The fall and winter season is upon us and this is the best time of the year to visit Florida. The heat and humidity loosen their grip for a few months making it possible for visitors to enjoy outside events like the festivals listed below.
We chose the 62 best festivals and events that are worth checking out in October and November 2017 in Florida. The following list is in order according to date. If a visit to the Sunshine State is in your near future look no further, these are the best!
Miami House of Horror-Haunted Carnival
Tickets are $15 for one day and $29 for two. There are rides and haunted houses. Parking is free.
Doral, Florida
Sept 28 – Nov 4
houseofhorrorcarnival.com
Orlando Film Festival
Tickets are $20 for 1-day $50 for 3-days $100 for 7-days
Orlando, Florida
Oct 19 – 26
orlandofilmfest.com
Pensacola Interstate Fair
Tickets are $6.89 for kids $12.89 for adults
Pensacola, Florida
Oct 19 – 29
pensacolafair.com
Key West Fantasy Fest
Things can get crazy in Key West and this festival is no different! Fantasy Fest is an annual 10-day party in paradise for grown-ups. This years theme is “fantasy.” With inspiration as your guide cultivate your costume into the past colonial era , roman empire, Italian renaissance.
Key West, Florida
Oct 20 – 29
fantasyfest.com
Alachua County Fair
Admission is $6 Parking is $3 Ride bands are $25 Camping is $30-45
Gainesville, Florida
Oct 20 – 28
alachuacountyfair.com
Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally
This is the 17th annual free rally for motorcycle enthusiasts. There will be several bands playing during the 5-day event plus many other fun things.
Panama City, Florida
Oct 25 – 29
thunderbeachproductions.com
Manasota Pumpkin Festival
$10 admission Kids free. There will be live entertainment, pumpkin patch, hay rides, pie eating contests, costume contests and much more.
Bradenton, Florida
Oct 27 – 29
https://spotlightevents.org/manasota-pumpkin-festival
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Oct 27 – Nov 19
fliff.com
Columbia County Fair
Admission is $5. Live music, rides, food, helicopter rides and a petting farm.
Lake City, Florida
Oct 27 – Nov 4
http://www.columbiacountyfair.org/
The Fest 16
The Fest 16 is a comedy and music fest. There are several bands to choose from Playing at several different locations in Gainesville. Ticket prices are different for each show.
Gainesville, Florida
Oct 27 – 29
thefestfl.com
Cape Coral Oktoberfest
This is the 32nd year for this event. This is the largest party of the year in Cape Coral. No pets. There will be raffles, music and a lot of German beer! Tickets $6. Children under 12 are free. Free parking.
Cape Coral, Florida
Oct 27 – 29
capecoraloktoberfest.com
Mount Dora Craft Fair
This is the 33rd annual fair. The streets of historic Mount Dora will feature over 400 talented artists and crafters selling their goods. There will be plenty of food and entertainment.
Mount Dora, Florida
Oct 28 – 29
mountdoracraftfair.com
Wesley Chapel Fall Festival & Carnival
This is the 13th annual free event. There will be plenty of food and music, over 100 artists and craftsmen will be selling their wares, there is a Kid’s Bounce Area, costume contests, a carnival and a pet parade.
Wesley Chapel, Florida
Oct 28 – 29
simplyeventsfl.com/wesley-chapel-fall-festival/
Central Florida Veg Fest
This is the 12th annual event and its one of the largest in the world! Admission is free. There will be several exhibits and activities and is dog friendly. If you are curious about the vegetarian lifestyle this is the place for you!
Orlando, Florida
Oct 28
http://www.cfvegfest.org/
Wynwood Fear Factory
This is a popular 2-day music and entertainment festival. Must be 18 or older, don’t forget your ID. Tickets are $85 and are good for both days.
Miami, Florida
Oct 28 – 29
wynwoodfearfactory.com
German American Society of Central Florida Oktoberfest
Live German music, beer and food. Tickets are $15 Parking $5
Casselberry, Florida
Oct 28
orlandogermanclub.com
Top Golf KidZone Halloween Party
Children in costume will receive half off an hour of game play until 5 pm.
Tampa, Florida
Oct 28
topgolf.com/us/promo/halloween/
Brewfest Tallahassee Fund Raising
11th year. Tickets are $39. Unlimited beer sampling of over 200 varieties, live entertainment. A very popular gathering in Tallahassee.
Tallahassee, Florida
Oct 28
brewfesttallahassee.com
St. Marks Stone Crab Festival
2017 marks the 20th year for this festival that celebrates the opening of the stone crab season. Over 2000 attended last year. Live music, great food, parade, children activities, dozens of vendors.
Saint Marks, Florida
Oct 28
stmarksstonecrabfest.com
Sacred Heart St. Joe Fall Festival
Free admission & parking, vendors, food & music, bouncy houses & arts & crafts.
