There is plenty to do in South Florida as we step out of summer. Below you will find a list of some of the top, most talked about outdoor event and activities happening now and coming soon.
Downtown Delray Beach Craft Festival
One of the most exciting festivals of the year in South Florida, the Downtown Delray Beach Craft Festival takes place at the intersection of Atlantic Ave and SE 4th Ave. With a location as strategic as that, this festival showcases the best of the diverse-yet-complimentary cultures of the two sides of Atlantic Avenue.
The festival is almost-entirely the product of the efforts of the local community - consisting of some of the most prolific store owners, artists, and restauranteurs. It is therefore not a surprise that it is so well-organized and highly managed. Make no mistake, though, while the organizers may be local, people from all over the country (and sometimes even beyond!) come over to the heart of downtown Florida to see the show in action!
Takes place: Sept. 11-12
Address: 330 E Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone: (561) 746-6615
Price: Free
Website: http://www.artfestival.com/
Upper Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival
Organized by the REEF Environmental Education Foundation, the 12th Annual Upper Keys Lionfish Derby & festival is a two-day-long fishing adventure at the gorgeous Postcard Inn Resort and Marina. As the name itself suggests, the theme of this festival is lionfish, and just about every activity here revolves around them.
Open to the public (provided they have bought the tickets), this festival has a plethora of events and activities, which includes (but is not limited to) lionfish tasting sessions, lionfish dissection, fillet and cooking demos, fish-themed arts and crafts, raffle games and prizes, and tons of products on display and available to purchase from over 30 eco-friendly vendors. Last but not the least, South Florida's famous Soulgrass Band - The Copper Tones will be headlining the live music scene at the venue.
Takes place: Sept. 9-12
Address: 98300 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
Phone: 305-852-0030
Price: $100 per team (Minimum 2 people and maximum 4 people per team)
Website: http://www.reef.org/events/florida-keys-lionfish-derby-and-festival
Annual Underwater Music Festival
If you love underwater activities and music, this is the destination for you. Organized and hosted by the combined efforts of local Floridian radio station US1 104.1 FM and the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, the festival is a nod to people enjoying diving while also being mindful of the environment and specifically the rapidly dwindling coral reefs. The festival will be held at Looe Key Reef, located around 6 miles south of the Big Pine Key in the larger Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Suitable for both snorkelers and divers, the festival is dedicated to environmentally mindful diving and reef protection. But that doesn’t make it fall short on its entertainment quotient. The Annual Underwater Music Festival has a good number of elements that give its visitors the ultimate bucket-list underwater experience. From the one-of-a-kind conservation concert to the “mermaids” and other characters popping up between waves, this is a place where the level of visual excitement is high and unique.
Takes place: Sept. 18
Address: 27340 Overseas Hwy, Ramrod Key, FL 33042
Phone: 305-872-2215
Price: Free
Website: http://www.fla-keys.com/calendar/all/florida-keys/202109/
Yesteryear Village 30th Celebration
The Yesteryear Village is one of the biggest historical attractions of South Florida, and this festival serves to highlight its legacy. Now in its 30th year of celebration, this is a fun-filled extravaganza that you can enjoy with your family, while also getting a healthy dose of tradition, education, and of course, history.
The highlight of the event will be the Loxahatchee Schoolhouse, which was the first major structure to be constructed in the village. Most activities will be in and around this area, and will include an extensive food-and-drinks menu, live entertainment, interactive shows, a vintage-themed market, live cooking demos, a car rally, farm animal showcase, along with a pledge and a flag-raising ceremony.
Takes place: Saturday, September 18, 2021
Address: 9067 Southern Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33411
Phone: 561-793-0333
Price: $6.00 - $9.00 per person
Website: https://www.southfloridafair.com/events/2021/yesteryear-village-30th-celebration
Punta Gorda Sullivan Street Craft Festival
One of South Florida’s most prolific events, the Punta Gorda Sullivan Street Craft Festival is dedicated to finding and showcasing local and indigenous talents in arts and crafts. This takes place in an outdoor exhibition form, where the various items on display literally adorn the streets of Punta Gorda.
The exhibits include a plethora of items, which include (but is definitely not limited to) paintings, jewelry, sculptures, visual models, fiber, ceramic, wood and glass. That’s not all though - they are also supporting digital arts and mixed media, and some of their sections are exclusively devoted to them.
