SOUTH FLORIDA
OCTOBER
17-19 Oktoberfest, beer, food, bands, stein-holding contest, keg tapping, parade of flags, gifts, vendors and carnival rides. 6-11 p.m. Friday, 2-11 p.m. Saturday and noon-8 p.m. Sunday at the American German Club, 5111 Lantana Road, Lake Worth. $12 advance age 15 and up ($20 at the gate), $8 age 7-14, free for under 7. oktoberfestflorida.com.
22-25 South Beach Seafood Festival, 13th annual curated showcase of South Florida’s leading chefs and culinary masters featuring a variety of events with the best seafood in Miami and stone crab season kick-off. VIP Chef Showdown, dinner experiences and beachfront festivities. Times, locations and ticket prices vary. sobeseafoodfest.com.
29-Nov. 2 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, 66th annual display of vessels, marine products, lifestyle experiences, luxury hospitality, industry seminars and high-end exhibitors. Seven locations: Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Las Olas Marina, Hall of Fame Marina, SuperYacht Village at Pier Sixty-Six South, Pier Sixty-Six Marina, Broward County Convention Center and 17th Street Yacht Basin. Times and ticket prices vary. flibs.com.
NOVEMBER
16-23 Miami Book Fair, Miami Dade College’s literary festival with world-renowned authors, cultural influencers, Evenings With headliners, Opening Day Block Party, Lost Chapter rooftop lounge, Children’s Alley and The Next Page signature dinner. Times, locations and prices vary in Miami. miamibookfair.com.
DECEMBER
5-7 Art Basel: Miami Beach, leading galleries from five continents show significant works by masters of modern and contemporary art along with emerging stars. The show is divided into sectors, each with a specific focus, and features art and culture conversations. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily at Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive. Ticket prices vary. artbasel.com/miami-beach.
5-6 & 10-12 Holiday Magic, fundraiser for the preservation of the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens in Fort Lauderdale. VIP Opening Reception, Whimsical Wonderland and Evening Experiences. Trees, wreaths and centerpieces throughout the house will be for sale. Times and ticket prices vary at the Bonnet House, 900 N. Birch Road. bonnethouse.org/holiday-magic.
11-14 Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival, presented by Wine Spectator, featuring more than 50 chefs and culinary talent along with 20-plus signature events and tastings. A portion of proceeds benefits Els for Autism. Various locations in Palm Beach County. Ticket prices vary. pbfoodwinefest.com.
13 The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, decorated boats of all sizes travel along the New River, east to the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale and north to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Stranahan House, 335 SE Sixth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets available for purchase for the Parade Viewing Area with seating, Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park, 80 Las Olas Circle, Fort Lauderdale. Other viewing areas include bridges and The Riverside Hotel, 620 E. Las Olas Blvd. winterfestparade.com.
JANUARY
16-Feb. 1 South Florida Fair, food, rides, vendors, entertainment, daily parades, agricultural exhibits, animals and Yesteryear Village history park. This year’s theme, “Party with the Pirates.” South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach. Times and ticket prices vary. southfloridafair.com.
19-25 Seventh annual Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival, signature events, culinary classes and exclusive dinner series showcasing Greater Fort Lauderdale’s culinary scene. Headline celebrity personalities and chefs include Richard Blais, Eddie Jackson, Nancy Fuller, Jason Smith, Clarice Lam, Ron Dimpflmaier, Remy Powell and Dario Stephen. Times, locations and ticket prices vary in Fort Lauderdale. vlfoodwine.com.
Courtesy
This year’s Key West Fantasy Fest Parade with its magical floats, marvelous marching groups and crazy kinetic creations will kick off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25. (Photo Carol Tedesco/FantasyFest.com)
FLORIDA KEYS
OCTOBER
Ongoing through Oct. 31 Taste the Keys, participating restaurants showcase their creative cuisine with prix-fixe menus, along with taking part in a Signature Dish Showdown and Trolley Foodie Tours. Times, locations and costs vary throughout the Keys. tastethekeys.com.
