Image of two sets of hands and a lot of seafood

From mangrove snapper to spiny lobster, Florida is a seafood lovers' paradise. But you don’t need to retreat to a dimly lit upscale restaurant to savor these flavors. Throughout the Sunshine State, including Central Florida, you can feast on fish and shellfish while enjoying fun-in-the-sun seafood festivals.

Here’s a round-up on where you and your beloved first mate can catch the best seafood festivals in Orlando and beyond.

Cocktail glasses toasting

In Case You're Interested:

>> Free Things to do in Orlando
>> Secret Florida Islands
>> Fun Outdoor Activities
>> April Events in Orlando

And if you just can't get enough scrumptious food from the ocean, scope out our favorite seafood restaurants in Orlando.

Seafood Festivals in Orlando and Beyond

January‘s Best Seafood Festivals

Punta Gorda Crab and Music Festival

When: January 12-14
Where: Laishley Park
Admission: FREE

This seafood and music festival is created like an outstanding meal that incorporates and blends the finest ingredients. Choose entrees (seafood, meat, and vegetarian) cooked fresh onsite. Add on a diversity of side dishes and of course – scrumptious desserts! Select from both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. 

Then sit back and be caressed by the captivating sounds of live musical performances on stage by some of Florida’s and the region’s top musical talents. The final ‘seasoning’ is shopping a marketplace of arts and crafts (e.g., painting, mixed-media, glass), gourmet food items and specialty products. Enjoy during the breaks between band performances!

Apalachicola Oyster Cook Off

When: January 13
Where: Historic Apalachicola at Riverfront Park
Admission: FREE

Make plans to attend the Oyster Cook-Off to benefit the Apalachicola Volunteer Fire Department in 2024! This annual event is held the Saturday before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in downtown Historic Apalachicola at Riverfront Park. All proceeds go directly towards paying for the brand new fire truck they were able to purchase a few years ago, due to this sole fundraising event!

The event features a silent auction, oysters galore, shrimp, smoked mullet, hot dogs, hamburgers, local beer, live music, kids’ activities, dancing performances, and a 5K run! Enter your best recipe and be a contestant in the oyster cook-off or just come out and enjoy a day of wonderful food, refreshments, and music. 

18th Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival

When: January 13-14
Where: Historic Apalachicola at Riverfront Park
Admission: $10 per person (good for both days)

This family-friendly event was created to showcase local seafood and the Keys’ commercial fishing industry by providing the freshest seafood available. Each year their fishermen and women are proud to offer the community a variety of seafood at reasonable prices.

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February‘s Best Seafood Festivals

Englewood Seafood & Music Festival

When: February 2-4
Where: Pioneer Park
Admission: FREE

Choose your foods from a diverse menu of seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes all cooked fresh on-site by local restaurants and food purveyors. Seafood dishes are prepared using only the freshest local and sustainable ocean resources from the Florida Gulf Coast. Select from a diversity of side dishes and of course – awesome desserts! Liquid refreshments include selections of alcoholic, non-alcoholic, and fruit drinks along with sodas and bottled water. While immersed in great food, listen to some of Florida’s top musical groups from genres such as R&B, blues, jazz, rock, and Caribbean sounds. 

Bonita Springs Seafood and Music Festival

When: February 9-11
Where: The Poker Room (the old Dog Track)
Admission: FREE

Enjoy a weekend of relaxation, great food, wondrous live music along with shopping a marketplace of arts, crafts, and fine products. Not just a music festival, this event is a celebration of food, music, shopping and relaxation. So come on over, bring your friends and be a part of the festivities. You won’t regret a single moment of the incredible experience that awaits you!

West Palm Beach Seafood Festival

When: February 11-12
Where: South Florida Fairgrounds
Admission: $10

Are you ready to experience the culinary wonders of the world? Then don’t miss out on the 2024 West Palm Beach Seafood Festival! Located at our South Florida Fairgrounds venue in West Palm, this year's festival is set to be bigger and better than ever before. With delicious food, great music, and an array of activities for all ages, it's no wonder why thousands of people come out each year for this can't-miss event!

Festival-goers will have access to some of the best seafood dishes from around the world. From succulent shrimp to savory crab cakes, there's something for everyone at this unforgettable gathering. Enjoy a variety of unique foods while listening to live music that will keep you dancing all night long. Plus, with plenty of exciting activities such as face painting, carnival rides, and more – there’s something for every member of your family!

