What's Up in Florida
May and June 2025

MAY

HUNGARIAN FESTIVAL IN SARASOTA – Founded by the Gobal Friendship Foundation nearly two decades ago, this growing festival aims to bring authentic Hungarian culture, values, traditions, flavors and fun to the Suncoast community and beyond. Guests of all ages can enjoy two days of activities, rides, games and music, as well as real Hungarian stews, stuffed cabbage, pastries, crepes and other mouth-watering treats. Take home some handmade items from Hungarian vendors, including clothing, artwork and jewelry.
When: May 3-4
Where: Sarasota County Fairgrounds, Sarasota
Web: https://sarasotamagyarfesztival.com/

THUNDER ON COCOA BEACH – This exciting, four-day offshore boat racing event brings some of the world’s fastest speedboats and lots of adrenaline to the shores of the Space Coast, creating some serious buzz in the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy live entertainment, parties and some of the top race teams in the world competing in various classes, with Class 1 reaching speeds over 175 miles per hour. After each day’s races, meet the racers at the downtown Cocoa Beach block party or dance the night away at the after-parties.
When: May 15-18
Where: Cocoa Beach
Web: https://www.thunderoncocoabeach.com/

TAMPA RIVERFEST – Celebrating at the start of every May, Riverfest is a free, two-day party that spans several parks along downtown Tampa’s beautiful Riverwalk. Spend a weekend filled with family-friendly activities, including a water ski show, yoga on the lawn, a wiener dog derby, a lantern parade, a paddle invasion and a balloon glow show on both nights at sunset. Enjoy a live concert series at the Curtis Hixon Park stage, and feast on local cuisine at Friday’s Taste of the Riverwalk and Saturday’s Taco Fest. Be sure to wear comfy shoes to do some strolling or hop on a water taxi or free streetcar to hit some other downtown landmarks.
When: May 2-3
Where: Curtis Hixon Park, Riverwalk and Water Works Park, downtown Tampa
Web: https://thetampariverwalk.com/events/riverfest.html

ST. AUGUSTINE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL — This fest, named one of the state’s top 10 wine festivals by USA Today, has a new home for 2025. The annual Grand Tasting, which features more than 300 wine, beer and spirit choices, will move to Ancient City Farmstead. The 1,500-acre event venue boasts real Florida charm, lush greenery and a historic barn and stables. It’s also only 10 minutes from the city’s downtown which makes it easier to enjoy the city’s dining scene and plan a weekend getaway at one of the historic B&B’s. The main event includes live music and chef cooking demos with tasting samples. Other festival events include the Harvest Awards and Premier Wine Tasting; Smoke on the Walk, a BBQ, wine, beer and spirits tasting; and the Mother’s Day Jazz Brunch. 
When: May 7-11
Where: Ancient City Farmstead, St. Augustine
Web: https://staugustinefoodandwinefestival.com

FLORIDA FOLK FESTIVAL — The 73rd annual three-day fest salutes the music, dance, stories, crafts and food that are unique to the state’s cultural history. It includes more than 300 folk, blues, gospel, country, Latin, jazz, Caribbean and zydeco performances by well-known Florida and national recording artists. But the festival is more than just a live music showcase. Each year, the Folklife Stage hosts demos, traditions, superstitions and weather lore that supports this year’s theme: Earth. Guests can participate in jam sessions, take workshops, sample local eats and take dance lessons. Also includes a kids zone, Banjo & Fiddle Contest, arts and crafts vendors and more.
When: May 23-25
Where: Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs
Web: https://www.floridastateparks.org/FloridaFolkFestival

ISLAND GROVE BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL — Located on U.S. 301 just 20 miles east of Gainesville, the community of Hawthorne has long been an agricultural growing region in the lush center of the state. It annually celebrates the blueberry yield with a family-friendly fest that includes homemade blueberry treats, arts and crafts vendors, a blueberry cake contest, food trucks and a kids zone. The fest happens during the heart of the growing season and guests are welcome to stop at any of the local you-pick farms like Aunt Zelma’s Blueberries, Hidden Bear Farm and Hatcher Farms Organic Blueberries. If you’re looking for a whole day of adventures, make time to stop at one of these other local attractions: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park, Island Grove Winery and Tasting House and The Orange Shop. 
When: May 3
Where: Hawthorne
Web: https://www.facebook.com/IGBlueberryFest

