Florida, the Sunshine State, isn’t just about beaches and theme parks; it’s a vibrant hub for culinary experiences, especially when it comes to food and wine festivals. Pairing exquisite food with the perfect wine (or craft beer) is truly an art form, and Florida offers a diverse and abundant palette of choices. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just looking for a fun day out, the state’s food and wine festivals provide a delightful escape. Here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the major food and wine events across Florida, organized by region and month, to help you find the perfect “Food And Wine Festival Near Me.”
South Florida | Central Florida | North Florida
South Florida Food Festivals
South Florida, known for its cosmopolitan vibe and stunning coastlines, hosts a plethora of food and wine festivals throughout the year. From seafood extravaganzas to garlic-themed parties, there’s something to tantalize every taste bud.
January
FORT MYERS SEAFOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL – Beyond just seafood, this three-day waterfront festival in Fort Myers offers a diverse culinary landscape including meat and vegetarian options. Complementing the food is a vibrant music lineup featuring top talents in R&B, jazz, rock, reggae, and Caribbean genres. It’s a feast for both your palate and your ears.
Where: Waterfront, Fort Myers
Web: seafoodfestivals.com
VISIT LAUDERDALE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL – Expanding across Broward County, this festival presents over 25 events throughout the week. From grand tastings and poolside BBQ battles to intimate chef-led dinners and educational culinary classes, the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival offers “Culinary Experiences for Everyone Under the Sun.” Explore the diverse flavors of Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood in style.
Where: Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood
Web: vlfoodwine.com/
ENGLEWOOD SEAFOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL – Indulge in fresh seafood and a variety of other culinary delights while enjoying live music from the region’s best musicians in Englewood. In addition to the food and music, a marketplace showcases arts, crafts, gourmet food items, and unique specialty products, making it a perfect day out for the whole family.
Where: Englewood
Web: seafoodfestivals.com
NAPLES WINTER WINE FESTIVAL – Immerse yourself in the world of fine wines at the Naples Winter Wine Festival. This exclusive three-day event offers a luxurious experience, including wine education from Master Sommeliers, gourmet luncheons, a high-stakes auction, dinners prepared by world-renowned chefs, and a celebratory brunch. Discover the nuances of wine bouquets and finishes in an unforgettable setting.
Where: Naples
Web: napleswinefestival.com/
PORT ST. LUCIE SEAFOOD FESTIVAL – The Port St. Lucie Seafood Festival has grown into the Treasure Coast’s largest and most popular seafood event. This family and pet-friendly two-day festival offers a wide array of seafood options, ensuring a delightful experience for all ages.
Where: Port St. Lucie
Web: portsaintlucieseafoodfestival.com/
KEY WEST FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL – For those with a refined palate, the Key West Food and Wine Festival is a week-long series of events spread across the island city. Enjoy sunset wine tastings, explore Key West’s culinary scene on trolley tours, learn about whiskey, partake in shrimp boils, and savor poolside happy hours with appetizers. Creative food and drink parties are around every corner in this unique festival.
Where: Various locations in Key West
Web: keywestfoodandwinefestival.com
FLORIDA KEYS SEAFOOD FESTIVAL – Celebrate the local fishing community at the Florida Keys Seafood Festival in Key West. This family-friendly event highlights the freshest local seafood, directly from the fishermen and women of the Keys. Enjoy a variety of seafood at affordable prices in a joyful and community-focused atmosphere.
Where: Key West
Web: floridakeysseafoodfestival.com
STONE CRAB & SEAFOOD FESTIVAL – Fort Lauderdale’s Stone Crab & Seafood Festival is a celebration of South Florida’s thriving seafood industry. Featuring beloved local seafood restaurants, this event offers an array of fresh seafood dishes. Enjoy a day of great food, refreshing drinks, a beer garden, live music, and the entertaining hermit crab races, rain or shine.
Where: Fort Lauderdale
Web: goriverwalk.com/events/
SEED FOOD & WINE WEEK – More than just a festival, SEED FOOD & WINE WEEK in Miami and Miami Beach is a movement dedicated to plant-based foods, sustainability, and animal welfare. Discover over 200 exhibitors, 40 plant-based chefs, and 30 vegan experts, athletes, authors, and celebrities. It’s an immersive experience into the world of conscious cuisine.
