What's New: Events

The Amelia Island Wellness Festival - Amelia Island - In Spring 2020, escape the fast pace of daily life and focus on yourself in a serene, oceanfront setting with 13 miles of beaches. The Amelia Island Wellness Festival features a weekend of experiences with wellness masters from the fields of yoga, mindfulness, dance and fitness. A variety of entertainment and inspiring activities will stimulate your mind and senses, while the Festival culminates in a vision of how you can live in the moment with a sense of well-being. 

Bands on the Beach - Pensacola - Each Tuesday from April to October the Bands on the Beach concert series lets you enjoy live music while the sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico. A diverse line up of local and regional artists take the stage at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach each week at 7 p.m. 

Bourbon, Burgers, & Beer - Destin - One of Destin’s famous food and drink festivals taking place on September 19, 2020. The event will include food from local restaurants, local breweries and bourbon tastings, live music, kids activities and more

Dickens on Centre festival - Amelia Island - Travel back in time December 2020 during the 6th annual Dickens on Centre festival in Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach. Free to the public, enjoy costumed characters, themed entertainment and performances, visits from Saint Nick and a variety of vendors selling seasonal gifts and wares. 

Digital Graffiti – Alys Beach - This festival, May 15-16, is a one-of-a-kind projection art festival where artists use the latest digital technologies to project their original works onto the iconic white walls of Alys Beach. Underground artists around the globe have been using the latest design, animation and projection technologies for many years to cast dynamic images onto urban structures as a means of artistic expression. 

Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival - Pensacola - The Frank Brown Songwriters’ Festival is the oldest festival of its kind and has been referred to as the largest gathering of songwriters at one time anywhere in the world. Festival attendees will enjoy an up close and personal concert experience this November. Attendees are often able to learn the stories behind some of their favorite songs as told by the original author. 

Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival - Pensacola - The three-day, juried art show draws more than 200 of the country's best painters, potters, sculptors, jewelers, graphic artists, craftsmen and other artists. It is held each year beginning on the first Friday in November. It's the perfect time and place to begin holiday shopping or to treat yourself to a handmade treasure.

Gulf Breeze Arts Festival -  Gulf Breeze - Gulf Breeze High School parking hosts 115+ local, regional and national fine artists and heritage artists, who will be setting up and selling their fine art March 28-29. An art raffle tent, a Children’s Alley, live performance artists and live art demonstrations will all be part of the action as well. Proceeds from the festival benefit school programs throughout Santa Rosa and Escambia counties.

Jay Pro Rodeo - Jay - Bareback Bronc Riding, Barrel Racing, Breakaway Roping, Bull Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, all held by the Professional Cowboy Association in the Ted May Arena from April 24-25. Children can enjoy the show plus the calf scramble, free bounce houses, free face painting, the petting zoo, cow patty bingo and more. Every dollar from this event goes to local youth programs. 

The Lodge at Wakulla Springs Spooky Cruise - Wakulla Springs - While dinner cruises at The Lodge at Wakulla Springs are a monthly attraction, no event sends fear into the hearts of guests quite like the Spooky Springs Cruise. On October 26, dive into the history behind the filming of Creature from the Black Lagoon while floating in a glass-bottom boat above the monster’s lair and learn about the legends of some of the Lodge’s spirited, permanent guests. 

Pensacola Interstate Fair -  Pensacola - For more than 80 years, families have flocked to the fair for good, old-fashioned entertainment including dozens of rides on the Reithoffer Midway, games of skill and chance, livestock exhibits and auctions, arts and crafts shows, live entertainment and the ever-popular fair food delicacies that only come once a year at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds. This year, the fair will be Oct. 22-Nov. 1. 

Pensacola Seafood Festival - Pensacola - The annual Pensacola Seafood Festival takes over the town each fall, attracting more than 100,000 attendees during the three-day event that takes place the last weekend in September. The Festival is also one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in Northwest Florida, with more than 130 vendors. 

