Festivals & Events
As spring gives way to summer, the festival season in Florida starts heating up. Feed your craving for fresh seafood, enjoy the beauty of tropical flowers, or dance the day (and night!) away at one of several music festival. With so many events to choose from, there’s never a dull moment!
MAY
3-7
Key West Songwriters Festival
Key West
The Key West Songwriters Festival is the largest songwriter festival in the country. The festival is known for launching act like Kacey Musgraves, Florida Georgia Line, Maren Morris, and many others into the spotlight. This five-day festival is in its 27th year, and features music and storytelling from both veteran songwriters and emerging new artists. With over 250 songwriter performances scheduled, this year’s lineup features artists like Jelly Roll, Elle King, The Love Junkies, Mitchell Tenpenny, and many more. Every show features songwriter rounds where writers showcase their biggest songs and share the stories behind them. The shows take place at venues all over the island, and more than 30 events are free to attend. There are also ticketed performances at The Key West Amphitheater, The Key West Theater, and The San Carlos Institute.
keywestsongwritersfestival.com/
3-7
Thunder Beach Spring Rally
Panama City Beach
The Thunder Beach Spring Rally is one of two big motorcycle rallies that take place every year at Panama City Beach. The event features a-list musical guests, renowned bike shows, national vendor shopping, and other amazing entertainment events across three official Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally locations and two official partner venues. There’s also motorcycle demo rides and the annual Miss Thunder Beach Pageant. This year’s music lineup includes Pantera, Candlebox, Jackyl, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rob Zombie, and more!
thunderbeachproductions.com/
3-7
St. Augustine Food and Wine Festival
St. Augustine
Voted as “One of Florida’s Top 10 Food & Wine Festivals” by USA Today, the St. Augustine Food and Wine Festival features celebrity guest chefs, local chefs, and wine experts. Festival activities include over 400 varieties of unlimited wine, beer, and spirits, live music, celebrity chef dinners, cooking demonstrations, and a variety of tasting events. A trolley shuttle takes you through the historic city to event locations, which include the San Sebastian Winery, the Lightner Museum, and the World Golf Hall of Fame Museum. Purchasing an all-inclusive food and drink tasting ticket gives you a souvenir cup to use for unlimited beverage tastings as well as access to the Publix Cooking Demo Stage, Jacksonville Magazine Music Stage, the People’s Choice Harvest Awards, and more. The Jazz Brunch on Sunday features live music and a brunch buffet with a carving station, made-to-order omelet station, seafood station, and a wide range of desserts. There are also unlimited beverage stations serving Bloody Mary’s, champagne, and mimosas.
staugustinefoodandwinefestival.com/
5-7
Sunfest
West Palm Beach
Sunfest is Florida’s largest waterfront festival and has been an annual event since 1982. This three-day music and art festival features musical acts from 311, The Chainsmokers, The Killers, Dropkick Murphys, Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley, and many more. Other fun activities include floating bars, a beach house party with live DJ music, and a food hall with more than 100 different food items. Local vendors will offer special savings for Sunfest ticket holders to promote local shopping opportunities. Sunfest also gives back to the local communities by providing 800 tickets to charities so everyone can attend as well as initiatives where local bands can apply for the opportunity to perform at the festival.
sunfest.com/
5-7
Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival
Fernandina Beach
The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival takes place in historic downtown Fernandina Beach and features a wide variety of activities for the whole family. The free festival features plenty of fresh seafood and shrimp dishes prepared by local non-profit and civic organizations. The festival’s Fine Arts and Crafts show includes more than 300 award-winning artists offering jewelry, photography, pottery, and other unique items plus over 75 booths of one-of-a-kind antiques and collectibles. Entertainment includes live music on two stages, pirates, and contests. You can watch from the marina as the decorated shrimp boats flow down the Amelia River and enjoy and eclectic assortment of local boutiques, pubs, and restaurants on Amelia Island. A crowd-pleasing fireworks show takes place on the opening night of the festival at Fernandina’s downtown riverfront. The annual festival parade kicks off the festival on Thursday and features pirate ships, marching bands, floats, dancers, and gymnasts.
