Dragons, Dreamers and Dancers Star in Fantasy Fest's Grand Finale Parade
FLORIDA KEYS VIDEO ADVISORY October 26, 2025
Contacts: Mary B. Haban, Mary@fla-keys.com (813) 210-8585 or Chad Newman, Chad@fla-keys.com (310) 283-8441
Story: Dragons, Dreamers and Dancers Star in Fantasy Fest's Grand Finale Parade
Locator: Key West, Fla.
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Photo Captions Below
Video: B-roll of illuminated floats, costumed revelers, and lively street scenes from the Fantasy Fest Parade in Key West, Fla. Footage includes crowd reactions, wide shots along Duval Street, and close-ups of parade performers.
TRT: 2:10
Filename: KeyWestFantasyParade.mp4
Video Source: Florida Keys News Bureau
Photos & Captions: Below
Dragons, Dreamers and Dancers Star in Fantasy Fest's Grand Finale Parade
KEY WEST, Fla. (Oct. 26, 2025) — They danced alongside dreamy, dazzling floats. Dressed in colorful, creative costumes. And jammed out to some seriously sassy songs — all while entertaining tens of thousands of cheering spectators.
This, folks, is how they roll in Key West, Florida where a crush of costumed parade goers packed the city’s most famous street on Saturday night to get a glimpse of one of the nation’s most outlandish parades.
Now in its 46th year, Fantasy Fest 2025 brought the heat with a legendary lineup of costumed characters including a towering dragon, dancing Dr. Seuss characters, and a gaggle of perky pigs as they marched through the island city's historic downtown for this 10-day costuming and masking festival.
This year's parade theme, "Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters," turned the famed streets of Key West into a dreamscape of childhood stories and whimsical nightmares.
Standout entries included "Dr. Seuss on the Loose," featuring the Cat in the Hat, The Grinch, and dancing Truffula trees. And The Lower Keys Fluffers who presented "3 Little Pigs," which reimagined the nursery tale, with a sultry twist.
The parade's showstopper was a flying Peter Pan, who fought off Captain Hook and his cast of minions, all while he was suspended midair.
Other highlights of the Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade included a giant, inflatable Puff the Magic Dragon, Caribbean-style dancers, and fantasy creatures.
Parade entries competed for $20,000 in prize money across eight categories including Best in Entertainment, Best in Costume, and Interpretation of Theme.
Fantasy Fest 2025 concludes on Sunday with a children's carnival and afternoon dance party. Next year's festival is scheduled for October 16–25, 2026, with the theme of Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals.
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Members of the Lower Keys Fluffers troupe dressed as the “Three Little Pigs,” and danced their hearts out along Duval Street during Saturday night’s Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade in Key West, Fla., Oct. 25, 2025. Their whimsical entry reimagined the classic nursery tale as part of the parade’s “Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters” theme. The glittering procession capped the island city’s 10-day masking and costuming festival. (Mark Hedden/Florida Keys News Bureau)
Key West business owner, Richard Hatch, portraying Peter Pan, soars above Duval Street during Saturday night’s Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade in Key West, Fla., Oct. 25, 2025. Hatch’s high-flying performance was part of “The Magic of Neverland” float, featuring Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tinker Bell in a dazzling retelling of the beloved storybook adventure. The parade capped the island city’s 10-day Fantasy Fest celebration themed “Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters.” (Mark Hedden/Florida Keys News Bureau)
Performers costumed as oceanic sirens smile for the crowd during Saturday night’s Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade in Key West, Fla., Oct. 25, 2025. The pair were part of the “Sirens & Sea Monsters” entry, which transformed Duval Street into an underwater dreamscape for this year’s “Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters”–themed celebration. The procession marked the finale of the island city’s 10-day costuming festival. (Mark Hedden/Florida Keys News Bureau)
Colorfully costumed participants with the Key West Kreative's troupe celebrate their “Seuss on the Loose” entry during Saturday night’s Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade in Key West, Fla., Oct. 25, 2025. The group’s playful homage to Dr. Seuss, featuring characters like the Cat in the Hat and dancing Truffula trees, earned the $6,000 Grand Prize for Best Overall entry presented by the Lodging Association of the Florida Keys & Key West. The parade capped the island city’s 10-day celebration themed “Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters.” (Mark Hedden/Florida Keys News Bureau)
A Caribbean-inspired Junkanoo dancer shows off her vividly feathered costume while performing along Duval Street during Saturday night’s Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade in Key West, Fla., Oct. 25, 2025. Pulsating rhythms and over-the-top costumes brought the parade to a spectacular close, capping the island city’s 10-day masking and costuming celebration themed “Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters.” (Mark Hedden/Florida Keys News Bureau)
Parade participants evoke a magical underwater realm as they stroll along Duval Street during Saturday night’s Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade in Key West, Fla., Oct. 25, 2025. With sea-themed crowns, flowing fabrics, and a towering headdress depicting seahorses and coral, the group brought an oceanic dreamscape to life as part of the festival’s “Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters” theme. The dazzling procession capped the island city’s 10-day masking and costuming celebration. (Mark Hedden/Florida Keys News Bureau)
Costumed parade participants from The Saint Hotel’s “Angels of the Saint” entry delight the crowd during Saturday night’s Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade in Key West, Fla., Oct. 25, 2025. Blending heavenly flair with a touch of playful mischief, the group’s winged angels and bold “monsters” embodied the festival’s “Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters” theme. The colorful nighttime parade capped the island city’s 10-day costuming and masking celebration. (Mark Hedden/Florida Keys News Bureau)