Key West is known for its many tropical adventures including kayaking, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), flats fishing, good ol dive bars, chartered dolphin tours, historic homes and architecture, creatures (big and small) and so much more. Here are some events to plan your next Key West adventure around! We wanted to include some of the events from bordering towns so we are calling it the “Key West Area” guide to events and festivals in the 2022 spring and summer.
I LOVE STOCK ISLAND FESTIVAL 6/15-6/19
If you are sneaking away in June for a father’s day getaway. Be sure to check this family friendly festival on the neighboring island. The I Love Stock Island Festival was started with a mission to clean up and show some pride in Stock Island. They wanted to bring the community together to celebrate the Island and make it a better place to live. Now the festival is a weeklong event running from June 15-19 on Father’s Day Weekend. They offer a lot of good events within the week of the festival including: Stock Island Clean-Up, Dad-Off Competition, Food Truck Tour, Havana Nights Pool Party and Pig Roast, Shrimpstock, Art Stroll and more! And for those music lovers there is life music on the rock every day! Check out the schedule for the week here. Their festival site reads, “This 5-day festival will be composed of Stock Island-inspired activities and experiences that embody the I Love Stock Island brand of authentic immersive experience in local community, culture, and art. Celebrate Father’s Day Weekend with your friends & family – and enjoy these one-of-a-kind events only Stock Island could offer.” (Source)
VFW FISHING TOURNAMENT 6/17-6/19
This annual event is in its 10th year and is a great family friendly event with the opportunity to win up to $50k in prizes! “A family fun tournament, this event is to award over $50,000 in total cash and prizes, including $5,000 for the heaviest dolphin among other awards for individual anglers and other species. A Super Prize of either a new Toyota Corolla or $20k in cash (winner’s choice) has also been added for 2022. Captains and anglers can choose to fish either day of the two-day tournament. The 10th annual event is to celebrate the history of the tournament. All proceeds benefit disabled and needy veterans of Monroe County.” (Source) You can register here. The tourney takes place June 17-19.
KEY LIME FESTIVAL 6/30-7/4
The Key Lime Festival runs from June 30th to July 4th in Key West. This all takes place in the birthplace of Key Lime Pie. “Citrus, eccentrics, people & pie. Our celebrations are fun, odd & unforgettable. Our people are too.” (Source) This festival features everything from a mini Key Lime pie class, a rum tasting, a Key Lime Tree master class, Key Lime Pie Drop where you drop your homemade pie off a lighthouse, Pie eating contest, a Patriot Dinner under the fireworks and more! This really has a bit of everything to fit the adventurous heart and the Key Lime lover!
HEMINGWAY DAYS 7/19-7/24
“Fans of Ernest Hemingway’s literary greatness and vigorous life, including scores of bearded Hemingway look-alikes, are to converge on Key West Tuesday through Sunday, July 19-24, for Hemingway Days 2022.” (Source) The highlight of this event is the Hemingway Look-a-Like Contest! A three day Marlin tourney takes place during this week to pay homage to Hemingway’s love for deep sea fishing. The festival pays tribute to the literary genius who called Key West home from 1931-1939. For more information go here. “The annual celebration salutes the Nobel Prize–winning author’s writing achievements, sporting pursuits and enjoyment of the island’s easy going lifestyle.” (Source)
RAMS HEAD PRESENTS FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS & ANDY GRAMMER TOUR 7/29
The Rams Head Presents concert series brings a bunch of talented acts from all around the world. On July, 29, 2022 the Fitz and The Tantrums & Andy Grammer tour will be in Key West to play at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater with opening act Breland. “Multi-platinum artists Fitz and the Tantrums have quickly grown from independent upstarts to bonafide hitmakers. The LA-based band recently released their much-anticipated, fourth full length album ‘ALL THE FEELS,’ featuring singles ‘123456’ and ‘I Just Wanna Shine.’ ‘ALL THE FEELS’ follows the band’s 2016 release “FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS,” which spawned the group’s biggest hit to date, ‘HandClap.’” (Source)
25TH ANNUAL KEY WEST LOBSTERFEST 8/11-8/14
This time honored tradition is going into its 25th year! The Key West Lobsterfest is a family friendly event taking place from August 11th to 14th in the heart of Key West. The festival kicks off on the 11th with the Lobster Boil overlooking the beautiful water! Day two brings you the traditional Lobsterfest Duval Pub Crawl. Taking place on the historic Duval Street, “Participants will receive an official 25th Annual Lobsterfest T-Shirt, souvenir Corona bottle opener/lanyard and fantastic drink specials at all participating bars.” (Source) The next day there is fresh lobster on Duval Street with various lobster themed vendors. And to wrap it all up there is a brunch on the last day. Grab some butter and get ready for a great week!
KEY WEST WHISKEY FEST 8/26-8/29
This festival is put on by the “Southernmost Women & Bourbon” and this, “This inaugural food, drink and music festival is to feature top class whiskey, a range of tastings, whiskey walks, workshops, brunches and plenty more.” (Source) Taking place from August 26th to the 29th in Key West. It features 12+ Distilleries so make sure to check out all the info here!
HAPPY EXPLORING IN KEY WEST
So as you can see there are a lot of fun festivals to choose from in Key West. Be sure to check out all the events and do your homework before you book your flights so you can get the most out of your stay here. Have fun exploring the island!
