Top 14 Florida Events in November: Unleash the Ultimate Extravaganza of Food Festivals, Concerts, Art Galas, and Holiday Celebrations!
November is so much more than a mandatory gap between Halloween and Christmas. In Florida, it’s one of the best months for getting out and having fun! Not only are temperatures more reasonable but there’s also so much to do.
Florida events in November are the total package: you’ll find delicious food, amazing music, breathtaking art, beachy fun, holiday cheer, and more!
Florida Events in November
We’ve picked out fourteen of our favorite November festivals in Florida to share with you, and we think you’ll love them, too! Whether you decide to cram your schedule with three festivals a week or just set your heart on one for the month, you’re in for a real treat. Attending a shindig in the Sunshine State is a great opportunity to experience Florida in a way that perfectly balances local culture with touristy excitement!
Let’s get the party started!
1. 60th Annual Florida Seafood Festival
November 3 – 4, 2023
Forget Thanksgiving turkey – spend your November feasting on seafood at one of the tastiest annual festivals in Florida! Located at Battery Park in downtown Apalachicola, the Annual Florida Seafood Festival is a lively two-day event that draws a crowd of thousands every year.
In addition to chowing down on crustaceans (and other delicacies of the sea), there are also several events to watch and participate in, like the oyster eating and oyster shucking contest, the blue crab races, and the 5k redfish run! There will also be art exhibits, a parade, and musical entertainment. Now running for 60 years, this festival is a certified favorite among Florida events in November!
2. Great Gulfcoast Art Festival
November 3 – 5, 2023
Pensacola is known for its beautiful beaches and being a fantastic vacation destination. With that in mind, you may want to plan your vacay for early November so you can enjoy another Pensacola perk – the Great Gulfcoast Art Festival!
Festivities stretch across three days and take place in Seville Square. Artists from across the country gather to display their work in this juried art show, with over 200 top painters, potters, sculptors, graphic artists, and other craftsmen in attendance!
In addition to the show and live demonstrations of traditional crafting, there will also be live music, a children’s art festival with hands-on activities, and yummy food. After all, art is best viewed on a full stomach!
3. Orlando Greek Fest
November 3 – 5, 2023
Looking for a little international flair? Then you’ll definitely want to head to Orlando in November for Greek Fest!
Centered around authentic Greek food, music, and dance, this fun festival will transport you across the sea to the beautiful Mediterranean. Located at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, this cultural extravaganza lasts three days, and admission is FREE! Enjoy a delicious gyro sandwich and baklava, then marvel at the talented dance troupes or take a tour of the church.
4. 52nd Annual Fall Fiesta in the Park
November 4 – 5, 2023
Another fantastic event in Orlando in November is the Fall Fiesta in the Park!
A long-standing Orlando tradition, this celebration is held in Lake Eola Park (of swan boat fame). Get into the fall spirit as food vendors flock to the park with mouthwatering treats and hundreds of artists and craftsmen display their beautiful accomplishments across the grounds. Live entertainment and kids’ zone will also be part of the action!
5. Inverness Festival of the Arts
November 4 – 5, 2023
Come see one of the prettiest festivals in Florida: the Inverness Festival of the Arts!
This FREE event draws thousands of people annually with its brilliant focus on fine arts. The longest-running juried art show in Citrus County, this festival brings an incredible array of artists to downtown Inverness so you can explore and shop their meticulously handcrafted wares. If you’re looking for a festival filled with heart and soul, this is it!
6. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
November 9 – December 22, 2023
We’re beginning to think Disney’s new motto is “It’s never too early to celebrate Christmas” because Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party begins in early November!
Disney aficionados will want to pop into the Magic Kingdom on select nights to join in the fun of Mickey’s marvelous Christmas party. For this specialty nighttime event, you need a ticket to Mickey’s party, but NOT regular daytime admission if you’re only coming for the soiree.
The park opens up to party-goers at 4:00 p.m., with the soiree officially in swing from 7:00 p.m. to midnight. Enjoy an exclusive Christmas-themed fireworks show, parade, and musical show. There are also limited-time holiday meet-and-greets and specialty treats!
Experience the Magic
See the 2023 Guide to the Magic Kingdom’s Fireworks Dessert Party
Did you know Disney offers a way to enjoy the nightly fireworks show from a reserved seat? Here is everything you need to know about the Magic Kingdom’s Fireworks Dessert Party to decide if it’s worth the splurge for your family!
