| Home Page | Vacation Homes | Things to See & Do | Contacting Us | Key West Map |
| Key West Events Events |
|
| Key West is famous... for staging many fabulous and unique world-famous festivals and special events throughout the year that make for Key West vacations that are exciting and memorable. Here we provide you with a selection of some of the more popular events and major festivals that many of our vacation rental guests plan around their Key West vacations. Our guests know that choosing a vacation rental property from Vacation Homes of Key West provides them with the most authentic, comfortable, convenient, and generally the most affordable accommodation from which to enjoy their favorite Key West festivals and events year after year. Due to the demand for our vacation rentals, we encourage you to reserve your Vacation Homes of Key West property for your Key West vacations well in advance for the most popular festivals and events. | |
 |
|
| JANUARY 2010 | |
| 28th Annual Key West Literary Seminar (Jan 07 – 10th) |
The internationally popular event is a sell out every year. The topic for 2010 topic is “Clearing The Sill of the World,” a celebration of 60 years of American poetry in honor of Richard Wilbur. www.kwls.org Contact: (888) 293-9291 Email: mail@kwls.org |
|---|---|
| 50th Annual Key West Historic House & Garden Tours (Jan 15 to 16) |
A unique opportunity to tour a selection of elegant and unique private homes of Key West. A few of the homes in the Vacation Homes of Key West rental inventory have been featured in this tour series in past years. Complimentary Conch Tour Train transportation is provided to take you from house to house, or you can walk. Proceeds go to the Old Island Restoration Foundation. Admission is $25. per person. www.oirf.org Contact: (305) 294-9501 Email: oldisland@comcast.net |
| International Yacht Race Week (Jan 19 –23) |
This has become one of the most important and premier sailing yacht races in the world with world class competitors. www.Premiere-Racing.com Contact: (781) 639-9545 Email: KWinfo@Premiere-Racing.com |
| Sculpture Key West (Jan 18 to April 18) |
Opens at West Martello Museum – and then expands to Fort Zachary Taylor on February 24. An amazing annual contemporary outdoor art exhibit. www.sculpturekeywest.com Contact: (305) 295-3800 Email: info@sculpturekeywest.com |
| Key West Food & Wine Festival (Jan 28 – 31) |
Key West is famous for international restaurants and top chefs. This event invites the best on the island to showcase their culinary creativity specializing in the indigenous foods of the Florida Keys. www.keywestfoodandwinefestival.com Contact: (305) 292-1622 Email: info@keywestfoodandwinefestival.com |
| 25th Annual Key West Craft Show (Jan 30 to 31) |
Popular annual show in Old Town. Streets are blocked off on lower Whitehead and Caroline Streets to create a casual party atmosphere. Juried artisans and crafters display their creations for sale. www.keywestartcenter.com/craft.html Contact: (305) 294-1241 Email: kwartctr@earthlink.net |
| Master Chef Classic (Jan 31) |
A chance to sample from the best local restaurants as they vie for top honors and the judges decide upon the winners. They compete in three categories; appetizers, entrees and desserts. Event will be at Westin Hotel on the Key West Harbor. Tickets available Jan. 8. This even benefits the MARC House programs for persons with developmental disabilities. Contact: 294-9526, ext 25 |
| FEBRUARY 2010 | |
| Civil War Heritage Festival (Feb 13 to 15) |
Fort Zachary Taylor. Civil War scenes are staged and re-enacted by actors in full Civil War costume. Tour the Fort and learn about our islands’ past. www.fortzacharytaylor.com Contact: (305) 292-6850 |
| Gardenfest Key West (Feb 20 – 21) 10:00 am – 4:00 pm |
Key West Botanical Garden hosts a plant fair and sale. Exceptional South Florida nurseries a variety of ornamental and fruit plants including bromeliads, orchids, fruit trees, banana trees, palms, tropical flowers and an large variety of native plants. Landscaping workshops are offered that teach how to build your own native garden. Plant sale is free and open to the public. Gates open 9 a.m. www.keywestbotanicalgarden.org Contact: (305) 296-1504 Email: KWBGS@kwbgs.org |
| 50th Annual Key West House & Garden Tour (Feb 12 – 13) |
A popular event returns in February where you can tour inside and the outside gardens of a selection of unique homes of Key West. Presented by the Old Island Restoration Foundation as a fundraiser for its efforts. Admission is $25. per person. www.oirf.org Contact: (305) 294-0015 Email: oldisland@comcast.net |
| Friends of the Key West Library Fund-Raiser (Feb 27 to March 1) |
Held at the Studios of Key West on the corner of Southard and White Streets, this catered affair with live entertainment is a great locals event to enjoy for a great cause, our library!
