Florida hosts many festivals throughout the year, especially in the fall and winter months. We celebrate everything from music and food (Especially seafood!) to art and local culture.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most notable events, organized by type and season.
Music Festivals
Some of the best festivals in Florida are music festivals! Music festivals can be so much fun to attend, especially during Florida’s cooler winter months.
Tortuga Music Festival (Fort Lauderdale)
Held in April on the beach, Tortuga is a country music festival with a focus on ocean conservation. Expect top country acts and beachside stages.
Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival (Okeechobee)
This March festival is a mix of EDM, rock, hip-hop, and indie music. Set on a massive campground, it features multiple stages, art installations, and wellness activities.
SunFest (West Palm Beach)
Taking place in May, SunFest is Florida’s largest waterfront music and art festival. The lineup features rock, pop, and hip-hop artists, along with an impressive fireworks show.
Art and Cultural Festivals
Arts festivals in Florida are held throughout the state, especially in winter months when snowbird season is in full swing.
Art Basel (Miami Beach)
Every December, Art Basel draws international artists and collectors to Miami. It’s one of the most prestigious contemporary art fairs in the world, featuring galleries, exhibitions, and exclusive events.
Gasparilla Pirate Festival (Tampa)
A pirate-themed festival held in January, celebrating Tampa’s pirate history. The event includes a parade, pirate invasions, and various street parties.
Mount Dora Arts Festival (Mount Dora)
Held in February, this event brings together fine artists from around the country. Set in a charming small town, the festival showcases paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and other crafts.
Food and Drink Festivals
Florida’s food tradition is diverse, deep, and is very celebrated. Some of the best festivals in Florida revolve around food and drink.
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (Orlando)
From late summer to mid-fall, this festival at Disney’s Epcot theme park offers a global culinary experience with food kiosks, wine tastings, and celebrity chef appearances.
Florida Seafood Festival (Apalachicola)
The state’s oldest seafood festival, held every November, celebrates Florida’s rich seafood industry with fresh local catches, oyster eating contests, and live entertainment.
South Beach Wine & Food Festival (Miami Beach)
A February event featuring renowned chefs, cooking demos, wine tastings, and beachfront parties. Hosted by the Food Network, it draws culinary fans from across the nation.
Seasonal and Holiday Festivals
Most of Florida’s seasonal holidays revolve around traditional harvest times, or winter holidays. The summer months are typically too hot and humid to celebrate.
Winterfest Boat Parade (Fort Lauderdale)
This December holiday parade features elaborately decorated boats sailing along the Intracoastal Waterway. A must-see for its festive lights and creative themes.
Florida Strawberry Festival (Plant City)
Held in late February or early March, this event celebrates Florida’s strawberry harvest. It features strawberry-themed foods, a midway, and live country music performances.
Fantasy Fest (Key West)
Taking place in October, Fantasy Fest is an adult-themed costume and street festival. Known for its lively atmosphere and elaborate costumes, it’s one of the biggest events in the Florida Keys.
Tips for Attending Florida Festivals
My best advice for attending festivals in Florida is to plan ahead. If you wait until the last minute, the entire experience may be more difficult to plan and enjoy.
Festivals like Art Basel, Tortuga, and the South Beach Wine & Food Festival sell out quickly. Book tickets and accommodations early, especially for major events.
Check the Weather!
This falls under the umbrella (Ugh, sorry!) of planning ahead – but be sure to check typical weather conditions for the time and place you will visit. Florida’s weather can be unpredictable, especially during hurricane season (June-November).
Be prepared for rain and heat, and check forecasts regularly. And, don’t forget that Florida is a huge state, and weather conditions vary dramatically depending on where you’ll be.
Transportation
Transportation in Florida is challenging, for everyone. Congestion is ever-present, and parking is scarce in many places, even during normal times. Parking during festivals can be a major hassle, or even impossible to find.
Whenever possible, it’s a good idea to find parking in advance, and avoid driving, if you can. I always suggest using rideshare services, public transport, or event shuttles to avoid traffic and parking issues.
This guide gives you a starting point, but Florida hosts hundreds of local and regional festivals, so it’s worth exploring specific areas during your visit to find hidden gems.
If you’re interested in learning more, be sure to check back in the future as we expand our guide!