16-19 REEF Fest!, 10th year of ocean-themed seminars and social events for divers, snorkelers and ocean lovers to learn about the latest in conservation. Times and costs vary at REEF Campus, 98380 Overseas Highway, Key Largo. reef.org/reeffest.
17-26 Fantasy Fest, Royal Coronation, The Bahama Village Goombay Festival, costume contests, parades, ball, tea dance, street fair, dance parties, Zombie Bike Ride and Mrs. Roper Romp. This year’s theme is “Bedtime Stories & Magical Monsters.” Times, locations and costs vary in Key West. fantasyfest.com.
NOVEMBER
2-9 Offshore Key West World Championship, World’s Fastest Boat Parade, offshore racing, parties, build-a-boat contest and awards ceremony. Times vary at the end of Southard Street, Key West. $25 per day, free for age 12 and under and military. VIP available. raceworldoffshore.com/key-west.
12-16 Key West Film Festival, annual celebration of contemporary cinema showcasing the best of Florida filmmaking, discussions, workshops, juried Critics’ Prize, and scholarships and awards for student filmmakers. Times, locations and costs vary in Key West. keywestff.com.
22 Tour de Keys, charity bike ride from Key Largo or Marathon to Key West to support two nonprofits, MARC Inc. and AH Monroe, that empower adults with developmental disabilities and provide health and housing support. Registration fees vary. tourdekeys.donordrive.com/home.
DECEMBER
5 Islamorada Chamber of Commerce Holiday Fest, Holiday Fest Snow Mountain with 3 tons of snow, 35-foot holiday tree, parade, Holiday Bazaar, Mister Gingerbread Man and Miss Sugarplum Fairy Contest and ornament competition. 4-10 p.m. on the Great Lawn at Founders Park, 87000 Overseas Highway, Islamorada. Free. islamoradachamber.com/holiday-fest.
26-27 Key West Home Tours, presented by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, gives an up-close look at five distinctive homes and their gardens featuring architectural treasures and cultural gems. Additional dates are Jan. 23-24, Feb. 13-14 and March 13-14. Self-guided tours from 1-4 p.m. Pickup and purchase tickets at the Oldest House Museum shop, 322 Duval St., Key West. Prices vary. oirf.org/home-tours.
JANUARY
10-11 Florida Keys Celtic Festival, Celtic rock and traditional music, Irish and Scottish dancing, Pipes and Drums, Children’s Glen, Celtic (and Keys) foods and crafts vendors. Highland Athletics, the original Strongman sport, features a sanctioned Woman’s Highland Athletics Competition and Marathon “Celtic Games” Competition. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Marathon Community Park, 200 36th St. (oceanside), Marathon. Ticket prices vary. floridakeyscelticfestival.com.
27-31 Mile 0 Fest, boutique music festival with a lineup of Red Dirt and Americana artists, including Stephen Wilson Jr., Randy Rogers Band, Shane Smith & The Saints, Paul Cauthen and others. Times and ticket prices vary at Coffee Butler/Truman Waterfront Park Amphitheater, 21 Quay Road, Key West. mile0fest.com.
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“Hero’s Horse” by Kevin Box is one of the sculptures on display in Origami in the Garden Exhibition at Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens in Punta Gorda. (Origami in the Garden/Courtesy)
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Ongoing through April 19 Origami in the Garden, large-scale outdoor exhibition of metal structures representing the delicate, poetic and narrative-filled nature of paper-folding by origami masters. Workshops, stations and hands-on learning. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens, 5827 Riverside Drive, Punta Gorda. $20 adults, $17 seniors, $10 Reciprocal Garden Members, free for age 4 and under, and members. peacerivergardens.org/OITG.
