Last updated on May 11th, 2025 at 07:56 pm
Prime festival season in Florida runs from fall to spring, with January, February and March being the peak.
Here’s our 2025-26 Florida festival calendar, which includes all sorts of festivals.
Our festival calendar is constantly updated; we’ve followed the festival scene for 15 years. Here are 75 hand-picked festivals — from the off-beat only-in-Florida ones to the most popular events around the state.
My favorite festivals are the ones that reflect Florida’s culture, like the funky LaBelle Swamp Cabbage Festival or the spectacular Pensacola Beach Air Show. I also love ones that take place in Florida’s off-the-beaten path destinations, like the Cedar Key Old Florida Celebration of the Arts or the re-enactment of Dade’s Battle of 1835 in Bushnell.
There are more and different festivals on our popular list of seafood festivals.
This calendar cannot list every Florida festival, and if we did, the list would be too long to be useful. We have hand-picked about 75 festivals known for their popularity and unique qualities. We update this calendar to reflect cancellations, like the demise of SunFest in West Palm Beach.
May 2025 festivals in Florida
Key West Singers and Songwriters Festival, April 30-May 4
Musical performances and conversations with major artists. Most shows are free and occur at beaches, boats, bars, resorts and theaters. Shows start early afternoon and play into the late night.
Sunfest, West Palm Beach. As of 2025, this event is no longer being held.
Tampa Riverfest, Tampa, May 2-3, 2025
Tampa’s scenic linear park has a free two-day festival that includes a taco fest and a lighted lantern parade, where attendees can design lanterns and participate in the parade. Other activities include music by locals bands, a balloon glow at sunset both nights, a paddle invasion and more. The adjoining RiverFiesta requires buying a wrist band and includes the chance to sample foods. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa.
Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, May 2-4, 2025
This will be the 60th annual shrimp festival in one of Florida’s most productive shrimp regions. Pirate Parade, exhibits, arts and crafts, antiques, games, contests, seafood and live music along the Amelia River in downtown Fernandina Beach.
Fort Lauderdale Air Show, May 3-4, 2025
Beachfront air show, scaled down from its heyday. To kayak nearby and avoid traffic: Florida Rambler story on the Fort Lauderdale Air Show.
Tupelo Honey Festival, May 17, 2025, Wewahitchka
Where is Wewahitchka and what exactly is Tupelo honey (other than a Van Morrison song)? Wewahitchka is in the Big Bend region of Florida near Tallahassee. Tupelo honey is a seasonal delicacy because Tupelo trees only bloom from April to May and top-quality honey comes from only the trees in the Apalachicola River valley. It is so special that you won’t find it in stores. At this festival, farmers from the area offer honey in a variety of sizes and packages under the moss-draped oaks around Lake Alice. The small-town festival also offers food vendors, art and crafts, live music and, of course, there is a Miss Tupelo Honey queen.
Florida Folk Festival, Memorial Day Weekend, White Springs, May 23-25, 2025
In its 72nd year in 2024, this is the oldest continuous folk festival in the United States. Florida Rambler story on Florida Folk Festival.
June 2025 festivals in Florida
‘I Love Stock Island’ Festival, Key West, June 11-15, 2025
The funky “working” island you drive through just before entering Key West celebrates its history and community through food tours, wine tastings and other special events.
Waterlily Celebration, Vero Beach, June 14, 2025
In June, the waterlilies are in full bloom and McKee Botanical Garden, an unusual historic garden in Vero Beach that was once a popular roadside attraction, celebrates the event. For the Water Lily Celebration, the gardens open at 8:30 a.m. so you can see night-blooming varieties before they close their petals. From Florida Rambler: Things to do in Vero Beach.
July 2025 festivals in Florida
Key Lime Festival, Key West, July 2-6, 2025
This event, celebrating its 12th anniversary in 2025, includes a Key lime scavenger hunt, Key lime inspired dinner and brunch events, a Key lime pie drop competition from the top of the Key West Lighthouse, Key lime rum tasting experience, a Key Lime Pie Eating Championship and other events.
