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The Best Events and Festivals in Florida in April 2024

The Best Events and Festivals in Florida

Are you searching for the best events and festivals in Florida in April 2024? Thanks for visiting. Please use the links below to find fun events for all ages.

Florida hosts some amazing events and festivals. Each month I hope to take a look at a dozen or so of these in hopes of bringing you fun, exciting, and unexpected ways to enjoy our state.

If you have an event or know of one coming up that you feel should be highlighted, please drop me a line with as much information as you can, including a website. I’ll be glad to include your suggestions in future posts.

I have listed events in date order.

Barista Warrior - Become a Barista at HomeBest events and festivals in Florida in April 2024.
We aim to build an authentic community of home baristas who are passionate about their morning coffee ritual. Whatever your brew method, french press or pour over, whether you need a kettle or filters, Barista Warrior has you covered. Shop now for great selection and prices. Shop now at www.baristawarrior.com or click the photo above.

 

Antique Tractor and Engine Show

April 4th through 6th White Springs

Stephen Foster Folk Center Tractor and Engine Show Best Events and Festivals in Florida April 2024Compete in the tractor pulls and watch demonstrations of shingle milling, corn grinding, home canning and more. Unusual engines for everyday purposes with exhibits and collections of flywheels, hit and miss engines, water pumps, vintage pedal tractors, antique cars, and farm equipment.

On Saturday morning, an antique tractor parade will feature everything from customized lawn tractors to restored farm machinery. Try your luck at our raffle prizes, shop and eat with our vendors.  We have tons of family fun activities and a kid’s area on Saturday!

 

$5 per vehicle up to 8 people included.

 

 

Old Florida Celebration of the Arts

April 6 and 7 Cedar Key

Old Florida Celebration of the Arts held in Cedar Key April 6 and 7. Established in 1964 and formerly known as the Cedar Key Sidewalk Arts Festival, the Old Florida Celebration of the Arts returned to a juried fine art fair format in 2006. Over the past 15 years, the festival’s reputation has grown and it is now recognized as one of the top Small-Town Art Fairs in the nation. Welcoming only 100 high-quality artists and about 15-18,000 visitors annually, the event radiates a relaxed and friendly atmosphere often missing in larger venues. 

The event is free.

 

6th Annual Sebring Soda Festival

April 6-7 Sebring

Sebring Soda Festival Best events and festivals in Florida in April 2024This niche event has gained local, state, and national media attention thanks to its unique concept and the local Soda Shop that sparked the idea. It’s no wonder people flock to the festival each year to enjoy two days of old-fashioned fun in historic downtown Sebring.

Indulge in a wide array of traditional and unique sodas, including flavors like caramel apple, prickly pear, espresso, and candied bacon. Discover vintage favorites like Cheerwine, Moxie, and RC Cola, along with small-batch creations made with real sugar or honey from renowned companies across the US.

Festival admission is free. Soda tasting punch cards of varying value will be available for purchase on the website. This is a leashed dog friendly event!

 

St. Augustine Poetfest

April 11-13 St. Augustine

For the third year in a row, Flagler College, Ancient City Poets, and the St. Johns Cultural Council present a three-day poetry festival to celebrate literary heritage and to connect the creative community.

St. Augustine PoetFest 2024 takes place throughout the city at various cultural venues and includes events ranging from poetry readings to improv showcases.

All Poetfest 2024 events are free and open to the public. Click the link for details on locations, dates, and times.

Poetry magazine. Click the link for information and to subscribe.
Poetry magazine has been a monthly gathering space for poets and readers for over a century. Based in Chicago since 1912, the magazine publishes contemporary work primarily in English and translation of poets from all over the United States and the world


Poetry Magazine Subscription

from: Magazine Values

 

Tampa Bay Blues Festival

April 12-14 St. Petersburg

America’s finest waterfront blues festival, with great food vendors, full liquor bars, craft beers and wines. Please order tickets and VIP passes now for three great days of blues by the bay!

Single day, general admission tickets start at $70. Packages are available.

 

Delray Affair

April 12th through 14th Delray Beach

62nd annual Delray Affair April 12-14 Best events and festivals in Florida April 2024This isn’t just an ordinary art event—it’s an immersive experience that invites you to explore the extraordinary. Lose yourself in the diverse range of artistic expressions, from mesmerizing paintings to intricate sculptures, captivating photography, and beyond. Each step unveils a new discovery, a new opportunity to connect with the artists and their captivating stories.

