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What's Up in Florida
in February and March 2026

 

FEBRUARY

CLEARWATER SEA-BLUES FESTIVAL – What could be better than a combo of waterfront beauty and soul-thumping blues? This free outdoor event will spotlight national acts such Robert John & The Wreck and The North Mississippi Allstars, while vendors and food trucks will serve up cold drinks and delicious seafood dishes, sandwiches and fritters. Guests are encouraged to bring their own blankets and lawn chairs and sprawl out in the spacious Coachman Park to enjoy tunes and casual vibes. Purchase a special Captain’s Krewe ticket for access to exclusive seating and a private bar.
When: Feb. 28-March 1
Where: Coachman Park, Clearwater
Web: https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/event/clearwater-sea-blues-festival/52346

FLORIDA RIVER FEST — If you love catching, cooking or eating catfish, Blountstown can’t wait to welcome you! The annual one-day outdoor, sporting and recreation fest features live entertainment, a classic car show, a kid’s mud pie eating contest (aka chocolate pudding pie), arts and crafts vendors, a kids zone and fireworks. But let’s get back to the event’s main draw — the Catfish Cook-Off and the Big River Classic Catfish Tournament — registration is open!
When: Feb. 28
Where: Blountstown
Web: https://www.riverfestfl.com

PLAY BALL! – Hankering for some baseball? Not to worry. SoFla’s seven teams in the Grapefruit League (a.k.a. Major League Baseball’s spring training season) will scratch your itch. SoFla had six teams last year, but a new addition this season will be the Tampa Bay Rays, who will set up shop in Port Charlotte. For all the teams, pitchers and catchers are the first to report in mid-February and full rosters soon after that. Then, in March, the games begin and go on all month.
When: Starting about the second or third week in February and then throughout the month of March
Where: For the Tampa Bay Rays, Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte. For the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter. For the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros, CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach. For the Boston Red Sox, JetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers. For the Minnesota Twins, Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers.
Web: mlb.com/rays/spring-training for the Rays; rogerdeanstadium.com for the Cardinals and Marlins; ballparkpalmbeaches.com for the Nationals and Astros; redsox.com/jetbluepark for the Red Sox; mlb.com/twins/spring-training/ballpark for the Twins.

COLORS OF THE WILD — Although the holidays are over, the Jacksonville Zoo still glows with the spirit of the season through February during its annual lantern display. Guests will walk through a fiery-hued tunnel created by a larger-than-life bird’s tail or gaze into the jaws of a great white shark. The light show is one of the largest Asian lantern shows in the U.S. and includes more than 70 colorful scenes featuring plants and animals. Guests can purchase a ticket only for Colors of the Wild, or they can purchase a combo ticket that includes regular zoo admission before dark.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, now through Feb. 8
Where: Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Web: https://www.jacksonvillezoo.org

LAKE WORTH BEACH STREET PAINTING FESTIVAL – It’s the chalk of the town, so to speak. See how the pavement becomes a canvas and the street becomes a museum for fine works of traditional, contemporary and 3D art. Lasting only until the next rain drops, these masterpieces (made with environmentally-friendly chalk) are a true beauty to behold. Some 600 artists will participate at one of the largest street painting festivals in the country. There will also be food, live music and street performers.
When: Feb. 21-22
Where: Downtown Lake Worth Beach
Web: spf.lakeworthbeachfl.gov/

ORLANDO WHISKEY FEST – Whiskey and bourbon sippers love this evening event, which transforms the Orlando Science Center into an adult’s wonderland of liquor sampling, craft beer, cigars, gourmet bites and more. Guests can partake among 100 types of fine single malt, blended Scotch and American whiskies, including Bourbon and rye and flavored whiskies. They’ll also get the chance to talk to industry experts and learn more about the history and nuances of each beverage, all while enjoying music and meeting new friends.
When: Feb. 6
Where: Orlando Science Center, Orlando
Web: https://www.whiskeynbizz.com/

