Year-Round Guide: Here Where to Catch the Best Seafood Festivals in Florida

ByNancy Devault Updated Events
Image of two sets of hands and a lot of seafood
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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.

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

2026 Seafood Festivals in Florida

September’s Best Seafood Festivals

Pensacola Seafood Festival

  • When: September 25-27, 2026
  • Where: Historic Seville Square, 311 East Government Street, Pensacola, FL
  • Admission: FREE

Head to North Florida for a taste of Southern seafood, live music, arts & crafts and more. This free community event is worth the weekend trip if you’re interested in something low key and local.

Plan for a 6.5-hour road trip from Orlando to Pensacola. Or, catch a quick direct flight on Breeze or Frontier.

Also:

October’s Best Seafood Festivals

Annual Cedar Key Seafood Festival

  • October 17-18, 2026
  • Where: Second Street, Dock Street and City Park, Cedar Key FL
  • 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. Oh, and there is also a parade!

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

 Also:

Related: Three Perfect Days in Dunedin

November’s Best Seafood Festivals

Annual Stone Crab JAM Music Festival

  • When: Saturday, November 7, 2026
  • Where: Historic Downtown Crystal River, 610 N. Citrus Ave, Crystal River, FL
  • Admission: $12.50

You’ll pinch yourself if you miss this seafood festival. Picture fellow seafoodies dancing in the street to music by cool bands rocking out on multiple stages. The main dish is, of course, fresh stone crab, which can be enjoyed 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.

Also:

December’s Best Seafood Festivals

***There are no seafood festivals slated for December, as of press time. Alternatively, Orlando Date Night Guide suggests: 14 Best 2026 Holiday Boat Parades Near Orlando.***

Couple holding spiny lobster in Florida keys
Florida Keys Spiny Lobster | Photo courtesy of Nancy DeVault

2027 Seafood Festivals in Florida

January‘s Best Seafood Festivals

Tampa Oyster Fest

  • When: January 9, 2027
  • Where: Tabellas at Delaney Creek, Tampa
  • Admission: $160+

Kick off your New Year with a SHUCKIN’ good time at the Tampa Oyster Fest! A day filled with delicious oysters, specialty cocktails, live music, premium tastings, exciting games, football and more! Whether you’re an oyster enthusiast or just looking for a good ole Sunday Funday, this event is for you!

Naples Seafood Festival

  • When: January 16, 2027
  • 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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February‘s Best Seafood Festivals

20th Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival

  • When: February 13-14, 2027
  • Where: Truman Waterfront Park, Key West
  • 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.

Related: 5 Aquatic Date Adventures for Seafoodies

Also:

Orlando Seven Seas
Orlando Seven Seas

March’s Best Seafood Festivals

Bonita Springs Seafood and Music Festival

  • When: March 19-21, 2027
  • Where: The Poker Room (the old Dog Track), 28001 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135
  • Admission: FREE

Enjoy a weekend of relaxation, great food and 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.

St. Augustine Lions Spring Seafood Festival

  • When: March 20-21, 2027
  • Where: Francis Field, 25 W Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084
  • 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.

Also:

April’s Best Seafood Festivals

Fort Pierce Oyster & Sea Fest

  • When: April 2027 TBD
  • Where: Veterans Memorial Park & River Walk Center, 600 N. Indian River Dr., Ft. Pierce, FL 34950
  • Admission: FREE

This seafood festival was cancelled in 2026 but its slated to return. The 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. 

Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival

  • When: April 30-May 2, 2027
  • 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.

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May‘s Best Seafood Festivals

Palatka Blue Crab Festival

  • When: May 28-30, 2027
  • Where: Downtown Palaka
  • Admission: Free

Family-friendly festival takes place the Friday, Saturday and Sunday before Memorial Day in downtown Palatka and along the scenic waterfront. Admission and parking are free.

Also :

  • August TBA 2027: Orlando Seafood Festival
Image Credit: Key West Lobster Fest

Summer’s Best Seafood Festivals – June, July & August

Key West Lobsterfest

  • When: August 11-15, 2027
  • 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. The Key West Lobsterfest features days of foodie fun spread out across the island.

Also :

  • August TBA 2027: Orlando Seafood Festival

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.