20 Unforgettable August Festivals in Florida: Prepare for the Ultimate Fun-Filled Escape!
Are you ready to dive headfirst into the vibrant world of August festivals in Florida? Get your sunscreen and shades ready because the Sunshine State is about to treat you to an unforgettable experience!
August in Florida is when everything really heats up. And I don’t mean in a fun way. July might be hot, but August is unbearable for many people. For this reason, there simply are not many festivals to attend. However, from the charming streets of Key West to the sandy shores of Pensacola, a handful of places across the state welcome festival enthusiasts in August.
Whether you’re a music lover, a foodie, or an art connoisseur, pack your bags, gather your friends, and let’s embark on this festival journey. Theses 20 Florida festivals will make your August a month to remember!
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.
Art Festivals in Florida
Art and craft festivals in Florida rank among the most popular festivals to attend. And August in Florida is a great time to attend an art festival to support local, regional, and emerging artists at a time when everything slows down in the Sunshine state. It’s also a great time to get a head start on your Christmas shopping.
1. Chroma Art Film Festival
Held August 12 in Miami Beach. The Chroma Art Film Festival is an annual celebration of innovation which encourages artists to push the boundaries of storytelling. This festival showcases the best in creative modern filmmaking, from thought-provoking documentaries to mind-bending AI-driven films. It promises to be a captivating day.
2. Arts and Craft Festival
Held August 19 in Port Charlotte. This indoor event is the perfect way to beat the heat and support local artists in August. Held in the Port Charlotte Town Center, you’ll find jewelry, art, candles, and much more.
SIGN UP for the NEWSLETTER. Stay up-to-date with the latest blog posts, travel tips, and discounts.
Florida’s Back-to-School Festivals
In Florida, kids head back to school between August 10th and 14th. While there are many small back-to-school bashes around the state, and many expos which provide supplies to needy families, the festivals listed here involve the entire community and provide more than supplies and health checks. If you’re looking for a back-to-school expo or bash near you, check the events in local papers as well as Facebook events.
3. 2nd Annual Delray Beach Unity Festival
Held August 5 in Delray Beach. This Free event promises a day full of fun for the entire family. Held in Pompey Park, the event features live music, a kids zone, pop-up shop, and back-to-school giveaways. There’s even an adult basketball tournament ($25 entry fee).
4. 8th Annual Florida Kids and Family Expo
Held August 12-13 in Orlando. A back-to-school event that’s so big it needs the Convention Center? Yep! This 2-day event draws thousands of families with more than 200 vendors, 10 fun zones, giveaways, pony rides, touch-a-truck, and so much more. If you’re in the Orlando area with kids, this is an event you don’t want to miss!
Cultural Festivals in August
Florida is a melting pot of cultural influences from all around the world, especially the Caribbean. It’s this diversity which continues to shape Florida and add to her unique diversity. In August, enjoy one of these cultural festivals in Florida.
5. DanceAfrica Miami 2023
Held August 4-6 in Miami Gardens. This year’s event theme is “connectivity” in this celebration of Africa’s rich dance culture. Each day is filled with dance performances, workshops, and drum music. Saturday also features a Children’s Village with dance, African folktales, face painting and more.
6. Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival
Held August 5-13 in Jacksonville. Though the festival spans nine days, Carnival Day is August 12. That Saturday features a full day of events. Festivities kick off with a parade followed by music, dance, food, and an International Village full of vendors, everything celebrating Caribbean culture.
7. 9th Annual Miami Beach Kizomba Festival
Held August 17-21 in Miami Beach. Drawing thousands to Miami Beach each year, MBKF strives to bring together Africa and the African diaspora. Events across these five days celebrate several African countries and include concerts, pool parties, world-famous DJs, and brunches.
August Food Festivals in Florida
Florida is a foodie haven, and its annual food festivals are not to be missed! Each August, the state plays host to a few exceptional festivals which celebrate Florida’s food scene. Whether you crave the international fare at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival or Key West’s summer party, Lobsterfest, if you’re a foodie, you’re sure to find a great August festival in Florida to satisfy whatever you crave.
8. Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
Held July 27-November 18 in Bay Lake. This annual festival celebrates international cuisine at Disney World. It features more than 25 Global Marketplace Food Booths, including cheese and chocolate and The Alps, chicken wings and other pub food at Brew-Wing, and paella and seafood salad at Spain. Guests will also enjoy concerts and tons of family-friendly activities.
9. 16th Annual NSB Shrimp and Seafood Festival
Held August 3 in New Smyrna Beach. On the first Thursday evening each August, Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach closes to traffic and the area’s restaurants serve their best seafood sampler. Price from $5 to $8, you can try some of the best local, award-winning seafood dishes. During the festival, restaurants also compete for “Best of the Beach” in four categories – Shrimp, Shellfish, Fish, and Specialty Seafood.
10. Key West Lobsterfest
Held August 10-13 in Key West. It’s the biggest party of the summer! Each year, at the start of lobster season, Key West throws a giant party to celebrate the Florida lobster. The weekend kicks off with an old-fashioned lobster boil on Thursday. The rest of the weekend features a pub crawl, live music, a pool party, a street fair, and a lobster brunch.
Other August Festivals in Florida
The rest of these Florida festivals fall into a variety of categories. However, because there are so few festivals in Florida in August, we’ve lumped them all together. Here, you’ll find festivals that run the gamut from beer festivals to Hippie Fest to the always-popular Possum Festival. If you’re looking for a unique experience to your August memory-worthy, this is where you’ll find it.
11. 54th Annual Wausau Possum Festival
Held August 4-5 in Wausau. If you’re looking for the most unique festival in Florida in August, this is quite possibly it. The festival kicks off on Friday night with the much-anticipated Possum King & Queen Contest. Saturday starts with the Possum 5K (For people runners, not possum runners; we’ll get to the latter in a minute.) followed by a parade and an afternoon of fun. At some point, a passel of possums is released back into the wild. It’s an event you probably don’t want to miss!
12. Full Moon Festival
Held August 5 in Loxahatchee. The Full Moon Festival at 24 Karat Ranch is one of the most unique festivals in South Florida in August and is hosted by one of the most popular fun farms in South Florida. The family-owned 10-acre ranch transforms into a metaphysical oasis for one evening. Enjoy a Cacao Ceremony, Sound Healing, farm animal interactions, a beautiful dark starry night, bonfires, and farm-cooked dinner and snacks.
13. Florida Underground Festival
Held August 5-6 in Orlando. Two days of the most lit music you’ve probably never heard. This music festival pulls together Florida’s best punk rock. Bands such as Wolf-Face, Dial Drive, and The Kutoffs play at four local hotspots – Uncle Lou’s, Grumpy’s, L’il Indie’s, and Will’s Pub.
14. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween
Held August 11-November 1 in Lake Buena Vista. Disney kicks off the Halloween season early with their popular kids’ event, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween. Ticketed separately than the regular theme park admission, this fun twist on Halloween happens on select nights. Visitors trick or treat throughout the park and see unforgettable things like a spooktacular fireworks show.
15. 5th Annual North Central Florida Outdoor Expo
Held August 12 in Ocala. A full day of fun at the extraordinary World Equestrian Center? Yes, please! More than 150 vendors share their outdoor wares and educational displays. There are also children’s activities, giveaways, and much more.
16. Orlando Boat Show
Held August 18-20 in Orlando. Another great indoor event that’s fun for the entire family, the Orlando Boat Show showcases the best new boats as well as all of the gear and equipment a boatowner could possibly ever need (or want). Twenty dealers will feature more than 400 boats. Plus, Twiggy the Waterskiing Squirrel is back at Twiggy’s Lagoon. Kids can hook a live trout or attend a fishing clinic while adults can test their fishing skills at the fishing simulator.
