By Janet K. Keeler
Florida is open for business in the summer and the activities don’t hide in the air conditioning, that’s for sure. The state’s dramatic summer weather is the backdrop for music and dance festivals, and food extravaganzas that celebrate seafood and tropical fruit.
In Miami, July and August are Spa Months, the perfect time to get pampered with bargain-price luxury services all around the city.
Sarasota transforms into classical music city in June when accomplished student musicians from some of the world’s best programs perform during the three-week Sarasota Music Festival.
And year round, at Lakeridge Winery Clermont, you can enjoy Weekends at the Winery, staged in its expansive vineyard green and complete with delicious food, live entertainment, and -- naturally--your favorite Lakeridge wines.
But that's just the tip of the sandbar. Here are some sizzling Florida summer events to keep you busy.
JUNE
Moonlight, Turtles and You
Get close to nature, with supervision of course, on the Summer Moonlight Sea Turtle Walks sponsored by the Museum of Discovery & Science at the beach in Fort Lauderdale. Your guide will explain the mysteries and myths of these glorious creatures. There’s a chance that you just might see a 300-pound loggerhead looking for a spot to lay her eggs.
Craft Brews and Coastal Views
Raise a glass to summertime at the Naples Craft Beer Festival, where local and national breweries pour their best creations under the warm June sun. Held at Mercato, this lively gathering blends live music, gourmet bites from area restaurants, and an impressive lineup of small-batch brews that showcase Florida’s flourishing craft beer scene. Wander from tent to tent discovering new favorites, chat with the brewers, and soak up the laid-back coastal vibe that makes Southwest Florida a summer standout. Cheers to finding your new go-to sip.
JULY
Summer Means Mangoes in South Florida
The King of Fruit gets its due at the Pine Island MangoMania in Bokelia, offering lusciousness with tastings and food demonstrations. You don’t want to leave without trying a smoothie.
The Scoop on Sharks
Sharks elicit endless fascination, and sometimes fear for those of us who walk on land and occasionally swim in the sea. SharkCon at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa is a weekend of education and interactive activity geared toward increasing understanding of these amazing underwater creatures. There will be touch tanks, paddleboard lessons and probably more than one reference to the ultra-cheesy Sharknado movies.
You’ll Have a Shell of a Time
Harvest your own scallops during the Florida recreational season along Florida’s Big Bend coast. You’ll need a saltwater fishing license, snorkel, mask and dive flag and there are many local outfitters and guides to show you the way. Slather lots of sunscreen on your back to ward off the sun as you hunt for the sweet shellfish face down. There are people at the shore who will clean your bounty for you..
The Rhythm is Gonna Get You
The Miami Salsa Congress is five non-stop days of cha-cha, mambo and bomba at the InterContinental Miami in Miami Beach. There will be performances, worships, pool parties, plus other ways to shake your bon-bon, or watch someone else move theirs. Salsa got its start in 1970s New York, drawing from many Caribbean influences. Today, though, it seems like Miami through and through.
Bugs is a common term of endearment for the Florida spiny lobster, which is celebrated during Key West Lobsterfest.
- Julie Fletcher for VISIT FLORIDA
AUGUST
Watch Them Get Their Motors Runnin’
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 attracts flocks of NASCAR fans to witness stock cars roar for 160 laps around the famed high banks at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach. Pack the cooler and gas up the RV; the Coke Zero Sugar 400 is more than an all-day affair.
You’ll Go Buggy for Bugs
Bugs is a common term of endearment for the Florida spiny lobster, which is celebrated during Key West Lobsterfest. Lots of recreational divers come to the Florida Keys for the two-day season, hoping to catch their limits of the succulent crustaceans. Lobsterfest marks the season with a beach party, lobster boil, concerts and street fair. So, even if you don’t dip a toe into the water, you can still enjoy this Florida treat.
Cool Off with Fun for Kids
The Florida Kids & Family Expo at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando is acres of fun for kids of all ages. Exhibitors show off their latest kid-friendly wares including bouncy amusements to games and educational tools. There will be interactive offerings including martial arts demonstrations, laser tag and even makeup lessons for teens. On the agenda is party planning help for parents who have run out of ideas.
