Cultural Festivals Across Florida

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Juneteenth Celebrations

Photo Credit: VISIT FLORIDA

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The Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival is held in St. Petersburg every June.

Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival

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Zora Neale Hurston Festival

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The Hispanic Latino Festival has been bringing people together since 2006.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Hispanic Latino Festival

African-American, Hispanic, Native American and Caribbean festivals celebrate the music, food, art and more of their cultures.

Florida’s welcome mat is always out, and our state’s doors are always open to visitors from every corner of the globe. Once you visit, it’s hard not to stay forever – many people do. The result: an intricately woven tapestry of rich cultural history and heritage that celebrates unique differences with inclusive celebrations.

Many of those celebrations come in the form of festivals, multiple days of food, fun and fellowship that center on a common cultural experience. You can find a different festival being held in the Sunshine State on almost any day of the year. But time and attendance distinguish a select group as Florida’s best. Here’s a listing of a few Floridian favorites:  

African-American Cultural Festivals

Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities, last week of January every year (Eatonville): This is another late January festival that hits the calendar early in the year, but is worth including because of its reputation and reach. This festival takes place in Eatonville, the nation’s oldest incorporated African-American municipality and home of the critically acclaimed author Zora Neale Hurston. Maybe it’s the connection to local students and schools or the unparalleled focus on cultural expression by way of concerts, museum exhibits and art shows that make this festival so special. Whatever the cause, there’s consensus that this nine-day celebration is a cultural explosion that shouldn’t be missed.

Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, January (Tampa): While it’s taken place in 2011, this 10-day cultural event is worthy of marking your calendar for future dates. It is scheduled for January 12 -21, 2012. Tampa Bay comes together in a myriad of ways for nearly a month, but the festival is best known for its two-day street festival where nearly 5,000 people come for a heritage-focused festival of food, fun, crafts and culture.

Goombay Summer Fest, June (Key West): Originally the Key West African-American Heritage Festival, this festival is held in June in conjunction with Juneteenth – the day many in the African-American community celebrate as a symbol of emancipation from slavery. The Bahamas Independence Day festival is also a part of this celebration that includes parades and street parties.

Hispanic Cultural Festivals

Hollywood Beach Latin Festival, September (Hollywood): The Hollywood Beach Latin Festival is one of the state’s most popular festivals. You’ll find out what makes Florida’s Hollywood so special when some of the Hispanic community’s top performers tear up the stage with jaw-dropping dance moves.

Hispanic Latino Festival, October (Sarasota): This festival, scheduled for Oct. 8, 2011, takes place during Hispanic Heritage Month in downtown Sarasota at Main Street and Osprey Avenue. A showcase of traditional music, dance, food and art, it draws people of all backgrounds to beautiful Sarasota every year. 

Other Festivals

Bob Marley – Movement of Jah People Caribbean Festival, (Miami): Held every year in Bayfront Centennial Park, this is one of the nation’s largest Caribbean Festivals – made special by the close and personal involvement every year of Bob Marley’s children, many of whom are also musicians who perform in concert at the festival.

 
Chasco Fiesta, March 22 - April 1, 2012 (New Port Richey): Since 1947, the Chasco Fiesta in New Port Richey has paid homage to all American-Indian tribes with 11 days of activities that range from a Coronation Ball, to a parade, to traditional American Indian activities. This series of events is an inclusive celebration of all cultures, with an honor-filled focus on Florida’s Indian tribes and traditions.

Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival, held the second weekend every June (St. Petersburg): The Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival will be celebrating its 19th year this summer with a move to Raymond James Stadium. This Caribbean Carnival includes representation from nations throughout the Caribbean and Latin America – and brings together food, art and performance in a memorable cultural celebration in one of the state’s most beautiful settings.