From the Alabama border to Key West, fabulous beach events occur in Florida. Sunset celebrations are regularly held in many Gulf Coast communities and in the Florida Keys. Locales on both coasts celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks over the water, best viewed from the beach. Spring break is another "holiday," widely celebrated in Daytona Beach, Panama City Beach and Fort Myers Beach. Check out this list for specific annual events in the Sunshine State.


Destin/Fort Walton Beach Area

Fudpucker 4-Player Volleyball Tournament
Each spring, Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill hosts one of the largest four-person volleyball tournaments in the world. The tourney, held during Emerald Coast Volleyball Week on Destin's white-sand beach, draws volleyball enthusiasts from all over. Its sister tournament, the Fudpucker Fall Classic, is usually held in September.


Fort Lauderdale Area

Ocean Fest Dive & Adventure Sports Expo
Ocean Fest celebrates Fort Lauderdale's status as one of the best places to dive and snorkel in Florida. The expo, traditionally held in mid-April at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, features dive and adventure sports exhibits, free seminars, food, drinks, music, fashion shows, prizes and a scuba and snorkeling treasure hunt.


Fort Myers Area

American Sand Sculpting Championship Festival
Professional and amateur sand sculptors compete in this contest, which is typically held in early November on the soft sands of Fort Myers Beach. Spectators are the real winners, however, as they can peruse the magnificent creations of sand for four to five days.

Located at the Florida-Alabama border, the Flora-Bama Lounge, Package, Oyster Bar & Grill is well-known for its Interstate Mullet Toss and beach party, where participants toss mullets, a fish indigenous to the area, from Alabama across the state line into Florida. The fish-throwing is done in late April on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico.


Pensacola Area

The Flora-Bama Interstate Mullet Toss
Located at the Florida-Alabama border, the Flora-Bama Lounge, Package, Oyster Bar & Grill is well-known for its Interstate Mullet Toss and beach party, where participants toss mullets, a fish indigenous to the area, from Alabama across the state line into Florida. The fish-throwing is done in late April on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico.

Sunsets Beach Fest
Nearly every night, locals flock to Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach to watch the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico. However, each April, thousands come to Pier 60 Park to partake in a three-day beach fest held in honor of the setting sun. The festival takes place on the sand south of the pier and features live music from local and national artists, seafood and other cuisine from local restaurants, arts and crafts, street performers, carnival rides and fireworks over the Gulf.


Sarasota/Bradenton Area

Venice Sharks Tooth Festival
This festival, held adjacent to one of the best beaches for finding prehistoric shark's teeth, is one of the largest fossil events in the state. Besides fossil exhibits, the festival features live music, food, children's games and arts and crafts. Typically held in April at the Airport Festival Grounds, proceeds from the event benefit the special athletes in Sarasota County.