Fairchild Tropical Garden Mango Festival, Miami , July 12-13, 2025
For more than three decades, this exceptional botanical garden has celebrated all things mango at a ticketed festival. Fairchild grows more than 400 varieties of mangos! There are mango tastings, cooking demos and mango-inspired activities and classes. You can buy tickets for a flight of mango cocktails, a mango brunch or for mango smoothies. A mango taste test inspired by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Mango Festival.
Pensacola Beach Air Show, Pensacola Beach, July 9-12, 2025
The stars of the show are the locally based Blue Angels aerobatic team, who perform with other military and civilian aeronautic teams before thousands of spectators on Pensacola Beach in a free show.
Hemingway Days, Key West, July 23-27, 2025
The festival, celebrating one of Key West’s favorite former residents, offers a Hemingway look-alike contest and a fanciful “running of the bull.”
Lake Placid Caladium Festival, Lake Placid, July 25-27, 2025
A rare small-town festival in the summer, offering arts and crafts, beer garden, food booths, entertainment and a car and bike show. Florida Rambler story: Lake Placid Caladium Festival.
August 2025 festivals in Florida
August is a slow month for outdoor festivals in Florida because of brutal humidity, potential for hurricanes and a slowdown in tourism.
Fisherman’s Village TikiFest, Punta Gorda, Aug. 2, 2025
Island music and dance, exhibits, food and art.
Key West Lobsterfest, Key West, is not being held in 2025.
September 2025 festivals in Florida
Traditional autumn festivals with pumpkin patches, corn mazes and other autumn experiences are included in our guide to the best fall Florida harvest festivals.
Oktoberfest celebrations start in September and we list more than two dozen events in our comprehensive calendar of Florida Oktoberfest celebations.
Sing Out Loud Music Festival, Weekends in September, St. Augustine.
The festival, now in its sixth year, takes place at various venues around St. Augustine during the month of September with more than a dozen concerts and events. Some are free; others are ticketed. Sing Out Loud Festival
Pensacola Seafood Festival, Pensacola, Sept. 26-28, 2025
The Pensacola Seafood Festival is held in downtown Pensacola’s historic Seville Square and features fresh local seafood from the Gulf of Mexico served tapas-style by participating local restaurants.
October 2025 festivals in Florida
Traditional autumn festivals with pumpkin patches, corn mazes and other autumn experiences are included in our guide to the best fall Florida harvest festivals.
Oktoberfest celebrations peak in October and we list more than two dozen events in our comprehensive calendar of Florida Oktoberfest celebations.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Orchid Show, Sarasota
Selby Gardens contains the most diverse collection of orchids and bromeliads in the world. More about the gardens.
Creekside Music & Arts Festival, Flagler Beach
Alongside Pellicer Creek, shaded by the oaks at Princess Place Preserve, you can hear bluegrass, country and folk music, browse arts and crafts booths and watch historic demonstrations, such as blacksmith and potters. There will be activities for children, including a petting zoo and pony rides. The preserve offers hiking, a historic lodge to tour and you can bring your kayak for a beautiful place to paddle. From Florida Rambler: Things to do in Flagler Beach.
Mount Dora Bicycle Festival, Mount Dora.
More than 1,000 bicyclists converge and participate in rural rides of varying length. Florida Rambler story on the Mount Dora Bicycle Festival
McIntosh 1890s Festival, McIntosh
This small historic town near Gainesville has held a festival for 50 years to raise funds to “preserve the natural and historic beauty of McIntosh.” With 280 arts, crafts and antiques vendors, organizers expect 25,000 to the festival site at 5835 Avenue G, McIntosh Fl 32664. Live oaks line the streets and the festival extends into shady Van Ness park, where free musical entertainment is presented during festival hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Redland International Orchid Festival, Oct. 17-19, 2025
This event takes place at fascinating Fruit and Spice Park, 24801 SW 187th Ave., Redland, and features some of the top orchid growers in the world. It is one of the oldest, largest and most prestigious orchid events in the country. It includes live music and food. Best deal is to buy tickets in advance; tickets include admission to the park. Read more about 10 wonders to see at Fruit and Spice Park.
