Events calendar
14 Jan 2012 Seafood Festival, Key West.
14 Jan 2012: Flagler Centennial Event, Marathon Key.
10-11 Feb 2012: Ribs & Rhythm Festival, Key Largo.
10-12 Feb 2012: Pigeon Key Art Festival, Marathon Key.
11 Feb 2012: Islamorada Fishing Film Festival.
18-19 Feb 2012: Gardenfest, Key West.
03 Mar 2012: Conch Shell Blowing Contest, Key West.
03 Mar 2012: Marathon House & Garden Tour, Marathon Key.
10 Mar 2012: Marathon seafood Festival.
10 Mar 2012: Woodstock Music Fair.
17-21 Apr 2012: World Sailfish Championship.
20-29 Apr 2012: Conch Republic Independence Celebration, Key West.
25-29 Apr 2012: Key Largo Conch Republic Days.
02-06 May 2012: Key West Songwriters' Festival.
12 May 2012: Dragon Boat Festival, Marathon Key.
24-27 May 2012: Key Largo Original Music Festival.
06-10 Jun 2012: Key West Pride.
16-29 Aug 2012: Tropical Heat, Gay Festival, Key West.
30 Aug - 03 Sep 2012: Key West Brewfest.
21-24 Sep 2012: Marathon International Bonefish Tournament.
26-30 Sep 2012: Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival.
05-07 Oct 2012: Conchtoberfest, Marathon Key.
19-28 Oct 2012: Fantasy Fest, Key West.
04 Nov 2012: Key West World Championship Race (offshore powerboat race).
21 Nov 2012: 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.