August In the Florida Keys:
A Little Rum, A Big Jimmy Buffet Celebration & A Whole Lot of Fishing
FLORIDA KEYS (July 15, 2025) — From free days at spectacular national parks to festivals that celebrate rum, craft beer and Jimmy Buffet, the Florida Keys are bringing late summer to life in 2025.
Here’s what’s happening up and down the island chain in the upcoming weeks.
AUGUST FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Fee-Free Day at Dry Tortugas & Everglades National Parks
August 4 Celebrate the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act with free admission to two of Florida’s most iconic parks.
- Dry Tortugas National Park, located nearly 70 miles west of Key West and accessible only by boat or seaplane, offers a remote adventure like no other. Visitors can explore historic Fort Jefferson, snorkel over stunning coral reefs, or birdwatch from one of the seven small islands that make up this mostly open-water park.
- Everglades National Park, a vast, subtropical wilderness, offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, kayaking, hiking, and fishing. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the unique “River of Grass,” with diverse ecosystems including mangroves, marshes, cypress forests, and tropical hammocks.
Key West Lobster Best
August 6-10 Longing for savory, succulent, melt in your mouth lobster without taking the plunge to catch it yourself? Have we got a week for you! Introducing…Key West Lobster Best. A week-long celebration dedicated to our favorite coastal crustacean. Beginning August 6th and running through August 10, all restaurants are serving up their “Lobster Best,” so pick a few and indulge. Then, prepare your palate — a double dose of deliciousness is coming your way when daredevil chef and rum distiller Paul Menta takes the stage at the Key West Cooking School for two incredible cooking demonstrations on Saturday, August 9. Mouthwatering magnificence will come to life when spiny tail lobster, crawfish, and rock lobster intersect to create palate pleasing perfection at the Lost Kitchen's Florida Keys Lobster Dinners August 9-10. And closing out the week, Key West’s Artisan Market will host Lobster Best Key West Edition on Sunday, August 10, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Higg’s Beach. Hungry for details? To learn more and purchase tickets, visit Key West Lobster Best.
Rum Fest Key West
August 11–17 The second annual Key West Rum Fest brings together rum enthusiasts and the Key West community for a week-long celebration of the world’s finest rums — with live entertainment and vibrant island culture. The centerpiece of the festival, the Grand Tasting Event, takes place August 16 at the Key West Theater from 3:30-5:30 p.m., when attendees can sample an extraordinary selection of rums from more than 30 premier vendors, meet master distillers and enjoy live music and island-inspired cuisine. Learn more.
Create Art with Harry Truman’s Great Grandson
August 16
Take a trip down history lane as Truman's great-grandson, artist Wesley Truman Daniel, leads a "TRU-ly Amazing Art" Paint and Sip workshop at the Harry S. Truman Little White House. On Saturday, August 16, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., experienced and aspiring artists can join professional artist, art instructor, and great-grandson of President Harry S. Truman, for a unique outdoor Paint & Sip workshop on the beautiful grounds of the Harry S. Truman Little White House at 111 Front Street, Key West, Florida. The event features a donation-based bar with wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options, with participants encouraged to pack lunch and picnic blankets for this leisurely, art-filled day that benefits the preservation of Florida's only presidential museum. Artists should bring their own outdoor painting supplies (easel, paints, brushes.) To register and purchase tickets visit here.
City Bikes Key Largo Triathlon
August 17
At John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, athletes will swim, bike, and run through one of the most scenic triathlon courses in the U.S.
- Swim: A warm, clear-water ocean swim at the park’s main beach.
- Bike: Out-and-back course along the Overseas Highway/Card Sound Road.
- Run: Through peaceful neighborhoods lined with classic Florida Keys homes.
Race options include Olympic and Sprint triathlon & duathlon formats, plus an Olympic-distance Aquabike race. All finishers receive a coral reef-themed medal and custom age-group awards. Learn more.
Just a Few Friends – A Jimmy Buffett Celebration
August 29 – September 1 Join fans from across the country for the second annual Just a Few Friends Memorial Weekend in Key West. This heartfelt celebration of the life honors the legacy of singer-songwriter (and the Florida Keys’ favorite son) Jimmy Buffett. On Friday morning, the City of Key West will proclaim “State of Florida Jimmy Buffett Day,” followed by activities on and off the water, foodie events and great times. Saturday features the Back To The Island Beach Party at 801 Bourbon Bar, the Margaritaville Pool Party, and an outdoor movie night at The Pint with a screening of Parrot Heads – The Essential Jimmy Buffett Documentary. Sunday’s highlight is the epic Second Line Parade starting at 5 p.m., culminating in a free music festival at Truman Waterfront Park with local and national entertainment, food trucks and vendors. Learn more.
- Travel Tip: Take advantage of Latitude Adjustment Curated Hotel Packages that offer VIP perks, premium accommodations and special access to select events at top Key West resorts.
Key West BrewFest
August 30 Now an annual tradition, BrewFest brings together 60 beer vendors serving more than 225 delicious craft brews during a full-day island celebration at Southernmost Beach Resort in Key West. All proceeds support scholarships through the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club. Learn more.