From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cost is $100 per person. Live music. www.keywestboatshow.com Contact: 305-293-0713 Email: smithchamberlin@aol.com |
| Old Island Days
Art Festival (Feb 27 – 28) |
Truman Waterfront. New boats from leading boat dealers in the Florida Keys. Live music. Contact: 305-294-1241 |
| MARCH 2010 | |
| Hot Havana Nights (March 13) |
Party in the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, from 7 pm to 11 pm. Live music featuring Miami’s Havana Soul, Cuban art, silent auction, and Cuban cuisine. Call for tickets. www.keywestbotanicalgarden.org Contact: (305) 296-1504 Email: kwbgs@bellsouth.net |
| 50th Annual House and Garden Tours (March 12 – 13) 10:00 am – 4:00 pm 10:00 am – 4:00 pm |
A popular event returns in March where you can tour 5 houses inside and the outside gardens of a selection of unique homes of Key West. Presented by the Old Island Restoration Foundation as a fundraiser for its efforts. Admission is $25. per person. www.oirf.org Contact: (305) 294-9501 Email: oldisland@comcast.net |
| Key West Fishing Tournament (March 12 -14) |
Kick-off for annual seasonal-long tournament. Prizes and awards for best catches. www.keywestfishingtournament.com Contact: (305) 295-6601; (800) 970-9056 Email: director@keywestfishingtournament.com |
| APRIL 2010 | |
| World Sailfish Championship (April 13 -17) |
Fish in the day and fun filled evenings of food, drink and entertainments. www.worldsailfish.com Contact: (305) 395-3474; (727) 631-0072 Email: lemmole@worldsailfish.com |
| Conch Republic Independence Celebration (April 16 - 25th) |
Celebrate the spirit of the Conch Republic with a commemoration of its founding in response to a U.S. Border Patrol roadblock that stopped traffic in and out of the Florida Keys on April 23, 1982. www.conchrepublic.com Contact: (305) 294-2298 Email: conchcept@aol.com |
| 15th Annual Taste of Key West (April 19) |
Truman Waterfront. A culinary celebration that includes booths of many of Key West’s presenting delectable samples of their best cuisine to benefit AIDS Help, Inc. www.aidshelp.cc Contact: (305) 296-6196 |
| Key West Songwriters’ Festival (April 28 - May 2) |
13th-annual showcase featuring some of America’s foremost performing and upcoming songwriters. Concerts in intimate casual settings throughout the island of Key West. Presented by Hog's Breath Saloon, 400 Front St., Key West. Contact: (305) 296-4222 |
| MAY 2010 | |
| Harry S. Truman Legacy Symposium (May 21 - 22nd) |
“Harry Truman and Immigration.” The political history of Key West is addressed in panel discussions. Tour The Little White House (located in Truman Annex) where President Harry Truman worked and recreated while he was in office as President of the United States. www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com Contact: (305) 294-9911 |
| Yamaha Dolphin Masters Invitational (May 29) |
Experienced offshore captains compete for big prize money in dolphin fish tournament. Contact: (305) 304-7674 Email: wave.whacker@hotmail.com |
| JUNE 2010 | |
| PrideFest Key West (June 9 -13) |
A festival honoring the Key West concept of “One Human Family” that embraces and honors diversity, openness and freedom in the little island city that is recognized as one of the world's top gay and lesbian vacation destinations. www.pridefestkeywest.com Contact: (305) 294-4603 |
| The Original FKCC Swim Around Key West (June 6 - 14) |
A 12.5 mile swim clockwise around the island of Key West. Sponsored by the Bone Island Masters Club, this is a USMS-sanctioned event and is open to age groups from 18 through 65. www.fkccswimaroundkeywest.com Contact: (305) 809-3562 Email: aqualb@aol.com |
| Key West Gator Club Dolphin Derby (June 6 - 14) |
Dolphin (mahi-mahi) fish tournament (this is not the mammal!). Anglers compete off the Florida Keys to raise money for college scholarships.
