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Florida Music, Festivals & Events.

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At last count, Florida has more than 750 annual events that happen throughout the state, visitors are never at a loss for things to do and see. The festivals listed below include only those who are the largest in the state by attendance.

January

Art Deco Weekend Festival, Miami Beach:  This annual festival celebrates the Art Deco that is so famous in Miami. The event features guided tours, an  antique &  collectible, show, live music,  a lecture series,  a fashion show, an antique auto show, children's playground, and doggy activities.

Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival, Titusville:The Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival is a 6-day annual event held in Brevard County, Florida the last week in January. The event offers educational field trips, classes and workshops that promote the conservation of nature.

Gasparilla Pirate Fest, Tampa: Gasparilla Pirate Fest is the Tampa Bay's annual  unique and historic pirate themed festival which features the Gasparilla Invasion, Invasion Brunch, Parade of the Pirates and Invasion.

February

Daytona 500, Daytona Beach: The Daytona 500 is regarded as the most important and prestigious race on the NASCAR calendar, carrying by far the largest purse. It is also the series' first race of the year; this phenomenon is virtually unique in sports, which tend to have championships or other major events at the end of the season rather than the start.

Florida State Fair, Tampa: The Florida State Fair is a showcase of the best the state has to offer. Fairgoers can enjoy a spacious midway that provides more than 100 rides and games, fair food;  cotton candy, ice cream, and things fried!  Exhibitors come from all over the state to continue the tradition of showing off their handiwork, children participating in 4H and FFA are eager to show their skills and animals, and a visit to the Florida State Fair isn't complete without stepping back in time in Cracker Country; a rustic turn-of-the-century village.

Silver Spurs Rodeo, KissimmeeThe Silver Spurs Rodeo features a variety of exciting events held at the state-of-the-art, indoor Silver Spurs Arena such as Bareback Bronc Riding, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Tie-Down Roping and even Mutton Bustin’ for the kids!  Admission is charged

Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City: This family-oriented event features arts, crafts, horticulture, livestock, agriculture, fine arts, rides, entertainment and so much more. The Mighty Bluegrass Show's Carnival features over 60 thrilling rides in the Midway. Younger festival-goers will get their own thrills in the Strawberry Patch Kiddy Corral.  There are art and photography displays, shoe box floats constructed by children, baby contests for the best decorated diaper and the diaper derby.

March

Bike Week, Daytona Beach: The "World's Largest Motorcycle Event" rolls into Daytona Beach for 10 days featuring motorcycle shows, exhibits, concerts, racing at Daytona International Speedway and street festivals. Bike Week has been designated a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event. Bike Week activities take place at various locations throughout the Daytona Beach area. 

April

Springtime Festival, Tallahassee:Springtime Tallahassee is known for producing one of the top festivals in the southeastern United States.  The festival includes a lot of fun for families and friends, such as: the Grand Parade, Jubilee in the Park, Children’s Park, and the entertainment stages throughout the Jubilee with local and national entertainment.  Arts,, crafts and food vendors that offer a variety of items such as our Seafood Festival at Kleman Plaza. Everyone should visit our Community & Rock/Jazz/Blues Stages to enjoy great local talent. 

Dunedin Highland Games & Festival, Dunedin:  The Dunedin Celtic Festival is an annual event centered around Celtic Rock Music, craft beer, and the gathering of the clans. This is a rain or shine outdoor festival with two stages.  Each year the main stage features regional, national and international Celtic music artists along with the City of Dunedin Pipe Band.

May

Sunfest, West Palm Beach: SunFest is Florida's largest waterfront music and art festival. Held annually in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida the first week in May, SunFest attracts more than 280,000 visitors.

Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Jacksonville:  The Jacksonville jazz festival is the second largest festivals in the USA and it has been dubbed by many experts and magazines to be one of the best jazz festivals in the USA. The festival also hosts the annual "Great American Jazz Piano Competition" and wine tasting at  the "Art in the Heart" of downtown Jacksonville.

Florida Folk Festival, White Springs:  Along the banks of the historic Suwannee River in White Springs, Florida, folk artists have gathered to celebrate Florida’s land, people and diverse cultural heritage. Since its humble beginning in 1953, the Florida Folk Festival has not only grown to become Florida’s most prestigious cultural event, but also named “Florida’s Best Cultural Event.” In 2011, the festival was recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society with the honor of being a “Top 20 Event” in the southeastern United States. 

July

Coke 400, Daytona Beach:First held in 1959, the event consists of 160 laps, 400 miles and is the second of two major stock car events held at Daytona on the Sprint Cup circuit, the other being the Daytona 500. Since its inception, it has been traditionally held on or around the United States' Independence Day.