Oktoberfest, Lantana
There are Oktoberfest celebrations all around Florida, but this one is celebrating its 50th year in 2024 and draws more than 35,000 visitors for live music, dancers, food, beer and entertainment. (Note: We list more than two dozen other Oktoberfest events in our comprehensive calendar of Florida Oktoberfest celebations.)
Florida Birding and Nature Festival, Tampa Bay area
This four-day event takes place in Apollo Beach at the Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Suncoast Youth Conservation Center and will feature field trips, boat excursions, seminars by experts, nationally renowned keynote speakers and a free nature expo. The festival coincides with the peak of fall migration of birds through Central Florida.
Cedar Key Seafood Festival
One of the oldest seafood festivals in Florida — celebrating 55 years in 2025 — offers local food, arts, crafts and music. Despite Hurricane Idalia damage, the festival is ON. From Florida Rambler: Things to do in Cedar Key.
Key West Fantasy Fest, Key West
This famous and wild festival celebrates in 2025 with its theme “Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters.” The main event, the night-time parade, is Saturday, Oct. 25. The parade is a competitive event, with $20,000 of prize money awarded in categories like Best in Entertainment ($3000), Best in Costume ($3000), Best Walking Group ($2000), etc. Another major draw is the “Bahama Village Goombay Festival — A Family Friendly Event,” which is the previous weekend. It showcases island arts and crafts, music and food in Key West’s historic Bahama Village neighborhood. Noon to midnight and free. There are other events every day during the festival, which gets bigger every year.
Mount Dora Craft Fair, Mount Dora
Holiday shoppers make this an annual stop. Shop an eclectic mix of 400 arts and crafts, sculptures, ceramics, paintings and woodworking booths in this charming town. The three-decade old festival is located at 510 N. Baker St., Mount Dora. From Florida Rambler: Things to do Mount Dora
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Fort Lauderdale
From super-yachts to inflatables to exotic cars. Show is in six locations over 3 million square feet of space with shuttles, water taxis, and riverboats connecting it all. Tickets start at $34.
Micanopy Fall Festival, Micanopy
Charming Old Florida town near Gainesville attracts 200 arts and crafts vendors with music under a canopy of live oak trees on a historic main street. From Florida Rambler: Visiting Micanopy.
November 2025 festivals in Florida
Seminole American Indigenous Arts Celebration, Clewiston
The festival offers tradition — fry bread, alligator wrestling and Seminole crafts, but also celebrates the diversity of native cultures with entertainers brought in from other tribes. For the first time ever, not only is the event free, but you can also visit the Ah-Tha-Thi-Ki Museum at no charge too.
Florida Seafood Festival, Apalachicola
The popular festivals is held at the mouth of the Apalachicola river under the shady oaks of Apalachicola’s Battery Park. It features fresh seafood as well as arts and crafts exhibits, seafood related events and live music. From Florida Rambler: Things to do in Apalachicola
Great Gulfcoast Art Festival, Pensacola
Top artists, music and arts from Florida’s heritage have won this free festival many awards over the years and thousands of visitors each year. ggaf.org
Halifax Art Festival, downtown Daytona Beach
Founded in 1962, this is the second oldest art festival in Florida and attracts hundreds of top artists and thousands of visitors. The festival has an especially attractive location as it spreads out along Beach Street, which fronts onto Riverfront Park and the Halifax River. Florida Rambler story on Things to do near Daytona Beach
Inverness Festival of the Arts, Inverness
For more than 50 years, this annual event has brought Citrus county folks to the historic Courthouse Square. The festival, which has returned to its roots as a fine arts festival, is free and includes activities for kids and live music and entertainment.