St. Petersburg Seafood and Music Festival

When: February 23-25
Where: Vinoy Park
Admission: $7

Select from delectable foods cooked on site incorporating the freshest ingredients by local restaurants and food purveyors. A variety of seafood entrees and vegetarian dishes will be available, along with a diversity of side dishes and desserts, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. While enjoying your meal, sit back and relax to musical entertainment consisting of live on-stage performances by some of the most creative and talented musicians from both the local and regional circuit. 

Also:

BONUS IDEA – Spanish Food and Wine Festival in St. Augustine, February 29 – March 2, 2024

March's Best Seafood Festivals

Grant Seafood Festival

When: March 2-3
Where: 4580 1st Street, Grant, Florida 32949
Admission: FREE

The Grant Seafood Festival is a time honored tradition like none other but what really sets it apart is the total commitment from our community — the festival is run 100% by volunteers and many booths are made up of family members, often having several generations working along side one another.

Free admission, free parking, over 125 crafters exhibiting, live continuous entertainment, along with a vast menu of delicious seafood makes this a weekend no one wants to miss!

Marathon Seafood Festival

When: March 9-10
Where: Marathon Community Park
Admission: $5

The Marathon Seafood Festival is the 2nd largest FL Keys event with over 20,000 attendees & growing every year. The Original Marathon Seafood Festival is truly a family-friendly event; featuring fresh-caught local keys seafood at amazing prices, cold beverages for adults and kids, live entertainment the entire weekend, over 220+ vendors to satisfy all your shopping needs, as well as an expanded boat show, and plenty of rides and games for children.

Naples Seafood Festival

When: March 15-17
Where: 7035 Airport-Pulling Road Naples, FL 34109
Admission: FREE

This free, three-day extravaganza promises non-stop action, delicious food, and musical magic. Indulge in sumptuous seafood and veggie dishes made with fresh ingredients by local restaurants and food vendors. Quench your thirst with a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. As you savor your meal, let the sounds of live music wash over you! Featuring some of the hottest local and regional musicians, the festival boasts a diverse line-up of rock, R&B, blues, jazz, Americana, funk, soul and more.

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April's Best Seafood Festivals

St. Augustine Lions Spring Seafood Festival

When: April 6-7
Where: Francis Field
Admission: $10

St. Augustine Lions Seafood Festival offers an array of seafood dishes — such as lobster, crawfish, scallops, and shrimp — as well as cuisines from other cultures and regions. You can find traditional county fair foods, too. The festival includes rides for the kids, family shows, and booths showcasing pottery, artwork, and jewelry.

Fort Pierce Oyster & Sea Fest

When: April 20-21
Where: Veterans Memorial Park & River Walk Center
Admission: FREE

This two-day festival celebrates the Fort Pierce Waterfront and all of its bounty with delicious oysters, tasty seafood dishes, landlubber foods, live entertainment, and a bevy of arts & craft and merchandise vendors. The Festival will also be saving its shells for Oyster Restoration Projects including the spoil islands near the Fort Pierce City Marina. 

Pensacola Crawfish Festival

When: April 26-28
Where: Seville Square & Fountain Park
Admission: $5

This festival features thousands of pounds of boiled crawfish, fresh from Louisiana, brought to you by Pensacola locals, Cordova Crawfish Company. Cajun fare features include: boudin, jambalaya, etouffee, fresh and fried seafood, gumbo, and much more!

Crawfish not your thing? Traditional festival options are also available, such as: chicken baskets, bloomin’ onions, hot dogs, po’boys and more. Save room for dessert too, because we have the best fried Oreos, ice cream and funnel cakes east of Cajun Country!

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May‘s Best Seafood Festivals

Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival

When: May 3-5
Where: Downtown Fernandina Beach
Admission: FREE

The Isle Of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in historic downtown Fernandina Beach features an array of activities for the entire family! Free-to-attend admission offers boatloads of fresh seafood and shrimp dishes, all prepared by local non-profit and civic organizations. The Festival’s Fine Arts and Crafts show offers more than 300 award-winning artists and craftspeople, including jewelry, photography, pottery, and much more. Browse through 75 booths of Antiques and Collectibles. Let the kids have their own good time in the Kids Fun Zone. Live Music on two stages, contests, and Pirates to entertain you.