As you stroll through the Delray Affair, you’ll be captivated by the infectious energy that permeates the air. Feel the pulse of creativity as the streets come alive with live demonstrations, engaging workshops, and interactive experiences that invite you to unleash your own artistic spirit.

The event is free but there may be charges to park in certain locations.

 

 

 

Pinellas Pepper Festival April 13 and 14 in Pinellas ParkPinellas Pepper Fest                                            April 13 and 14 Pinellas Park

Featuring all things related to spicy foods. Enjoy sauces, bbq, spices, peppers, and delicious food everywhere. Spicy music, food trucks, and more. This is a pet and family friendly event.

Admission is free.

 

Habanero Bacon Salsa from Traverse Bay Farms. Click for information and to order.
If you like hot/spicy foods, try this habanero-bacon-salsa from Traverse Bay Farms in Michigan. Try it on all your favorites including nachos, burgers, potatoes, and more. CLICK HERE or the photo for details and to order. Mix and match 8 products for free shipping.

 

Sharks Tooth Festival

April 13 and 14 Venice

Venice Florida Sharks Tooth Festival April 13 and 14, 2024This unique events has something for everyone. Vendors, music, food, adult beverages, educational speakers, the Manasota Fossil Club. a kids zone, and more.

Venice is billed as the shark tooth capital of the world. This event looks like it is going to be huge. Review the website for all the activities and vendors.

This event is free to attend. Some parking facilities may have a charge. Free parking is available and a trolley service will be operating in the downtown area.

 

 

 

Florida Aquarium tickets. Click the image for details and to purchase.
You’ve seen the sharks teeth, now see real sharks. Get close to many of Florida’s aquatic and terrestrial animals and ecosystems, as well as others from around the world at the Florida Aquarium, including sea turtles and coral. Your ticket allows you to access all of the exhibits, which feature diverse creatures and habitats. Click the image or THIS LINK for details and to purchase tickets.

 

 

New Smyrna Beach Food Festival April 18, 2024 Best Events and Festivals in Florida April 2024New Smyrna Beach Food Festival                                    April 18 New Smyrna Beach

The New Smyrna Beach Food Festival is from 5-9 p.m., Thursday, April 18th 2024, along Flagler Avenue. Multiple eateries may sample taste-sized portions of Volusia County restaurants’ best dishes priced from $5 to $8. Enjoy live entertainment along the Avenue, shopping with the Merchants on Flagler Avenue and various vendors who sell their handmade items! Restaurants will be competing for the “Best on the Beach” award this year

 

 

Miami-Dade Countryfest

April 20-21 Miami

Miami-Dade Countryfest April 20-21, 2024 Best Events and Festivals in Florida April 2024The Miami-Dade CountryFest, formerly known as the Miami Agriculture, Horse and Cattle Show, has been a staple event since 2015. This FREE annual festival offers a weekend of entertainment for all ages and attracts cattle enthusiasts from around the globe.

Experience two days of non-stop fun with rodeos, vendors, live music, food trucks, kids zones, and other enjoyable activities. This year’s event will feature a thrilling professional rodeo show, adding to the excitement. Although the festival has a new name, it still retains many of its beloved traditions, making it an event you don’t want to miss.

General admission is free. Bleacher and VIP seating options are available for purchase.

 

Pompano Beach Seafood Festival

April 20-21 Pompano Beach

The Festival, a non profit event, was founded in 1984 by the Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo to support local charities in the Pompano Beach Area.  Featuring some of the greatest musicians and artists in South Florida, the annual event has become a staple in the community. The proceeds of the annual festival stay in the community benefiting 12 great local charities.

Featuring seafood and other foods, more than 100 vendor booths, and music.

This event is looks to be geared more toward adults with tickets running $15 per day or a two day ticket of $20. Kids under 12 are admitted free. Only 1 sealed bottle of water may brought into the event. No outside drinks, coolers, or large bags. As you would guess no dogs allowed. The wording on their website isn’t very friendly about these demands either.

 

Pensacola Crawfish Festival

April 26-28 Pensacola

The Pensacola Crawfish  Festival features thousands of pounds of boiled crawfish, fresh from Louisiana, brought to you by Pensacola locals, Cordova Crawfish Company. Cajun fare features include: boudin, jambalaya, etouffee, fresh and fried seafood, gumbo, and much more!