Takes place: Sept. 18-19
Address: 331 Sullivan St, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Phone: (561) 746-6615
Price: Free
Website: http://www.artfestival.com/
Miami Beach Pride
This worldwide popular festival was delayed due to COVID-19, but it is back and how! One of the most anticipated events of the year, the Miami Beach Pride has the support of some of the most powerful private and public entities, such as the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority, the Miami-Dade County Mayor, the Cultural Affairs Council, and the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, among others.
The 10-day-long festival brings all members of the LGBTQ+ community, along with their supporters, allies and friends - all under one roof to celebrate equality and diversity. The festival includes Pride-related events such as expos and community booths, a wide range of food and beverage vendors, play areas, live entertainment, cultural, educational showcases, and of course the annual parade.
Takes place: Sept. 10-19
Address: 1130 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone: Tickets range from $35 to $10,000 - depending on the events and programs
Price: (305) 496-7635
Website: http://www.miamibeachpride.com/
Surf N' Sounds
Surf N’ Sounds is just as its name would suggest - a combination of laid-back activities dedicated to have you appreciate the ambience of the sand and the sea. Unlike many events, this one does not go much beyond maintaining a good quality of food, drinks and activities, designed to keep people have a good time, unencumbered.
The festival showcases local Floridian cuisine at its best, with a variety of vendors that serve food across various food choices and cuisines. It also has a great beverage scene - one that includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The alcoholic drinks are served in the VIP area and include various craft and premium preparations. Last but not the least, the venue will have live music featuring DJ Rokwell and Tasty Vibrations.
Takes place: September 25th
Address: 400 SW 2nd St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Phone: 954-828-7275
Price: Free - $45
Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/surf-n-sounds-tickets-163180672785
Harvest Festival, Flamingo Gardens
The growth of flora is a common-yet-incredible phenomenon, and one that is surely worth celebrating. The Flamingo Gardens of Florida does exactly that with its Harvest Festival, a one-of-a-kind event showcasing the best of Florida’s plant life.
This four-weekend festival, which typically takes place in the fall offers a wide range of activities surrounding the outdoors. These include meet and greets, live entertainment, arts and crafts, contests and games, a pumpkin patch, and of course their famous free hayrides that run from 10am to 4pm (local time). This year, they will also have a new Gallery exhibit on the Conquistadors.
Takes place: October 9-31
Address: 3750 S Flamingo Rd, Davie, FL 33330
Phone: 954-473-2955
Price: Free - $21.95 (Discount available under selective conditions)
Website: https://www.flamingogardens.org/
Night Market at Dania Pointe
As the name suggests, this is a festival that begins after sun-down. An extensive street market that is held one the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, it is an almost-exact replica of the famous Temple Street of Hong Kong (and its local market).
Produced by the UniteUs Group, the bazaar features a large range of curated, community-oriented items produced by local farms, craftsmen, artists and musicians. It is a common sight for people to browse through handmade goods in the vendors' stalls, with a queue of local musicians' outputs in the background.
Takes place: Sep 10
Address: 139 S Compass Way, Dania Beach, FL 33004
Phone: 833-800-4343
Price: Free (entry)
Website: http://www.nightmarketatdaniapointe.com/
34th Annual Las Olas Art Fair
Located in the jewel of Fort Lauderdale on Las Olas Boulevard, 34th Annual Las Olas Art Fair basically boils down the best artists in the city to showcase them on a single platform. The venue boasts an eclectic collection of boutiques, art galleries and dining spaces that reflect the multicultural system - from fusion food to Cuban American cuisine and more.
The festival holds its position as one of America’s 100 top art festivals, and there is a valid reason why. For one, it does not just display the art - it also has a meet and greet with the artists who created the work, and learn more about their experience and perspectives, bringing in an extraordinary level of authenticity and involvement. Add to that the ability to window shop as you walk the streets and dine at sidewalk cafes, and you are all set for an amazing trip you will always remember.
Takes place: Oct 16-17, 10am-5pm
Address: 620 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (561) 746-6615
Price: Free
Website: http://www.artfestival.com/festivals/las-olas-art-fair-fort-lauderdale-florida
