October
Destin Fishing Rodeo (all month) The “World Luckiest Fishing Village” welcomes hordes of competitive anglers for this frenzy of fishing that includes a two-day seafood festival in the first week.
Jacksonville Jazz festival (mid-Oct) This is an unusual combination of art and craft exhibitions mixed with three days of international jazz stars competing and performing.
Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival (mid Oct) Valparaiso and Niceville. These twin cites near Fort Walton Beach celebrate the local fish with fine food, arts, and entertainment.
Fort Lauderdale Boat shows (late Oct) the largest in-water boat show in the world draws yachting enthusiasts to four separate city locations.
Fantasy fest (last week) Key West. This wild, week-long Halloween celebration features gay festivities, masked balls, a costume contest, and lively street processions.
Johns Pass Seafood Festival (last weekend) Madeira Beach. This popular festival attracts seafood lovers to Johns Pass Village.
Guavaween (last Saturday) Tampa. This zany Halloween parade pokes fun at the life and history of the city, especially at an early attempt to grow guavas in the area.
November
Apalachicola Seafood Festival (first weekend) The fishing fleet is blessed, net-making lessons are given, and Oyster-shucking-and-eating contests are held at Florida’s oldest and biggest seafood festival.
Orange Bowl Festival (early Nov-late Feb) Miami. This youth festival presents over 20 sports and cultural events.
Festival of the Masters (second weekend) Walt Disney World. Artists from across the country show their work in Downtown Disney.
Miami Book Fair International (mid Nov) Publishers, authors, and bookworms congregate in downtown Miami for this cultural highlight.
Winter
Winter months are full of excitement in anticipation of Christmas and New Year’s.
The flood of “snowbirds” from the north intensifies.
The celebrities arrive too, some to relax, others to perform during the state’s busiest entertainment season.
The crowds multiply at Walt Disney World and the Magic Kingdom is at its most colorful.
December
Winter fest Boat Parade (early Dec) Fort Lauderdale. Boats decked with lights cruise the intracoastal nighttime display.
King Orange Jamboree Parade (Dec31) Miami. Huge event to herald the New Year, parodied the previous night by the outrageous King Mambo Strut in Coconut Grove.
Orange Bowl, (New Year’s Day) Miami. The big post-season football game.
Greek Epiphany Day (Jan 6 Tarpon Springs. Ceremonies, feasts, and music at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Art Deco Weekend (mid-Jan) Miami Beach. A street party, in the stunning Art Deco district.
Winter Equestrian festival (Jan-Mar) Wellington. Seven major equestrian events.
February
Gasparilla festival (second Monday) Tampa. A boisterous party, with boat parades and locals in appropriate dress, in memory of the Pirates who ravaged the coast.
Speed Week (first three weeks) Daytona Beach. These motor races build up to the famous Daytona 500 on the final Sunday.
Florida Citrus Festival (mid-Feb) Winter Haven near Orlando. The citrus harvest is honored at this country fair.
Coconut Grove, Arts Festival (mid-Feb) Miami. This avant-garde art show is one of the country’s largest.
Florida State Fair (mid-Feb) Tampa. Carnival rides, corn on the cob, big-name performers, and even alligator wrestling can be enjoyed at this big fair.