OCTOBER
17-19 & 24-26 Oktoberfest, food, German beer, live music and dancing. 4-midnight Fridays, noon-midnight Saturdays and noon-8 p.m. Sundays at German American Social Club of Cape Coral, 2101 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. $8 advance, $10 at the gate, free for ages 11 and under. capecoraloktoberfest.com.
25 Gulfcoast Pride Festival, presented by Gulf Coast Community Foundation, street fair with over 100 vendors, performances from local and national entertainers such as Zee Machine, drag show, food from top local restaurants. Noon-5 p.m. at Rosemary District, 1371 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. Free admission. eventeny.com.
NOVEMBER
7-8 American Indigenous Arts Celebration, Seminole and Indigenous art, music, food, dance, alligator wrestling, museum exhibits, fashion show and wildlife show. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days at Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, 34725 W. Boundary Road, Clewiston. Free. ahtahthiki.com/AIAC.
13-16 Fort Myers Boat Show, 53rd annual premier display of boats and boating products and services. Experts will answer questions about basic boating knowledge and safety, Capt. Terry Fisher fishing seminars. Food and beverage vendors. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Bay and Heitman streets, Fort Myers. $20 adults, free for children 15 and under with a paid adult. goboatingflorida.com.
15 USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience, presented by Publix, culinary adventure celebrating the best local food and drink. Samples, demonstrations and exhibitors. 1-4 p.m. at Paradise Coast Sports Complex, 3940 City Gate Blvd. N, Naples. 21 and up. $60 and up (advance), $75 and up at the door. visitnaplesfl.com/event/usa-today-wine-food-experience.
20-24 American Sand Sculpting Competition, eight Master Sculptors and 10 Advanced Amateur Sculptors from 10 countries showcasing their talents in sand sculpture. Food and drink, entertainment, Quick Sand demos and kids’ sand play area. DiamondHead Beach Resort, 2000 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. $5, free for ages 2 and under. fmbsandsculpting.com.
DECEMBER
1-31 Christmas Light Canal Cruises, 40-year tradition offering family-oriented cruises to tour residential canals to view Christmas lights, displays and decorations on homes, boats, seawalls and docks. Times and ticket prices vary at King Fisher Fleet, Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. kingfisherfleet.com/christmas-light-canal-cruise.
5-28 Holiday Lights, ⅓-mile fully decorated Pine Loop Trail, holiday music and hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows at the firepit. 6-9 p.m. Fridays, Saturday and Sundays at Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers. $13 adults, $7 children and free for members. calusanature.org.
JANUARY
17-18 Fine Arts & Crafts Festival, 34th annual event presented by the Venice-Nokomis Rotary Club. More than 100 artists, beer and wine, food trucks, music and Duck Pluck Tent. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Venice Airport Festival Grounds, 610 Airport Ave. E, Venice. $5 at the gate, free for kids under 10. venicenokomisrotary.org/art-fest.
Orlando Sentinel
A group of women wear traditional Colombian dresses at a previous FusionFest Seneff Arts Plaza at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
ORLANDO & CENTRAL FLORIDA
OCTOBER
Select nights through Nov. 1 Howl-O-Scream, three new haunted houses (five total), six scare zones, rides, themed bars and shows. Times and ticket prices vary at SeaWorld, 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando. seaworld.com.
25-26 Mount Dora Craft Fair, more than 350 exhibitors selling their fine art and fun crafts. Festival food, music, beer, wine, cocktails and guest appearances. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. both days on the streets of historic downtown Mount Dora, 230 W. Fourth Ave. Free admission. mtdoracraftfair.com.
31 Nightmare at the Pointe, multivenue Halloween party with each bar transforming into a live-action tribute to iconic scary movies. Eerie decor, themed cocktails and DJ. 7 p.m. at Live! at the Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Orlando. 21 and up. Free. VIP available. liveatthepointeorlando.com.