Plenty of seafood, non-seafood, music, and vendors will be on hand. Budweiser and Coca-Cola products will be available for purchase.

Adult admission is $5, kids ages 6-12 are $2, under 6 admitted free.

 

Floridiana Fest

April 27 Gulfport

The Floridania Fest is the ultimate marketplace for vintage Florida souvenirs, cool kitsch, advertising, art and ephemera. No matter what your vintage Florida interest is, you’ll probably find it at this show! All the leading dealers of vintage Florida items will be there, plus several leading Florida authors.

Admission is $5. Children under 14, free.

If the Floridiana Fest is of interest to you, you might consider reading my review of the book Florida Roadside Attractions History. This is a step back to the days when the landscape wasn’t dotted with Disney, Universal, and massive cookie cutter housing developments.

 

Sweet Corn Fiesta in West Palm Beach, FL April 28, 2024 Best events and festivals in Florida April 2024Sweet Corn Fiesta                                              April 28 West Palm Beach

Enjoy delicious sweet corn, foods, games, craft and other vendors, contests including corn eating and corn shucking, and more. This event has been called the kid friendliest event of the year.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, under 6 are free.

 

 

To conclude, I want to thank you for reading my listing of the best events and festivals in Florida in April 2024. Check back every month otherwise you might miss out on a great event you did not know about. If you are sponsoring or hosting an upcoming event, drop me a line so I can include it. Maybe we can work together on a blog post and social media posts to promote the event. Let’s hear your ideas.

 

 

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This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence  my views and opinions

 

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September 2023 The Best Events and Festivals in Florida

The Best Florida Events and Festivals

The Best in Florida Events and Festivals September 2023

Florida hosts some amazing events and festivals. Each month I hope to take a look at a dozen or so of these in hopes of bringing you fun, exciting, and unexpected ways to enjoy our state.

If you have an event or know of one coming up that you feel should be highlighted, please drop me a line with as much information as you can, including a website. I’ll be glad to include your suggestions in future posts.

Events are listed in date order.

Create My Map

September 1-10              Miami International Auto Show       Miami Beach

Our show provides an excellent opportunity for consumers to view the latest models and newest technologies within the auto industry. The focus for the show in 2023 will mirror that of the industry with a special emphasis on electric vehicles and sustainability.

Several indoor EV tracks will introduce South Floridians to the newest electric vehicles on the market. For the first time in the Auto Show’s history, the Camp Jeep activation will be moving inside the Convention Center. The vehicles on the thrill-ride tracks will be electric.

Admission is $15 for adults. Several discount programs are available. Check the website for details.

Subscribe to Car and Driver magazine at a great savings price. Click the image for details.
Subscribe to Car and Driver and save by clicking THIS LINK or the image.

 

September 7-10              Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival          Islamorada

REEF’s 14th annual event will include two full days of lionfish fishing, followed by a family-friendly festival at picturesque Postcard Inn Resort & Marina. The festival is open to the public and will include lionfish scoring, fillet and dissection demonstrations, lionfish tastings, lionfish games and crafts, raffle prizes, plus booths from environmentally-minded vendors. Chefs will be providing lionfish cooking demonstrations and special dishes and drink specials will be available.

While in Islamorada, you don’t want to miss out on the incredible snorkeling and diving, where you can experience coral reefs, tropical fish, and other marine life. Relax on this two-hour guided catamaran tour and enjoy all that Islamorada has to offer. Click THIS LINK for details and to book the snorkeling adventure of a lifetime.

Emerald Coast Beer Festival September 8, 2023 in Pensacola.September 8     Emerald Coast Beer Festival   Pensacola

Emerald Coast Beer Festival returns for our 27th year on September 8th, 2023 at Seville Quarter in Pensacola, Florida. There are 50+ microbreweries present and another 50-100 represented by their distributors. In addition to the microbreweries, there are generally 10+ homebrew clubs providing beer.

Online ticket prices start at $35.

 

 

 

Founder's Day in St. Augustine September 9, 2023.September 9     Founder’s Day    St. Augustine

Pedro Menendez and his troops landed in St. Augustine on September 8, 1565, and the city celebrates each year with a Founder’s Day Commemoration. For the 458th anniversary, the observance is on Saturday, September 9, 2023. Activities start at 10:00 a.m. at the Mission Nombre de Dios and continue at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, concluding at 5:00 p.m.

