Special Events in Key West

January
Sculpture Key West
Held mid January - late March
Location: Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
305-295-3800
Sculpture Key West is an annual exhibition of contemporary outdoor sculpture that takes place every winter at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in Key West.

February
Founders Society Annual Anniversary Gala
Held in early February
Location: Key West
305-292-4646
Join the Founders Society as it celebrates its anniversary of bringing quality music, dance and theater to the Key West stage.

May
Key West Songwriters Festival
Held in mid May
Location: Key West
305-296-4222
Showcases some of America's foremost performing songwriters, staged in audience-friendly island settings.

June
Tavernier Creek Marina Dolphin Rodeo
Held in early June
Location: Key West
305-852-5854
Amateur Tournament Cash Prizes with a Jr. Angler Division

Cuban American Heritage Festival
Held in mid June
Location: Key West
305-295-9665
Showcases the culture and customs Cubans brought to Key West.

July
Hemingway Days Festival
Held in mid - late July
Location: Key West
Annual celebration of the legendary author's work and lifestyle highlighted by the Sloppy Joe's Look-Alike Contest.

Drambuie Key West Marlin Tournament
Held in mid - late July
Location: Key West
305-292-2710
Catch-and-release tournament held in conjunction with Key West's annual Hemingway Days Festival.

Reef Awareness Week
Held in late July
Location: Key West
305-294-3100
Spearheaded by the organization Reef Relief, the weeklong event showcases North America's only living coral barrier reef with activities for all ages.

August
Key West Summer Food & Wine Festival
Held in early August
Location: Key West
305-296-6909
Showcases the talents of Key West's master chefs as well as the quality and diversity of the island's culinary offerings.

Key West Fishing Tournament's Swordfish Tournament
Held in early August
Location: Key West
305-295-6601

September
Annual Key West Poker Run
Held in mid September
Location: Key West
305-292-1170
Motorcycles cruise from Miami to Key West to raise funds for local charities.

October
Florida Keys Birding & Wildlife Festival
Held in early October
Location: Marathon and Lower Keys
305-743-3900
A celebration of the natural wonders of Florida wildlife at the peak of the fall birding season. Presentations and field trips focus on education.

Goombay Festival
Held mid - late October
Location: Key West's Bahama Village
305-747-4544
Two-day street fair in Key West's historic Bahama Village.

November
Key West Old Island Days
Held in early November
Location: Key West
305-294-9501
Events include an art festival, crafts show, conch shell blowing contest and house and garden tours celebrating Key West culture and history.

Key West Offshore World Championship
Held in early November
Location: Key West
305-296-6166
High-speed powerboats continue Key West's longstanding tradition.

Annual Talent Show
Held in mid November
Location: Tennessee Williams Theatre
305-292-4646
The Founders annual talent show is a dream come true for many of the talented community performers. Watch as rising stars, both young and old, perform everything from show tunes to modern dance routines, rock n' rock, hip hop and magic tricks before a captivated crowd and prestigious panel of local celebrity judges.

Pirates in Paradise
Held late November - early December
Location: Key West
305-296-9653
Historic Seaport and other venues throughout Key West are transformed into a pirates' stronghold with mock sea battles, a thieves' market featuring arts, crafts and more.

December
Key West Holiday Parade
Held in early December
Location: Old Town
305-292-8101
Family-friendly parade through Old Town celebrating the holiday season.

Key West Lighted Boat Parade
Held in mid December
Location: Key West Harbor
305-292-3773
Event features decorated and lighted boats cruising through Key West Harbor and the waters of the Historic Seaport.

New Year's Eve Key West Celebration
Held on New Year's Eve
Location: Various locations in Key West
305-292-9520
Southernmost City celebrates New Year's Eve with conch shell drop at Sloppy Joe's Bar, "wench" drop at Schooner Wharf Bar, and red high heel drop with drag queen Sushi at Bourbon Street Pub/ New Orleans House.