17 Florida Winter Festivals You Absolutely Can’t Miss This Season
There’sno(w) way you’re spending another winter cooped up!
Get it? I know…I tried. Anyway, the year has flown by faster than we could say cinnamon roll so it’s already time to let your spirits thaw!
What better place to do it than the radiant warmth of Florida, and its gorgeous festival season.
The state is just about bursting with events that are sure to sleigh you: think parades, Christmas villages, Victorian-style events, anything your heart desires!
So, defrost your sense of adventure and get ready to jingle all the way through our curated list of must-see winter festivals where the only ice you’ll need is in your sweet tea!
Let’s jump right into this winter wonderland, Florida style!
1. Dickens On Centre
Can you hear that music?
It’s telling you that this is the most wonderful chance to have a Dickens of a time!
This full-immersion event, taking place on Fernandina Beach from December 12-14, will transport you straight into Victorian London!
Don your finest attire (or just go with something twinkly) and see the Illuminated Procession kicking off the festival!
Here, thousands of lights and period costumes will craft the perfect backdrop for shopping and merrymaking.
Some key highlights to rein in your holiday spirit?
Pick and choose from the Enchanted Village, aka your private snow globe, or skip the North Pole commute and visit Santa’s workshop right in Tiny Tim’s Kid Zone for some family portraits!
For those more curious, go for Dickens After Dark (Marley’s Masquerade) on the 13th.
It’s an adults-only, costume ball where you can enjoy live music, circus acts and scrumptious hors d’oeuvres.
And before you think we forgot all about pet parents: make sure to visit the festival on December 13th for the 1-mile Run like the Dickens dog-friendly run on the beach, with or without holiday costumes!
2. Miccosukee Indian Arts & Crafts Festival
From December 26-28 at the Miccosukee Indian Village in the Everglades, you can get a unique chance to blend history with music and lots and lots of fun!
At this three-day event, music, dance and traditions take a prominent role, transforming the location into a gathering filled with rhythm and art.
As soon as the drums begin to echo, the space takes on a festive glow, with beadwork, patchwork, and pottery displayed like treasures.
The festival’s 51st year brings an even deeper sense of heritage, with live performances filling the air throughout the day and artisans demonstrating techniques that bridge past and present.
Authentic Native foods will offer you comforting warmth, rising in fragrant curls above open grills.
Surrounded by sawgrass horizons and winter sunshine, the entire experience will feel immersive, grounding, and celebratory.
What an unforgettable way to welcome the season in true Florida style!
3. Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
Get ready for a boat-tiful spectacle that truly earns its title as “The Greatest Show on H2O!”
Mark your calendar for December 13, 2025, as Fort Lauderdale’s waterways transform for this marvelous boat parade.
With this year’s “Yacht Rock of Ages” theme, Grand Masters Montell Jordan and Romero Britto are sure to set a groove that’s cooler than ice.
The parade launches downtown and travels east along the New River, so you can watch the nautical magic glide by.
The water will be dazzling with hundreds of thousands of lights, synchronized music, and dazzling decor on everything from private boats to mega-yachts.
It’s the perfect, chill way to float into the holidays!
The event is the crown jewel of a whole Winterfest season, which also includes a pre-parade land-based activities and a glamorous but adults-only kickoff gala!
Perfect chance to don that dress that’s been waiting forgotten in your wardrobe, I’d say!
Just remember, this show is a huge hit, so plan your viewing spot early!
4. Butts & Clucks
This is a bit of a special one because you’ll need a specific ingredient to get in.
What is it, you may wonder?
Your entry fee is $5 and a finger-licking divided egg recipe, which shouldn’t be that hard, right?
After all, come Christmas season and we’re all excited to try out new options and see if we can beat grandma at her own game! Sorry Nan!
The Butts & Clucks annual BBQ fest in the city of Apalachicola is well worth the visit if you find yourself in this sweet little town.
It’s taking place from January 22-24 2026, so mark your calendars!
This is especially true for fine BBQ aficionados looking to score a $12,000 prize in four smoked meat categories!
And if you’re looking to just visit, as a festival goer, you’ll get to sample as much pulled pork as you want in the People’s Choice competition.
The event will also feature a Mystery Box Open Competition, nothing short of a Masterchef ride where participants will get two hours to turn those ingredients into a culinary piece of art.
As a guest, you’ll get to enjoy a variety of food and beverages.
Feeling adventures? Choose VIP tickets for Saturday’s Swine Tasting.
Here, you can serve as judges for the People’s Choice BBQ Competition.
Be honest: where else would you be able to have more fun than here!
5. Smoke Under The Oaks Rib Fest
Smoke Under the Oaks Rib Fest brings a delicious, small-town charm to a winter day in LaBelle.
The celebration unfolds Jan. 10 at Barron Park in LaBelle, filling the riverside setting with the scent of hickory, slow-cooked ribs, and all the energy of a friendly community cook-off.
