Last updated on February 9th, 2025 at 03:11 pm
EVERGLADES CITY — This historic fishing village and notorious smugglers haven draws more than 50,000 visitors every February to celebrate its catch with a sprawling display of fresh seafood, country music, carnival rides and rows of arts and crafts booths.
The three-day event marks it’s 55th year in 2025 and is held in the heart of stone crab season, which runs from October 15 until May 1.
Of course, you can visit Everglades City at any time during stone crab season and be served the delicacy in local eateries, but the festival is a great way to enjoy a wide variety of seafood harvested here.
A minimum $10 donation is requested for admission on Saturday and Sunday, while the price of entry for the kickoff on Friday night a canned food donation.
Hot Tip: No pets, no coolers, no lawn chairs and be prepared to walk.
2025 Entertainment Schedule
Friday
- 4 p.m. Charlie Pace
- 4:15 National Anthem Maddie Brenner
- 4:20 Everglades City School cheerleaders
- 4:40 p.m.-5:40p.m. Gabriel Key
- 6:05-7:05 Sam Lowe
- 7:30-8:30 Jake Hair Band
- 9-10 Whey Jennings (headliner)
Saturday
- 10-11 Opening ceremony with dignitaries
- 11-30-12:15 Jaden Decker
- 12:45:-1:45 Florida Straits
- 2:15-3:15 Charlie Pace
- 3:45-4:45 Gator Nate
- 5:15-6:15 Wes Shipp
- 6:45-7:45 Pure Country
- 9-10:30p.m. Confederate Railroad (headliner)
Sunday
- 8:45-9:25 Chokoloskee Church band
- 9:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m. Aydin Holt
- 10:30- 11:30 Jon Prestige
- Noon- 1 p.m. Pickle Money
- 1:30-2:30 Sweet Fleet Band (headliner)
- 3-4 Rock Republic
- 4-6 Sweet Fleet Band
Credit cards are accepted at most booths for food, but you’ll need cash to purchase beer tickets.
Everglades City: Legendary wilderness outpost
Everglades City is an off-the-beaten-track pocket of Old Florida with many original buildings and a rich history steeped in the lore of pirates and smugglers, murder and mayhem, and some of the best fishing and freshest seafood anywhere in the state of Florida.
The old-fashioned neoclassical City Hall once served as Collier County’s main courthouse until the county’s population shifted north to Naples, 40 miles away.
Settled in the 1880s, Everglades City has retained its small-town charm, if not it’s legendary character — and characters.
The town’s first Seafood Festival was held in 1970 to raise money for playground equipment, and that charitable tradition is still alive and well with proceeds from the festival going to local causes and college scholarships for local students.
In addition to shiploads of fresh seafood served up by local fishermen and restaurants, this year’s festival will feature 100 arts and crafts booths, a carnival and continuous country music and bluegrass throughout the weekend.
READ MORE about Everglades City: Itinerary for a perfect getaway
Getting to the Everglades Seafood Festival
Everglades Seafood Festival, 102 Copeland Ave N., Everglades City, FL 34139. Stay up to date on entertainment and daily events at the Everglades Seafood Festival Facebook page.
Traffic can be tricky, so arrive early and bring your patience. Many avoid that problem by arriving on motorcycle. The community has long been a favorite group outing for motorcycle clubs throughout South Florida.
Parking is provided by local charities near the festival site.
Tamiami Trail makes a scenic route to Everglades City from Southeast Florida.
From the Gulf Coast, take I-75 south to Collier Boulevard (County Road 951), south to U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail), then east to State Road 29, which will take you south into Everglades City.
From the Atlantic Coast, take Alligator Alley (I-75) west to the State Road 29 exit, then straight south to Everglades City.
RV and/or tent camping:
Public Campgrounds
Private Campgrounds
- Chokoloskee Island Park
- Everglades Isle Luxury Motor Coach Resort – (239) 307-1064
- Outdoor Resorts (ORA) Motel & Marina, Chokoloskee – (239) 695-2881
- Trail Lakes Campground, Ochopee – 1-800-504-6554
Lodging
- Ivey House Bed & Breakfast – (239) 695-3299
- Captain’s Table Resort – (239) 695-1011
- Everglades City Motel – (239) 695-4224
- River Wilderness Waterfront Cabins – (239) 695-4499
- Rod & Gun Lodge and Restaurant – (239) 695-2101
- Chokoloskee Island Park and Marina (Campground & Motel) – (239) 695-2414
- Port of the Islands Everglades Adventure Resort – (239) 394-3101
- Lodging options on Marco Island (30 miles)
Things to do and see near Everglades City:
- 5 ways to explore Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands
- Loop Road: Storied road through the Everglades
- Eating stone crabs in Everglades City
- Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery
- Ochopee Post Office
- Joanie’s Blue Crab Cafe
- Big Cypress National Preserve
- Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk
- Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
Won’t be back. Said no dogs allowed. Plenty of dogs there. Would have brought mine. Said bring your own chairs for concert. We did and were set to watch Marshall Tucker Band. Just before they came on they announced Sheriff said everybody in chairs on asphalt had to pick up chairs and move to grass area because of fire hazard. That sux.
We left but others stayed put as we exited. They don’t care and I don’t care to ever return to this unorganized mess.
We went yesterday….$30 for a grouper sandwich (good & lg) and a bit of rice; $10-12 for a chicken on a stick (depends on who waits on you); $15 for fried rice…$5 extra for that 1 scoop of veggies and sealegs added to it; $20 for a bowl of jambalaya. If you do go, hit Fionas and get a fruit filled fry bread for $6…best deal in the whole place and super delicious. $9 for a scoop of mullet with cream cheese and some saltines. We won’t be going back again.
@Drip Tapley, We were displaying at the show and sold Coconut Shrimp and Mahi sandwiches for $15. You were obviously looking only under the pavilion. There was lots more food available. Oh and BTW, I saw a grouper sandwich for $16 right next to the guys selling frog legs. Sorry you didn’t like the show but 50K sure did.
Kindly advise earliest if I may bring my 13 lb dog. She will be leashed at all times
Unless festival organizers changed the rules, no pets, no coolers and be prepared to walk.