Festivals & Events
Make this the brightest and most colorful winter when you attend the many festivals and events of Florida. Immerse yourself in the world of fine art and chalk art, or sample some fine wine and fresh seafood. Celebrate famous historic figures and pirates. Have fun at a big state fair or a small town festival. Enjoy these epic events!
Uncorked: The Key Largo and Islamorada Food & Wine Festival
January 9 - 19
Key Largo and Islamorada
If you love food and wine, then you simply must attend the foodie festival of the season: Uncorked! Tuck into the tasty temptations as South Florida’s culinary experts step up to the plate to show you what Key Largo and Islamorada have to offer. Eleven glorious days of wine tasting events, cooking demonstrations, wine dinners, live music, food and wine pairing classes, progressive wine dinners, art and wine shows, and of course, our fabulous sunsets, scuba diving, fishing, many tourist attractions, shopping, and a great time! The festival highlight is the Grand Tasting, the ultimate sensory experience.
floridakeysuncorked.com
Art Deco Weekend
January 17 - 19
Miami Beach
Attend one of the of the most classic events in Miami, the Art Deco Weekend, which has been showcasing the beautiful Art Deco architecture of South Beach for over 40 years. Over the decades it has become a fantastic social festival with art exhibits, concerts, tours, films, street theater, antique cars, plenty of food and drinks, and more - over 85 events altogether! Pet owners should not miss the “Bark Deco Dog Show,” full of prizes and treats! Be a part of the longest-running, free community cultural festival in Miami Beach. artdecoweekend.com
Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest
January 18
Tampa
Celebrate the pirate history of the Tampa Bay Area during the 103rd Gasparilla Invasion of the Pirates presented by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, who sail in on the river to “invade” Tampa’s downtown! Following the invasion, there is a victory parade of over a hundred floats, several marching bands, and social organizations, who make there way along the Hillsborough Bay. Thousands of attendees will be dressed up as pirates to join in the fun, so be sure to grab your eye patch and captain’s hat!
gasparillapiratefest.com
Florida Keys Seafood Festival
January 18 - 19
Key West
Try an assortment of seafood dishes at this Florida Keys classic event, celebrating the community of local fishermen and women who proudly offer a variety of fresh-catch seafood. This family-friendly event offers a menu of first fish baskets, grilled spiny lobster, conch ceviche, Key West pink shrimp, Stone Crab claws, and so much more! (Children may prefer the hot dogs and hamburgers for sale.) Adults can try beverages like rum runners, beer, wine, and rumaritas. Desserts include Key Lime pie, flan, and other homemade treats. Don’t miss the raffle, boat show, celebrity chef demonstrations, and Children’s Eco Discovery Zone.
floridakeysseafoodfestival.com
MLK Dream Big Parade & Family Fun Day
January 20
St. Petersburg
Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his historic heritage at this beautiful St. Petersburg event that features the nation's longest-running parade honoring MLK with music, dancing, floats, and more. The parade starts at Tropicana Field and goes down Central Avenue before moving along the waterfront and ending at Vinoy Park. Following the parade, enjoy a Family Fun Day at Tropicana Field featuring a kids zone, entertainment, an education drive, and day of service programs.
mlkdreambig.com
IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts
January 24 - 26
New Smyrna Beach
For 44 years, this outdoor fine art festival has been showcasing the works of over 200 artists from the United States and Canada. Come to the beautiful historic downtown of New Smyrna Beach to enjoy this FREE festival weekend, which includes fine art, live music, demonstrations, Patron program, food trucks, spirit garden, student art exhibit, and a creative education tent with hands-on art projects.
imagesartfestival.org
Venice Craft Festival
February 25 - 26
Venice
Peruse the wares of various artisans and enjoy the beauty of Downtown Venice, Florida during this annual Craft Festival. Set along West Venice Avenue, you can shop for a wide variety of ceramics, jewelry, stained glass, metal works and much more. The Green Market offers live flora, freshly popped kettle corn, gourmet spices, and sauces. Pop into Venice’s downtown shops during the festival.
artfestival.com
Florida State Fair
February 6 - 17
Tampa
It’s the time of year that Floridians love! Every year nearly half a million people flock to the fairgrounds in Tampa for one of the most spectacular events in the Sunshine State: the Florida State Fair! A celebration of all things Florida, you can indulge in delicious foods from a wide variety of cultures, take part in exciting exhibitions that range from livestock shows to “Best Pie,” and go on a wild adventure on a midway ride. Try your hand at a carnival game, peruse the wares of artisans, and don’t miss out on live performances from some of the music industry’s hottest stars! When you spend the week here, take advantage of area hotel deals (see participating accommodations on the fair website).