As soon as the grills heat up, the park becomes a patchwork of tents, smoky aromas, and teams of four perfecting their racks.
Their hopes? To earn the coveted People’s Choice award, a title decided one bite at a time through crowd voting.
The atmosphere blends easygoing Florida hospitality with the excitement of a food-focused showdown.
Plates come piled high, and the rhythm of the day takes shape around sampling, strolling, and chatting with teams who love what they do.
The event keeps things family-friendly, too, with activities for younger kids and plenty of room to run, laugh, and enjoy the sunshine.
So, if you want to savor ribs fresh off the smoker or simply relax under the oaks, this whole experience will be well worth it!
It will be the perfect excuse to slow down and truly take in a January afternoon.
6. Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival
The Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival brings a lively burst of flavor and small-town fun to one of Florida’s most distinctive culinary celebrations.
The festivities take place Jan. 15–18 in Fellsmere, transforming the town into a bustling fairground filled with sizzling grills, bright lights, and plenty of playful energy.
Before you say “ew, what?” give it a chance! The taste will deliver despite (sub)conscious prejudice.
The food here takes center stage, with options ranging from classic legs to quirky favorites like frog pops and gator pounders.
But that’s not all!
Expect roller coasters, games, and a cheerful atmosphere that keeps the day buzzing.
Cash in hand makes browsing easier, especially through the exhibitor area where handmade crafts and finds offer a break from the food frenzy.
So, if you’re feeling bold or you’re returning for long-held favorites, the experience will undoubtedly feel warm, spirited, and unmistakably Florida.
7. Art Deco Weekend
Art Deco Weekend brings Miami Beach’s iconic pastel shoreline to life, with a dash of a true festive spirit!
The festival unfolds January 9-11 along Ocean Drive and it’s all but set to fill the district with color, creativity and timeless charm as winter sets in the Sunshine State.
What began as a small grassroots gathering has by now grown into one of the state’s largest tributes to art deco so if you’re in Miami Beach during this season, don’t miss out!
I promise you’ll leave mesmerized.
A variety of free events, expected to be enjoyed by as many as 150,000 guests, will give you a ride for your money and time!
The events include classic car shows, films, sketch walks, an artisan-and-antique marketplace as well as lectures that will add vintage flair to the whole festival!
Kid-friendly activities are abundant, too, bringing extra brightness.
And let’s not forget the musical performances (local and national acts alike) that are bound to charm their way to your heart!
With breezes off the ocean and art at every turn, the weekend will feel like Miami Beach has stepped fully into its retro-glam heartbeat.
8. Rookery Bay Festival Of Birds
Rookery Bay Festival of Birds brings a burst of feathery excitement to winter.
It proves that cold-weather season can still come with plenty of warm, winged wonder!
The festival takes place Jan. 15–19 at the Rookery Bay Research Reserve in Naples and other Southwest Florida locations, turning the region into a sunny playground for birding adventures.
Guided trips lead across places like Ten Thousand Islands, Fakahatchee Strand, and Corkscrew Swamp.
What matters is that each outing offers a chance to spot swoops, songs, and silhouettes that make the season feel extra festive!
New additions, like a sunrise walk in Picayune Strand Forest and a sunset kayak at Rookery Bay, add fresh sparkle to the lineup.
With every outing requiring a reservation, this is one winter event where it pays to flock early.
9. Mile 0 Fest
For lovers of the Red Dirt genre (we know you’re out there, the Mile 0 Fest will be like a dream come true!
From January 27-31, some of the nation’s finest Red Dirters are going to be gathering across Key West and fill the island with its unique sounds.
Inside info: more than 60 performances are planned, all to keep the vibe warm even when the calendar may insist it’s time to don some warmer clothes.
Shows will unfold across Key West, with around ten stages adding their own island spark.
Premium experiences will include a 90-minute Live Music Sail that will let the music drift across the harbor like the world’s most festive season breeze.
10. Winter Park Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade
Forget bleary-eyed pre-dawn holiday events.
Winter Park’s Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade is a civil celebration of nostalgia that kicks off at the glorious time of 9:00 a.m. on the first Saturday in December.
It’s for people who love tinsel, but also love a full eight hours of sleep.
The parade glides down the storybook-perfect Park Avenue, under a canopy of live oaks, past chic boutiques and cafes.
You’re watching marching bands and equestrian units in what feels like a Hallmark movie set.
That is, if Hallmark movies had perfect 75-degree December weather.
Basically, you can think of it as the exact opposite of a corporate Macy’s spectacle!
11. FestN4
If you’ve ever been curious about what the arts scene in Orlando is like during winter, FestN4 is the perfect chance.
Held at Orlando Fringe’s own Fringe ArtSpace in downtown Orlando from January 7–11, 2026, FestN4 is a curated, four-day “mini-Fringe” showcase.