Dade City, Florida
Oct 28
www.stjoefallfestival.com
West Palm Beach’s Moonfest
This celebration is music oriented, several bands are on the line-up. General admission is $7. VIP $55. Must be 21 yrs or older. two haunted houses. No pets.
West Palm Beach, Florida
Oct 28
http://www.moonfest.me/
Greater Jacksonville Agriculture Fair
Check their website for the list of activities for this fair. Adults admission $5, children 5 & under are free.
Jacksonville, Florida
Nov 1 – 12
jacksonvillefair.com
Seed Food & Wine Festival
Over 200 exhibitors. Live music. This festival is very popular, last year over 10,000 attended. Tickets vary from $150 – $560. Tons of stuff to do and see!
Miami, Florida
Nov 1 – 5
seedfoodandwine.com
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
Ft. Lauderdale is the yachting capital of the world! This event is in its 58th year. Tickets range anywhere from $12 – $70. Children under free. Parking $7. You will find everything that has to do with boating here plus shows, vendors & more.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Nov 1 – 5
flibs.com
Roscoe’s Chili Challenge
This is the 32nd year. Adults only. Several live bands, pole dancing with a $1,500 purse, food, body painting, beer, tons of vendors, drag racing, mini bike racing, arm wrestling and of course a chili challenge!
Lakeland, Florida
Nov 2 – 5
roscoeschilichallenge.com
North Florida Fair
The 76th year. Everything you would expect to find at a fair is here. $15 – $25 admission.
Tallahassee, Florida
Nov 2 – 12
northfloridafair.com
Orlando Greek Fest
Authentic Greek food, live music, dancing, church tours. Admission is $3 for adults & children under 12, children under 12 are free.
Orlando, Florida
Nov 3 – 5
orlandogreekfest.com
NAS Jax Air Show
Fantastic air shows including the Blue Angels. There is a kids zone with games & food. Free admission & parking.
Jacksonville, Florida
Nov 3 – 4
nasjaxairshow.com
Pensacola Buskers Festival
Buskers from all over south-east America will be performing everyday of this event on the historic Intendencia street. Visitors can dine, shop and listen to the music. Free admission.
Pensacola, Florida
Nov 3 – 5
downtownpensacola.com/events/5963f8c3426f7100164435cc
Florida Seafood Festival
54th year. 10’s of thousands of people attend this famous festival every year to the historic town of Apalachicola. Loads of seafood, arts & crafts exhibits, seafood related events, Live music. Oyster eating & Oyster shucking contest, blue crab races, photo contest, parade, 5k Run, history of the Festival Exhibit
Apalachicola, Florida
Nov 3 – 4
floridaseafoodfestival.com
Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival
Free admission. No pets. Plenty of food, art, music and performances.
Pensacola, Florida
Nov 3 – 5
http://www.ggaf.org/
Beach Road Trip Weekend
6 year. Carribean inspired event. Day party, food, music. Tickets are $95 – $3,000.
Islamorada, Florida
Nov 3 – 5
brtweekend.com
St. George Greek American Festival
33rd year. Greek & American food, rides, Greek dancing, Greek art and Greek beer.
New Port Richey, Florida
Nov 3 – 5
greekamericanfestival.com
Miami-Fort Lauderdale Pet Expo
From the largest producer of pet events in the US of A. You can become an exhibitor or just a visitor to this expo of all things pets.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Nov 4 – 5
amazingpetexpos.com
Tampa Bay Veg Fest
8th year. There will be health speakers, food demos, live music, veggie kids zone, exhibitors, vegan food, yoga classes and exhibitors. Come celebrate all things healthy. Admission is free and pets are allowed.
Tampa, Florida
Nov 4
tampabayvegfest.com
Conga Caliente Festival
14th year. The premier Hispanic festival in Tampa Bay. Free admission. Performances, ethnic foods, art exhibits, beer garden.
Tampa, Florida
Nov 5
congacaliente.com
Orlando Japan Festival
Kissimmee, Florida
Nov 5
http://jorlando.org/
PeruFest USA
6th year. A live cooking and tasting event of Peruvian cuisine by famous chefs. Admission is $70.
Doral, Florida
Nov 5
perufestusa.com
Riverwalk Get It
This is a festival in a beautiful park that includes food, exhibits, live music and a lot of shows. Free for eveyone.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Nov 9
goriverwalk.com
Riverhawk Music Festival
Admission is $25 – $150 (admission for all the days) 3 stages play continuous live music. Food, beer and contests.
Brooksville, Florida
Nov 9 – 12
riverhawkmusic.com
SEASIDE Seeing Red Wine Festival
27th year. A wine connoisseurs heaven! Wine tastings of course and food. Buy tickets early because this will sell out.
Seaside, Florida
Nov 9 – 12
seeingredwinefestival.com
Tampa Greek Festival
31st year. Wonderful Greek food, Greek music, party tent, dancing and shopping.