17. Hippie Fest
Held August 19 in Tarpon Springs. One of Tarpon Springs’ most beloved events! For one afternoon and evening, hippies hit the world-famous sponge docks. Vendors and a concert stage line the main road while shops deck out their shelves and sales bins with tie-dye everything. Highlights include the VW Bug Show, Hippie Costume Contest, and Hula Hoop Contest.
Learn more from our visit to Hippie Fest in 2022.
18. Brick Fan Fest Tampa
Held August 19-20 in Tampa. Attention Lego Fans! Here’s the event for you. Brick Fan Fest has everything you could ask for. Find awe-inspiring Lego City displays, build your own Lego creations and display them on the fan art wall, meet favorite characters, or find the impossible-to-find pieces at one of the vendors. It’s a day of brick mania and one that the kids will rave about for years.
19. Big Gay Weekend
Held August 25-27 in Sarasota. Hosted by Golden Host Resort, this is one of the biggest Pride events outside of Pride month. Events include a Happy Hour Kickoff, Pride Luau, Rainbow Pool Party, Drag Bingo, and more. All events are held at the resort so it’s easy to stay, sashay, and slay all weekend.
20. 5th Annual Tallahassee Beer Festival
Held August 26 in Tallahassee. The biggest beer festival in North Florida also benefits a great cause, United Partners for Human Services. More than 2500 people turn up to sample pours from more than 100 breweries and home brewers. In 2023, show up early to participate in the TBF Beer Mile – four 1/4 loops with a fresh beer waiting at the beginning of each loop.
SIGN UP for the NEWSLETTER. Stay up-to-date with the latest blog posts, travel tips, and discounts.
Florida Festivals in August by Date
Sometimes you don’t know what kind of festival you want to go to, but you do know when you want to go. Here are all the previously listed festivals in Florida by date so that it’s easy to find something to do in Florida on any given weekend in August.
August 3-6
- 3: NSB Shrimp and Seafood Festival, New Smyrna Beach
- 5: 2nd Annual Delray Beach Unity Festival, Delray Beach
- 5: Full Moon Festival, Loxahatchee
- 4-5: 54th Annual Wausau Possum Festival, Wausau
- 4-6: DanceAfrica Miami 2023, Miami Gardens
- 5-6: Florida Underground Fest, Orlando
- 5-13: Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival, Jacksonville
August 10-13
- 12: 5th Annual North Central Florida Outdoor Expo, Ocala
- 12: Chroma Art Film Festival, Miami Beach
- 5-13: Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival, Jacksonville
- 10-13: Key West Lobsterfest, Key West
- 12-13: 8th Annual Florida Kids and Family Expo, Orlando
August 17-20
- 19: Artisan Craft Fair, Port Charlotte
- 19: Hippie Fest, Tarpon Springs
- 17-21: Miami Beach Kizomba Festival, Miami Beach
- 18-20: Orlando Boat Show, Orlando
- 19-20: Brick Fan Fest Tampa, Tampa
August 24-27
- 26: Tallahassee Beer Festival, Tallahassee
- 25-27: Big Gay Weekend, Sarasota
Multiple Month Festivals
- 7/27-11/18: Epcot Internatioal Food and Wine Festival, Bay Lake
- 8/11-11/1: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween, Orlando
Closing: August Festivals in Florida
As the heat in August bears down on the Sunshine State, the number of festivals remains low. There are still quite a few to choose from! Whether you’re looking for a concert, a food festival, or a unique experience, these August events in Florida celebrate the state’s quirkiness.
Other Monthly Festival Pages
Looking for other festivals in Florida? Check out all of our Florida festival pages below.
Let’s Connect!
Follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Also, please check out my Facebook group, Florida Travel Tips & Secret Spots, to get travel tips, discounts, secret spots, and hidden gems.
Did you know you can grab one of my photos for your home or office? Visit my Etsy shop to see what’s available right now! And thank you for your support!
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.