KREWE OF ST. ANDREWS MARDI GRAS — Thousands of strands of beads will be tossed to the 50,000-plus guests lining the parade route for Panama City’s largest Mardi Gras parade. The main event features over 14 Krewes and more than 30 festive floats as well as live music. But that parade isn’t the only highlight. The weekend actually kicks off with a series of family-friendly events on Friday that includes a Pet Parade, Kids Parade and Mask Parade. The festival is both Friday and Saturday and includes food, fun and live music like the Village Brass Band and True Soul.
When: Feb. 6-7
Where: Panama City
Web: https://standrewsmardigras.com/festival-info/

SEA FOOD, EAT FOOD! There is a septet of excellent seafood-centric festival in South Florida in February. At all of these you will enjoy fresh seafood cooked onsite, but they may also offer vegetarian and meat dishes, a diverse array of side dishes and yummy deserts. They may feature live music, including concerts by some of Florida’s and Southwest Florida’s top performers and bands. There are plenty of activities for kids, too. To top it all off, they all may include shopping marketplaces with arts & crafts, gourmet food and specialty products. The Everglades Seafood Festival also includes carnival rides, a drone show and fireworks. Here’s the lineup:

 

MARCH

CLEWISTION SUGAR FESTIVAL – This annual celebration of the end of the Sugar Cane Harvest is a fun-for-all-ages gathering. There will be food trucks and other food vendors, arts & crafts, lots of live country music, a cornhole tournament, a homerun derby, the Sweet Taste Baking competition, an antique tractor display, a car show, a Miss Sugar pageant and plenty of activities for kids. Music headliners are Tyler Hubbard, Justin Moore, Niko Moon, Zach John King and the Yacht Rock Review.
When: March 13-14
Where: Civic Park, Clewiston
Web: clewistonsugarfestival.com

SANIBEL SHELL SHOW & FESTIVAL – Want to have a shell of a good time? Sure you do. There will be judged scientific and artistic competitions, vendors, food trucks, lots of activities for kids, raffles, a silent auction, live shell crating, live mollusk tanks and shell identification from the Shell Museum.
When: March 5-7
Where: The Community House, Sanibel Island
Web: sanibel-island.sanibel-captiva.org/events/details/89th-annual-sanibel-shell-show-and-festival-03-05-2026-51030

GOOD EATS (AND DRINKS!) Food and beverage-centric events abound throughout SoFla in March. Many have more than food and drink, including live music, arts & crafts vendors, parades, games and activities for kids. Here are some that whet our appetite and thirst:

SPRINGTIME TALLAHASSEE — What started over a half-century ago as a quiet tribute to Tallahassee has blossomed into a family-friendly 58th anniversary bash where you can run a 10K at daybreak and then catch beads during a New Orleans-style parade by  mid-morning. The Grand Parade features krewes with more than 100 decorated floats, marching bands and more. After, head to Jubilee in the Park for a little shopping from more than 200 art, craft and food vendors. Guests looking for a “lighter” morning workout than the Springtime 10K, instead can register for the 5K or 1-Mile races. Don’t forget, the party technically starts with Friday night’s music festival. The event will announce the lineup of artists headlining the annual music festival closer to the date.
When: March 27-28
Where: Tallahassee
Web: https://www.springtimetallahassee.com

NTPA GRAND NATIONAL SOUTHERN SWING — You’ll feel the earth move under your feet when tractor pull contestants turn raw horsepower into pure adrenaline during the first Sunshine State swing of the NTPA Grand National season since 1979. Yes, the National Tractor Pullers Association is coming to town for two nights. But what actually is tractor pulling? Tractor pulling is a competitive motorsport where modified tractors and trucks pull a weighted sled down a dirt track, testing the engine power, traction, and driver skill. The family-friendly event also includes a chance for guests to meet and mingle with the drivers or snap photos of their favorite machines as many competitors hang around after their pull. Earplugs are recommended for all guests, regardless of age.
When: March 13-14
Where: Zellwood
Web: https://www.fullpull.us/southernswing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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