shrimpfestival.com/
5-7
Hibiscus Festival
Punta Gorda
The Hibiscus Festival is a three-day celebration of Punta Gorda’s connection to this beautiful flower and one of the world’s most renowned hybridizers, Harry R. Goulding. Goulding was known for his award-winning hybrid hibiscus plants, and he grew more than 60,000 varieties of hibiscus flowers over a period of 60 years. The founders of the festival carry on Goulding’s vision to celebrate this beautiful tropical flower. Opening activities for this festival include an evening concert along with an array of hibiscus flower vendors and food. Each year, the festival venue is filled with plants from some of the finest hibiscus nurseries. You will have the opportunity to buy hibiscus plants from the people who grew them and ask them questions about caring for your new plants. Several craft vendors will be selling jewelry, yard art, pottery, produce, and much more! Other activities at the festival include the Vintage Motor Car Club Show and the Lil’ Miss Hibiscus Pageant.
thehibiscusfestival.com/
16-29
The Orlando International Theater Fringe Festival
Orlando
The Orlando International Theater Fringe Festival is a 14-day arts festival featuring hundreds of acts from The Orlando Fringe. Celebrating 32 years as “Orlando’s Most Unique Cultural Experience,” the festival features over 850 ticketed theatrical performances on indoor and outdoor stages produced by local, national, and international artists. This festival is an open-access performing arts festival, which means there is no selection committee and anyone can participate with any type of performance. Visual arts at the festival feature drawing, painting, sculpture, design, and jewelry making, and the exhibition includes a gallery, art market, workshops, classes, crafts, demonstrations, and other events. Live performances offer stand-up comedy, comedic improv, live music, dance troupes, literary readings, and much more!
orlandofringe.virtuallyfringe.com/
18-21
Welcome to Rockville
Daytona Beach
Welcome to Rockville is an annual four-day event held at Daytona Beach, and it is one of the largest rock music festivals in Florida. The massive musical lineup features artists like Tool, Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot, Pantera, Queens of the Stone Age, Deftones, Rob Zombie, and Alice Cooper. The festival, which takes place at the renowned Daytona International Speedway, includes other activities, such as amusement rides, a giant water slide, artwork installations, award-winning spirits, and delicious foods. VIP passes give you access to dedicated Festival VIP Fast Track entrance lanes, VIP lounges, and shaded patio areas with comfortable furniture and live audio and video streams of both main stages. VIPs also get dedicated main stage viewing areas, dedicated festival merchandise booths, a guest services team, private locker rentals with phone chargers, air-conditioned bathroom facilities, and premium food and drink options. The exclusive VIP club has an air-conditioned lounge with a private bar and access to a bird’s-eye view of the main stage along with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and a premium parking pass. A weekend camping package is also available so you can stay close to the action.
welcometorockville.com/
19-21
Redland International Orchid Festival
Redland
The Redland International Orchid Festival is an open-air event at the Fruit and Spice Park that gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy orchids and purchase orchid plants for their personal collection. The festival includes around 100 orchid vendors with gorgeous plants for sale, along with lectures teaching you how to grow your own orchids or control insects. A variety of food vendors will also be onsite to quench your thirst and delight your taste buds throughout the day. Everyone who purchases a ticket in advance is automatically entered in one of two raffles, with prizes ranging from orchid plants, crafts, and supplies. American Orchid Society judges will be in attendance to award ribbons for best in class and AOS quality awards. There are also several cash prizes up for grabs in a variety of categories.
redlandorchidfestival.com/
19-21
New Smyrna Beach Jazz Festival
New Smyrna Beach
The three-day New Smyrna Beach Jazz Festival takes place in several venues throughout the city and features amazing jazz musicians and delectable food options. All events are free except for the kick-off party on opening night. On the final day of the festival, several jazz venues offer brunches set to live jazz music.
https://nsbjazzfest.com/
25-28
Jacksonville Jazz Festival
Jacksonville
The Jacksonville Jazz Festival begins Memorial Day Weekend, starting with a Jazz Piano Competition followed by three days of free, live entertainment at multiple stages along the St. Johns River. The festival also features local food, drinks, and shopping throughout the city. Premiere tickets to the festival provide you with dedicated seating close to the stage, an exclusive bar, and private restrooms. Splurge for the VIP wristband to unlock perks like fast festival entry, $150 in food and beverage credits, new food and beverage options in the VIP area, up-front exclusive seating, a VIP lounge, climate-controlled restrooms, official merchandise, and reserved parking.
jacksonvillejazzfest.com/
27-29
Florida Folk Festival
White Springs
The Florida Folk Festival is a three-day celebration of the music, dance, crafts, stories, and food that make Florida unique. Festival events include live Irish fiddle music, dancing, and foods representing the variety of cultural heritage that shaped Florida communities. There are more than 300 performances at the festival, as well as demonstrations of the diverse living traditions of Florida. Workshops teach visitors a wide variety of activities like playing the mandolin, storytelling, weaving pine needle baskets, tracing your family’s history, how to call a square dance, and the importance of native plant and animal species in Florida. Hand-made goods are available for purchase from traditional and contemporary craftspeople. Traditional foods like collard greens, chicken pilau, shrimp gumbo, gyros, and root beer floats fill your belly and delight your taste buds. When the sun sets, you can enjoy live concerts by moonlight or dance the night away.