The Right Whale Festival: Fernandina Beach
Ever winter, NOAA Fisheries and other partners kick off the season with the annual Right Whale Festival at Main Beach in Fernandina Beach. The free, two-day family event celebrates the endangered North Atlantic right whale’s upcoming return to northeast Florida. North Atlantic right whale calving season begins in mid-November and runs through mid-April.
Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sunsculpting Festival
Two dozen professional artists compete in creating sculptures on the gorgeous Siesta Key beach. Those who buy tickets can watch the sculptures take shape, view them under colored lights at night, see demonstrations and take lessons. The party atmosphere includes a tent with full bar (no ticket required) and a vendor village.
Miami Book Fair, Miami
The fair always attracts top authors. The weekend of Nov. 19-20 will include popular festival features, including Children’s Alley, live music and books for sale, artisanal goods and a farmers’ market.
Downtown Gainesville Festival & Art Show, Gainesville
The historic downtown streets are filled with live music, performing arts, the works of 240 artists and an array of food, attracting 100,000 attendees.
Annual Sand Sculpting Championship, Fort Myers Beach
In its 34th year, the event featuring world-class master sand sculptors takes place on the broad white sands of this beach town, which has been hard hit by three hurricanes in the last two years. It takes place at Diamondhead Beach Resort.
Yankeetown Arts and Crafts and Seafood Festival, Yankeetown
If you’re looking for “Old Florida,” this could be your destination on the banks of the Lower Withlacoochee River, just three miles from the Gulf. The festival, which usually takes place on the weekend before Thanksgiving, features locally caught Gulf seafood, entertainment, arts and crafts. Free admission and free parking. Riverside Drive on the banks of the Lower Withlacoochee.
December 2025 festivals in Florida
Complete schedule of 48 boat parades around Florida from FloridaRambler.
Art Basel Miami Beach, Miami Beach, Dec. 5-7, 2025
Art Basel, an international art fair, draws top tier galleries from around the world plus the rich and glamorous to South Florida. A far cry from the street art festivals that dot Florida, this is an event that is not cheap. (Tickets start at $65.) Over the years, however, a variety of satellite events have developed, creating art-related events for regular folks, including Miami Art Week. Learn more about Art Basel.
Winterfest Boat Parade, Fort Lauderdale, Dec. 13, 2025
Many cities have lighted boat parades, but Fort Lauderdale’s is the biggest and, at 51, the oldest. The 12-mile route down the New River and Intracoastal Waterway is lined with people and parties and the parade is said to draw a crowd of a million spectators.
January 2026 festivals in Florida
Dade’s Battle of 1835, Bushnell
Staged in the same location at the same time of year as the real battle, this historic re-enactment involves a hundred participants dressed as soldiers and Seminoles staging the “Dade massacre” at 2 p.m. each day. The event includes period soldier, Seminole and Civilian camps; a Sutler Trade Fair; historic arts and crafts demonstrations; full scale cannon firing; tree cutting and barricade building; musket shooting; tomahawk throwing and primitive archery. The site is now a beautiful state park.
Visit Lauderdale Food Wine & Festival
The annual event offers a ineup of 35 experiences, including interactive culinary classes, cooking demonstrations, wine and cocktail seminars, signature events, a dinner series and The Grand Tasting.
South Florida Fair, West Palm Beach
The South Florida Fair began in 1912. Like a traditional state fair, if offers rides, games, concessions, daily parades, agricultural and livestock programs and other exhibits. There are five stages of music and entertainment.