floridastatefair.com
Everglades Seafood Festival
February 7 - 9
Everglades City
Combining all the fun of a county fair with live music and fresh seafood, the Everglades Seafood Festival is a true Florida event. This event is full of laid-back, old fashioned fun and a great way for the family to spend the weekend. Sample sumptuous South Florida dishes like Stone Crab, seafood gumbo, fry bread, and more! Tour the arts and crafts booth, and listen to toe-tapping live music.
evergladesseafoodfestival.org
The 85th Annual Bach Festival
February 7 - March 1
Winter Park
This event hosted by the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park includes a wide variety of performances, from soothing meditation music to international a cappella groups. Since 1935, the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park has been a cornerstone of classical music programming in Central Florida, and offers performances from the highly-acclaimed Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra.
bachfestivalflorida.org
Delray Beach Open
February 14 - 23
Delray Beach
Tennis fans cannot miss the Delray Beach Open, an epic tennis championship that has been held in Delray Beach for the past 26 years. Soak in the sunshine - and the enthusiasm - of this open as pros from past and present battle it out in back-to-back tournaments in a week-long battle. There are special events throughout the week, including a “Kidz Days” for younger tennis fans to gave the opportunity to meet the stars.
yellowtennisball.com
Edison Festival of Light
February 15
Fort Myers
Did you know Florida was one of Thomas Edison’s favorite places to spend his winters? In fact, he even had an estate here! Now, the area pays homage to this historic figure with a brilliant festival that celebrates his life and accomplishments, with a science and inventors fair, beautiful flower show, antique auto show, Edison’s birthday party, parade, and the adorable “Mutt Strutt” for pet lovers. There will be mouth-watering cuisine and craft beer available.
edisonfestival.org
DAYTONA 500
February 16
Daytona
Fans of racing, fans of cars, and fans of fun cannot miss the DAYTONA 500 - NASCAR’s biggest, richest, and most prestigious event of the year; it is also the season opener for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Join thousands of people from all across the United States and more than 40 different countries at the historic tri-oval, 200-lap, 500-mile event that has been won by racing greats such as Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Cale Yarborough, Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Allison, Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and most recently Joey Logano. Who will hoist the Harley J. Earl trophy this year?
daytonainternationalspeedway.com
Gay8 Festival
February 16
Miami
Welcome to a FREE Latino LGBTQ music, food and art street festival celebrating diversity and welcoming all! This annual one-day festival blends all of South Florida’s delights into one gigantic party in the heart of Miami’s historic Little Havana on Calle Ocho. Whether you’re a long time resident or visitor of South Florida wanting to explore the colorful neighborhood of Little Havana, Gay8 strives to build a lasting bridge that will bring all of the city’s communities together in celebration and forge a union that will unite us for generations to come.
gay8festival.com
Old Island Days Art Festival
February 22 - 23
Key West
This unique art festival is held in the Florida Keys - one of the most artistically inspirational areas in the world. Here, fine artists gather together to present a nationally-acclaimed art festival that includes the works of painters, sculptors, photographers, collage artists and other non-functional fine art. This is a two-day, juried event, is set among historical attractions of Key West like Audubon House, the Little White House and Mel Fisher Museum. Visitors can leisurely browse the beautiful displays of paintings from watercolor to oil and acrylic, decorative sculpture, photography and other fine arts from the selected artists. Tropical themes are abundant here, but contemporary and traditional styles make something for everyone!
keywestartcenter.com
Street Painting Festival
February 22 - 23
Lake Worth
One of the most unique art festivals in Florida, the Street Painting Festival sees over 600 artists transform the pavement of Historic Downtown Lake Worth into gorgeous works of art from a variety of genres, including 3D illusionists. There are participating restaurants and shops, and you can also take advantage of the festival food court and bistro, as well as beer tents with all tip proceeds going to Wheels For Kids.
streetpaintingfestivalinc.org
Cedar Key’s 56th Annual Arts Festival
April 4-5
Cedar Key
Hosting artists and art lovers from around the world since 1965, the Cedar Key Arts Festival showcases over 120 fine artists and craftsmen on Cedar Key’s Historic 2nd Street. The artists will be competing for over $10,000 in prizes during this juried event. Each year, thousands of festival-goers enjoy artist demonstrations and are able tp purchase pieces to take home! You can also enjoy food and sweets, as well as live music, sidewalk chalk, and face painting! Enjoy the Old Florida charm of Cedar Key - and their amazing sunsets!
cedarkeyartsfestival.com