Pensacola Beach Air Show, Pensacola: The Blue Angels are always the headliner event but  the civilian air show  features 24 planes and a Saturday night concert. The shows will feature jets along with OTTO, the performing helicopter. Red Star and the Dragon, two warbird jets perform a good and evil dogfight show. Others acts will include flying aerobatics in a bi-plane, performance of  one-of-a-kind Extra 300SHP considered one of the highest performance airplanes in the world, and performance of a  high energy monoplane, and a six-aircraft, civilian formation aerobatic team.

Hemingway Days Festival, Key West: 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. Key West residents loved Ernest Hemingway. Each year his books and his life are celebrated on the island. Hemingway Days festivities include readings and book signings by national and international authors, a literary competition, and even an Ernest Hemingway look-a-like contest. There is also a deep sea fishing competition in honor of Hemingway’s love of the water and the outdoors. Whether are coming for you love of literature or just to see Hemingway look-a-likes, this event gives you a glimpse inside the life and culture of one of the greatest authors of the 20th century.

September

Pensacola Seafood Festival, Pensacola: An assortment of fresh seafood, prepared by carefully selected food vendors, is tossed with one of Northwest Florida's largest arts and craft fairs and seasoned with live entertainment to bring you a family-friendly day of fun.

September – November

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, Orlando:Each fall, as the seasons transform, so too does Epcot; where dozens of unique flavors and fun experiences unfold across the park. Enjoy the pinnacle of food and wine celebrations, celebrity chef cooking demos and some of the most unique dining opportunities in the world. Taste food from over 25 global marketplaces, attend premium events, meet master mixologists, wine experts, and celebrated chefs while soaking up the music of the outdoor concerts.

October

Biketoberfest, Daytona Beach: This award winning, internationally-recognized event provides an opportunity for a weekend get-away to the fun, beaches, and sun of Daytona, Florida. Many activities will be available, including motorcycle shows and rallies, demonstration rides, and motorcycle action on the Daytona International Speedway.

Fun Fact: For the brave at heart, the annual Rattlesnake Festival is conducted in tiny San Antonio, Florida each October. The annual Rattlesnake Festival has attracted thousands of visitors from near and far for a truly family-friendly event!

Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights: The  twisted minds of Universal Orlando's Entertainment Team have created three original concept haunted houses for Halloween Horror Nights. Guest will "die" laughing in Googles & Gore Inc., experience the terror on a community in cannibalistic turmoil in Roarke- Cannibal  Colony and face the Horrors that exist in Dollhouse of the Damned.

November

American Sand Sculpting Championship Festival, Ft. Myers Beach: Master sculptors will descend upon Ft Myers beaches and use over 1,000 tons of sand to create some of the most elaborate and amazing temporary art seen in Florida.  In addition,  the states aspiring amateurs will vie for the title of State Champion! This competition in conjunction with exhibitions and participation events have made the American Sand Sculpting Championships one of the top 20 events in the Southern U.S. and is truly a must see.  

 Mid November – January 31

Nights of Lights, St. Augustine: Tracing its origins to the Spanish traditionof displaying a while candle during the Christmas holiday, the spectacular lighting reflects the cities 450 year history and illuminates  the beautiful setting for lasting holiday memories.

You'll never forget "Nights of Lights" in St. Augustine Ponte Vedre and the beaches....Florida's Historic Coast!  The events traditionally begins the Saturday before the Thanksgiving  holiday.  elected by National  Geographic in 2011 & 2012 as one of the ten best light displays in the world!  St. Augustine's  "Nights of Lights" features millions of tiny white lights that create a magical atmospheres in the Nation's oldest city!

December

Winter Festival, TallahasseeThousands of lights illuminate Tallahassee’s signature live oaks, parades, celebrations, concerts, art shows and even a Jingle Bell Run mark holiday traditions in Florida’s Capital City.

Art Basel, Miami Beach: Welcome to the favorite winter meeting place for the international art world.  This  Art Basel show presents artwork for across the globe.  Over 250 of the world's leading galleries participate drawing 70,000 visitors each year. Art Deco architecture, world class art museums and a glittering nightlife, Miami  embraces the art world with special exhibits at museums and galleries across the city. transforming the city into a dense and dynamic cultural event.

Winter Boat Fest, Ft. Lauderdale:The annual boat parade takes place in Ft Lauderdale on the second weekend in December. This annual Christmas event is organized and performed by local boat owners and local businesses. The beautifully illuminated boats attract thousands of visitors on both sides of the Intercoastal Waterway.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party:  Start planning for a magical gathering in late 2014 with family, friends and familiar Disney faces. Held select nights in November and December, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party offers cheer and enchantment for all ages and interests.  Delight in the lights shimmering like ice on Cinderella Castle! And hum along with the holiday music that fills the air. It’s a time for wishes to come true!