NOVEMBER
1-Jan. 18 Christmas Spectacular! Holiday Home Tours, 14th annual event recognized by USA Today as “#1 Christmas Display in Florida.” Visit 10 rooms designed and decorated by the owners with each one honoring a different traditional Christmas song. Times and ticket prices vary at the Stetson Mansion, 1031 Camphor Lane, Deland. stetsonmansion.com.
2 North River Community Market, community gathering space showcasing local vendors, fresh foods, artisan goods, entertainment, food trucks and family activities and games. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at The Yard at Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, 600 U.S. Highway 41, Palmetto. Free admission. Additional dates are Dec. 7 and Jan. 4. northrivermarket.com.
28-Jan. 4 Dazzling Nights, an immersive holiday light experience. Hanging lanterns, interactive lights, light tunnel, rollable ornaments, laser lights, snow, trees, show, displays, treats and holiday beverages. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. Times and ticket prices vary. dazzlingorlando.com.
29-30 FusionFest, eighth annual multicultural festival with arts and crafts, author showcase, citizenship ceremony, cultural displays, fashion, Family Village, music, dance, films, food and games. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday at the Seneff Arts Plaza Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. Free admission. fusionfest.org/annual-festival-2025.
DECEMBER
11-14 Nutcracker on the Indian River, Ballet Vero Beach takes Marie on a holiday journey from New York to Florida. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday at the Riverside Theatre, 3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach. Ticket prices vary. On sale Nov. 1. balletverobeach.org.
JANUARY
17-18 Central Florida Highland Games, traditional highland athletics, competitions, dance, art, music, culture and food. Times and ticket prices vary at Central Winds Park, 1000 Central Winds Drive, Winter Springs. flascot.com.
25-26 Manatee Festival, entertainment, arts and crafts, music, dancing, manatee viewing, Disc Connected K9s, children’s area and environmental conservation displays. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. both days at Valentine Park, Orange City. 1511 W French Ave. $13 adults, $3 age 4-12, free age 3 and under, and $10 dogs. Proceeds benefit Friends of Blue Spring State Park, educational scholarships and other Greater Orange City organizations. themanateefestival.com.
South Florida Sun Sentinel
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will perform in the Sea and Sky Air Show in Jacksonville Beach Oct. 25-26. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
NORTHEAST FLORIDA
OCTOBER
Ongoing through Nov. 2 Sykes Family Farms Crop Maze, 9-acre maze, you-pick sunflowers, hayride, playgrounds, races and viewing of farm animals. 6-10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays at Sykes Family Farms, 5995 Brough Road, Elkton. Costs vary. sycofarms.com.
25-26 Sea and Sky Air Show, over-the-ocean sky show highlighted by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, and other air acts and military demonstrations. Starting at 11 a.m. both days at Jacksonville Beach, 75 First St. N. Free admission. VIP available. events.jacksonville.gov/special-events/sea-and-sky-air-show.
NOVEMBER
1-2 Halifax Art Festival, more than 150 fine artists and artisans from all over the country, entertainment, student art competition and children’s activities, benefiting the Museum of Arts and Sciences. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday along Beach Street, Daytona Beach. Free admission. halifaxartfestival.com.
8 Jacksonville PorchFest, family-friendly festival with music, craft beer, food trucks and arts market. Noon-8 p.m. in the Northwest Quadrant of Historic Springfield (between Main and Perry streets, and Eighth and 10th streets). Free admission. jacksonvilleporchfest.org.
15-Jan. 11 Nights of Lights, more than 3 million lights illuminate St. Augustine’s historic district for two months. Trains, trolleys and specialty tours available. Light-Up! Night ceremony begins at 4-7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 with a performance by Showtime USA in front of City Hall, 75 King St., St. Augustine. Free. visitstaugustine.com/event/nights-lights.
22-Feb. 8 Colors of the Wild, presented by Community First Credit Union, a Zoolights Lantern Experience exploring stories of wildlife, myth and the natural world. 5:30-9:30 p.m. select nights at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville. Ticket prices vary. jacksonvillezoo.org/colors-of-the-wild.
