The historic fishing village (and notorious smuggler haven) of Everglades City showcases its catch every year at the annual Everglades Seafood Festival.
This free event in Florida’s Stone Crab Capitol packs ’em in for fresh seafood, country music, carnival rides, crafts booths — with an estimated 50,000 people expected to converge on this small town (population 500) for the three-day event.
2023 Entertainment Schedule
Friday – 5-10 pm
- 5 pm — Lost Rodea
- 6:15 pm — Radio Road Band
- 7:20 pm — Fireworks & National Anthem
- 7:30 pm — Lee Brovitz
- 9:00 pm — Winters Brothers Band
Saturday – 10 am – 10 pm
- 11:15 am — John Prestage
- 12:45 pm — Florida Straights
- 2:00 pm — Sam Lowe
- 3:30 pm — Rock Republic
- 5:00 pm — Charlie Pace
- 6:45 pm — Marshall Tucker Band
- 9:00 pm — Roxx Revolt and The Velvets
Sunday
- 10:15-10:45 — Church
- 11:00 am — Jordan Guess
- 12:30 pm — Gator Nate
- 2:00 pm — Wes Shipp
- 3:30 pm — Whey Jennings
- 5:00 pm — Ward Davis
A note about credit cards: Accepted at most booths for food, but you’ll need cash to purchase beer tickets ($5).
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.
Stay up to date on entertainment and daily events at the Everglades Seafood Festival Facebook page.
Getting to the Everglades Seafood Festival
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.
Website for Everglades Seafood Festival
Hot tip: No pets, no coolers and be prepared to walk.
RV and/or tent camping:
Public Campgrounds
- Collier Seminole State Park
- Chokoloskee Island Park
- Outdoor Resorts of Chokoluskee Island
- Big Cypress Preserve — 6 campgrounds
Private Campgrounds
- 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 – (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
Veteran journalists who worked together at Fort Lauderdale’s SunSentinel newspaper, Bonnie and Bob founded FloridaRambler.com in 2010 to explore the natural, authentic Florida, writing about their natural interests in hiking, biking, paddling, RV and tent camping, wildlife, unique lodging, dining and historic places.
John Hutto
Saturday 18th of February 2023
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.
Drip Tapley
Saturday 12th of February 2022
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.
Rob
Monday 21st of March 2022
@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.
Penny
Friday 11th of February 2022
Kindly advise earliest if I may bring my 13 lb dog. She will be leashed at all times
Bob Rountree
Friday 11th of February 2022
Unless festival organizers changed the rules, no pets, no coolers and be prepared to walk.