Nothing says Florida like a seafood festival.

We update this calendar frequently. While most Florida seafood festivals keep the same relative dates from year to year, some change, some move and some may even disappear for a few years, as happened during the pandemic and post-hurricanes.

Follow the links provided for individual festivals for additional details about these events. Individual web sites also include information for vendors.

---

Florida lobster season — August 6 through March 31

---

September 2023 Seafood Festivals

Sept. 1-3, 2023 Florida Scallop, Music and Arts Festival, on the shores of St. Joseph Bay in historic Port St. Joe every Labor Day Weekend. Featuring The Scallop Gallop 5K, Scallop Cookoff.  Admission: Friday, $10; Saturday, $10, Sunday, $5. Weekend pass, $20. Parking is free. George Core Park (Lighthouse Park), Port St. Joe

---

Sept. 2-3, 2023. West Palm Beach Seafood Festival. Seafood festival, marine flea market, live music, arts and crafts. 9 am to 5 pm. Admission: $10. South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd, West Palm Beach. FL 33441

---

Sept. 30, 2023. Panacea Blue Crab Festival. The festival originated in 1975 to promote the crab industry in Wakulla County. Events kick off with a parade down U.S. 98 to Woolley Park, 48 Mound St, Panacea, FL 32346.

---

Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2023. Pensacola Seafood Festival. The popular Pensacola Seafood Festival returns to its September schedule. Fresh Gulf to Table sampler platters including Shrimp, Crawfish, Scallops, Crab, Grouper, Alligator, Calamari, Gumbo, Lobster Rolls, Crawfish Mac’n’Cheese, Grits a YaYa, Seafood Skewers, Kabobs, Crab Cakes, Jambalaya, Etoufee, Coconut Shrimp, Seafood Baskets, Paella, Conch Fritters. More than 150 artists will display their work from Fri. 11 am-11 pm, Sat. 10 am-11 pm, Sun. 11 am-5 pm. Rain or shine. Admission free. Seville Square, 311 East Government Street, Pensacola.

---

Related content: Florida Oktoberfests Calendar 2023

---

October 2023 Seafood Festivals

Oct. 6-8, 2023 Destin Seafood Festival, Festival showcases the fishing fleet, harbor and community. Fresh caught local seafood provided by local food vendors. Music entertainment features Rock, Reggae, Country and tropical music along the Harbor. Friday, 4-10 pm; Saturday, 10 am-10 pm; Sunday, 11 am-4 pm. Admission Free. Harborwalk, Destin.

---

Oct. 12-15, 2023. 50th Annual National Shrimp Festival. Produced by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber. Free admission. Shuttle from remote parking lots, $5. Thursday-Saturday 10 am – 10 pm; Sunday 10 am – 5 pm. On the beach where Highway 59 meets Hwy 182 (Beach Rd.), Gulf Shores, Alabama. 

---

Stone Crab Season Opens on October 15

---

Oct. 21, 2023. SoBe Seafood Festival, Miami Beach. This is not your typical seafood festival, but a high-end experience marking it’s 11th year in 2023. Indulge at pop-up cafes from Miami’s best restaurants with the freshest seafood items to choose from, paired with complimentary open bars for 21 and over, live music on three stages, fun and games, culinary demos. General admission: $60; VIP: $160. Both include open bar at 30 bar stations. Noon to 7 p.m., Lummus Park (14th Street and Ocean Drive).

---

Oct. 21-22, 2023. Cedar Key Seafood Festival. Good news: Despite hurricane damage, the festival is on. This historic fishing village is one of the nation’s top sources of farm-raised clams. More than 100 arts and crafts exhibits, live music, a parade Saturday morning and, lots of great local seafood. Don’t miss Tony’s Restaurant’s world famous Clam Chowder! Saturday, 10 am -5 pm; Sunday, 10 am-5 pm. Admission free. lSponsored by the Cedar Key Lions Club. More about Cedar Key Seafood Festival from Florida Rambler.

---

Dates TBA. Lobster Festival and Tournament. The 2022 event was cancelled due to logistical problems, but organizers hope to be back in 2023. Fresh local lobster prepared every way you can imagine, and the Schooners Sand Sculpting Contest. Proceeds benefit the Florida Aquatic Marine Institute and the Toys For Kids Foundation. Schooners Beach Club, 5121 Gulf Drive, Panama City Beach.

---

Oct. 28, 2023. St. Marks Stone Crab Festival. Gulfside fishing community serves up fresh, local delicacies, and vendors selling everything from custom jewelry to hand-crafted furniture. Every year on the 4th Saturday in October. Festival proceeds go to charitable organizations in St. Marks and the surrounding area. 10 am to 5 p.m. 788 Port Leon Dr, St. Marks.