27-30 Daytona Turkey Run, 52nd annual event with show cars, swap meet, car corral and artisan alley, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday at the Daytona International Speedway, 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. $20 adults Thursday through Saturday and $15 Sunday and free for children 11 and under. turkeyrun.com.
DECEMBER
11-14 Dickens on Centre, a Victorian Christmas market and holiday festival. Illuminated procession, trolley tours, portraits with St. Nick, Enchanted Village, 1-mile fun run, Marley’s Masquerade, Parade of Paws, vendors and movies. Times vary at historic downtown Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island. Free admission. ameliaisland.com/dickens-on-centre.
31 Light Up The Night! New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show, display over the ocean. 8:30-10 p.m. at St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. Free admission. staugbch.com.
JANUARY
23-25 IMAGES Festival For The Arts, 50th annual event with $30,000 in cash awards to artists. Works from more than 250 artists, food trucks, entertainment and Creative Education activities for children. Times vary at Riverside Drive and Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach. Free admission. imagesartfestival.org.
Getty Images for Netflix
Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin will have a Q&A after a screening of the movie at Morsani Hall at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa on Dec. 4. (Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix)
NORTHWEST FLORIDA & PANHANDLE
OCTOBER
18-19 Cedar Key Lions Seafood Festival, 54th annual event with food, arts and crafts, entertainment and family fun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce, 450 Second St., Cedar Key. Free admission. cedarkey.org.
23-26 Haunted Carnival, fourth annual music festival with Steve Aoki, Rick Ross, Irie, rides, games and Family Fun Zone. Times and ticket prices vary at Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa. piedpiperproductions.com.
31-Nov. 1 Florida Seafood Festival, arts and crafts exhibits, seafood-related events, music, oyster-eating and oyster-shucking contest, blue crab races, photo contest, parade, 5K Redfish Run, The Blessing of the Fleet, History of the Festival Exhibit and Tonging For Treasure. 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. at Battery Park, 1 Bay Ave., Apalachicola. Free admission. floridaseafoodfestival.com/
NOVEMBER
1-2 Micanopy Fall Festival, 50th annual event with arts and crafts, music and auction. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday along Cholokka Boulevard in Micanopy. Free admission. micanopyfallfestival.org.
21-23 Suncoast Jazz Festival, 35th annual event with headliners Tuba Skinny, Wycliffe Gordon, Diego Figueiredo, Jason Marsalis and Ken Peplowski. Times and ticket prices vary at Sheraton Sand Key Resort, 1160 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater. suncoastjazzfestival.com.
21-30 & Dec. 5-24 Pensacola Winterfest, free pre-shows, visits with Santa and the Grinch each night of the event. Polar Express, Grinch’s Merry Match, Cheer Up, It’s Christmas Charlie Brown, Mistletoe Magic and Scrooge trolley tours. First performance is at 5 p.m. Fridays and 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Select nights at plazas around the Old County Courthouse at the corner of Palafox and Government Streets in downtown Pensacola. Ticket prices vary. pensacolawinterfest.org.
DECEMBER
4 Home Alone: A Nostalgic Night With Macaulay Culkin, Q&A with the actor following a screening of the 35th anniversary of Home Alone. 7:30 p.m. at Morsani Hall at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. Macinnes Place, Tampa. Ticket prices vary. strazcenter.org.
JANUARY
24-25 Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, arts and crafts, demonstrations, stage combat, living chessboard, royal knighting ceremonies, food court and music and dance. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days at Depot Park, 874 SE Fourth St., Gainesville. Free admission. hoggetownemedfaire.com.
31 Gasparilla Pirate Fest, brunch, Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of the Pirates with 140 units of krewes, floats, marching bands and social organizations, performances on music stages. 9 a.m.-10 p.m. on Bayshore Boulevard in downtown Tampa. Free admission. Reserved seating available for purchase. gasparillapiratefest.com.