Uncover the Top 10 Best Florida Events in July: Festivals, Concerts, Food Fests & More!
As summer reaches its peak, so do celebrations in the Sunshine State! Florida events in July are some of the hottest of the year! (To clarify, we mean this both figuratively and literally, so don’t forget your sunscreen!) These upcoming Florida events and festivals are brimming with amazing food, high-flying stunts, and underwater music.
Yup. Underwater music.
If you’re planning a summertime getaway, you may consider scheduling your trip around some of these fun events. Attending a Florida festival is a fantastic way to get a taste of the local culture and create a truly unique vacation itinerary!
Florida Events in July
1. Star-Spangled Food Truck Festival
Destin, July 3, 2023
Destin, Florida, is one of the state’s best vacation destinations, but it gets even better when July rolls around! The Star-Spangled Food Truck Festival is a mouthwatering extravaganza of top-tier flavors served up by 25 of the tastiest local food trucks! Located at Destin Commons, you can grab anything from spicy Thai food to classic grilled cheese sandwiches. Enjoy live music as you wander through the Commons, then marvel at the end-of-the-evening fireworks display!
2. Underwater Music Festival
Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, July 7-8, 2023
One of the most unique Florida events in July (or anytime!) is the Underwater Music Festival! Slip on your snorkel gear and sink beneath the water, and you’ll hear classic tunes being played via speakers attached to the bottoms of bobbing boats. In the past, there have been dancing “mermaids” in the water and refreshments at the ready for guests. One of the coolest parts about this festival is that it supports vital coral reef conservation efforts!
3. Pensacola Beach Air Show
Pensacola Beach, July 5-8, 2023
Come see the breathtaking Blue Angels Air Show in Pensacola for a high-flying display you won’t soon forget! The Blue Angels – the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron – will hold several dazzling practice sessions leading up to the big show on Saturday, July 8th. Brave and talented pilots will perform amazing aerial acrobatics to awe and delight all those down below.
Whether you attend a “dress rehearsal” earlier in the week or the official show on Saturday, this popular event shouldn’t be missed if you’re in the Pensacola area! (If you want to avoid the largest crowds – numbering in the thousands – we recommend catching the Thursday, July 6th, practice run!)
4. Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Art & Craft Festival
July 8-9, 2023
We love it when Florida events and festivals have free admission, and the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Art & Craft Festival fits that bill. (Or rather, the glorious lack of a bill!) Artisans, both local and visiting, will line the docks of this picturesque town, putting all of their cutest, wackiest, and most beautiful creations on display. Paintings, soap, jewelry – if you’ve imagined it, someone here has probably made it! This craft festival makes for a fun weekend of both laidback browsing and stunning discoveries.
5. Florida Keys BBQ & Craft Brew
Marathon, July 14-15, 2023
One word: barbeque. Do we really need to say anything else to convince you to come to this festival? Probably not, but we will anyway! The Florida Keys BBQ & Craft Brew Festival is a delicious, two-day celebration of America’s best dish: smoked meat slathered in sticky sweet sauce. For $5, you can enjoy hundreds of flavors, constantly flowing craft beer, live music from local Floridian bands, games for the kiddos, and a fierce amateur BBQ competition!
6. Florida Hot Air Balloon Festival
Lakeland, July 14-17, 2023
Take to the skies during the Florida Hot Air Balloon Festival, a three-day soiree celebrating the best in flight: balloons! Sure, planes are cool, but there’s a fun factor about balloons that just can’t be beat. They also make for absolutely gorgeous photos, especially in the evenings when they begin to glow! With tethered balloon rides, snacks, drinks, helicopter rides, and a kids’ zone, this is a great family-friendly event to attend this summer!
(Photo: MariuszBlach from Getty Images Pro via Canva)
7. Trailblazers Country Music Festival and Craft Beer Fest
Elkton, July 14-16, 2023
Another one of those Florida events in July that perfectly pairs two great things together, the Trailblazer Country and Craft Beer Festival combines country music and cold drinks. Just 20 minutes from St. Augustine, this festival is a fun way to spend an afternoon if you’re staying in the area. Enjoy live music, BBQ, and unlimited samples of craft beer, wine, and other spirits at this ticketed event. (Note that the Craft Beer Fest takes place on Saturday, July 15th, specifically.)
8. Hemingway Days
Key West, July 19-22, 2023
One of the most popular events in Florida – and one of the most iconic – Hemingway Days is gearing up for its annual celebration of America’s “Papa.” A tribute to the legacy of novelist and outdoorsman Ernest Hemingway, Hemingway Days is a week-long event that includes deep sea fishing, a short story contest, the “running of the bulls,” a Hemingway look-alike contest – and more! – all within the exuberant setting of Key West. Channel your inner Ernest and live life to the fullest at this incredibly unique and fun Florida festival!
9. Busch Gardens Tampa Bier Fest
Starts July 21, 2023
If you’re planning a trip to Busch Gardens Tampa, you may want to schedule a visit during their annual Bier Fest! Starting on July 21st and running through September 4th, you’ll be able to find delicious brews and bites throughout the park every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday! With over 70 craft beers and pub grub like Bavarian pretzel sticks, BBQ beer glazed ribs, and so much more, there’s never been a better time to visit Busch Gardens!
10. EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
Starts July 27, 2023
One of the most highly anticipated and popular events in Florida is the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. Kicking off on July 27th, this Disney park favorite will run through November 18th and offer guests the chance to taste their way around the world. Twenty to thirty different kiosks will have scrumptious international snacks for guests to enjoy, and culinary demonstrations throughout the day can help you learn to make some of your own amazing dishes!
Live music, exclusive scavenger hunts, and celebrity chefs are also part of the party! Entrance into the Food and Wine Festival is included with your regular EPCOT admission ticket, so if you’re planning a Disney vacay, this might just be the perfect time to go!
There are some great Florida events in July that really encapsulate the summer spirit! Between the music, the BBQ, and Ernest Hemingway, this is shaping up to be the perfect summer. Which event are you looking forward to the most? Have you ever been to any of these Florida events and festivals?
Tell us about your favorite Florida festivals in the comments below!
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Featured photo: halfpoint via Canva
