The Many Festivals And Events In The Florida Keys

The Many Festivals and Events in the Florida Keys

Every month of the year offers some sort of recreation in the Florida Keys. Many of the activities that you can attend or even participate in are annual events or festivals that are held in one of the towns in the Florida Keys. If you plan on spending some time in the Keys, you may want to plan your trip around one of these events.

In January, the year begins on New Year's day in the town of Islamorada with the annual New Year's Day 5K Run, Walk and Crawl. The entire day is celebrated with festivities, the annual Blessing of the Fleet and a boat parade. It is around the middle of January, that the town of Key West holds its annual Seafood Festival. The festival is held at Bayview Park and offers all day activities for children, live music, and the freshest seafood you'll find almost anywhere.

Many of the towns in the Florida Keys hold winter carnivals and art exhibits in the month of February. Early February in Key West offers the annual Women and Girls' Flag Football Championship. A “must see” event, this championship offers over 60 games of flag football with a variety of other festivities. About a week later Key West celebrates its Civil War Heritage Festival with reenactments and tours. Also in February, the town of Marathon celebrates its annual Pigeon Key Arts Festival. Mid February is also the time in Key West where private homes are open for citizens to tour in the annual House and Garden Tour.

The Florida Keys offer many interesting and unusual fishing tournaments and in the month of March the little town of Islamorada holds its annual Fish ‘Til You Lose It competition. This is where fishermen compete by fishing with only one lure and must stop fishing once they lose it. The one with the most fish wins. In March, Key West offers the annual Conch Blowing Contest. There are different events for all ages to participate in.

Easter time in Key Largo offers an Easter egg hunt with a twist. This egg hunt is held under water. During the months of April and May many of the towns in the Florida Keys have “Taste of” festivals that feature samples of menu items from local restaurants.

May, June, July and August are ripe with a number of fishing tournaments and fun summer festivals and concerts. Lobster season in the Florida Keys begins in August and always kicks off with a weekend full of music, activities and of course, lots of lobster dishes.

Halloween activities in the Florida Keys is, in many ways, no different than anywhere else in the country – well, maybe a little different. Key Largo hosts a pumpkin-carving contest, only this contest is held under water. The month of October is also the month where Key West holds its annual Lower Keys Chamber Golf Tournament and probably the most popular festival of all, Fantasy Fest. Which is an annual 10-day festival very similar to New Orleans's Mardi Gras.

November and December offer many festivities celebrating the holiday season. Live theater productions are offered in almost every town in the Florida Keys and you can see many fine productions any time of the year. As you can see, there are many festivals and events in the Florida Keys that you could plan an entire vacation around.