8 Florida Food Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss

Florida may be known for its sunny climate and sandy beaches, but it’s also a treasure trove of foodie celebrations. All that great weather makes Florida ideal for growing several crops, from oranges and grapefruit to tomatoes, watermelon and more. And with plenty of coastline, Florida’s is home to a top-notch seafood scene. Come hungry to these eight flavorful Florida food festivals.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Orlando

Start your taste explorations in the Alps with warmed Raclette Swiss Cheese and Baby Potatoes before heading to Africa for Kenyan Coffee Barbecue Beef Tenderloin and Piri Piri Skewered Shrimp. That’s just a small sampling of the many dishes from across the globe that you can sample at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which starts in August and runs through mid-November at Epcot.

The unique event gives foodies a chance to visit and try global cuisine all in one place. Hankering for Irish food? You can find it here. Hawaiian? They have that, too. There’s also a variety of seminars to attend as well so you can learn more about various cultures and their palates.

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Florida Seafood Festival

Apalachicola

For more than 50 years, the Florida Seafood Festival has given the community and visitors the chance to honor the hard work of Florida fishermen. The November festival mixes in entertainment and activities, along with demonstrations and education about marine life. Compete in or watch the Oyster Shucking Contest, or consider entering the Oyster Eating Contest. But be warned – top competitors can eat as many as 300 oysters (yes, 300!) as part of the competition. Beyond the activities, there are plenty of food booths where festivalgoers can try various seafood dishes like crab cakes, fried lobster and blackened shrimp.

Florida Strawberry Festival

Plant City

Each year, creative cuisine vendors try to top each other by dreaming up new, tasty dishes to serve at the 11-day Florida Strawberry Festival. The event, which is held late February to early March, draws more than 500,000 attendees.

In the past, some of the festival’s most Instagram-worthy eats have included the Black Forrest Funnel Cake (think fair-like funnel cake stacked with chocolate whipped cream and strawberries) and the Strawberry Blast Burger, a beef burger nestled between a strawberry doughnut with all the fixings, plus strawberry relish and sweet strawberry mayo. And that’s just a sampling of some of the unique strawberry-themed fare you’ll find. The festival also features musical guests, activities and rides.

See more: Farm Facts About Florida Fruits and Vegetables

Key Lime Festival

Key West

When you think of quintessential Florida flavors, key limes certainly come to mind. The citrusy sweet and lip-puckering key lime has a distinct flavor that makes for one delicious pie. And the Key Lime Festival in Key West is the perfect place to enjoy a slice or two (or more).

The summertime bash includes events like the Key Lime Cocktail Sip & Stroll, the Key Lime Pie Hop and, of course, the World Key Lime Pie Eating Contest (contestants tend to get messy, diving into each whip cream-topped pie). There are also discussions on the history of key lime pie, demonstrations featuring how to bake the perfect pie and other events perfect for pie enthusiasts.

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Key West Lobsterfest

Key West

Ready for some lobster? Celebrate the start of lobster season by going to the Key West Lobsterfest, held annually in the late in the summer. You’ll want to make sure to sign up for the Lobster Boil for fresh-cooked lobster, jumbo shrimp and spicy andouille sausage. The festival, which has been serving up lobster for more than 20 years, also highlights drinks to serve with everyone’s favorite crustacean. Join the pub crawl or wander through the Street Fair before enjoying evening concerts.

National Cuban Sandwich Festival

Tampa

While the basic ingredients for a Cuban sandwich are pretty much the same, including bread slathered with yellow mustard and thin-sliced roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese and dill pickles, there are plenty of unique spins on the traditional version. You’re bound to find some unexpected varieties at the National Cuban Sandwich Festival in Tampa. Chefs from all around the area compete to see who makes the best Cuban sandwich. You’ll get the chance to try upwards of 20 different varieties at this springtime festival.

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South Florida Garlic Fest

Lake Worth

Dubbed the “Best Stinkin’ Party in South Florida,” you can follow your nose from booth to booth at the two-day South Florida Garlic Fest. You’ll find over 100 garlic-drenched dishes at this festival, including garlic crab cakes, garlic pizza, garlic black beans and rice, and even garlic ice cream. The family-friendly festival, held in the wintertime, has been going on for more than 20 years and includes fair-type rides, face painting, games and activities to do between sampling garlicy favorites.

Stone Crab Festival

Naples

Meander along the Naples waterfront to enjoy seafood and other tasty treats from more than 20 area restaurants and vendors. For more than 10 years, the Stone Crab Festival has been giving Naples residents and visitors the chance to try fresh stone crab during the October event. The festival doesn’t officially begin until the first stone crab claw is cracked to mark the start of the party.

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