Sandestin Wine Festival – South Walton -The Sandestin Wine Festival is held April 11-14 at the Village of Baytowne Wharf. The event gets under way with the Official Kickoff Party in the Village Thursday night. Wine seminars and dinners round out day one of the events. Friday, guests can enjoy an elaborate four-course seafood menu paired with premium champagnes aboard the Solaris. Saturday will feature hundreds of domestic and international wines and offers excellent eats from local restaurants with the Savor South Walton experience. 

Science Spooktacular by the Sea - Navarre Beach - Join us for our annual fundraiser Science Spooktacular from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m on October 31. Science stations are set up for you to enjoy and are led by outstanding Santa Rosa County teachers. The family friendly event features glow in the dark science demonstrations, spine chilling dissections, haunted beach walk, hands-on activities and crafts for children. 

Seagrass Awareness Festival - Gulf Breeze - Learn about seagrasses, marine creatures that live in seagrasses and how to protect the coastal resources this March at the 20th Annual Seagrass Awareness Festival this March 6, 2020. This family-friendly event invites kids and adults to come feel marine life, eat a “seagrass bed,” make shark tooth necklaces, play games, create art and crafts, learn about boat safety, go kayaking and more! 

Sonshine Family Farms Corn Mazes and Mini Golf - Milton - This September, experience mazes, a playground area with swings, slides and a kiddie train ride! The farm also includes a zip line, horse and pony rides, tether ball courts, corn toss board and a concession stand with refreshments and food. On October 26 the farm will host a “Monster Maze” from 8 p.m. until midnight with a live band, bonfire, costume contest, candy and “Monsters.”

Taste of the Beach - Pensacola - Taste of the Beach brings the best of Pensacola’s restaurants right down to the sandy shoreline for a weekend celebration of all things southern, seafood, savory and sweet this fall, 2020. Throughout the weekend, local chefs whip up their favorite dishes and even a few new culinary experiments featuring oysters, shrimp, crawfish and the most delicious seafood the gulf has to offer.

Tunes by the Dunes - Navarre Beach- The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce will host its 12th Annual Free Summer Concert Series at the Sand Crab Pavilion in Navarre Beach Park. The summer concert series will offer an exciting line-up of 12 free outdoor concerts every Thursday from May to August. 

The Shrimp ‘N Grit Festival - Destin -  - One of the best food and drink events to take place all year is coming back February 29, 2020. The festival features local restaurants, breweries, bourbon tastings, live music, kid friendly activities, and much more!

WinterFEST at Adventure Landing Jacksonville Beach - Jacksonville - Jacksonville is hosting its 8th annual WinterFEST celebration featuring a spectacular outdoor ice-skating rink and ice slide. To make the season extra merry, Adventure Landing is transforming its Shipwreck Island Water Park and wave pool into a cozy Alpine experience complete with ice skating, Blizzard Bluff Village, Crystal Creek Lodge and the Mistletoe Marketplace.

39th Annual St. Rose of Lima International Fall Festival - Milton - The 39th Annual St. Rose of Lima International Fall Festival draws in a crowd with signature international and fair food including Filipino, Polish, Italian, BBQ, Cajun, Funnel Cakes and more! Work up your appetite on Saturday morning 5K Run/Walk then head on over to dig into some fantastic food! Dates to be announced.

Art in the Park - Brooksville - The Gulf Coast’s largest Art Festival with over 115 artisans participating in the annual juried show featuring fine art, fine craft, craft artist vendors, student art, and live entertainment. The event is from March 14-15, 2020. 

Blues Bash at The Ranch - Brooksville - Three days of incredible blues artists and workshops from March 20-22. Enjoy this new dog-friendly festival with music, dancing, and fun activities. Choose to camp or purchase a single day pass. 

The Bradenton Blues Festival - Bradenton - This year, in December, Bradenton serves as the host to the annual  “Blues Festival of the Year” which takes over the streets of the area’s quaint downtown and Riverwalk and draws thousands of music lovers from near and far in search of unbeatable blues and opportunities to enjoy the idyllic weather. The event offers an entire “Blues Weekend”, which is jam-packed with opportunities for visitors and residents alike to immerse themselves in the Blues not only on the main stage, but throughout the destination. 

