Florida Keys Festivals & Events

A vacation is even more special if it's planned around one of your favorite interests. Check our calendar of events and festivals closely, then visit us during the special event that captivates you the most. After all, it's your party!

April 15-19, 2009 - 15th Annual Robert Frost Poetry Festival -workshops, contests and poetry readings at the Robert Frost Cottage behind the Heritage House- 410 Caroline St. For more information, call 305-296-3573.

April 17-26, 2009 - 27th Annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration - Week of parties, parades, and fun (including the wonderful Drag Races.) For more information, call 305-294-2298.

April 20, 2009 - 14th Annual Taste of Key West - Popular event held at the Truman Waterfront (in Truman Annex) featuring the great offerings from the island's restaurants. Benefits AIDS Help. For more information, call 305-296-6196.

April 28 - May 30, 2009 - Return of Rompers, Short Attention Span Theatre at the Red Barn. For tickets and information, call 296-9911.

April 29-May 3, 2009 - 14th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival - Offering performances and concerts from both known and new songwriters. For more information, call 305-296-4222.

May 6-23, 2009 - The Musical of Musicals, the Musical. A musical at the Waterfront Playhouse. For tickets and information, call 294-5015.

June 6-14, 2009 - PrideFest Key West - The annual week-long celebration of gay pride. For more information call 305-292-3223.

July 4, 2009 - Independence Day Celebration. Fireworks after sunset launched from the White Street pier. The island city celebrates with parties and fireworks cruises.

September 8-13, 2009 - Womenfest Key West 2009 - The annual celebration of women, for women, although the majority of events are All Welcome. Parties, sunset cruises and entertainment bring over 4000 women to the southernmost city. For more information, call 305-294-4063

TBA, 2009 Goombay Festival
Celebrating Key West's Bahamian heritage and cultural connections, Goombay Festival is held in the streets of historic Bahama Village. Hosted the Friday and Saturday before Fantasy Fest week, Goombay has a Caribbean theme, with live music and food vendors. Locals and Visitors love Goombay for it's street party and people watching. Visit www.goombay-keywest.org.

TBA , 2009 Fantasy Fest
Last years theme was "Pirates, Pundits, and Political Party Animals." A ten day celebration bringing some 50,000 revelers to Duval Street, Fantasy Fest is the hottest Halloween celebration in the country and the island city's most outrageous party. The spectacle climaxes in a glittering grand parade. Visit www.fantasyfest.net

TBA, 2009 Super Powerboat Races
Unforgettable sights and sounds as these amazing boats zoom around the Key West harbor. This year's event promises fun and excitement for the entire family. Visit www.superboat.com

TBA, 2009 Pirates in Paradise.
Join us for a full week of Pure Piratical Escapades celebrating Key West's rich & colorful maritime heritage. Top-name quality entertainment and historic re-enactors from around the country are set to invade the island, Visit www.piratesinparadise.com

TBA, 2009 - 50th Annual House and Garden Tour. Yearly event sponsored by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, 5 - 8 PM. For information, call 305-294-9501.


Gore Vidal		 TBA - 28th Annual Key West Literary Seminar - Last year's topic is Historical Fiction and will feature such well-known authors as Russell Banks, William Kennedy, Joyce Carol Oates and Gore Vidal. Last years event, in two parts, offered workshops, lectures, and receptions with noted writers. Call 888-293-9291 for more information.

TBA - 50th Annual House and Garden Tours - Yearly event sponsored by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, 5 - 8 PM. For information, call 305-294-9501.

TBA - Key West Race Week - World-class sailboat racing featuring over three hundred entrants. For more information, call 781-639-9545.

TBA - Key West Travel Writing Workshop - Last years event hosted at the Heritage House Museum was presented by Robert Haru Fisher, contributing editor for Frommers, former editor-in-chief of Fodor Travel Guides, & former President of the Society of American Travel Writers. For more information call 305-296-3573.

TBA - The 25th Annual Key West Craft Show - At the intersection of Whitehead and Caroline Streets, over a hundred fine craft artisans participate in this 2-day, juried show. 10-5 each day. Free admission.

TBA - 5th Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival - Bayview Park, Key West. Free event. For more information, go online to fkcfa.org and look under "events."

TBA 2010 - Sculpture Key West - Outdoor art and sculpture are again on view at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and at West Martello tower, not to mention displayed at surprising spots around the island. For more information, call 305-295-3800. Left: This piece by local sculptor Anja Marais, at West Martello in 2008, is entitled "The Woman that was Changed into a Tree." (Photo by Che Stine, courtesy of Sculpture Key West.) Right: "Nessie," by Cameron Gainer, emerges from a lake by the Key West Police Department. (Photo by Karley Klopfenstein, courtesy of Sculpture Key West.)

TBA - 2010 - Key West Travel Writing Workshop - Hosted at the Heritage House Museum and presented by Robert Haru Fisher, contributing editor for Frommers, former editor-in-chief of Fodor Travel Guides, & former President of the Society of American Travel Writers. Workshop is limited to 15 participants. Cost: $275. For more information call 305-296-3573.

TBA - 2010 - 50th Annual House and Garden Tours - Yearly event sponsored by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, 10am to 4pm. For information call 305-294-9501.

TBA - 2010 - The 45th Old Island Days Art Festival - Whitehead and Caroline Streets - Old Town Key West. Over 100 national and regional artists will exhibit beautiful artwork 10 am to 5 pm daily. Admission free.