🎪 Florida Festivals 2025

🎪 Florida Festivals 2025: The Honest Lowdown

Sunshine, crowds, chaos—here’s what brochures won’t tell you.

1. Florida Strawberry Festival (Plant City • Feb 27–Mar 9)

  • The GOOD: Free Blake Shelton-tier concerts, fresh berry shortcake, small-town charm.
  • The BAD: $20 parking, 1-hour lines for rides, stroller gridlock.
  • The UGLY: Weekend crowds hit 70k—avoid Saturdays unless you love human sardine mode.

2. Swamp Cabbage Festival (LaBelle • Feb 22–23)

  • The GOOD: Quirky “roadkill cook-off,” $5 entry, gator tail samples.
  • The BAD: Zero cell service, cash-only vendors, porta-potties only.
  • The UGLY: Midday heat + fried food = regret. Pack stomach meds! đź’Š

3. Guavaween (Tampa • Late Oct)

  • The GOOD: Insane costumes, Latin bands, electric street parties.
  • The BAD: $20 cover after 8 PM, $15 beers, pickpocket hotspots.
  • The UGLY: Rowdy drunks vomiting in alleys—skip with kids.

4. Key West Lobsterfest (Aug 7–10)

  • The GOOD: Fresh lobster boils, oceanfront concerts, sunset celebrations.
  • The BAD: $40+ plates, 90°F humidity, limited shade.
  • The UGLY: “Lobster madness” crowds—book tables months ahead.

5. Fantasy Fest (Key West • Oct 17–26)

  • The GOOD: Jaw-dropping costumes, epic parade, all-night parties.
  • The BAD: $200/night parking, $50 parade tickets, 2-hour bar lines.
  • The UGLY: Public nudity + hangover zombies—not for the modest.

6. EPCOT Food & Wine Fest (Orlando • Aug–Nov)

  • The GOOD: 30+ global food kiosks, celebrity chefs, Parisian brunches.
  • The BAD: $150 park tickets, $12 tiny tapas, shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.
  • The UGLY: Downpours + no refunds—check radar hourly.

⚠️ Festival Survival Commandments

  1. PARK SMART: Use offsite shuttles ($5 vs. $50+ onsite).
  2. BEAT HEAT: Frozen water bottles > $8 lemonade.
  3. ESCAPE PLANS: Book refundable hotels—bail if storms hit.
  4. CASH RULE: ATMs charge $8 fees—bring $100+ small bills.

đź”— Full Calendar & Local Secrets:
Florida Farm Family Festivals