Events calendar
4-6 Jan 2013: Sailfish Challenge, Key Largo.
10-19 Jan 2013: Uncorked…the Key Largo and Islamorada Food & Wine Festival.
2-3 Feb 2013: Florida Keys Art Guild, Art Festival, Islamorada.
22 Feb 2013: Upper Keys Garden Walk, Key Largo.
23-24 Feb 2013: Old Island Days Art Festival, Key West.
25 Feb 2013: An Evening of Opera Highlights, Marahon.
2 Mar 2013: Conch Shell Blowing Contest, Key West.
1-3 Mar 2013: Marathon House & Garden Tour, Marathon Key.
9-10 Mar 2013: Marathon seafood Festival.
16 Mar 2013: Woofstock Music Fair.
7 Apr 2013: Lobster Luau Beach and Pool Party, Key Largo.
10-14 Apr 2013: World Sailfish Championship.
13 Apr 2013: Annual Seven Mile Bridge Run, Marathon.
1-5 May 2013: Key West Songwriters' Festival.
11 May 2013: Dragon Boat Festival, Marathon Key.
16-19 May 2013: Key Largo Original Music Festival.
5-9 Jun 2013: Key West Pride.
4 Jul 2013: Fireworks Show on Blackwater Sound, Key Largo.
13 Jul 2013: Annual Underwater Music Festival.
16-17 Aug 2013: Anything that Floats Regatta Race, Key Largo.
29 Aug - 2 Sep 2013: Key West Brewfest.
19-22 Sep 2013: Marathon International Bonefish Tournament.
25-29 Sep 2013: Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival.
18-27 Oct 2013: Fantasy Fest, Key West.
3-10 Nov 2013: Key West World Championship Race (offshore powerboat race).
27-31 Nov 2013: Bight' Before Christmas Celebration, Key West.
Please note: all events listed are for helpful information only and many are subject to entrance fees and/or prior reservation, and may be cancelled at any time. Please check with the relevant tourist office if you need further information on these or any of the other events in the Florida Keys.
Additional info
Key Largo
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary offers protected reefs and marine life for unrivalled snorkelling and diving. Tropical fish, sea turtles, shells, sea fans and other spectacles await you. Coral Reef State Park is also popular and the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park runs charters to Christ of the Deep, a 4,000-pound bronze statue resting at the bottom of the sea. After a busy day, relax in one of the many bars and restaurants, including Hobo's Sports Bar and Restaurant, serving cold beer and the best yellow snapper in town!
Islamorada
The 'sport fishing capital of the world', charter a boat and cast for the big guys - marlin, sailfish, tuna and the elusive bonefish. The kids will love Theater of the Sea, a 17-acre marine complex where you can meet dolphins, sea lions and stingrays. They can also feed the tarpon that gather round the dock at Robbie's of Islamorada. At Indian Key Historic State Park, discover the partially excavated town of Indian Key and at night, admire the sunset from one of the many pier bars or seafood restaurants.
Middle Keys
Marathon is great for families with its museums and nature centre of Crane Point. It's also the launching point for the Seven Mile Bridge, often referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World. The bridge drops you onto Big Pine Key and Bahia Honda State Park. The former is great for fishing and the latter is where you'll find one of America's best beaches. The Dolphin Research Center is one of this area's big attractions, as is diving at Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. As expected, excellent bars and restaurants abound, with seafood always on the menu!
Key West
Probably the best known of all the Florida Keys, Key West offers a wealth of history and lively nightlife. Visit Ernest Hemingway's home in the Old Town with its ornate architecture and well-preserved buildings. Duval Street has numerous bars and restaurants and in Mallory Square, sunset celebrations, and street entertainment takes place every night. The Key West Aquarium was the first of its kind in America, the perfect place to admire indigenous sea creatures. With water sports also in abundance, this is a great resort for families and party people alike!
Did you know?
Also known as the 'Conch Republic', Florida Keys, America's tiny islands, briefly claimed independence in 1982. The event is celebrated with a festival every Apr - it's when the locals come out to party!
The 1948 film Key Largo, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, was almost entirely shot in Hollywood, not Key Largo as the title suggests!
In Key West, Pepe's Cafe, established in 1909, is the oldest restaurant in Key West. If you are looking for a relaxed laid-back restaurant and bar, this is the place for you. Brunch is their speciality.