Groovy Vibes at Hippie Fest in Tarpon Springs
Hippie Fest in Tarpon Springs celebrates everything hippie from the 60s and 70s. Not only is this event family-friendly, it’s free and on the world-famous Sponge Docks. The eight hour event starts in the early afternoon and carries the fun into nighttime hours.
Wander Florida is fully reader-supported. For that reason, this article may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This revenue helps keep Wander Florida free and updated. I only recommend products or services that I would use myself. Read the full disclosure here.
Part of Dodecanese Boulevard is closed off to vehicle traffic. Boutiques show off their hippie wares. Food trucks line the closed street. Live music plays on a central stage. A VW car show lines the traffic circle and Dodecanese near the end of the street.
Though many people come out to Hippie Fest to enjoy the atmosphere and shop the Sponge Docks, others go all out with complete hippie costumes. A costume contest shows off the best of the best.
Greeks Turn to Hippies During Hippie Fest
Most people know the Sponge Docks for its Greek heritage. The unique history of Tarpon Springs is inexorably linked with the Greek divers who immigrated to the small town in the early 1900s. In fact, the epiphany celebration in Tarpon Springs is one of the largest in the world. Hippies, however, are not something normally associated with Greeks or Greece. The two do enjoy a good party and having fun. It isn’t such a stretch that for a day each August hippies invade the Sponge Docks.
All of the small boutiques which line the Sponge Docks sell handmade soaps and saltwater sponges, shell knickknacks, and tourist t-shirts. For Hippie Fest in Tarpon Springs, they bring out their tie-dye and peace signs. Hippie headbands and groovy t-shirts spill out into sidewalk bins. Street vendors also set up their wares, from tie-dye cotton dresses and harem pants to button pins and hats. For a day, the blue and white of Tarpon Springs turns to a dizzying kaleidoscope of colors.
Entertainment During Hippie Fest at Tarpon Springs
Like all festivals, entertainment sets the tempo and the vibe for Hippie Fest. Live music plays from 2 PM to 10 PM on a central stage. A costume contest with prizes encourages people to dress in their best hippie garb and strut their stuff for the audience. Every year, though, one of the biggest draws is the VW car show. Bugs, busses, things, and more modern VWs line the streets at one end of the festival.
Costume Contest
Many attendees at Hippie Fest dig deep into their closets and pull out an item or two to wear for the day – a tie-dyed t-shirt, a headband left over from a music festival, fringed earrings. Some people, however, really get into the spirit of the day. For those people, the costume contest presents the perfect place to show off their inner hippie. The audience chooses the winner by applause; it helps to play to them with a little dancing and entertainment.
VW Car Show
No car is more quintessentially hippie than the VW bug and bus of the 1960s and 1970s. VW enthusiasts bring their Volkswagens in all stages of restoration. From completely vintage busses to souped up bugs, it’s a VW lovers dream. While there were many really neat cars there early in the day, the heat drove many home by mid-afternoon. And the cars parked really close together made photos difficult.
If You Attend Hippie Fest in Tarpon Springs…
Tarpon Springs offers a plethora of activities for visitors who stop in for a day or several. Take a sunset cruise to Anclote Key, shop on the Sponge Docks, kayak around the bayous, or take a brewery tour downtown. Many of the local restaurants carry the freshest seafood in the Tampa Bay area. For lodging, we love the Hampton Inn & Suites Tarpon Springs.
If you love unusual things to do in Florida like Hippie Fest, you’ll GeckoFest held just a few weeks later in nearby Gulfport. Or visit Tampa in January to experience everything Gasparilla.
Let’s Connect!
Follow me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. And if you’re looking for a great community for sharing travel tips, discounts, secret spots, and hidden gems, go join my Facebook group, Florida Travel Tips & Secret Spots.
Travel Resources:
These are the places I first go when planning or booking travel. They ARE affiliate links so if you use one I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you) and (bonus!) it’ll help me keep running this site. Visit my travel resources page to see all of the services and gear I recommend.
Flights: We always check flight prices and information on Way Away first.
Hotels: We use Expedia to compare and book hotels. We also love Booking.com for boutique hotels and B&Bs.
Vacation Rentals: For vacation rentals and other non-traditional lodging options, VRBO is our go-to.
Tours & Tickets: We use Viator for private tours and unique experiences.
Rental Cars: Though we prefer to experience a city through its public transportation, there are times when a rental car is needed and in those instances, we use Discover Cars.
Travel Insurance: No one wants to need it, but it’s great to have when you do. VisitorsCoverage is our go-to provider.
Are you looking for vendors?
Hi Janine, I’m not the event organizer. You can reach out to them for vendor opportunities.
Looks like fun, but I don’t see any info about camping! These old hippies still camp, never stopped, and would love to camp at a party like this – any info would be appreciated. Thanks (and Peace, lol)
That would be fun! Unfortunately, there’s no camping at this festival. It’s held in business district, similar to a downtown area. There are campgrounds nearby though.
Hello! Thanks for sharing information about this festival! It looks like a lot of fun!
I’m such a fan of fun festivals and I’ll need to check this one out!
This is a great one to add to your itinerary if you happen to be in the area that weekend.
Looks like such a good time! And so colourful
It’s so much fun! And, yes, very colorful!
This looks like such a fun time!
Hippie fest sounds hilarious and fun. I would definitely be one of the people who went all out! This is the first tty
Thanks for letting
That looks like so much fun. I love the costume contest, and nothing beats seeing vintage VWs. I must coordinate my trip when I eventually get to the USA. What month is it usually held in?
It’s today! Usually held in July or August.
This looks like so much. I would love to see the costume contest!
It fabulous! The winners last time I went were two young women dressed as Cheech and Chong.
Wow, what unique event! I love seeing all the different outfits and opportunities to dress up. Seems like fun!
It’s a lot of fun! Thanks for stopping by, Meghan.
Hi Cris! What should I wear to Hippie Fest, and are there any specific dress code guidelines or suggestions?
Great question, Trisha! No specific dress code is required. A cute boho or hippie outfit is a great way to fit in and have fun with your fashion when attending Hippie Fest.
This festival sounds groovy and being able to dress up in some of my gear already in my wardrobe is a bonus!
It’s so much fun! My hippie/boho wardrobe grows a little each year.