Tampa, Florida
Nov 10 – 11
tampagreekfestival.com
Northeast Exchange Club Ribfest
29th year. This is a charity fundraiser event that has the best BBQ ribbers in the world! National bands play continuous music, there is beer, family activities, arts & craft and more. No pets or coolers allowed. Bring your own folding chair or rent one for $5. Admission is $30 per day. Children free under 12.
St. Petersburg, Florida
Nov 10 – 12
ribfest.org
Jefferson County BBQ Fest
3rd year. Famous BBQ, pie baking contests, hay rides, beer garden and arts & crafts.
Monticello, Florida
Nov 11
monticellojeffersonfl.com/events/
Downtown Miami Riverwalk Festival
10th year. Free admission. Children’s activities, food, beverages, cook-offs, bake-offs, arts & crafts, music and a boat parade.
Miami, Florida
Nov 11
miamiriverwalkfestival.com
Dunedin Wines the Blues
Top notch music acts, upscale food, wine, beer in an outside environment.
Dunedin, Florida
Nov 11
dunedinwinestheblues.info
Gridiron Grill-Off Food & Wine Festival
Competition with NFL legends, celebrity chefs, live music, food. Admission is from $90 to $140. Sammy Hagar concert tickets range from $49 – $195.
Pompano Beach, Florida
gridirongrilloff.com
House of Creatives Music Festival
2nd year. A boatload of bands play live music, art, gourmet food and artisans. Tickets are VIP $240 for both days.
Miami, Florida
Nov 11 – 12
hocfest.com
Grace Jamaican Jerk Fest
The largest Jamaican Jerk Fest in America! Live entertainment on 3 stages, wine, beer. Admission is $30 VIP is $140. There is a kids zone with many activities.
Sunrise, Florida
Nov 12
jerkfestival.com
Nativity Catholic Church Novemberfest
Free admission, carnival rides, food, beer tent (where i’ll be) and live entertainment.
Brandon, Florida
Nov 15 – 19
nativitycatholicchurch.org
Tampa Bay Improv Festival
Comedy shows. See website for admission.
Tampa, Florida
Nov 16 – 19
tampabayimprovfestival.com
Zen Awakening Festival
This is Florida’s only life-changing transformational music and arts festival. Music, DJ’s, yoga, meditation, spiritual and holistic teachers will be on site, organic food, camping, 24′ water-slide, camping, fire performers, group chants, drum circle plus more! 3-day general admission tickets are $144. Car-camping pass $50. RV pass $377. Children under 12 are free.
Wildwood, Florida
Nov 17 – 19
zenawakeningfestival.com
UNITED Tiny House Festival
2nd year. If you’ve ever wanted to check out the tiny home lifestyle this is the festival you don’t want to miss. There will be over 75 tiny houses on display. 60,000 people showed up last year! This is a real popular festival. There will also be micro-homes, on-site camping, work shops, presentations, several vendors and entertainment. Admission is $20 for one day and $35 for 2-days. Children under 12 free.
Elkton, Florida
Nov 17 – 19
unitedtinyhouse.com
Suncoast Jazz Festival
27th year. This beach was rated #1 by Trip Advisor last year. 5 indoor venues, entertainment all day. Free parking. Multi day admission tickets start at $125. 1-day admission is $50.
Clearwater Beach, Florida
Nov 17 – 19
suncoastjazzclassic.com
Mandarin Fall Festival & Chili Cook-Off
Live music, bounce house for kids, chili cook-off contest, silent auction, vendors and exhibits. This is typically a smaller event (1,000 attended last year).
Jacksonville, Florida
Nov 18
http://mandarincouncil.org/fall-festival-chili-cook-off/
Sarasota Fine Art Festival
5th year. More than 120 artisans show their work. Several different types of art will be on display, everything from woodwork to metal work to paintings. No admission.
Sarasota, Florida
Nov 18 – 19
paragonartevents.com
Riverside Wine Fest
15th year. More than 300 wines to choose from. Food vendors and live entertainment will be on site. Tickets are $35.
Jacksonville, Florida
Nov 18
riversidewinefest.com
Miami Harvest
43rd year. Arts & crafts, bounce house, food, live entertainment, classic car show, pony rides, petting zoo and much more. This is fun for the whole family.
Miami, Florida
Nov 18 – 19
miamiharvest.com
Camelot Days Medieval Festival
Go back to the days of Camelot where there will be food, entertainment, music, artisans and more. Tickets are $15 for adults and $3 for kids. Children under 6 are free.
Hollywood, Florida
Nov 11 – 12
camelotdays.com
Sertoma Thanksgiving Bluegrass Festival
38th year. Bluegrass music and camping! Music work shops too.
Brooksville, Florida
Nov 23 – 25
http://sertomayouthranch.org/
Pensacola Winterfest
Pensacola, Florida
Nov 24 – Dec 24
https://pensacolawinterfest.org/
St. Augustine Art & Craft Festival
St. Augustine, Florida
Nov 25 – 26
staugustineartfestival.com
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