---

Oct. 27-29, 2023. Frenchy’s Stone Crab Weekend. Every October, for one weekend only, Clearwater Beach closes Baymont Street for Frenchy’s annual Stone Crab Weekend. In addition to fresh-off-the-boat claws the two-day block party features live music on stage.The block party is from 12 noon – 10 pm both Friday and Saturday. Admission is free. Food, drinks and merchandise will be for sale. Parking at North Beach Park Plaza (600+ spaces, $3 per hour.) Also, public street parking and metered lots are available within several blocks.

---

Oct. 27-29, 2023. Naples Stone Crab Festival. Celebrate the kickoff of stone crab season on the waterfront in Naples.  Sponsored by the Old Naples Waterfront Association, the festival shows off the historic center of Naples.  It also helps that this area of the Gulf Coast, especially the Ten Thousand Islands, is one of Florida’s prime stone crab harvesting regions. Most of the events are hosted at waterfront businesses. Free water taxis will transport you to all waterfront locations participating in the festival. Tin City, Downtown Naples.

---

November 2023 Seafood Festivals in Florida

---

Nov. 3-4, 2023. Florida Seafood Festival. One of Florida’s major seafood events in one of Florida’s most historic fishing villages.  Seafood, oyster eating and oyster shucking contests, blue crab races, parade, 5k Redfish Run, Blessing of the Fleet, musical entertainment. Battery Park, Apalachicola.

---

Nov. 4, 2023. Stone Crab Jam. Historic Downtown Crystal River is closed off for this festival. Features fresh stone crabs, cold beer and wine, 6 live Bands on three stages, craft vendors, artists and food trucks along the historic downtown streets of Crystal River. Nearly 10 thousand attendees support this 100% non-profit event presented by the Kings Bay Rotary Club Charitable Foundation. General admission: $10 (12 and under free). 560 North Citrus Ave., Crystal River, FL.

---

Nov. 5, 2023. Marathon Stone Crab Eating Contest, Be the first to eat 25 stone crab claws, and you could be a winner. Every year, the Keys Fisheries restaurant in Marathon sponsors this event to mark the opening of stone crab season. How fast can you crack and cleanly consume 25 stone crab claws? Test your munching mettle at this zany contest. Individuals must be at least 18 years old to enter. Registration starts at 11 am and contest begins at 12 noon. Keys Fisheries, 3502 Gulfview Avenue, Marathon.

---

Nov. 11-12, 2023. Homosassa Seafood Fest. Stone crab, grouper, shrimp, gumbos, chowders, lobster rolls, seafood platters. Civic Club Festival Grounds, 5530 South Mason Creek Road, 9 am-5 pm. Homosassa.

---

Nov. 18-19, 2023. Yankeetown Arts, Crafts and Seafood Festival – 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, Yankeetown.

---

Related article: Florida Seafood Festival, Apalachicola

---

Dates TBA. Sponge Docks Seafood Festival. Tons of local seafood, arts and crafts, live music all weekend. Free admission. Friday, Noon to 9 pm; Saturday, 10 am-10 pm; Sunday, 10 am-5 pm. Sponge Docks, Tarpon Springs.

---

Nov. 18-19, 2023. Ormond Beach Riverfest Seafood Festival. Fried shrimp to fresh fish tacos, poke bowls to authentic Philly cheesesteaks. Held along Ormond’s riverfront, the event features water activities, a popular kids fishing clinic, chef demonstrations, a kids’ zone and vendors. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Rockefeller Gardens and Fortunato Park, Granada Blvd. at the Intracoastal bridge, Ormond Beach.

---

December 2023 Seafood Festivals

Dec. 1-3, 2023. Siesta Beach Seafood and Music Festival, Siesta Beach. Fresh seafood creations sourced in the Gulf of Mexico. Musical performances by local and regional musicians in a diversity of genres from R&B, blues, jazz, rock and Caribbean sounds. Arts and crafts. Friday 12 noon-9 pm; Saturday, 11 am-9 pm; and Sunday, 11am-6pm. Admission, $5. 948 Beach Road, Siesta Beach, FL

---

More Festival Calendars on Florida Rambler

• Top 75 Florida events, fairs & festivals
• Oktoberfests Calendar

---

2024 Seafood Festivals

January 2024 Seafood Festivals

Jan. 5-7, 2024. Fort Myers Seafood Festival. First weekend in January in the River District Seafood dishes are prepared using fresh, local and sustainable resources from Florida’s Gulf Coast waters. Beer, wine and mixed drinks available, and a variety of musical entertainment all weekend features rock, blues, country rock, jazz, Caribbean and tribute bands. Friday, 4-10 pm; Saturday, 11 am-10 pm; Sunday, 11 am-6 pm. Admission is free. River District, 1400 Hendry St., Fort Myers, FL 33902.

