the rodeo’s host hotel is the Sheraton Hotel and Resort in nearby Plantation - so you can stay where the cowboys stay!
davieprorodeo.com
