Festivals & Events
From medieval knights in jousting matches to beach balls and pirate wenches dropping from the sky, there’s always something exciting happening during Florida’s holiday season. From putting your nose in a book to seeing the world through art and film, there’s no wrong way to celebrate the holidays in the Sunshine State!
Sarasota Medieval Fair
November 6 - 28
Sarasota
Welcome one and all to three weekends of exciting tournaments, scrumptious feasts, and pure family fun at this year’s Sarasota Medieval Fair! Join festival-goers at the Ringling Woods behind the Sarasota Fairgrounds for favorites such as the Washing Well Wenches, Cast in Bronze, the Human Combat Chess Match, and our returning favorite full-armored full-contact jousting troupe, the Knights of Valour, with tournaments held three times daily! There are also live entertainment acts that change each weekend.
sarasotamedievalfair.com
Annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic
November 12 - 15
Siesta Key
Master sculptors spend three days creating sand masterpieces, some over ten feet tall, and transform the always beautiful Siesta Beach into an outdoor art gallery. Visitors enter the Sand Sculpture Gallery and immediately notice the Sponsor Logo Sculpture and are fascinated by it size and the number of community organizations and local businesses that support the event. Visitors arriving on Friday have the opportunity to see the beginning stages of the sculptures and enjoy guessing what the pile of sand will look after the sculptor completes the transformation. The competition phase of the Crystal Classic ends on Sunday at noon leaving the remainder of the day, Monday and new this year, Tuesday too, for visitors to view completed sculptors before they are cleared away on Wednesday morning. There are many other activities that are perfect for families and adults alike.
siestakeycrystalclassic.com
Camelot Days
November 6-7, 13-14, 20-21
Hollywood
Bringing back the days of yore when ladies in distress were swept away from danger by literal knights in shining armor, Camelot Days welcomes you to explore their kingdom full of musicians, artisans, eateries, knights and jesters. Cheer for your favorite side at the living chess game and joust! Feast like a King on hearty food and drink. Shop for fine handcrafted treasures in the Artists’ Market. Enjoy challenging games and entertaining shows for all ages!
camelotdays.com
Miami Book Fair
November 14 - 21
Miami
Come to Miami Dade College to see and listen to great authors and high-profile celebrities, and have them sign their books for you! Get your tickets early for the “Evening With” sessions, because they tend to fill up quickly. Enjoy arts, kids’ activities, and delicious food, and don’t miss the ginormous street fair.
miamibookfair.com
Key West Film Festival
November 17 - 21
Key West
Showcasing films that exhibit excellence in storytelling, the festival's lineup is to feature screenings and special events hosted at landmark venues throughout Key West, including the San Carlos Institute, Studios of Key West and Key West Theater. The four day program is to include several films from multiple genres and categories as well as social events with filmmakers, actors and film lovers.
kwfilmfest.com
Bush Gardens® Tampa Bay’s Christmas Town™
November 12 – January 2
Tampa
The safari-themed park transforms once again on 25 select nights with more than two million twinkling lights, special holiday shows, holiday shopping, special Christmas treats, Santa’s House presented by Coca-Cola®, and don’t forget the beloved characters from the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ television special at Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland. Bring your family to Christmas Town™, where unforgettable holiday memories await.
buschgardens.com
Snowball Derby at the Five Flags Speedway
November 30 - December 3
Pensacola
Started in 1968, the Snowball Derby is the premier short track racing event. Top drivers will compete on the half-mile loop in hopes of completing the 300-lap event and taking the checkered flag. The latest winner was Winchester 400 star Travis Braden!
Key West Holiday Fest
December 1 - 31
Key West
Each year a wide range of seasonal celebrations takes place throughout Key West during the month of December. Events include the lighting of the Harbor Walk of Lights, tours of historic decorated inns, a holiday parade and much more.
Art Basel Miami Beach
December 2 - 4
Miami Beach
Leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa show significant work from the masters of Modern and contemporary art, as well the new generation of emerging stars. Paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, films, and editioned works of the highest quality are on display in the main exhibition hall. Ambitious large‐scale artworks, films and performances become part of the city's outdoor landscape at nearby Collins Park and SoundScape Park.
artbasel.com
Race World Offshore UIM World Championship
December 8 - 10
Key West
Race World Offshore is excited to bring teams and fans to Key West for an amazing Offshore World Championship experience. Experience nonstop racing action as Sea-Doo, Yamaha, and Kawasaki personal watercraft racers take to the water averaging 75 mph. Jetcross Jet Ski stand up races will also be a part of this family friendly event free to the public.
raceworldoffshore.com
Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
December 11
Fort Lauderdale
The Parade stages along the New River and travels east to the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale and north to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. The best way to see the parade is viewing from the Grandstand Viewing Area (just north of Sunrise Boulevard) starting at 7 p.m., but there are also several great places throughout the city. Check their website for best places to view, and to stay!
winterfestparade.com
Atomic Holiday Bazar
December 27 - 28
Sarasota
Continuing its more than decade-long tradition of bringing weird, wild and uniquely local goods and gifts together in one place, this bazaar market returns with an array of jangly handmade jewelry, unconventionally shaped cookie cutters, cheeky postcards and paper goods, pop art handbags and T-shirts, one of a kind stuffed animals, skull themed scarves and more.
atomicholidaybazaar.com
ZOOLights
December 6 - 29
Jacksonville
Thousands of LED lights will transform the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens into a luminous winter wonderland. Guests will have the opportunity to view sculptures and performances by local artists including students at UNF, a fairy village in the Range of the Jaguar courtesy of Rockaway Garden Center, and votives made by the students in JU's ceramics program. In addition to walking among the thousands of lights strung throughout the Zoo and listening to spirited holiday music, guests can enjoy a unique view of ZOOLights by boarding the Zoo’s lighted train (the train only runs from the back of the Zoo to the front). Guests can also enjoy carousel rides, the 4D Theater featuring the Polar Express, marshmallow roasting, warm weather “ice” skating and more for an extra charge.
jacksonvillezoo.org
New Year’s Eve in Key West
December 31, 2021 - January 1, 2022
As midnight approaches on December 31st, thousands of people are expected to ring in the New Year on Key West’s famed Duval Street by enjoying a quirky island tradition dubbed the “Red Shoe Drop.” Renowned female impersonator Sushi stars in the festivities, perched in a supersized red high heel shoe suspended high above the crowds at the Bourbon St. Pub/New Orleans House complex. Just down the block, outside Sloppy Joe’s Bar, see the annual “Dropping of the Conch Shell.” In the Key West Historic Seaport outside the Schooner Wharf Bar, witness the “Lowering of the Pirate Wench.” No matter where you are in Key West, you’re going to have a great holiday!
fla-keys.com
New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop
December 31, 2021 - January 1, 2022
Panama City Beach
Ring in the New Year on one of the state’s most popular beaches! Watch an 800-pound LED beach ball count down the New Year and 10,000 inflated beach balls drop from nets. The family friendly event features face painting, fireworks and live music.
visitpanamacitybeach.com