Brooksville Blueberry Festival - Brooksville - The Brooksville Blueberry Festival from  April 25-26, 2020 is also known as the “The Best Little Festival in Florida.” The event transforms downtown Brooksville with a celebration of all things blueberry. Enjoy live music in concert, a wide variety of dynamic vendors and family-friendly activities.

Brushes, Bites & Blues - Daytona Beach - ONE DAYTONA is hosting its inaugural art festival - Brushes, Bites & Blues - in partnership with Gallery 500 from April 4-5, 2020. The art show offers a weekend of art and culture highlighted by multiple fine artists and fine craft artisans, live entertainment and a vintage car show. 

Caladium Festival - Sebring - Lake Placid is the Caladium capital of the world, caladiums are colorful plants grown in large fields. The gorgeous fields in Lake Placid have been compared to the tulip fields in Holland. The Caladium Festival celebrates the beauty of this plant each August. The celebration includes caladium field bus tours, art competitions, bulb and plant sale, art and craft vendors, classic car and bike show, 5K race, floral arrangement competition, beer garden, wine tasting, and live entertainment. 

Casselberry Folk Festival - Casselberry - The 3rd Annual Casselberry Folk Festival will be held on April 15 from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Lake Concord Park behind Casselberry City Hall. The event will feature the work of Central Florida’sbest contemporary and folk artists. Local artisans, product vendors and food merchants will also be at the event

Children’s Art Festival - Vero Beach - Great for kids of all ages, the 37th Children's Art Festival will be held on April 25, 2020 at the Vero Beach Museum of Art. This fun family event is free and will include art making activities for the kids, entertainment and student art displays. 

Coke Zero Sugar 400 - Daytona Beach - The Coke Zeros Sugar 400 is moving from the July 4th holiday weekend to August 29 in 2020. From August 27-29, fans enjoy the festivities and explore the World’s Most Famous Beach. Serving as the regular-season finale, the 160-lap, 400-mile race will now provide one last exciting opportunity for drivers to qualify for the NASCAR playoffs.

CookieFest - Sebring - Children are invited to decorate cookies with a local pastry chef, as well as make holiday crafts with artists at CookieFest this Winter. Kids can even handwrite letters to Santa. Cultivate your child’s inner-baker and whip-up some holiday treats. Registration is required, but admission is free thanks to the sponsorship of The Palms of Sebring. 

Downtown Sarasota Pineapple Drop - Sarasota - The free annual downtown Sarasota celebration features amusement rides, food and beer concessions, live music and a fantastic firework display to bring in the New Year by Sarasota Bay. The party kicks off on December 31 and will last until the new year. 

Dunnellon Boomtown Days - Dunnellon - Catch a glimpse of Ocala/Marion County’s mining history on April 18, 2020. This annual festival is a springtime tradition including a craft fair, antique car show, food truck competition and the Queen of the Rainbow Beauty Pageant. The Boomtown Days Festival is the perfect way to spend time with the family in the April sunshine.

Golden Retriever National Specialty Show - Ocala - The Mid-Florida Golden Retriever Club has been named as the US national host of the 2020 AKC Golden Retriever Club of America National Specialty Show, which will include nearly 800 dogs, 13 days of competition, social events, clinics, seminars, shopping and more. This event will span October 16-28, 2020 at the beautiful new World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida.

Harvey Milk Festival - Sarasota - On May 11 The Harvey Milk Festival is coming back to Sarasota. The festival features a variety of attractions including live music, film, performing and visual artists, speakers, and vendors designed to engage a large and diverse audience. In addition to event programming, Harvey Milk Festival is growing to include more education and outreach initiatives to better engage local and regional communities.

Hibiscus Festival - Vero Beach - The Vero Beach downtown historic district, recognized as the area’s art district, is the backdrop for the Hibiscus Festival Art Show. More than 50 artists will display art for sale, including ceramics, metals, oils, acrylics, photography, sculpture, watercolor and wood. Visit us to learn more about this 17th annual event March 28-29, 2020.

