Festivals & Events
A new year, with events both new and returning, presents endless possibilities for fun; will you be dressing up like a pirate for Gasparilla or riding a midway ride til your head spins at the State Fair? Celebrate all things Art Deco in Miami - or taste fresh seafood in Everglades City. Whatever you choose, enjoy!
Art Deco Weekend
January 15 - 17
Miami Beach
Attend one of Miami’s most classic events, 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 desirable social event with art exhibits, concerts, tours, films, street theater, antique cars, food and drinks, and more - 85+ events altogether! Pet owners in particular should not miss the “Bark Deco Dog Show,” packed with prizes and treats. Be a part of the longest-running, free community cultural festival in Miami Beach.
artdecoweekend.com
Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest
January 30
Tampa
Celebrate the pirate history of the Tampa Bay Area during the 104th Gasparilla Invasion of the Pirates presented by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, who sail in on the river to “invade” Tampa’s downtown. Following this invasion, there is a victory parade of more than a hundred floats, several marching bands, and social organizations, who make their way along the Hillsborough Bay. Thousands of attendees will be dressed up as pirates to join the fun, so be sure to grab your eye-patch and captain’s hat!
gasparillapiratefest.com
35th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Big Parade
January 18
St. Petersburg
Honor the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his incredible heritage at this beautiful St. Petersburg event, which 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 finishing at Vinoy Park. After the parade is a Family Fun Dat at Tropicana Field, featuring a kids’ zone, entertainment, and an education drive, as well as service programs.
mlkdreambig.com
Venice Craft Festival
January 23 - 24
Venice
Shop the best wares of artisans from around the globe while enjoying the historic beauty of Downtown Venice. This annual craft festival is set along West Venice Avenue, so you can pop from the festival to the local shops and back. Enjoy a variety of ceramics, jewelry, stained glass, metal works, and so much more. The Green Market also offers live flora, freshly popped kettle corn, gourmet spices for cooking, specialty sauces, and more.
artfestival.com
Florida State Fair
February 11 - 22
Tampa
Every Floridian looks forward to this time of year! Annually, half a million people flock to the fairgrounds in Tampa for one of the most spectacular events the Sunshine State has to offer: the Florida State Fair! A celebration of all things Florida, you are welcome to indulge in delicious foods from a variety of cultures, take part in exciting exhibitions from livestock shows to “Best Pie,” and go on an adventure on some midway rides. Try your luck at a carnival game, shop artisan wares, and best of all, check out live performances from some of the music industry’s hottest stars! If you plan to stay in the area for a while, be sure to take advantage of local hotel deals (see participating accommodations on the fair website).
floridastatefair.com
Everglades Seafood Festival
February 12 -14
Everglades City
Experience the excitement of a truly Florida event when you attend this festival, which combines the fun of a county fair with live music and fresh seafood. The Everglades Seafood Festival is packed with laid-back, old fashioned fun and is the perfect way for the family to spend the weekend. Sample delicious South Florida dishes like Stone Crab, seafood gumbo, fry bread, and more - yum! Tour the arts and crafts booths, listen to delightful live music, and have a blast.
evergladesseafoodfestival.org
86th Annual Bach Festival
February 5 - March 1
Winter Park
This grand event, hosted by the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, includes a variety of beautiful performances by extremely talented artists. Performances range from soothing meditation music to internationally recognized a cappella groups and enlivening orchestral sessions. Since 1935, the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park has been a cornerstone for classical music programs in Central Florida, and offers performances from the highly-acclaimed Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra. This year, the Society will enable audiences to either attend live -or- stream performances from home!
bachfestivalflorida.org
Delray Beach Open
February 12 -21
Delray Beach
Fans of tennis cannot miss one of the best events in the sport: the Delray Beach Open, an epic tennis championship that has been held in Delray Beach, Florida for the past 27 years. Soak in the sunshine and the enthusiasm of this open as pros from both past and present battle it out in back-to-back tournaments. There are special events scheduled throughout the event, including a “Kidz Days” for younger tennis fans to be able to meet the stars.
yellowtennisball.com
DAYTONA 500
February 14
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 Joey Logano. Who will hoist the Harley J. Earl trophy this year?
daytonainternationalspeedway.com
Gay8 Festival
February 14
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 27 - 28
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