Contact: John Stuempfig Contact: (305) 304-7674 Email: wave.whacker@hotmail.com |
| JULY 2010 | |
| Conch Republic Ladies' Dolphin Tournament (July 03) |
Women who love to fish are invited to complete to catch dolphin fish for cash prizes. Contact: (305) 304-7674 Email: wave.whacker@hotmail.com |
| Mel Fisher Days (July 15 –18) |
This will be the 28th celebration of the legendary Ernest Hemmingway’s work and lifestyle in Key West and Cuba. It features literary readings, short story competition, fishing tournament and Sloppy Joe’s Ernest Hemmingway Look-Alike Contest. (literary events) Be sure to visit the Hemmingway Museum where he lived. www.melfisher.com Contact: (305) 296-6534 |
| Hemingway Days (July 17 – 22) |
This will be the 30th celebration of the legendary Ernest Hemmingway’s work and lifestyle in Key West and Cuba. It features literary readings, short story competition, fishing tournament and Sloppy Joe’s Ernest Hemmingway Look-Alike Contest. (literary events) Be sure to visit the Hemmingway Museum where he lived. www.hemingwayhome.com Contact: (305) 296-2388 (Look-Alike Contest)www.sloppyjoes.com; (305) 294- 0320(literary) |
| Key West Marlin Tournament (July 21 – 24) |
Come fish this premier Marlin fishing event held in conjunction with the Hemingway Days Festival July 17 - July 19, 2008. This “World Class” tournament features over $250,000 in available cash prizes for Marlin, Dolphin, Tuna, and Wahoo. www.keywestmarlin.com |
| AUGUST 2010 | |
| Lobsterfest August 6 - 8 |
Lobsterfest is an annual street party celebrating the world famous spiny lobster that is delectable and delightful. This is a great local party with live entertainment and a chance to test the best lobster from our local waters. www.keywestlobsterfest.com Contact: (305) 849-2706 Email: erik@keywestwalkingtours.com |
| SEPTEMBER 2010 | |
| Woman Fest (Sept 7 – 12) |
Key West welcomes women from all over the globe to Womenfest Key West, the southernmost party for lesbians and their friends. Social activities staged at various locations around the island of Key West. This is the 22nd legendary event for women! Activities include pool parties, dances women only sunset sails and dolphin watching. www.womenfest.com Contact: (800)535-7797 or (305)294-4603 |
| S.L.A.M. (Southernmost Light-Tackle Anglers Masters) Celebrity Tournament Dates TBA |
Top anglers and celebrities gather to “Catch The Cure” for cystic fibrosis. The S.L.A.M. is the first in a trilogy of charity events. A light tackle events to catch tarpon, permit and bonefish with light tackle. www.redbone.org Contact: Gary Ellis at (305) 664-2002 Email: redboneinc@aol.com |
| 38th Phil Peterson’s Annual Key West Poker Run (Sept 16 – 19) |
From Miami to Key West, dedicated bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the U.S.A. ride down the Overseas Scenic Highway from the mainland of Florida to Key West stopping along the way to raise money for charity. The ride culminates with a final celebration in Key West where the bikes are parked on the street for all to enjoy. Contact: (800) 545-2561 |
| OCTOBER 2010 | |
| Goombay Festival (Oct 22 –23) |
Annual authentic Caribbean island style street fair in Key West’s unique Bahama Village. Some of the streets are closed for pedestrian traffic only. Local island food, art, music and entertainment. Local’s favorite event to meet in the street. Find the center of the festival around Petronia and Thomas Streets near Blue Heaven Restaurant at 729 Thomas St. www.goombay-keywest.org |