---

Jan. 13, 2024. Apalachicola Oyster Cook Off, Apalachicola. Every year on the Friday and Saturday before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in at Riverfront Park. Silent auction, oysters, shrimp, smoked mullet, hot dogs, hamburgers, local beer, live music, kids’ activities, dancing performances and a 5K run! Benefits the Apalachicola Volunteer Fire Department. Friday: Art Auction Preview and Oyster Tasting 6-8pm, at the Apalachicola Center for History, Culture and Arts at 86 Water Street. Live Music throughout Downtown beginning at 8 pm. Saturday, 12-5 p.m. Half-Shell Hustle 5K Run 8am. Cook-off 12-5pm (no entrance fee). Art Auction continues.

---

Jan. 12-14, 2024. Punta Gorda Crab and Music Festival. Admission free. Pets are allowed. There is limited on the event-site parking for $15. Laishley Park, 120 Laishley Court, Punta Gorda.

---

Jan. 13-14, 2024. Florida Keys Seafood Festival, Key West. Fresh seafood caught locally, prepared and served by local fishermen and women. Fried fish baskets, Florida spiny lobster, sampler platters with fish, stone crab, conch fritter, ceviche, renowned Key West pink shrimp, stone crab claws with key lime mustard sauce, smoked fish dip, Bahamian-style conch chowder. Sponsored by the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association. Admission $10. Bayview Park, 1320 Truman Ave, Key West, FL 33040.

---

Jan. 18-21, 2024 Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival, 23 South Orange St, Fellsmere. Frog leg and gator tail dinners. Hundreds of booths for unique gifts. Hear some great music and enjoy fun rides. Free parking and shuttle from Mesa Motocross Park, 100 Mesa Park Blvd. Hours: Thursday and Friday, 4 pm-11 pm; Saturday, 10 am-11 pm; Sunday, 11 am-6 pm. Covid protocols in place.

---

Jan. 26-28, 2024. Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival. Downtown Sarasota at JD Hamel Park. Local restaurants serving grouper, mahi-mahi, stone crabs, oysters, shrimp, soft-shell crabs and more.  Alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Musical entertainment features R&B, rock, soul, jazz and Caribbean. Admission FREE. Friday, 4-10 pm; Saturday, 11 am-10 pm; Sunday, 11 am-6 pm.

---

Jan. 27-28, 2024. Port St. Lucie Seafood Festival (formerly the Port Salerno Seafood Festival). “The Fish is Fresh, the Beer is Cold, and the Smiles are Always Warm.” Live Music, Arts & Crafts Vendors, a Kid’s Fun Zone, Mermaids, Pirates. Saturday, 11 am-7 pm; Sunday, 11 am-6 pm. Admission: $10 (single day); $16 (two days). Free on-site parking. Mid-Florida Events Center, 9221 SE Event Center Pl. Port St. Lucie, FL.

---

Dates TBA. Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale Annual Stone Crab & Seafood Festival. Admission is free, food and drinks available for purchase. 11 am-4 pm. Esplanade Park, Downtown Fort Lauderdale

---

Dates TBA Southwest Florida ClamJam. Devastation from Hurricane Ian killed the 2023 plans. Plans for 2024 have not been announced.

---

February 2024 Seafood Festivals in Florida

Feb. 2-4 2024. Everglades City Seafood Festival, Copeland Avenue in front of City Hall, Everglades City. Fresh seafood, country music, arts and crafts, midway. Admission is free with limited free parking. Charities offering paid parking. Sponsored by the Florida Stone Crabbers Association. No pets, no coolers and beer is cash only. Read more: Everglades City Seafood Festival

---

Feb. 2-4, 2024. Englewood Seafood & Music Festival.  Diverse menu of seafood, meat and vegetarian dishes cooked fresh by local restaurants and food purveyors. Seafood dishes are prepared using fresh local and sustainable ocean resources from the Florida Gulf Coast. Friday, 4pm – 10pm; Saturday, 11am – 10pm; Sunday 11am – 6pm. Free admission. Dearborn Street Plaza, Englewood, FL

---

Feb. 9-11, 2024. Bonita Springs Seafood and Music Festival. Food vendors and musical entertainment. Admission free. Friday 3-9 pm; Saturday 11am-9 pm; Sunday 11am-6pm. The Poker Room (the old Dog Track) located at 28001 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.  