7. International Sand Sculpting Festival
November 10 – 13, 2023
Siesta Key becomes even more enchanting during the International Sand Sculpting Festival!
You never know what the sand artists will create each year, but it’s always guaranteed that each sculpture will be stunning! From mermaids to Vikings to sea serpents, there’s no limit to what can be created with this uniquely transient medium.
Come see the master sculptors at work, admire the finished pieces, and cast your vote for the winner of the People’s Choice award! There’s even an amateur sculpting contest on Saturday (the 11th) if you and the kiddos want to get in on the action, too.
8. Country Bay Music Festival (Miami)
November 11 – 12, 2023
When it comes to musical Florida events in November, it’s hard to beat the Country Bay Music Festival.
Taking place in the Miami Marine Stadium, you get to enjoy award-winning, platinum-selling country music with sunshine and sea breezes. Not only is the ocean at your fingertips, but there are also carnival games, activities, comfort foods, and frozen drinks! This family-friend music fest might just be the hottest spot in Miami this month!
9. Miami Book Fair
November 12 – 19, 2023
I take it back. THIS is the hottest spot in Miami this month!
Fellow bookworms gather ’round – the Miami Book Fair is heaven in Florida! For just over a week, hundreds of authors will gather to sign books and take part in discussion panels. There will also be so many books for sale! From fiction to children’s lit to poetry and nonfiction, there’s a genre everybody will enjoy. It’s a literary paradise!
10. South Florida Seafood Festival
November 12, 2023
Need a bite to eat in the Miami area? The South Florida Seafood Festival has you covered! (At least for one day.)
Find over 30 local seafood faves at Coconut Grove’s Regatta Park! This scrumptious smorgasbord will also feature some of Miami’s most notable chefs, along with crazy concoctions shaken (not stirred) by Miami’s top mixologists! While the food is definitely the main draw, there’ll also be live music, a nautical market, and a family fun zone.
11. BBQ and Bluegrass Festival
November 18, 2023
Bluegrass and BBQ might just be the ultimate combo. That’s why in South Daytona, the BBQ and Bluegrass Festival is an annual event!
Enjoy food from various vendors and browse the offerings of local artisans. Bluegrass bands will play all day long while kiddos enjoy the Kids Zone and mom and dad grab a sip from the beer garden. Most importantly, there’ll be a showdown of BBQ teams in this Florida BBQ Association sanctioned competition. May the best brisket win!
12. Yankeetown Arts, Crafts, and Seafood Festival
November 18 – 19, 2023
Festivals in Florida aren’t complete without two things: seafood and crafts. At the Yankeetown Arts, Crafts, and Seafood Festival, these attractions become the mainstay of this incredibly fun celebration!
This FREE event is located in a coastal village “where art meets nature.” Celebrating their unique fishing heritage, Yankeetown locals meet up on Riverside Drive every year to share mouthwatering morsels, gorgeous arts and crafts, as well as other entertainment. This event is a great way to fill an afternoon if you’re in the area!
13. EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
November 24 – December 30, 2023
Experience yuletide excitement from around the world during EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays!
It’s one of the BEST times to visit EPCOT because in addition to the rides and usual splendor of the World Showcase, there’s the added magic of a Cookie Stroll, Christmas storytellers, Holiday Kitchens (serving up seasonal dishes from different countries), and the absolutely stunning Candlelight Processional with carols sung by a choir and a celebrity guest reading the Scriptures. Nothing beats biting into a chocolate crinkle cookie before watching a favorite Hollywood actor narrate the nativity story!
14. Gaylord Palms ICE!
November 27, 2023 – January 3, 2024
Walk through a winter wonderland? In Orlando in November? You bet!
Gaylord Palms ICE! event is the coolest celebration of the season! Not only does it feature adorable ice sculptures from A Charlie Brown Christmas, but you’ll also get to play with ice by tubing down an ice mountain and throwing snowballs! There’s an entire host of slightly less chilly holiday activities like decorating gingerbread houses, a light show, an escape room, animal encounters, and more! This is one of the most dazzling Florida events in November that the entire family will love!
We’re so excited about these Florida events in November! What about you?
Have you been to any of these festivals before? We’d love to hear about your experiences or what you’re looking forward to experiencing in the comments below!
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