Lake Mary-Heathrow Festival of the Arts - Lake Mary - The 33rd Annual Lake Mary-Heathrow Festival of the Arts will take place March 7-8 at Oval Park in Lake Mary. Visitors from Florida, the United States and around the globe flock to this yearly event to view fine art and craft exhibits, enjoy live entertainment, and savor appetizing treats from local food trucks. The festivities will also include a children’s creative village and a VIP tent. 

Live Oak International - Ocala - Live Oak International is celebrating its 29th year as a world-renowned show jumping and combined driving competition. Each year, this event draws the leading drivers, riders, trainers, coaches and owners from Europe and North America. It regularly draws some 10,000 spectators during the four days. The 2020 Live Oak International edition takes place Thursday through Sunday, March 5-8. Daily general admission tickets are $10. 

McKee Waterlily Celebration – Vero Beach - On June 20, 2020, The McKee Botanical Gardens will host its annual waterlily festival and enchant travelers with colorful blooms and sweet perfumes. The lilies also provide ecological benefits for ponds, creating a natural sunshade for fish and minimizing algae growth. With more than 500 blooms, this waterlily collection is the largest in the Sunshine state. 

McIntosh 1890s Festival - McIntosh - Travel back in time at the McIntosh 1890’s Festival celebration held on October 26, 2020. Discover the area’s rich history while walking down tree-lined streets filled with unique vendors, music, face painting and great food. 

Ocala Arts Festival - Ocala - The 54th Annual Ocala Arts Festival returns from October 26-27, 2020. Free and open to the public, festival goers have many options to choose from, including browsing art from a variety of artists across the country to sampling food from local vendors. Kids will enjoy the special hands-on activities and live performances will be taking place throughout Historic Downtown Ocala all weekend long.

Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival - Clearwater - Clearwater Beach’s two most notable assets, its white sugar sand and beautiful sunsets, take center stage for 17 days from April 10-26, 2020. The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival is a beach wide celebration with more than 14 sand sculptors from around the globe and 1,000 tons of Clearwater Beach sand. This walk through art exhibit helps raise money for the community and supports the educational initiatives of the Sunsets at Pier 60 Daily Festival.  

Sandy Shoes Seafood & Brew Festival - St. Lucie - Each Spring this annual event is one that locals and visitors alike don’t want to miss. The event takes place on the waterfront, along the beautiful Indian River Lagoon, featuring local artists, performers and the best seafood on the Treasure Coast! Guests will not want to miss the friendly competitions such as the annual Citrus Squeeze-off, Chowder Cup Competition and Local Celebrity Food Demonstrations. This is sure to be a fun-filled day for all! The event will take place on March 21.

Sebring Art, Wine and Jazz Festival - Sebring - A free celebration of music, food, art, and wine during the first weekend in November. The festival offers a juried art competition, emerging artists receiving scholarship awards, a children’s art tent, a whole culinary street dedicated to local food vendors and mobile food trucks, and live music and entertainment.

Sebring Soda Festival - Sebring - On April 3-5 Sebring will host the 3rd annual Sebring Soda Festival. The festival will include over 200 craft sodas available for sample, food trucks, live music, family activities and a craft beer garden. Tickets available for purchase online at https://www.sebringsodafest.com/about-the-festival. 

Sights & Sounds on 2nd Street Festival & Parade - St. Lucie - Main Street Fort Pierce has a day full of family-friendly activities planned for the first weekend in December. Enjoy entertainment by local dance groups, food vendors, arts and crafts, a kids’ zone and a parade. The popular “Holiday Lights Spectacular '' in Marina Square which consists of over 100,000 lights synchronized to holiday music is a must-see for local and out of town guests! Event date TBD.