Think of it as a sampler platter of the most dynamic performances by national, international, and local Fringe artists.
Over those four days, you get access to around 20 shows all in one walkable venue.
You’ll basically get everything from intimate theatre to dance, comedy, and even visual-arts exhibitions.
For newcomers, FestN4offers a friendly and affordable introduction.
And for Fringe veterans?
It’s a chance to catch some hidden-gem performances between the big May festival seasons.
12. The Florida Manatee Festival
If you’re into nature, laid-back vibes, and a touch of small-town Florida charm, Florida Manatee Festival is a winter must-see.
Set to take place from January 17-18 in Crystal River, this festival brings together wildlife wonders, music, local flavor, and good old Florida fun.
Over two days, the festival offers much more than just manatee spotting (though that’s a big draw).
Expect live entertainment on multiple stages, boat and guided kayak tours in Kings Bay as well as family-friendly activities, arts and crafts vendors, and delicious local food.
Oh, and, by the way: the warm waters of Kings Bay and Three Sisters Springs attract hundreds of the region’s gentle giants in winter.
This makes the festival a unique opportunity to glimpse these peaceful sea cows in a natural setting!
13. South Beach Jazz Festival
Set against the lively backdrop of Miami Beach, the 10th Annual South Beach Jazz Festival returns January 8–11, 2026.
This festival brings together internationally acclaimed jazz artists and rising stars.
As per tradition, it will offer performances in multiple venues around the beach and city.
So, if you’re a jazz lover like me, book your tickets ahead and let anticipation take over!
Who knows, maybe we’ll meet there!
You’re a jazz fan but still not sold to the idea? Here’s the gist.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re into smooth saxophone, Latin-inflected jazz rhythms, or soulful vocals.
There is bound to be something for any music lover at South Beach.
Best yet: many shows are free or outdoors, letting you soak up great tunes and sea breezes.
It’s a perfect pick for a winter getaway: enjoy music, culture, and the warmth of South Florida all at once.
14. Saint Augustine Film Festival (SAFF)
Worry not, my dear cinephiles, I haven’t forgotten all about you!
If you visit St. Augustine from January 5–11, 2026, you can go to the 16th Annual SAFF!
It’s bringing more than 40 independent, international and regional films to the historic town!
Screenings are to take place across several venues at Flagler College and offer a cultural dive into global stories, fresh film-making, and local talent.
Film buffs, this is a rare chance to catch a diverse slate of indie films in a city that blends history and coastal ambiance!
Oh and take note: SAFF offers both late-night screenings and daytime premieres!
This makes it a great winter getaway, whether you come for thought-provoking cinema or simply the quaint vibes of St. Augustine.
15. South Beach Wine & Food Festival
If winter makes you crave sunshine, bold flavors, and a bit of star-powered glamour, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival is your February passport to joy.
Held from the 19th to the 22nd across Miami and Miami Beach, this culinary celebration brings together chefs, mixologists, restaurateurs and foodies for four days of tasting events!
The sun-soaked setting alone feels indulgent, but pair it with chef-hosted dinners, beachfront demos, and late-night parties?
You’ve got Florida’s most delicious winter escape.
Part of the festival’s magic is the way it transforms Miami Beach into a giant, open-air dining room where every corner offers a new flavor to discover.
So, trust me on this one and plan your trip ahead!
16. Florida State Fair, Tampa
There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about the Florida State Fair in Tampa.
It’s the kind of winter outing that lets you feel like a kid again, no matter your age.
Next year, it’s running from February 5–16, 2026!
Per tradition, the fair is bound to fill the Florida State Fairgrounds with a familiar but always-welcome mix of bright lights, whimsical rides and the irresistible scent of fried fair treats drifting through the air.
It’s big, bustling, and delightfully unpretentious!
Essentially, it’s the kind of place where you can wander with a lemonade in hand and stumble upon everything from a giant slide to a prize-winning heifer.
17. Jupiter Seafood Festival
There’s no better setting for a seafood celebration, and the end of this list, than a breezy coastal town.
Jupiter’s annual Seafood Festival captures exactly that vibe.
Happening February 21–22, 2026 at Carlin Park, the festival serves up two days of fresh Florida seafood, live music, and easygoing beach-town charm.
Think local lobster rolls, grilled shrimp, crab platters, tropical drinks, and the kind of friendly atmosphere that makes you want to stay long after the band wraps its set.
Families love it, especially since kids under 12 get free admission!
But it’s just as fun for groups of friends or couples looking for a laid-back winter weekend.
Beyond the food, the festival offers a slice of Jupiter’s relaxed personality: ocean breezes, shaded picnic spots, and plenty of space to unwind between bites.
February is one of the most beautiful months on Florida’s east coast, and the warm weather makes the outdoor setting feel like a mini vacation.
So, if winter has you craving sunshine and seafood, this charming local fest is the perfect antidote.