Where: Miami and Miami Beach
Web: seedfoodandwine.com
February
SOUTH FLORIDA GARLIC FEST – Dubbed “The Best Stinkin’ Party in Town,” the South Florida Garlic Fest in Lake Worth is a unique and flavorful experience. Featuring national musical acts, a gourmet alley with over 100 garlic-infused menu items (including the adventurous garlic ice cream!), a kids’ amusement area, arts and crafts vendors, a garlic cooking competition, and the Cloves & Vines Wine Garden, this festival celebrates the versatile garlic bulb in all its glory.
Where: Lake Worth
Web: garlicfestfl.com
PUNTA GORDA SEAFOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL — Savor sustainable seafood from Florida’s waters at the Punta Gorda Seafood & Music Festival. Beyond seafood, enjoy meat and vegetarian dishes while being entertained by musicians playing rock, jazz, reggae, R&B, and Caribbean music. It’s a delightful blend of flavors and sounds.
Where: Punta Gorda
Web: seafoodfestivals.com
SOUTH BEACH WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL – A star-studded culinary event, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival is presented by the Food Network, Cooking Channel, and Food & Wine Magazine. Experience intimate dinners, chef demonstrations, walk-around tastings, and vibrant late-night parties. Events now extend to Broward County as part of the CRAVE Greater Fort Lauderdale series, making it a truly expansive festival.
Where: Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale
Web: sobefest.com
LABELLE SWAMP CABBAGE FESTIVAL — Experience a taste of Florida tradition at the LaBelle Swamp Cabbage Festival. Sample dishes featuring swamp cabbage (hearts of palm), derived from the Florida state tree. This unique festival includes a parade, car and motorcycle shows, entertainment, a carnival, a 5K run, a bass tournament, a rodeo, and even “Grasscar” lawnmower races.
Where: LaBelle
Web: labelleswampcabbagefestival.org
JUPITER SEAFOOD FESTIVAL – Enjoy two days of fresh, local seafood at the Jupiter Seafood Festival. This family-friendly event also features a cornhole tournament, live music, nautical vendors, and rides, offering entertainment for everyone.
Where: Jupiter
Web: Jupiterseafoodfestival.net
EVERGLADES CITY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL — With over 100 vendors, the Everglades City Seafood Festival is a seafood lover’s paradise. Indulge in fresh gulf shrimp, stone crab claws, fried gator, and much more. Complementing the food are live country music, handmade arts & crafts, and carnival rides, providing a full day of fun.
Where: Everglades City
Web: evergladesseafoodfestival.org
ITALIAN FEAST & CARNIVAL — Immerse yourself in Italian culture at the Italian Feast & Carnival in Venice. Enjoy a wide variety of Italian food and wine, alongside carnival rides, games, and live music. It’s a family-friendly celebration of Italian heritage.
Where: Venice
Web: italianamericanclubofvenice.com/feast
FORT LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL – Celebrate Greek culture at the Fort Lauderdale Greek Festival. Experience authentic Greek cuisine, homemade pastries, Greek music, traditional dancing performances by Palazakia and Kamaria dancers, an indoor marketplace, and a kids’ area with carnival rides and games. It’s a vibrant cultural immersion.
Where: Fort Lauderdale
Web: fortlauderdalegreekfestival.org
March
WELLINGTON BACON & BOURBON FESTIVAL – A celebration of two American favorites, the Wellington Bacon & Bourbon Festival is a palate-pleasing two-day event. Taste an array of bacon and pork dishes, from braised pork bellies to bacon ice cream, and explore a wide selection of bourbons and whiskeys. Seminars and tastings enhance the bourbon experience.
Where: Wellington
Web: baconbourbonfest.com
MARATHON SEAFOOD FESTIVAL – Growing from a small gathering to a major event, the Marathon Seafood Festival attracts over 20,000 attendees annually. Enjoy fresh catches and spiny lobster, raw oysters, stone crab claws, and other seafood from the Keys. Live music, over 200 arts & crafts vendors, raffles, and kids’ activities complete this seafood extravaganza.