Palatka Blue Crab Festival

When: May 24-26
Where: Downtown Palatka
Admission: FREE

This family-friendly festival (which has been around for nearly 30 years!) takes place the Friday, Saturday and Sunday before Memorial Day in downtown Palatka and along the scenic waterfront. This beloved event features national headliners, full-day concert line-ups of regional musicians, dozens of vendors and food trucks, activities and entertainment for all ages, and a massive kids’ zone.

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August’s Best Seafood Festivals

26th Annual Key West Lobsterfest

When: August 8-11
Where: Various island locations
Admission: Varying ticket prices

Florida’s lobster season opens in August, thus baiting an ongoing north versus south battle about this crustacean. You see, there are two types of lobsters. American (aka Maine) lobsters have large front claws and are often called cold water lobsters due to their northern habitat. Florida Spiny (aka Caribbean) lobsters are clawless with long antennas and harvested in warm waters. The only edible part of the Florida Spiny is its tail, which has a softer-textured meat with a mild, sweet taste. Yum!

The Key West Lobsterfest features days of foodie fun spread out across the island. Thus far, the schedule of events includes the Original Lobster Boil at the Porter Mansion Courtyard at Caroline's Café, a pool party at the Marker Resort, five-course lobster dinner at La Mer Dewey House, the Lobsterfest Duval Pub Crawl and the Lobsterfest Street Fair with a free concert.

Image Credit: Key West Lobster Fest

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September’s Best Seafood Festivals

26th Annual Florida Scallop, Music and Arts Festival

When: September 1-3 (2024 Info TBA)
Where: Shores of St. Joseph Bay, Port St. Joe
Admission: $5-10

For seafoodies craving a flavorful Labor Day getaway, know that historic Port St. Joe is the place to be. That’s because the Florida Scallop, Music and Arts Festival is an epic celebration that sort of wraps up our region’s scallop season, which typically spans July through September.

Aside from scallops, music and arts galore, this festival includes an interactive cook-off, bocce ball tournament and plenty of seaside views of the water and lighthouse.

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October’s Best Seafood Festivals

53rd Annual Cedar Key Seafood Festival

When: October 21 & 22 (2024 Info TBA)
Where: Beach-side City Park
Admission: free

When you’re ready to slow down to island time to bond with your fellow foodie, spend a few romantic days in Cedar Key to enjoy the Annual Cedar Key Seafood Festival. This charming, sleepy village town — which has just about 800 full-time residents — comes to life when its historic 2nd Street boasts over 100 arts and crafts exhibitors, live music by local musicians and, of course, plenty of seafood and downhome fare.

City Park Sign at Cedar Key Florida
City Park Sign at Cedar Key Florida – Dani Meyering

Pro tip: get the clam chowder! Because, surprisingly, this little gem of a place shines in the commercial clamming market. Who knew, right?

Discover – The BEST Restaurants in Cedar Key

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November’s Best Seafood Festivals

17th Annual Stone Crab JAM Music Festival

When: November 4; noon to 10 pm (2024 Info TBA)
Where: Historic Downtown Crystal River
Admission: $15

You’ll pinch yourself if you miss this seafood festival. Picture fellow seafoodies dancing in the street to music by six cool bands rocking out on three different stages. The main dish is, of course, fresh stone crab, which can be washed down with beer, wine and, if you prefer, non-alcoholic beverages. If dancing makes you feel like a fish out of water, then coast along the various booths to cast your sights on arts, crafts and more.

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December’s Best Seafood Festivals

5th Annual Siesta Beach Seafood and Music Festival

When: December 1st (noon-9 pm), 2nd (11 am-9 pm) & 3rd (11 am-6 pm)
Where: Siesta Key Pavilion, Siesta Beach
Admission: FREE

Fresh (and we mean fresh) catch is on the menu at this seafood festival, held annually on the popular barrier island of Siesta Key. That’s right… seafood dishes are prepared onsite using fresh, local and sustainable ocean resources from the Florida Gulf Coast. If you’re a pescatarian dating a vegetarian, know that your love will also be able to enjoy vegetarian dishes, plus sweet treats too.

Bon appetite, seafoodies!

Nancy DeVault is a fitness enthusiast, news junkie, shoe lover, adult beverage fan and travel addict. She works as a Florida-based freelance writer and editor. Nancy is always down for date night, girls night out and family fun adventures.