FISHING EVENTS
- Bartenders Dolphin Tournament (August 18): This one’s for the hardworking hospitality professionals of the Keys. A light-hearted tournament focused on catching the biggest mahi-mahi (also called dolphin fish), it’s the perfect send-off to summer. Learn more.
- Hooked on Fishing Seminar: Tarpon & Backcountry Species (August 18): Fishing fans won’t want to miss this expert-led seminar focusing on tarpon and other backcountry species. Hosted by Islamorada’s Caribee Boat Sales, the session includes tips on techniques, tackle, and timing to help anglers step up their Florida Keys fishing game. Learn more.
High-resolution images, photo credits, and captions available at this link.
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Last year’s celebration brought big crowds to Southernmost Beach Resort’s sandy grounds. This year on August 30, BrewFest returns with over 60 beer vendors pouring more than 225 craft brews, live music, and beachside fun, all to support scholarships through the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club. (Photo courtesy of Southernmost Resort)
Fans in festive attire leap into the spirit of BrewFest under palm trees and bright skies. Join the island-wide tradition this August 30 for a full day of tasting sessions, pool parties, Olympic-style beer games, and a main tasting event from 3–8 pm at Southernmost Beach Resort. All proceeds fund local Florida Keys scholarships. (Photo courtesy of Southernmost Resort)
On August 4, celebrate Fee-Free Day at Dry Tortugas National Park. Fort Jefferson, a massive six-sided structure nicknamed the “Gibraltar of the Gulf of Mexico,” rises from the water 68 miles west of Key West. Though never finished and never fired upon, it remains one of the most striking landmarks in North America, built from more than 16 million bricks and surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty. (Photo by Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau)
Dry Tortugas National Park is free to enter on August 4. Construction of Fort Jefferson began in 1846. The fort later served as a Union military prison during the Civil War. Its most well-known inmate was Dr. Samuel Mudd, who was convicted in the plot to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. Today, you can swim alongside its coral-rich moat and explore marine life in clear tropical waters. (Photo courtesy of Fort Jefferson Ferry)
Ride the ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park and walk the grounds of Fort Jefferson. Built over 150 years ago, this isolated outpost was never completed or attacked, yet it played a key role as a Civil War prison. Its impressive scale and rich history make it one of the most unique national park sites in the country. (Photo courtesy of Fort Jefferson Ferry)
Musicians lead a spirited singalong of “Margaritaville” during a second-line parade in Key West, honoring Jimmy Buffett on the anniversary of his passing. The event featured Florida Keys troubadour Howard Livingston, Mayor DeeDee Henriquez, and Buffett collaborator Will Kimbrough. This year’s “Just a Few Friends” celebration returns August 29 through September 1, with beach parties, foodie events, a documentary screening, and Sunday’s Second Line Parade ending in a free concert at Truman Waterfront Park. (Carol Shaughnessy/Florida Keys News Bureau)
Florida Keys residents and visitors fill Duval Street during a vibrant Labor Day Weekend procession honoring Jimmy Buffett on the first anniversary of his passing. The celebration was a centerpiece of the “Just a Few Friends” festival in Key West, where Buffett lived and wrote many of his most beloved songs, including “Margaritaville.” This year’s event returns August 29 through September 1 with a full lineup of parties, concerts, and the iconic Second Line Parade, celebrating Buffett’s legacy with music, color, and island spirit. (Steve Panariello/Florida Keys News Bureau)
This year’s second annual Key West Rum Fest runs August 11–17, ending with the Grand Tasting Event on August 16 at the Key West Theater. Sample rums from more than 30 top vendors, meet master distillers, enjoy live music, and taste island-inspired cuisine. (Photo courtesy of Key West Legal Rum)
Last year’s revelers raised their glasses high during a Rum Fest tasting at the Hemingway Social Club in Key West. Join the fun August 11–17 as rum enthusiasts from near and far come together for live entertainment, expert-led tastings, and a full week of island culture. The Grand Tasting on August 16 at the Key West Theater is the festival’s signature event. (Photo courtesy of Key West Legal Rum)
Chicago-based artist and art instructor Wesley Truman Daniel, pictured here in 2024 with artist Vicki Golay, will lead a Paint & Sip workshop on Aug. 16 at the Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West. (Photo: Carol Tedesco/The Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation)
ABOUT THE FLORIDA KEYS & KEY WEST
The Florida Keys & Key West is a premier getaway destination located at the southernmost tip of Florida and the continental United States. The Keys stretch over 125 miles connected by 42 bridges and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf. Discover the spectacular array of diverse activities offered in the Florida Keys like fishing, diving, natural wonders, fine dining and cultural heritage. From large resorts, secluded waterfront hideaways and courtyard guest houses, visitors can uncover the perfect place for their vacation. Restoration, renovation and preservation have become a way of life in the Florida Keys. Whether you’re driving or flying into the Keys, one thing is for sure: there’s simply no place quite like it. Want more reasons to visit The Florida Keys & Key West? Get inspired at visitfloridakeys.com and follow us @thefloridakeys on social media.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Mary B. Haban
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Visit Florida Keys & Key West
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Visit Florida Keys & Key West PR Agency Team (TURNER)