Where: Marathon
Web: marathonseafoodfestival.com
BOCA BACCHANAL – An elegant outdoor event, Boca Bacchanal brings together award-winning chefs and vintners. Savor signature cuisine and wine selections, with hundreds of wines, chef-prepared bites from South Florida restaurants, and a craft beer garden. Events include Bacchus Beckons, Bubbles & Burgers, Vintner Dinners, and the Grand Tasting.
Where: Boca Raton
Web: bocabacchanal.com
FORT MYERS BEACH SHRIMP FESTIVAL — One of Fort Myers Beach’s biggest annual events, the Shrimp Festival celebrates the local “pink gold.” Enjoy delicious shrimp dinners, a parade, arts & crafts vendors, a Queen Pageant, and a shrimp-eating contest. It’s a fun-filled community celebration.
Where: Fort Myers Beach
Web: fortmyersbeachshrimpfestival.com
SPECKLED PERCH FESTIVAL – Dating back to 1965, the Speckled Perch Festival in Okeechobee offers a taste of local tradition. Enjoy the namesake fish and other food, live music, arts and crafts, and a parade. The festival partners with the Cow Town Rodeo for a unique blend of entertainment.
Where: Okeechobee
Web: okeechobeemainstreet.org
NAPLES CRAFT BEER FEST — Explore a wide variety of beers from breweries worldwide at the Naples Craft Beer Fest. Local restaurants provide food pairings designed to complement specific brews, competing for the People’s Choice award. A Brewer’s Choice award and local musical talent add to the festive atmosphere.
Where: Naples
Web: naplescraftbeerfest.com
RIVERWALK INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL — Taste cuisines from around the globe at the Riverwalk International Food Festival in Fort Lauderdale. Featuring international restaurants and food trucks, the event also includes craft beers, cocktails, music, and local artists selling their work.
Where: Fort Lauderdale
Web: goriverwalk.com/events
DANIA BEACH ARTS & SEAFOOD CELEBRATION – Enjoy fresh seafood and culinary creations from top local restaurants at the Dania Beach Arts & Seafood Celebration. A Chef Showcase, beer & wine garden, live music, arts & crafts vendors, street art performances, and kids’ activities ensure a diverse and entertaining experience.
Where: Dania Beach
Web: daniabeachwineandseafoodfest.com
April
DEERING SEAFOOD FESTIVAL – A consistently sold-out event, the Deering Seafood Festival in Miami is known for its culinary delights, featuring fresh seafood, chef demos, and Seafood Alley. Enjoy family fun, Bahamian Junkanoo music, Virgin Island stilt walkers, a kids’ zone, a rock-climbing wall, boat rides, and an Artists Lane showcasing local artisans.
Where: Miami
Web: deeringestate.org/deering-seafood-festival
SWEET CORN FIESTA — Celebrate the harvest at the Sweet Corn Fiesta in West Palm Beach. Enjoy freshly harvested sweet corn from the Glades Region, along with live music, summertime foods, kids’ activities, a sweet corn eating challenge, and a corn shucking contest. It’s a family-friendly harvest celebration.
Where: West Palm Beach
Web: sweetcornfiesta.com
FORT MYERS CRAB & MUSIC FESTIVAL — Crab and seafood lovers will rejoice at the Fort Myers Crab & Music Festival. Beyond crab and shrimp, enjoy a variety of seafood, meat, and vegetarian options, along with live music and a marketplace of arts & crafts, gourmet food items, and specialty products in downtown Fort Myers.
Where: River District, downtown Fort Myers
Web: seafoodfestivals.com
POMPANO BEACH SEAFOOD FESTIVAL – More than just food, the Pompano Beach Seafood Festival offers a craft fair, live music on three stages, and a kids’ zone. Enjoy delicious seafood along with diverse entertainment options in Pompano Beach.
Where: Pompano Beach
Web: pompanobeachseafoodfestival.com
May
TASTE OF THE BEACH – Fort Myers Beach restaurants compete for culinary prizes at the Taste of the Beach festival. Sample dishes from over 20 local restaurants and vote for your favorites in categories like Best Appetizer, Best Seafood Dish, and Best Dessert.