Admission to Nombre de Dios is free.

Admission to the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is $19.95 for adults and is free on Founder’s Day for residents of St. Johns County with valid ID.

 

I Like it Hot Festival in Largo, FL September 9-10

September 9-10              I Like it Hot Festival                Largo

The Largest Hot Sauce & Taco Festival in Florida!

Amateur hot sauce competition, amateur bbq sauce competition, amateur salsa competition, jalepeno eating contest, live music, food vendors, and more.

Worldwide Hot Sauce Cookbook--click to order
Click THIS LINK or the photo to order your copy of The Worldwide Hot Sauce Cookbook! 150 recipes from all over the world selected for true hot sauce fans.

 

September 15 & 16        Florida Fin Fest   Jacksonville Beach

Florida Fin Fest is a FREE two-day Ocean Conservation, Education, and Music Festival happening in Jacksonville Beach, FL on September 15th & 16th, benefiting OCEARCH.

Education, music, food trucks, and more.

 

Jax Taco Fest September 16-17, 2023September 16-17       Jax Taco Fest            Jacksonville

Mucho fun, tacos, and beer!

Get ready for an action-packed day filled with a variety of tacos, margaritas, delicious churros, guacamole, elotes, live entertainment, KIDS ZONE and Other Taco themed activities! Plus upgrade your admission to VIP to get access to the Restricted VIP Area with hard drinks and margaritas for purchase.

 

September 16       SWFL SteamCon           Cape Coral

SWFL SteamCon is a small-scale Steampunk & Fantasy convention in Fort Myers, FL featuring authors & craft makers, steampunk themed activities, costume contests, live music and more! Attendees are encouraged to dress up and have fun. This is a family friendly event, fun for all ages!

September 22       Orlando Salsa Festival             Orlando/Amway Center

Get ready for the ultimate salsa extravaganza! The Orlando Salsa Festival is coming to Amway Center on September 22, featuring the legendary Willie Colón and El Gran Combo! Prepare to dance the night away to the electrifying rhythms of salsa and experience a once-in-a-lifetime concert event. Tickets are on sale now!

CLICK HERE to find tickets at the best prices.

Sip mojitos and enjoy tasty bites while learning to dance Salsa and Bachata in Miami. After the Salsa experience guests ages 21 and over are invited stay for the nightclub and enjoy live music, tropical performances, and dancing all night. This is a fun activity for singles, couples and groups and perfect for celebrating your birthday, anniversary, bachelorette party or vacation. Click the photo for details and to purchase
Sip mojitos and enjoy tasty bites while learning to dance Salsa and Bachata in Miami. After the Salsa experience guests ages 21 and over are invited stay for the nightclub and enjoy live music, tropical performances, and dancing all night. This is a fun activity for singles, couples and groups and perfect for celebrating your birthday, anniversary, bachelorette party or vacation. CLICK HERE or the on the image for information and to book your incredible night out in MIAMI!

 

 

September 29-October 1         Pensacola Seafood Festival          Pensacola

This free festival takes place in downtown Pensacola. THIS IS NOT A PET FRIENDLY EVENT!

Arts and crafts, commercial vendors, food vendors, and food trucks will all have items available for purchase. REPEAT, THIS IS NOT A PET FRIENDLY EVENT!

St. Augustine Songwriters Festival September 29-October 1, 2023

September 29-October 1         St. Augustine Songwriters Festival   St. Augustine

Get ready to immerse yourselves in a musical extravaganza at the St. Augustine Songwriters Festival. Picture yourself amid captivating performances, where top-notch hitmakers come together to unravel the untold stories and inspirations behind their sensational chart-toppers. From heartwarming anecdotes to unexpected twists, this festival is a treasure trove of secrets that will leave you enchanted and craving for more.

September 30       Lake Nona VegFest        Lake Nona

Plant-Based + Wellness Festival where you can enjoy food, drinks, free fitness and yoga classes and more

This completely vegan festival will have over 60 vegan vendors including local businesses and special guests from out of town. You can expect live music, speakers, dance classes, yoga classes and other entertainment all free.

This is a family and pet friendly event where all are welcome.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.