floridastateparks.org/FloridaFolkFestival
26-28
Blue Crab Festival
Palatka
The Blue Crab Festival is a three-day event featuring blue crab harvested from both Florida coasts. Blue crab is prepared in a number of different ways, including boiled and served with butter, added to gumbo, or marinated in a salad. Other seafood choices include shrimp, scallops, and more. There are several activities for kids, such as carnival rides, a petting zoo, a kid’s zone, and a karate demonstration. Saturday and Sunday features pony rides and reptile encounters, along with kids-only foam party. Artisans from St. Augustine and Northeast Florida will be on-site to share their unique works of art. The festival also features live music from various artists, including the rap duo the Ying Yang Twins and The Sugarhill Gang.
palatkabluecrabfestival.com/
26-28
Orlando Carnival
Orlando
Orlando Carnival celebrates Caribbean culture with colorful costumes, live music, runway shows, food, drinks, and a lively parade. The annual runway event showcases colorful Carnival costumes from amateurs and designers, with the winner taking home a grand prize of $3,000. The Orlando Carnival Jouvert brings a water truck and paint for a colorful celebration in the streets of Orlando. The Back in Time Lime brings Caribbean culture to the forefront of the festival with a calypso tent, African drums, fire breathers, and live musical performances. On the final day of the Carnival, the Mas Band parade makes its way down Church Street with parade floats and masqueraders. After the parade, enjoy the food festival, featuring traditional Caribbean cuisine, as well as the concert of Caribbean performers as you dance the night away.
orlandocarnivaldowntown.com/
JUNE
1-4
Gulf Coast Jam
Panama City Beach
The annual Gulf Coast Jam will be held at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach, and will feature the hottest acts in country music. This year’s headliners include Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert, Hardy, and Kane Brown, along with several up-and-coming country artists. The festival grounds provide a wide variety of food, drink, and merchandise vendors, and there is a daily Happy Hour for discounts on your favorite beverages. A Military Appreciation Tent Welcomes current members of the military, veterans, and their families for a special festival experience at no extra cost. When you’re not busy with festival activities, take some time to relax on the beach or explore the boutiques, pubs, and restaurants Panama City has to offer.
gulfcoastjam.com/
1-14
Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week
Sarasota
Bring a hearty appetite to Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week! This two-week annual food festival offers special discounts on three-course lunches and dinners at several restaurants throughout Sarasota. Lunches are only $25, and dinners are $40 at any of the more than 90 participating eateries. The menus at each establishment are designed especially for the event and showcase each restaurant’s style and cuisine. This festival is a food-lover’s dream and one you don’t want to miss!
visitsarasota.com/savor-sarasota
8-11
The Hukilau
Fort Lauderdale
The Hukilau is an annual event known as “The World’s Most Authentic Tiki Event,” and it celebrates the drinks, apparel, and overall culture of all things Tiki. This event features live music from Tiki-influenced bands, symposiums about Tiki culture, guest bars, rum tastings, pool parties, beach parties, the Tiki Treasures Bazaar, and so much more. Saturday’s Tiki Treasures Bazaar features dozens of vendors of vintage and retro-inspired goods, which range from mugs and aloha shirts to Tiki carvings and artwork. One of the parties features performances from The Mai-Kai’s Polynesian Islander Revue, and another includes popular Elvis tribute performer Dan Cunningham, who is from South Florida. Acclaimed mixologists stir up rum-based cocktails all weekend long, and top-tier pass holders get exclusive access to the South Seas Lounge, where they will find delicious food and even more exclusive cocktails.
thehukilau.com/
22-25
Mango Fest
Key West
The annual Mango Fest in Key West celebrates all things mango through shopping, education, demonstrations, tastings, and more. Visit the “Mango Mania!” vendor village for unique, mango-themed items, and experience a kick-off party and mango brunch. This festival really goes all in on the mango theme with a poetry contest and photo contest dedicated to the mango. Culinary and cocktail demonstrations show you how the mango has been transformed from its humble beginnings to a sought-after ingredient in cooking and mixology. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Key West Police Athletic League youth programs, which provide a safe place for kids in Key West to go after school and on weekends and encourages teamwork and strong self-esteem.
fla-keys.com/calendar/all/florida-keys/202306/