Art Deco Weekend, Miami Beach
Created 49 years ago by the Miami Design Preservation League to showcase the beautiful Art Deco buildings of South Beach, it includes live music from the Art Deco era, a classic car show, walking tours and talks. From Florida Rambler: 7 tips for seeing the stunning Miami Beach Architectural District
Crystal River Manatee Festival, Crystal River
Orange City Blue Spring Manatee Festival, Orange City
These manatee festivals are each located near a site where hundreds of manatees gather each winter. Both locations offer a variety of activities, including opportunities to view manatees. Florida Rambler story on two January manatee festivals
Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival, Fellsmere
This funky volunteer-run festival has been happening for 30+ years. Food choices start with one frog leg or gator nugget (a frog or gator “pop” on a stick for $3) up to a gator-tail and frog leg dinner for $16. Music, games, carnivals rides, down-home goods. Festival has free parking and admission and raises money for kids’ recreational needs in Fellsmere community.
Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza, Tampa
Kickoff of Gasparilla Days, featuring a children’s parade along Bayshore Boulevard and “piratechnic” sea battle commemorating the imaginary invasion of Tampa, which is re-enacted next weekend. Family-friendly and alcohol-free.
Images: A Festival of the Arts, New Smyrna Beach
Images presents more than 200 artists from across North America in a waterfront setting. It’s a free festival that attracts 45,000. From Florida Rambler: Things to do in New Smyrna Beach.
Homestead Rodeo, Homestead
Florida has a rich history of rodeos in its small towns. One of the longest lasting traditional rodeos (70+ years) and the southernmost rodeo in the United States is in Homestead.
Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, Gainesville
For more than three decades, a medieval village has come alive in January in this North Florida town. The Faire showcases more than 160 talented artisans and craftspeople from all over the country, who arrive at Hoggetowne to display and sell a variety of goods. The festival includes food, rides, games, activities, craft demonstrations, jugglers, musicians, jousters and nine stages of entertainment. There’s a new location, Depot Park, 874 SE 4th S., Gainesville.
Gasparilla Pirate Fest, Tampa
Colorful, fully-rigged pirate ship Jose Gasparilla magically appears at the south end of Hillsborough Bay, where the invading Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla are met by a flotilla of pleasure craft. The mock sea battle is followed by a Mardi Gra-like parade.
Kumquat Festival, Dade City, annually, last Saturday of January
The historic downtown in Dade City fills with as many as 35,000 people for this free event celebrating the tangy little fruit grown locally. Along with dozens of booths and live entertainment, a highlight is tasting kumquat treats, from kumquat pie to kumquat cookies to kumquat salsa. Free shuttles run from two satellite parking areas — the Pasco County Fairgrounds on State Road 52 and next to Jarrett Ford on US Hwy 301 Truck Route.
February 2026 festivals in Florida
Artfest Fort Myers, Fort Myers
The free festival takes place on the waterfront in historic downtown Fort Myers and features a juried exhibition of 290 fine artists from all over the country. Along with the art, the festival features interactive art exhibits, children’s activities, live music, and demonstrations.
Mount Dora Arts Festival, Mount Dora
Charming Mount Dora is a city of festivals, and this free fest attracts 250,000 for top art, food and entertainment. From Florida Rambler: Things to do in Mount Dora.
South Florida Garlic Fest, Wellington
A big event with food and top musical performers, it started as a fundraiser for several non-profits. The festival outgrew Delray Beach and moved to Wellington Green.
Everglades Seafood Festival, Everglades City
This event in Florida’s Stone Crab Capitol packs ’em in for fresh seafood, country music, carnival rides, crafts booths. An estimated 50,000 people attend each year in this small town (population 500) for the three-day event. This year, the festival, which has been free for many years, is asking for a minimum $10 donation.
Florida State Fair, Tampa
It boasts the largest midway in the USA, but its core purpose, celebrated for more than 100 years, is to showcase Florida agriculture and its history. Florida Rambler story on Florida State Fair
Scottish Highland Festival, Mount Dora
This gated event features Scottish bands and musicians all the weekend at Donnelly Park and an afternoon of Highland Games in Gilbert Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Battle of Olustee Civil War Re-Enactment, Sanderson
Florida’s largest Civil War battle is re-enacted, with gun smoke, booming cannons and cavalry.
Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, Cortez
Cortez started as a fishing village, and it still has a working waterfront and fishing boats. The festival offers music, nautical arts and crafts, children’s activities, environmental exhibits and lots of fresh seafood. From Florida Rambler: Visiting Cortez
Fiddler Crab Festival, Steinhatchee
The tiny remote Gulf-front town of Steinhatchee was walloped by Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and had extensive flooding with Hurricane Debby in 2024. It’s bouncing back, but needs folks to spend the night and eat and drink at local establishments. The festival offers music, food and craft vendors.
Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Miami
A huge fair (covering many blocks with 350+ exhibitors) and a beautiful waterfront setting make this one of the most popular art festivals in Florida. As a result, it attracts top entertainers, food vendors and artists. Held annually on Presidents Day Weekend.
ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival, Jupiter
A top juried festival with 300 artists, Artigras is celebrating 39 years of family fun this year. This is a ticketed event ($11) that raises money for local charities. From Florida Rambler: Things to do in Jupiter
Sanford Porchfest, Sanford
Lively music-filled Sanford has a one day free music festival described this way: “17 porches; over 70 bands.” This town fills its beautiful oak-shaded historic district with free concerts you attend by strolling from block to block all afternoon. From Florida Rambler: Things to do in Sanford.
South Beach Wine and Food Festival, Miami Beach
This four-day event in its third decade showcases the talents of renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities. Proceeds benefit the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University.
Naples National Art Festival, Naples
Ranked among the top art festivals in the state, the event takes place in scenic Cambier Park and along 8th Street South in downtown Naples. It features 194 artists who complete for inclusion and the fair does not admit mass-produced items. From Florida Rambler: Things to do in Naples
Swamp Cabbage Festival, La Belle
For 50+ years, this authentic Florida town east of Fort Myers has been celebrating swamp cabbage in a down-home festival and parade. A unique highlight: Armadillo races. Florida Rambler story on the Swamp Cabbage Festival. Website for festival.
March 2026 festivals in Florida
Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City, Feb. 26-March 8, 2026
Like a state fair, the Strawberry Festival has agricultural displays, livestock shows, arts and crafts, local food and a huge carnival midway. But its entertainment line-up is what’s extraordinary year after year. Florida Rambler story on Strawberry Festival
Bike Week, Daytona Beach
For more than 75 years, motorcyclists have gathered in Daytona Beach for a spring fling and this year, they’re expecting a half million. From Florida Rambler: Things to do in Daytona Beach
Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
This large festival offers top prize money that attracts 320+ top fine artists.
Grant Seafood Festival, Grant-Sebastian
The Grant Seafood Festival is put on by volunteers and has been held every year since 1966 in this sprawling riverside community between Melbourne and Sebastian.
Marathon Seafood Festival, Marathon
The Key’s most popular seafood fest is the “original” in Marathon. From Florida Rambler: Things to do in Marathon
Calle Ocho Festival, Miami
This street festival is enormous: It attracts a million people to the largest Hispanic festival in the United States. The event stretches for 20 blocks with 10 stages and it has everything: food, music, art and a giant conga line. Calle Ocho is part of the larger Carnaval Miami.
Clewiston Sugar Festival, Clewiston
A country-music festival with a free concert lineup including Jake Owen, Dylan Marlowe, Hudson Westbrook, Lauren Watkins, Don Felder (formerly of The Eagles) and Sweet Fleet. There are also community events ranging from a car show to wildlife shows to line dancing lessons.
Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Winter Park
This large show annually earns top ranking among art festivals nationwide. In addition to the draw of high-quality art, it is located in a beautiful and historic community with big shade trees and activities to entertain various ages and interests. From Florida Rambler: Things to do in Winter Park
Sunnyland Boat Festival, Tavares
This antique and classic boat festival is one of the largest classic wood boat shows in the country with as many as 250 to 300 restored boats on display in the water and along one third of a mile of Lake Dora shoreline at Wooton Park in Tavares. In 2023, this is its 42nd year. From Florida Rambler: Things to do in Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis
St. Augustine Lions Spring Festival, St. Augustine
The St. Augustine Lions Club seafood festival has changed its name to the Lions Spring Festival after cancelling in 2021 due to COVID. Hosted by St. Augustine Lions Club with the participation of neighboring Lions Clubs. Francis Field, 29 W. Castillo Drive, downtown St. Augustine. Satellite Parking with free shuttle at 198 W. King Street on Saturday only. More details in our story about the 2025 Lions Club Spring Seafood Festival. Related story on Florida Rambler: Things to do in St. Augustine
Cuban Sandwich Festival, Tampa
This free event brings together Cuban-sandwich makers from around the world in an annual competition. Vendors sell samples and sandwiches (plus a variety of other foods) and there’s live music and dancing. The festival happens in Centennial Park in the historic Ybor City neighborhood.
April 2026 festivals in Florida
Delray Affair of the Arts, Delray Beach
Celebrating its 62nd anniversary in 2024, Delray Affair will fill 12 blocks of beautiful downtown Delray Beach with an eclectic mix of up to 500 vendors offering arts, crafts and products. From Florida Rambler: Things to do in Delray Beach.
Island Fest, Islamorada
For more than three decades, this Florida Keys community has celebrated spring with a two-day free festival that has a little bit of everything — a juried art show, live music, the Taste of Islamorada competition, classic cars, a sand sculpture contest and the wacky “What Floats Your Boat?” homemade boat race. From Florida Rambler: Things to do in Islamorada.
Dunedin Highland Games and Festival, Dunedin
This charming town settled by Scottish immigrants celebrates its heritage with highland games that have been held here for more than 50 years. Festival is ticketed.
Old Florida Celebration of the Arts, Cedar Key
Cedar Key was devastated by Hurricane Helene Sept. 26, but the resilient community is rebuilding and some businesses have reopened. The 2025 art festival has been scaled back to one day and there will be fewer artists and amenities and no prize money, but Cedar Key is hoping for support.
Sebring Soda Festival, Sebring
Sebring, a small town along the lovely Lake Wales Ridge in Central Florida, is staking a claim for something new — Florida’s first (and only) craft soda festival. Local small-batch sodas made with real sugar are making a comeback, and at this festival, you’ll find 200 flavors from around the country to try. Event is free; you buy a group of tickets to taste several sodas.
Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, Clearwater
This sand sculpting exhibition and contest uses 1,000 tons of white, powdery sand to create a walk-through exhibit. The 2025 theme is “Dinoshores – A Prehistoric Adventure In Sand.” Includes free live music, fireworks, and sand sculpting classes. Ticketed.
Venice Sharks Tooth Festival
You don’t have to dig deep or look very hard to find a shark’s tooth on the beaches of Venice, so every year this Florida city celebrates its unique place in the world with the Venice Sharks Tooth Festival. The free festival in the historic downtown has live music, many vendors selling shark teeth and other beach-themed merchandise plus a kids’ zone with a shark-tooth dig, crafts and face-painting.
Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, St. Augustine
Marking its 30th year in 2025, the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival features a parade of popular folk singers on four stages over three days at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds in Elkton. On-site camping is available.
Conch Republic’s Birthday Party, Key West
Fans and friends of the Conch Republic will celebrate the offbeat “nation’s” 43rd birthday with more than 20 colorful activities ranging from a pirate bash and quirky races to a “sea-to-sea” parade. The Conch Republic Independence Celebration commemorates the Florida Keys’ symbolic secession from the United States — an act inspired by the 1982 establishment of a U.S. Border Patrol blockade at the top of the island chain.
Corrections or additions to the Top 75 Florida Events Calendar Please email floridarambler@gmail.com.