Where: Fort Myers Beach
Web: fortmyersbeach.org/taste-of-the-beach
PAIRINGS — West Palm Beach hosts Pairings, featuring fare from over a dozen eateries, live music, interactive art stations, and a selection of wine and beer to complement the food. It’s a blend of culinary and artistic experiences.
Where: West Palm Beach
Web: downtownwpb.com/pairings
ST. AUGUSTINE FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL – Recognized as a top Florida food and wine festival by USA Today, the St. Augustine Food and Wine Festival brings together local and celebrity chefs, winemakers, craft brewers, and artisans. Enjoy dinners, tasting events, master classes, and more in historic St. Augustine.
Where: St. Augustine
Web: staugustinefoodandwinefestival.com/
June
REDLAND SUMMER FRUIT FESTIVAL — Celebrate summer fruits at the Redland Summer Fruit Festival in Homestead. Enjoy seasonal and rare fruits, vendor booths, local wines, and delicious food. Don’t miss the watermelon-eating contest for kids. Children 11 and under enter for free.
Where: Homestead
Web: redlandfruitandspice.com
July
KEY LIME FESTIVAL – A mega-celebration of Florida’s official state pie, the Key Lime Festival in Key West is a tangy delight. Participate in pie-eating and pie-making contests, the Key Lime Bar Sip & Stroll, a talent show, a pie hop, rum samplings, a scavenger hunt, and pageants. Fireworks on the Fourth of July kick off the festivities.
Where: Key West
Web: keylimefestival.com
BOCA BURGER BATTLE — Burger aficionados, head to the Boca Burger Battle in Boca Raton. Enjoy a variety of burgers, tasting stations with gourmet goodies, craft beers, and wines. It’s a battle for burger supremacy and a treat for your taste buds.
Where: Boca Raton
Web: facebook.com/BocaBurgerBattle
THE MONTH OF THE MANGO – July celebrates the mango with two festivals: the International Mango & Tropical Fruit Festival in Coral Gables and the MangoMania Tropical Fruit Fair in Cape Coral. Enjoy mango tastings, recipes, food demos, smoothies, mango trees for sale, pie-eating contests, music, vendors, and kids’ activities at both events.
Where: Coral Gables & Cape Coral
Web: fairchildgarden.org, mangomaniafl.net
BON APPETIT BOCA RESTAURANT MONTH – Throughout July, Bon Appetit Boca Restaurant Month offers three-course lunch and dinner menus at top Boca Raton restaurants. Explore the city’s culinary scene with special prix fixe menus.
Where: Boca Raton
Web: bocarestaurantmonth.com
August
KEY WEST LOBSTERFEST – Celebrate the start of Florida Keys lobster season at Key West Lobsterfest. Enjoy spiny lobster prepared in various delicious ways, from cold with cocktail sauce to warm with drawn butter. This festival is a must for lobster lovers.
Where: Downtown Key West
Web: keywestlobsterfest.com
BOCA CHAMBER’S WINE & ALL THAT JAZZ – One of Boca Raton’s largest wine tasting festivals, Wine & All That Jazz, features up to 18 restaurants and brewers. Sample over 100 fine wines, enjoy live music, and consider the VIP room for higher-end selections.
Where: Boca Raton
Web: bocaratonchamber.com/wine–all-that-jazz
MIAMI SPICE RESTAURANT MONTHS– Miami Spice extends for two full months (August and September), offering three-course lunch, brunch, and dinner menus at around 200 restaurants and bistros in Miami. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore Miami’s diverse culinary landscape at special prices.
Where: Miami
Web: iLoveMiamiSpice.com
September
KEY WEST BREWFEST – Beer takes center stage at Key West Brewfest, featuring nearly 200 beers and micro-brews. Enjoy beer dinners, brunches, happy hour and pool parties, seminars, and the Signature Tasting event over Labor Day Weekend.
Where: Various locations in Key West
Web: keywestbrewfest.com
FEMALE BREW FEST — Highlighting women in the beer industry, the FemAle Brew Fest in Dania Beach features female beer experts and brewers. Taste beers brewed by women while enjoying music from female artists and bands. Men are also welcome to attend and celebrate.
Where: Dania Beach
Web: femalebrewfest.com
FLAVOR SOUTH FLORIDA – Explore Palm Beach County’s restaurants during Flavor South Florida. Participating restaurants offer specially priced three-course meals throughout September, showcasing diverse dishes from steakhouse classics to lighter fare.