---

Feb. 17-18, 2024. Jupiter Seafood Festival, Fresh seafood, live entertainment, nautical vendors, rides, $1,000 Corn Hole Tournament. Benefit Rivers Coalition. Admission $10. (VIP Tickets $50, includes open bar.) Carlin Park, 400 Florida A1A, Jupiter, FL 33477.

---

Feb. 23-25, 2024. St. Petersburg Seafood and Music Festival. Seafood offerings celebrate Florida and Gulf waters. General admission is FREE. North Straub Park, Bayshore Drive Northeast, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA

---

Feb. 23-24, 2024. Sandestin Gumbo Festival and Seafood Boil. Kick off the weekend on Friday with Seafood Boil at Hammerhead’s Bar & Grill. On Saturday, sample a variety of gumbo and vote for your favorite in the gumbo cook-off. Baytowne Wharf, 9100 Baytowne Avenue, Miramar Beach.

---

March 2024 Seafood Festivals

Florida spiny lobster season ends March 31. Stone crab season ends May 1.

---

March 2-3, 2024. Grant Seafood Festival, Grant-Sebastian. Community volunteers dish out the seafood at this entertaining festival in Grant’s community park. Craft beers and old standbys available. Saturday, 9 am-7 pm; Sunday, 9 am-5 pm on Sunday. Admission is free and there is plenty of free parking. Follow the signs from U.S. 1.

Read more about the Grant Seafood Festival

---

March 15-17, 2024. Naples Seafood Festival. Festivities begin Friday evening from 4pm-10pm and continue Saturday 11am-10pm and Sunday 11am-6pm. Free admission. Italian American Club,  7035 Airport-Pulling Rd, Naples, FL 34109.

---

Dates TBA. Homestead Stone Crab and Seafood Festival. Fresh stone crabs, seafood, unique arts, crafts and music, a full bar and kid’s play area. Bring lawn chairs. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Homestead Charitable Foundation. Admission $10. Saturday, 11 am to 8 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm. Homestead Sports Complex, 1601 SE 28th Ave., Homestead (next to Homestead-Miami Speedway).

---

Dates TBA. Islamorada Seafood Festival and Art Show, Hosted by Islamorada Moose Lodge & Morada Way Arts & Cultural District. 9 am-3 pm. Bahamian JunkaNew Band parade at 1:30 p.m. and the smoked fish dip competition at 2 p.m. Prices vary for seafood samplings, which are cash only. Admission: $5 donation to benefit Moose Charities. Mile marker 81.5 on the Old Highway and Morada Way.8173 Old Highway, Islamorada.

---

March 9-10, 2024. Marathon Seafood Festival, Marathon, Florida Keys. The Marathon Seafood Festival calls itself the “Original” Marathon Seafood Festival to emphasize it’s the real deal – indigenous and authentic, serving fresh-caught seafood from the Florida Keys. The most popular item is a Florida lobster dinner. More than 2,000 pounds of local spiny lobster are expected to be served. Also stone crab, ceviche, mahi-mahi, oysters, shrimp, conchworst, lobster bisque, crab cakes, cuban croquettas, hamburgers, hot dogs, and sausages. Saturday, 10 am to 9 p.; Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm Read more.

---

2024 Dates TBA. Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Shrimp Festival. The 2023 festival was cancelled because of hurricane damage. Unknown if this festival will return in 2024. Sponsored by the Fort Myers Beach Lions Club. Proceeds benefit the local community. Lynn Halls Park, 950 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. Read more.

---

2024 Dates TBA. ShrimpaPalooza, Homosassa. Parade starts at 10 am, begining at Old Mill Tavern heading south on W Yulee Dr, taking a slight right onto S Cherokee Way and end at the S Boulevard Dr. Live music, great food all day. 9 am-6 pm. Hosted by The Rotary Club. Homosassa Civic Club, 5530 S Mason Creek Rd, Homosassa Springs.

---

Dates TBA. Panacea Beer and Oyster Festival. For the second year, the Panacea Oyster Festival has combined with the Craft Beer Festival in March. Showcasing local farm-raised oysters and craft beers. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Woolley Park in Panacea. 