DIGITAL GRAFFITI — For 18 years, the reflective, all white architecture of Alys Beach has provided a blank canvas for some of the world’s top artists, designers and photographers to project their works and set the night aglow. Art lovers have taken notice. National Geographic has named the fest one of the “Top Unconventional Art Destinations Around the World”, the Smithsonian Magazine recognized it as one of the top five “Light-Project Art Festivals” and it was honored by CODAawards as the winner of the “Collaboration of Design + Art for Residential Projects”. Although we’ve regularly featured the event in our calendar, it’s fantastic to see the rest of the country showing it some love. Each year features new original art works chosen through a juried selection process and more than 70 works will be vying for the $10,000 in cash prizes. During the day, guests can attend panel discussions on topics like the intersection of art and architecture or working as an artist. But night time is the right time.  There are two options to see the works after dark: Tickets for Friday night are for the 21 and up crowd and include an all-inclusive gourmet food and beverage experience lining the festival path. Saturday tickets are geared for families with food trucks and beverage stands along the path. 
When: May 16-17
Where: Alys Beach
Web: https://www.digitalgraffiti.com

ISLE OF EIGHT FLAGS SHRIMP FESTIVAL — Fernandina’s biggest party of the year salutes northeast Florida’s shrimping industry. Of course, all festival goers eventually make their way to the community’s waterfront to munch on fried, grilled or blackened shrimp. The picturesque view includes moored shrimp boats that bring in the day’s harvest. The fest actually kicks off on Thursday night (May 1) with the annual parade. This year’s theme is “Diamonds are a Shrimp’s Best Friend”. Guests will also enjoy walking through the historic downtown streets lined with more than 300 arts and crafts vendors. Other events include the Pirate-themed contests for kids and adults, the Blessing of the Fleet and Decorated Shrimp Boat Contest (Sunday) and the 28th Annual Shrimp Festival 5K Run/Walk (Saturday). The fest includes three days of live entertainment.
When: May 2-4
Where: Fernandina
Web: https://www.shrimpfestival.com

KEY WEST SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL – It features some 200 performers spread over five days and nights, some of whom have written songs for and/or performed with lots of A-Listers in the music biz, mostly in the country genre. Some also have gone on to have very successful careers of their own. Some of the headliners this year are Nate Smith, Chase Matthews, Raul Malo (Mavericks’ front man), Elisha Hoffman Liz Roles and Dylan Altman. The festival is known for kick-starting the careers of future big-time stars, such as Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris and Florida Georgia Line.
When: April 30-May 4
Where: Various venues in Key West
Web: keywestsongwritersfestival.com

JUNE

BATTLE OF BLOODY MOSE — Some of Florida’s pivotal battles came not only before statehood, but before the United States became an independent nation. One of these, known as the Battle of Bloody Mose, occurred when British forces, led by General Oglethorpe, tried to wrest control of Florida from the Spanish militia. If you know your St. Augustine history, you know it didn’t go well. The decisive battle, which took place in Mose, resulted in 75 dead British troops (out of 175) and 35 captured. Afterwards, the British turned tail and headed back to Georgia and South Carolina. This annual event commemorates the lives lost and battle won through two reenactments (11 a.m. and 1 p.m.).
When: June 28
Where: Fort Mose, St. Augustine
Web: https://fortmose.org/battle-of-bloody-mose-2022

WATERMELON FESTIVAL — This annual event represents a slice of Americana family fun. Don’t get us started on the Great American Bed Race. We’re not talking about a kind of bed, but flatbed carts. Teams of adults or teens (two pushers, one rider), build their “bed”, decorate it, don costumes and race their way through the streets of Monticello to be first to the finish line. If you don’t think the Great American Bed Race isn’t quite your “speed”, maybe reserve a spot (plus a commemorative t-shirt!) in the Monticello Kiwanis Club 5K Watermelon Run or plop down a chair along the route of the 74th annual festival parade. Of course, there’s also a car show, pageant, dog and baby photo contests, live music, art and craft vendors and watermelon. Lots of watermelon.
When: June 13-14
Where: Monticello
Web: https://www.monticellowatermelonfestival.com

