1st Timer’s Guide to Fantasy Fest in Key West
Key West is famous for many things — beautiful beaches, tropical vacation villas, lively bars, six-toed cats, and Key lime pie, just to name a few, but come October, there’s nothing on people’s minds more than Fantasy Fest.
An epic 10-day-long costume party that takes over downtown Key West, Fantasy Fest is Mardi Gras meets Halloween, with a little extra spice! It’s one of our favorite annual events in Key West and we’re home to a lot of good ones. And with attendance numbers often reaching up to 75,000 people, it’s one of the grandest signature events in the Florida Keys.
Thinking of coming down to Key West for Fantasy Fest this year? Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your trip.
Fantasy Fest Key West 2025
- October 17th – 26th
- fantasyfest.com
- 2025 Theme: Bedtime Stories & Magical Monsters
- Duval Street & Downtown Key West
This year’s Fantasy Fest is jam-packed with fun events centered around the theme of “Bedtime Stories & Magical Monsters.” Festival-goers are encouraged to dress accordingly, and can even win prizes for their creativity.
Every day of this 10-day festival features 5 to 15 events across Key West, including masquerade balls, musical performances, parades, street fairs, pool parties, karaoke nights, drag shows, LGBTQ-focused events, adults-only events, and so much more.
Be sure to check the official Fantasy Fest 2025 schedule for the full list of events, details, and ticket information.
Pro Tip: Plan some extra time around exploring Duval Street, where the event takes place. You’ll find lively bars, eclectic shops, art galleries, and vibrant street performances day and night.
Annual Fantasy Fest Events in Key West
While the Fantasy Fest schedule can vary from year to year, some of the biggest events are typically always in the annual lineup. Here is what to expect.
Friday (Opening Night)
- The Royal Coronation – The official start of Fantasy Fest, where the King and Queen are crowned.
- Bahama Village Goombay Festival (Day 1) – A lively, family-friendly street festival with Caribbean music, food, dancing, and games.
Saturday
- Bahama Village Goombay Festival (Day 2) – The celebration continues with food, music, and entertainment in Bahama Village.
Sunday
- Zombie Bike Ride – Thousands of “zombies” take over the streets, riding along the beach into downtown and ending at a giant zombie party.
Monday
- Fantasy Fest 5K – A fun run/walk down Duval Street that finishes with jello shots and post-race festivities.
- Comic Book Capers Party – A superhero-themed party at Sloppy Joe’s with live music, drinks, and a costume contest.
Tuesday
- Tutu Tuesday – Everyone wears tutus for playful bar crawls, street dancing, and themed events all evening.
Wednesday
- Pet Masquerade – Pets (and their owners) strut in outrageous costumes in this quirky, crowd-favorite parade.
Thursday
- Sloppy Joe’s Toga Party – Bedsheets become costumes for this legendary toga bash with contests, cocktails, and live music.
- Headdress Ball – A glamorous masquerade ball featuring extravagant headpieces, costumes, food, drinks, and dancing.
Friday
- Captain Morgan’s Masquerade March (Locals Parade) – A spirited, pirate-themed walking parade that feels like a moving cocktail and dance party.
- Fantasy Fest Street Fair (Day 1) – Duval Street turns into an open-air market with vendors, souvenirs, arts, crafts, and food.
Saturday (Finale)
- Fantasy Fest Street Fair (Day 2) – The fair continues with more shopping, food, and entertainment.
- Fantasy Fest Parade – The main event: floats, dazzling costumes, live music, and performers roll down Duval Street in the biggest party of the week.
Fantasy Fest: Must Know Before You Go
First time heading to Fantasy Fest Key West? Here are some must-knows to ensure you have the best time.
Fantasy Fest Tickets
While there’s no ticket needed to attend Fantasy Fest in general, many of the individual events are ticketed. If you want to snag a seat at the Royal Coronation, Headdress Ball, or one of the many special shows, pool parties, drag brunches, parade watch parties, and others, you’ll need to purchase tickets in advance.
