Your 2022 Key West Calendar
There’s really never a bad time to visit the Key West. Great weather and colorful events go on year round, and there’s always something interesting for visitors to partake in. With that in mind, here are just a few of the things you can look forward to on your visit to Key West this year.
Key West Fishing Tournament
This epic eight-month-long fishing tournament encourages visiting and resident anglers to enter their weighed and released catches, at no charge, to compete for awards. Every participant will receive a certificate noting the size of his or her catch, with “Master Angler” being awarded to the most successful angler in the men’s, women’s, junior, and peewee divisions. Key West Fishing Tournament
When: January through August
Conch Revival Picnic
Photo // evbuc.com
This picnic-style Conch heritage dinner is staged on the grounds of the Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters January or February of every year. Conch Revival Picnic
When: January or February
Key West Food and Wine Festival
Photo // Jeremy Ball
Notably advertised as “flip flops required,” this Key West staple has 30 unique and tasty gustatory events over 5 days. Tastings run the gamut from fancy to casual, while cuisine seminars help to educate visitors about Key West’s thriving culinary scene. Key West Food and Wine Festival
When: January / February
Conch Republic Days
10 days of celebration for 60 seconds of secession. Photo//tripsmarter.com
The Conch Republic’s 36th Annual birthday party means 10 days of nonstop festivities. Try your hand at the conch blowing competition, attend the Independence Celebration Parada Party, and close it all out with an epic pig roast and pirate costume competition. An unforgettable week in Key West! Conch Republic Days
When: April & May
Key West Songwriters Festival
Photo // Key West Songwriters Festival.com
Now in its 23rd year, the festival features five days and nights of live music from over 100 artists playing at venues all over Key West, including free concerts on Sunset Pier! Key West Songwriters Festival
When: May
Key West Pridefest
Photo // Misterbnb
What better way to celebrate the power of diversity than a party in what is consistently recognized as one of the world’s top gay and lesbian vacation destinations? Take your pick of shows, parties, forums, street fests, and the unforgettable Pride Parade along Duval Street! Key West Pridefest
When: June
Key Lime Festival
Photo // Fla-Keys.com
Are you a fan of Key Lime pie (who isn’t)? Embrace your passion by joining us to celebrate the fruit that inspired one of the most famous deserts in the world! For the ambitious, there’s even a Key Lime pie-eating contest where they can test their chops against experienced locals. Key Lime Festival
When: late June & early July
Hemingway Days Festival
One of the figures most associated with Key West is Ernest Hemingway, who wrote some of his best works in Key West during the 1930s. The festival includes prose and poetry readings, an exhibit of Hemingway memorabilia, and a three-day marlin tournament that the author surely would have enjoyed. Last but not least is the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest where dozens of potential “Ernests” compete for a prize! Hemingway Days Festival
When: July
Key West BrewFest
What better way to spend the Labor Day long weekend than by partaking in the annual Key West BrewFest which offers nearly 200 beers and microbrews on tap, great food, and pool parties, all to benefit the Rotary Club of the Conch Republic. Key West BrewFest
When: typically Labor Day weekend
Fantasy Fest
Photo // FantasyFest.com
A world-famous costume festival, Fantasy Fest is billed as “an annual 10-day party in paradise for grown-ups”. Participants and visitors can enjoy a parade with large-scale floats, a pet costume competition, a street fair with some amazing local food, and performances by island-style bands. Fantasy Fest
When: Late October
Key West Super Boat World Championship
Photo // Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO
Those with a need for (aquatic) speed will surely enjoy the annual Key West Super Boat World Championship, features powerboats what is known internationally as the “Indianapolis 500 of powerboat racing”. A portion of the course runs through Key West Harbor, where racers regularly reach speeds over 140 mph and onlookers are close enough to get a real sense of the speed involved. Key West Super Boat World Championship
When: November
Key West New Years Eve
Photo // The Key West Citizen, Rob O’Neal
New Year’s Eve is always fun, but no place does it quite like Key West! From the free concert on Sunset Pier to the iconic lowering of the conch shell at midnight, it’s a great way to kick off your new year! Key West New Years Eve
When: December 31
And remember, when you’re planning your vacation to Key West, don’t forget to contact Key West Food Tours for the opportunity to eat like a local and visit a variety of authentic establishments!