Key West Events and Festivals

(Key West, Florida - FL, USA)

There is always some type of event or festival in Key West in every month of the year with new ones being dreamt up all the time. The street festivals are lively, colorful and exciting and the annual fishing and gay pride festivals are particularly popular.

Key West's helpful tourist information office is always a useful source for current events and festivals in Key West. Many of the events and festivals in Key West draw enormous crowds of both participants and spectators, and provide tourists with a wide range of things to see and do whilst staying in Florida's Key West.

National Public Holidays

• 1st January - New Year's Day
• Third Monday in January - Martin Luther King Day
• 12th February - Lincoln's Birthday
• Third Monday in February - Washington's Birthday
• Last Monday in May - Memorial Day
• 4th July - Independence Day
• First Monday in September - Labor Day
• Second Monday in October - Columbus Day
• 11th November - Veterans Day
• 4th Thursday in November - Thanksgiving
• 25th December - Christmas Day

Key West Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• House and Garden Tour - mid-January, a number of important, private houses and gardens and opened to the public
• Literary Seminar - mid-January, with writing workshops and related events held at various venues throughout Key West
• Key West Yacht Race Week - mid-January, a number of yacht races take place around Key west, including a race to Fort Lauderdale
• Heritage Days Festival - late January, at the historical Fort Zachary Taylor Park
• Key West Annual Craft Show - late January, featuring local handicrafts

February

• House and Garden Tour - mid-February, a number of important, private houses and gardens and opened to the public
• Old Island Days Arts Festival - late February, fine art appreciation and displays at this historic event

March

• Historic Seaport Music Festival - early March, with several concerts and musical events
• House and Garden Tour - mid-March, a number of important, private houses and gardens and opened to the public

April

• Robert Frost Poetry Festival - mid-April, with various poetry writing contests and workshops
• Conch Republic Independence Days Celebration - late April to early May - featuring parades, parties and fun events
• Schooner Wharf Wreckers Cup - late April, famous sailing race with award ceremony
• Key West Bed Races - late April, wacky races are central Key West

May

• Conch Republic Independence Celebration - early May, with competitions, parties, social events and general festivities
• Annual Key West Songwriters' Festival - mid-May, attracting many composers to Key West
• Harry South Truman Symposium - mid-May, with social gatherings and book-signings
• Annual Schooner Wharf Minimal Regatta - late May, held at the Schooner Wharf, with each team making and sailing their own boat

June

• Gay Pride Week - early to mid-June, with many festivities and parties throughout the area
• Cuban-American Heritage Festival - mid-June, celebrating Cuban cultures and customs

July

• Underwater Music Festival - mid-July, in Big Pine, an annual underwater radio broadcast at Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary for divers and snorkelers
• Hemingway Days Festival - mid-July, celebrates the renowned author with readings and competitions, including a fishing contest and a famous Hemingway look-a-like contest
• Reef Awareness Week - late July, an event to promote the beauty of the coral reef in the Florida Keys
• Key West Summer Food and Wine Festival - late July to early August, showcases Key West's brilliant chefs and the island's gastronomic delights

August

• Lobster Fest - mid-August, held on Duval Street

September

• WomenFest - early to mid-September, a lesbian festival, with many interesting events
• Key West Poker Run - mid-September, a motorbike cruise from Miami to Key West to raise money for local charities

October

• Fantasy Fest - mid to late October, themed 'Freaks, Geeks, and Goddesses' a 10-day extravaganza of parades and sights with zany costume competitions
• Annual Goombay Celebration - mid to late October, street fair in the historic Bahama Village area of Key West

November

• Key West Old Island Days - early November, celebrating Key West culture and history with an art festival, crafts show, conch shell blowing contest and house and garden tours
• Parrot Heads in Paradise - early November, 'Meeting of the Minds' street festival featuring live music
• Key West Offshore World Championships - mid-November, a week of powerboat racing

December

• Key West's Annual Holiday Parade - early December, parade with general holiday festivities
• Children's Day - early December, in the lovely Bayview Park
• Woman's Club Christmas Tree Lighting - early December, the Christmas lights are officially switched on