Where: Various locations in Palm Beach County
Web: flavorpb.com
SIZZLE SWFL RESTAURANT WEEK — Sizzle SWFL Restaurant Week, actually two weeks long, features curated two-course lunches and three-course dinners across Southwest Florida. Explore restaurants in Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Marco Island, and Naples.
Where: SW Florida restaurants
Web: sizzledining.com
KEY LIME FESTIVAL — Punta Gorda hosts its own Key Lime Festival, featuring key lime-infused specialties beyond pie, like gelato, ice cream, marinades, fudge, and cocktails. Enjoy games, live music, and dancing in Fishermen’s Village.
Where: Punta Gorda
Web: www.fishermensvillage.com/events
DINE OUT DOWNTOWN DELRAY RESTAURANT MONTH – Delray Beach’s foodie celebration, Dine Out Downtown Delray Restaurant Month (September-October), offers prix fixe lunches and dinners, special deals, culinary events, and classes. Brunch and happy hour specials are also available.
Where: Downtown Delray Beach
Web: downtowndelraybeach.com/restaurantmonth
October
BEER! BRATWURST! LIVE MUSIC! BAVARIAN BEAUTIES! MORE BEER! — October means Oktoberfest! South Florida hosts several Oktoberfest celebrations, including:
· Lake Worth: americangermanclub.org/oktoberfest
· Cape Coral: capecoraloktoberfest.com
· Miami: oktoberfest.miami
SOUTH BEACH SEAFOOD WEEK & FESTIVAL – Kick off stone crab season at South Beach Seafood Week & Festival in Miami Beach. Enjoy seafood prepared by top chefs, live bands, culinary demos, a kids’ zone, and VIP benefits.
Where: Miami Beach
Web: sobeseafoodfest.com
NAPLES STONE CRAB FESTIVAL – A Naples tradition, the Naples Stone Crab Festival on the waterfront offers fresh stone crab claws, live music, shopping, art, and family activities.
Where: Naples
Web: stonecrabfestival.org
November
FEAST OF LITTLE ITALY – One of South Florida’s largest Italian festivals, the Feast of Little Italy in Jupiter offers Italian food, wine, live music, art, a bocce pavilion, wine seminars, cooking demos, and eating contests.
Where: Jupiter
Web: feastoflittleitaly.com
GRACE JAMAICAN JERK FESTIVAL – Experience Jamaican flavors at the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival in Miramar. Enjoy jerk chicken, pork, lobster, and even jerk ice cream, cooking demos and competitions, live music, and games.
Where: Miramar
Web: jerkfestival.com
PERUFEST USA – Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Weekend at PERUFEST USA in Miami. Enjoy Peruvian and Latin cuisine, international dancers, a horse show, cooking demos and classes, and culinary competitions.
Where: Miami
Web: perufestusa.com
MIAMI RUM RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL – Rum enthusiasts, attend the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival in Coral Gables. Sample hundreds of rums from the Caribbean and beyond, learn about rum cocktails, and observe the RumXP International Rum Expert Tasting Panel.
Where: Coral Gables
Web: rumrenaissance.com
December
PALM BEACH FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL– An upscale culinary event, the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival brings together award-winning chefs, winemakers, and mixologists to Palm Beach. Enjoy cocktail receptions, five-course dinners with wine pairings, kids’ cooking classes, and a grand tasting and cooking competition.
Where: Palm Beach
Web: pbfwf.com
SIESTA BEACH SEAFOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL – Siesta Key hosts the Seafood & Music Festival, offering fresh seafood, meat dishes, and vegetarian options. Enjoy live music from Florida’s top musical acts in genres like R&B, blues, jazz, rock, and Caribbean sounds while savoring your meal.
Where: Siesta Key
Web: seafoodfestivals.com
This guide offers a starting point for exploring the diverse and delicious world of food and wine festivals in Florida. Whether you’re searching for a “food and wine festival near me” for a weekend getaway or a local culinary adventure, Florida has something to offer every month of the year. Explore the websites listed for the most up-to-date information and get ready to indulge in the Sunshine State’s vibrant food and wine scene!