Spring Jazz and Art Festival - Casselberry - Dynamic performers Paul Taylor and Michael Lington will join forces to co-headline the City of Casselberry’s Spring Jazz & Art Festival on Saturday, March 21, 6-9 p.m. at Lake Concord Park. Taylor is a smooth jazz saxophonist who has collaborated with many R&B vocalists including Regina Bell, Peabo Bryson and Maxi Priest. 

Sugar Sand Festival - Clearwater Beach - The Sugar Sand Festival is a 17-day beach wide celebration of Clearwater Beach’s two most notable natural assets: sugar sand and sunsets from April 10-26. More than 14 master sand sculptors use 1,000 tons of Clearwater Beach sand to create a walk through art exhibit housed in a 21,000 square-foot structure. 

Surfing Santas - Cocoa - Santa will be catching some waves this Christmas Eve at the biggest holiday event of the season on Florida’s Space Coast. In 2019 nearly 600 surfing Santas joined us in the surfing capital of the East Coast and rode waves in front of 10,000 spectators. In true Christmas spirit, event proceeds are donated to local charities.To date, they have raised over $130 thousand for two local non-profit organizations: Grind for Life and the Florida Surf Museum! Event date TBD.

Symphony on the Sand -  Anna Maria Island - In November, as part of the ArtsHOP weekend, one of the destination’s most upscale events, Symphony on the Sand, will return to Coquina Beach and provide the opportunity for guests to enjoy the award-winning Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra during sunset on Anna Maria Island as well as complimentary wine, beer and the best delicacies from the top area restaurants - all while Broadway tunes, the Beatles, Mozart, American classics and patriotic favorites fill the air. 

Under the Oaks - Vero Beach - From March 13-15, more than 80,000 visitors will descend on the park as Under the Oaks gets underway with 200 vendors: artists, painters, jewelers, sculptures, pottery and ceramic, glass artists and more. Florida Magazine readers voted it the “best arts and crafts festival in Florida," and it was rated #2 in the 25th edition of Sunshine Artist’s “100 Best Fine Arts and Design Shows in America.”

Uptown Art Expo. - Altamonte Springs - From February 29 - March 1, head over to Altamonte Springs to experience the Uptown Art Expo. Legendary musician, John Waite will be performing his catalog of hits from his 40-year career as a solo artist and offering a VIP/Meet & Greet package. 

Venice Brew Bash - Venice - Try more than 60 import beers This Memorial Day Weekend, along with craft suds from local and  regional breweries. This event is the perfect opportunity for beer aficionados, beer lovers or just the casual beer drinker. Representatives from the breweries will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. Tickets are required to participate in the beer sampling. Prices are $35 in advance and $45 at the door for beer samplers. 

Venice Shark's Tooth Festival - Venice - The Shark's Tooth Festival highlights fossil collectors from across the southeast who display and sell shark's teeth and other prehistoric fossils, and more than 100 artists offer their original work. Join us for a fun event from April 3-5 in the “Shark’s tooth capital of the world” with an awesome lineup of live music, delicious food and vendors - all supporting Special Olympics Florida - Sarasota County.

 Vero Beach Wine and Film Festival – Vero Beach - From June 11-14, 2020, The 5th Annual Vero Beach Wine + Film Festival is a marriage of fine wines and films to provide a social, cultural event over a long weekend of private events in intimate settings. Featuring top boutique vintners from around the country and unique films from both Hollywood and Independents, this is a unique, full-bodied experience to celebrate “a life worth living.”

Weeki Wachee Swamp Fest - Spring Hill- One of the premier fine arts, crafts and music festivals in the southeast includes the Swamp Monster contest and over 140 vendors and crafters, entertainment, live bands including country, folk, and toe-tapping tunes. The event is from March 6-8, 2020.

3rd Annual NSB Wine and Food Fest - New Smyrna Beach - The NSB Wine and Food Fest will return from April 23-24, 2020 to the beautiful, waterfront Brannon Center. Sample over 250 wines and food pairings from acclaimed local chefs. Last year’s festivities included a winemaker’s dinner, featuring wines from Pride Mountain Vineyards and Chalk Hill, and the main Grand Tasting event.