WILD BLACKBERRY FESTIVAL — Hamilton County, the Wild Blackberry Capital of the Sunshine State, has a jam-packed day planned for families starting with the blackberry pancake breakfast. Other entertainment throughout the day includes a concert by Teddy MacElvis and the Legends, craft vendors, the Miss Blackberry pageant, kids games and food vendors. Of course, all things blackberry have a starring role. Imagine homemade cobblers, jams, jellies and pints of fresh-picked blackberries. Want to try your hand at cultivating your own harvest. There also will be plants for sale!
When: June 9
Where: Jasper
Web: https://www.naturalnorthflorida.com/events/wild-blackberry-festival-2

KINGFISH SHOOTOUT — If you want the sun in your face, wind in your hair and a little bit of hope dangling from your fishing line, Carrabelle’s fishing tournament might be calling your name. The annual event, which has raised more than $1.5 million for the Leukemia Research Foundation, pays out $5,000 for the biggest kingfish. The largest red snapper also will reel in $5,000, with $2,000 going to the first place Spanish mackerel. The tournament has a guaranteed payout of $24,000 and includes divisions for Calcutta, target weight, youth angler (ages 16 and under) and Lady Angler. Youths and women must net their catch unassisted.
When: June 14
Where: Carrabelle
Web: https://c-quartersmarina.com/events/22nd-annual-kingfish-shootout

ORLANDO SEAFOOD FESTIVAL – What better way to start the summer than with sunshine, boats and fresh seafood? This two-day, family-friendly fest will feature a variety of vendors serving up shrimp dishes, sandwiches, fried delights and other forms of sea-caught goodies, along with live bands and entertainment, a pirate show, a marine exhibit, a boat show and a children’s zone. Check out the seafood market to bring home some dinner, or shop for handmade arts, crafts and gifts while enjoying the outdoors in spacious Festival Park.
When: June 7-8
Where: Festival Park, Orlando
Web: https://orlandoseafoodfestival.com/

SAVOR SARASOTA – Celebrating Savor Sarasota’s 20th anniversary, more than 50 restaurants throughout Sarasota County will offer multi-course menus showcasing the area’s diverse culinary landscape and talented chefs, from the barrier islands of Longboat Key and Lido Key to the downtowns of Venice, Sarasota and Englewood. Satisfy your foodie palate by hitting multiple restaurants over the three-week period, choosing from classic comfort food to contemporary creations, all for $25 per person for lunch of $45 per person for dinner.
When: June 1-20
Where: Throughout Sarasota County
Web: https://www.visitsarasota.com/savor-sarasota

WATERLILY CELEBRATION – For 20 years, McKee Botanical Garden has drawn horticultural enthusiasts, photographers, artists, and visitors from across the state to gaze upon dozens of varieties of the beautiful waterlily and take part in a full day of immersive activities. Learn from waterlily reporting demonstrations, shop for unique plants, wire art and handmade African baskets, and watch plein air artists capture the beauty of the gardens in real time. Get there at the 8:30 a.m. opening time to see a rare and breathtaking display of night-blooming waterlilies alongside their day-blooming counterparts.
When: June 14
Where: McKee Botanical Garden, Vero Beach
Web: https://mckeegarden.org/class/20th-annual-waterlily-celebration-2/

OTAKUFEST – Otaku is a Japanese word that describes people with consuming interests, such as anime, video games, computers or other highly enthusiastic hobbies. It’s the perfect word to describe this three-day nerd-a-thon that celebrates the best in geek culture, including anime, animation, cosplay, gaming, manga (comics and graphic novels with a distinct style) and pop culture. On tap: hundreds of exhibitors, venders, craftspeople, celebrities, publishers, artists, writers, panels, costume competitions, concerts, video game tournaments, role-playing games and karaoke.
When: June 6
Where: Miami Airport Convention Center
Web: otakufest.com

ELECTRIC BLUES EXTRAVAGANZA – There are many sub-genres of blues, including Memphis, New Orleans, Chicago, Texas, Delta, British, West Coast, Country, Boogie Woogie and Psychedelic to name just some. You’re likely to hear and see at least some of these at this noon-until-9 p.m. gathering on two stages, maybe along with some southern soul, funk, neo-pop and hip hop thrown in for good measure. Performers will be Sp3ctacle, The Cedrick Talton Experience, Rockin’ Jake Band, Reggie “King” Sears, JW Gilmore, Ronny Hill and Josh Roland. Plenty of diverse and yummy food options (six restaurants are on the property) are available, too,
When: June 14
Where: Fishermen’s Village, Punta Gorda
Web: www.fishermensvillage.com