---

Dates TBA. Gainesville Seafood Festival. Fresh Seafood, Arts & Crafts, Live Entertainment, Swamp Show, Marine Exhibit, Children Fun Area, Seafood Market. Admission: $10. 11 am-7 pm both days. Alachua County Fairgrounds, 3416 NE 39th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32609

---

Dates TBA. Deering Seafood Festival, Miami. 10 am – 6 pm. Admission: $20 in advance, $25 day of event. (Children 4-14: $7 advance, $10 gate) Admission includes entry to the Estate grounds, free activities in the Li’l Shrimp Kids Zone, science activities in the Deering Discovery Cove, and entertainment. Consistently a sold-out event, the festival was named “Best Event of the Year” for the past two years by the Greater Miami Festival and Events Association.

---

April 2024 Seafood Festivals in Florida

April 6-7, 2024. Saint Augustine Lions Spring Seafood Festival, Hosted by St. Augustine Lions Club. Rides and live music all weekend. Saturday, 10 am-10 pm; Sunday, 10 am-6 pm. Net profits from the Lions Festival go to support charitable causes. Francis Field, 25 West Castillo Drive, downtown St. Augustine. Read more

---

April 19-21, 2024. Pompano Beach Seafood Festival. One of Florida’s most popular seafood festivals. Proceeds go to local charities. Once again being held at Pompano Beach Community Park, 820 NE 18th Ave, Pompano Beach, FL 33060.

---

April 20-21, 2024. Fort Pierce Oyster Festival. Festival celebrates the Fort Pierce waterfront with wide selection of oyster dishes, seafood dishes, live entertainment, arts and crafts. Admission is free. Free parking at the City Parking Garage. Saturday, 10 am-6pm; Sunday, 10 am-4 pm. Veterans Memorial Park & River Walk Center, 600 N. Indian River Dr., Ft. Pierce.

---

Dates TBA Dania Beach Arts & Seafood Celebration, featuring live music, live performance art, a juried fine art vendors and crafters showcase, family activities, and seafood galore. Frost Park, 300 NE 2nd Street, Dania Beach. Free Parking at the Casino at Dania Beach & City Center Garage.

---

Dates TBA. Pensacola Crawfish Festival, Cajun fare features include: boudin, jambalaya, etouffee, fresh and fried seafood, gumbo, and more. Friday: 11AM-11PM; Saturday: 10AM-11PM; Sunday: 11AM-5PM. Admission: $5 per day; kids 6-12, $2; 5 and under free. Seville Square and Fountain Park.

---

May 2024 Seafood Festivals

May 3-5, 2024. Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, Fernandina Beach. One of Florida’s most productive shrimp regions. Enjoy fresh shrimp and seafood throughout the festival site on Front Street near the docks at Fernando Harbor Marina. 102 Centre Street, Fernandina Beach. Festival weekend kicks off Thursday night with the annual Fernandina Beach Pirate Parade.

---

May 25-27, 2024 (Memorial Day Weekend). Palatka Blue Crab Festival is back! This year’s comeback event features 34 musical acts on three stages. Headliners include R&B singer Ginuwine, Country music band Little Texas, reggae icons The Original Wailers and many more. Admission and parking are free. Downtown Palatka.

---

Dates TBA. Treasure Coast Seafood Festival, Variety of seafood and a conch chowder contest (Saturday). Entertainment, arts and crafts, nautical flea market, kids zone and craft beer garden. Bring your own lawn chairs; no coolers. Indian River Fairgrounds, 7955 58th Ave, Vero Beach, FL.

---

Dates TBA. Orlando Seafood Festival. Admission $5-$10. Orlando Seafood Festival is a family event with multiple seafood vendors. Fresh Seafood, Arts & Craft, Live Entertainment, Pirate Show, Marine Exhibit, Boat Show, Children Fun Area. Seafood Market Festival Park, 2911 E Robinson St, Orlando, FL 32803

---

June 2024 Seafood Festivals

Dates TBA — Jacksonville‘s 2nd Annual Crawfish Festival. 11 am to 8 pm. Jacksonville food truck vendors, over 30 tent vendors with one of kind products, along with kid’s activities, live music, DJ Guru, Silent Disco. Admission is free. Tickets will be sold for crawfish trays. James Weldon Johnson Park, 135 West Monroe Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Sources: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs; Florida State Parks; festival sponsors and organizers; and many Florida Rambler readers. Thank you!

---

August 2024 Seafood Festivals

Aug. 8-11, 2024 Key West Lobsterfest, Lobster boil (Thursday) Reef’n Ritas, Duval Crawl (Friday night), Street Fair (Saturday, 9 am-11 pm) Free Concert (Saturday, 1-11:30 pm) 218 Whitehead Street, Key West.

---