Not sure which events you’ll have time for yet? Don’t worry; there’s still plenty to see and do if you just show up. You can watch the parade(s), stroll the street festivals, enjoy the block parties, live music, and more. And of course, Key West itself is full of fun things to do!
Where to Stay for Fantasy Fest
Key West is at its busiest for Fantasy Fest, which is nowhere more apparent than in the local hotel scene. You’ll find packed pools, crowded lobbies and hallways, and late-night noise. To make the most of your trip (and get some much-needed R&R after nights of partying), we recommend a private vacation rental.
Book your Fantasy Fest stay with VHKW – Vacation Homes of Key West to enjoy all the comforts of home, private pools and hot tubs, and no noisy neighbors when you’re trying to sleep in. But wherever you choose to stay, be sure to book early as accommodations fill up fast.
Fantasy Fest Attire
Part of the fun of Fantasy Fest is dressing the part, so feel free to get creative with your costumes, but there are a few things to think about when planning your festival attire.
Follow festival rules
While you may have heard about Fantasy Fest’s famous painted ladies or some of the more X-rated costumes the festival has become known for, when in public, these are not allowed. There are “Fantasy Zones” where body painting is permitted and private parties where more provocative costumes and even nudity are allowed, but these are hidden from the general public. To avoid issues, keep your costume PG-13 or bring a cover-up for traveling between zones.
Keep comfort in mind
Fall in Key West can still be quite warm at times, especially during the day, and you may be walking a lot, so look for costumes and festival wear that are cool and comfortable.
Bring a bathing suit
You may be going for the parades and parties, but in between all of the festivities, you may want to visit the beaches, hit up one of the pool parties, or even go snorkeling, so come prepared.
Fantasy Fest Pit Stop Party
If you’re planning to drive to Key West for Fantasy Fest (which is a great idea — nothing beats a Florida Keys road trip!), be sure to take advantage of the Fantasy Fest Pit Stop Party Game. Download a game card and collect signatures at the listed stops along the way for a chance to win VIP Parade Party Passes.
Fantasy Fest FAQs
Is Fantasy Fest only for adults?
Fantasy Fest is primarily an adult-oriented celebration, with many late-night parties and costume events geared toward a 21+ crowd, but there are a few family-friendly options woven in. Families can enjoy the Bahama Village Goombay Festival on opening weekend with food, music, and games, and the all-ages Zombie Bike Ride on the first Sunday, where participants dress as zombies and ride together into town.
There’s also Children’s Day, held on the Sunday after the big parade, which offers rides, games, food, and activities designed just for kids. While most of the festival caters to adults, these events give families a way to join in the fun.
What’s the best way to get around Fantasy Fest?
Once you get to downtown Key West, walking is the best way to get around most of Fantasy Fest’s events, as they tend to take place in close proximity.
Parking can be tough during festival days, so utilizing public transportation, such as the Duval Loop, which is free during Fantasy Fest, is another great way to get around. Biking is another popular way to move through Fantasy Fest in Key West!
Can I bring a bag to Fantasy Fest?
Small bags are permitted at Fantasy Fest, but large bags, coolers, backpacks, and any weapons (real or fake) are not allowed. All bags may be subject to search by event security, and rules can be subject to change at any time. Be sure to check the Fantasy Fest website for additional information on what is and isn’t permitted.
Is there food at Fantasy Fest?
Yes! You’ll find plenty of food vendors throughout the festival and parade areas, plus plenty of restaurants on Duval Street and the surrounding areas. Some ticketed events also include meals, cocktails, and more.
Ready to Party for Fantasy Fest?
Ready for some Fantasy Fest fun in Key West? Party like a rock star and enjoy your own private retreat when you book your stay with VHKW!
You’ll find luxury vacation homes with private pools and hot tubs, full kitchens, BBQ grills, and much more. And the best part is — you can stay close to all the action with rentals available right in the heart of downtown Key West, or within walking distance to Duval Street.