| Fantasy Fest (Oct 22 – 31) |
Fantasy Fest is festival with entertaining costume events and contests each night that culminates with main event adult entertainment parade on the last Saturday night of the month. Events leading up to the parade include a variety of events that are staged in various locations around the island. Some events such as the Pet Masquerade can include the family but for the most part this is an adult event. www.fantasyfest.net |
| NOVEMBER 2010 | |
| Parrot Heads in Paradise (Nov 4– Nov 7) |
17th Annual Convention Meeting of the Minds. Jimmy Buffet fans meet in Key West every year for the “Meeting of the Minds”; “Bar Stools and Beach Chairs” is the theme for 2010. To attend you must be a member in good standing of a Parrot Head Club. There are over 200 chapters in the US, Australia, Canada and Europe, including the Virtual Parrot Head Club. www.phip.com/MOTM.asp |
| Super Power Boat Races Nov 7 - 14 |
30th Annual Key West World Championship . Super Boat International presents the biggest, fastest boats in the world. www.superboat.com Contact: (305) 296-6166 |
| Pirates in Paradise Nov 26 – Dec 5 |
A gathering of pirates, pirate lovers, and those who love the pirate lore. Costumes, parades, staged events. A fun filled gathering full of costumed pirates and pirate performers. Events are staged throughout Old Town Key West. Contact: (305)296-9694 Email: info@piratesinparadise.com |
| DECEMBER 2010 | |
| Holiday Parade (Date TBA) |
The City of Key West closes down Truman Ave. and hosts the annual locals Holiday Parade. Truly an authentic and charming small-town holiday celebration for everyone in the family. Watch the local paper in December for details; “The Key West Citizen.” www.tripsmarter.com Contact: (305) 809-3881 |
| Lighted Boat Parade (Date TBA) |
Hosted by the Schooner Wharf Bar – 202 William St. Historic Seaport. A beautiful lighted parade in Key West Harbor mostly of local boats from the Florida Keys and Key West that are creatively decorated with bright lights and animated holiday themes. Live music and food surrounds the event on the waterfront. An authentic Key West maritime tradition enjoyed by locals and visitors from all over the world. www.schoonerwharf.com Contact: Sherry (305)-292-3302. |
| New Years Eve (Dec 31) |
World Famous Dropping of ‘The Conch Shell’ at Sloppy Joes Bar at 201 Duval St. Watch the six foot Queen Conch Shell drop with synchronicity as the clock strikes mid-night to giant six foot tall bottles of champagne. www.sloppyjoes.com Contact: (305) 294-8759 |
| New Years Eve (Dec 31) |
A Key West famous tradition that is broadcast on National Television on CNN at midnight - right from “Bourbon Street Pub” at 801 Duval Street. A saucy drag queen named "Sushi," is “dropped” in a red shoe to bring in the New Year. You’ve never seen anything like this before. www.801bourbon.com Contact: (305) 294-9354 |
| New Years Eve (Dec 31) |
The Schooner Wharf Bar at the foot of William Street on the Key West Historic Seaport, rings in the New Year in real Pirate fashion with the “Dropping of the Wench” from a tall wooden mast. Just before midnight the wenchy begins her descent from the top of the mast amidst a festival of live music and dancing in proper revelry style. www.schoonerwharf.com Contact: (305) 292-3302 |
For more events, you may want to visit the Key West Chamber of Commerce web site. www.keywestchamber.org |
|
| Home Page | Vacation Homes | Things to Note | Contacting Us | Key West Map |