February is Anything but Ordinary in the Florida Keys
Island flavors, cultural celebrations, and world-class fishing set the tone for a magnificent month
FLORIDA KEYS (January 26, 2026) From signature festivals to scenic adventures, February offers countless ways to turn a winter escape into a true island experience.
Food, history, and adventure shine across the Florida Keys & Key West in February 2026, as a lively lineup of events unfolds from Key Largo to Key West. Mild midwinter days and abundant sunshine set the stage for outdoor celebrations, culinary indulgences, and cultural experiences.
CULINARY ADVENTURES
20th Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival February 14–15 The Florida Keys Seafood Festival is back and bigger than ever as it celebrates its 20th anniversary at Key West’s Truman Waterfront Park. Indulge in fresh, locally caught seafood, while enjoying live music, and shopping for island-inspired art. Kids can also get in on the fun by exploring the hands-on Eco Discovery Zone. Sip on beer, wine, or frozen rum cocktails while soaking up the waterfront vibes. Tickets are reasonable as the seafood at $10 for adults (kids under 12 are free) and include a chance to win $250 worth of Florida Keys seafood shipped straight to your door. Best of all, every bite supports sustainable fisheries and youth scholarships in the Keys.
Conch Cuisine Celebration February 27 Food history takes center stage at the Key West Museum of Art & History as the new Celebrating Conch Cuisine exhibit debuts with a free opening reception on February 27. Blending interactive displays, rare artifacts, and immersive multimedia storytelling, the exhibit traces how the Florida Keys’ signature flavors were shaped over time. On view through January 3, 2027, the exhibition was created in collaboration with local historians, chefs, and cultural experts and builds on the Smithsonian’s renowned Food History exhibitions. From Indigenous traditions and Afro-Caribbean roots to Cuban and Bahamian influences and maritime trade routes, visitors will discover the rich mix of cultures that seasoned the Keys’ cuisine.
SIGNATURE GATHERINGS
Spanish Fly Music Festival February 1 Live music takes the spotlight as the Spanish Fly Music Festival returns to Boondocks Grille & Draft House on Ramrod Key for its eighth year. Created in honor of legendary captain Jose Wejebe, this laid-back island celebration blends great tunes, waterfront vibes, and a deep love for life on the water. Come for the music, stay for the camaraderie. Learn more.
Sombrero Beach Run: Marathon February 7–9 Runners of all fitness levels can take in this scenic race weekend along Marathon’s picturesque Sombrero Beach. Ocean views, a festive atmosphere, and post-race celebrations make this a favorite for active travelers. Learn more.
Tropical Luncheon & Garden Party: Key West February 8 Step into Key West’s Old Town elegance at the Hellings Curry Museum, where island flavors, rich storytelling, and refined garden-party vibes come together for a one-of-a-kind cultural afternoon. Learn more.
Presidential Families Weekend: Key West February 15–17 History comes to life at the Harry S. Truman Little White House as presidential descendants, including Amy Carter, James Carter IV, Josh Carter, Susan Ford Bales, and Clifton Truman Daniel, gather in Key West to share rare, personal stories from America’s most famous families. The weekend features an intimate meet-and-greet, a moderated conversation, a theatrical portrayal of Harry S. Truman, and a festive Presidents Day cookout. It’s the nation’s largest gathering of presidential descendants held over Presidents Day Weekend—set in one of America’s most iconic presidential retreats. Learn more.
Key West Art & Craft Festival: Key West February 21–22 Art meets the waterfront as Truman Waterfront Park becomes an open-air playground for creativity. Local and regional artists bring their boldest, brightest work to Key West’s largest outdoor art show, inviting visitors to browse, mingle, and get inspired with ocean views as the backdrop. Come for the art…stay for the island vibes. Learn more.
Upper Keys Garden Walk: Tavernier February 28 Discover the natural beauty of the Upper Keys on a self-guided garden walk featuring private landscapes, plus an art show and garden market at the Francis Tracy Garden Center. Walks run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Learn more.
FISHING TOURNAMENTS
Known as the Sport Fishing Capital of the World, the Florida Keys offers an array of angling events in February. If you’re ready to reel em’ in, we’ve got a catch for you.
Cuda Bowl Fishing Tournament (February 5–7): Compete in a fun, conservation-focused flats fishing tournament targeting barracuda. The event combines friendly competition, scenic backdrops, and camaraderie on the water.
Keys Kids Sailfish Tournament (February 13-14): This free tournament open to kids under age 16 takes place every winter during peak sailfish season with no entry fee thanks to the support of local sponsors and the Islamorada fishing community.
Lower Keys Rotary Kids Fishing Tournament (February 22): Enjoy a day of fishing mixed with the laid-back spirit of the Lower Keys, with young anglers at the helm.
High-resolution images, photo credits, and captions are available at this link.
###
Left to right, Susan Ford Bales, Massee McKinley, Mary Jean Eisenhower, and Patricia Taft react to a comment made by fellow presidential descendant Clifton Truman Daniel during a previous “Presidential Descendants Forum” in Key West, Fla. Truman Daniel and Ford Bales will be joined in 2026 by three descendants of President Jimmy Carter, for a discussion of the 39th President’s legacy. (Florida Keys News Bureau/Carol Tedesco)
President Jimmy Carter, First Lady Rosalynn and family members forged a warm bond with the Florida Keys and its residents. During a December 2010 visit, they toured the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, after which President Carter, front right, took part in the release of a rehabilitated loggerhead sea turtle. (Florida Keys News Bureau/Andy Newman)
Clifton Truman Daniel is pictured portraying his grandfather, 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman, in a scene from the stage play “Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!” Two performances of the one-man show are to be featured during the 2026 “Presidential Families Weekend and Forum” in Key West. (Florida Keys News Bureau/Carol Tedesco)
Shrimp boats crowd the docks at what is now the Key West Bight in this historic photo, reflecting the era known as the Florida Keys’ “pink gold rush.” The shrimping boom helped shape Key West’s waterfront and food culture and is featured in the new Celebrating Conch Cuisine exhibit opening Feb. 27 at the Key West Museum of Art & History. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian, the exhibition explores the cultural and maritime roots of Keys cuisine and will be on view through Jan. 3, 2027. (Photo courtesy Key West Art & Historical Society)
Chef Norman Van Aken, a pioneer of New World Cuisine and the only Floridian in the James Beard Foundation’s “Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America,” poses with a table of dishes that reflect Key West’s rich culinary traditions. Van Aken helped define a Florida food identity by blending Caribbean, Latin, African, Asian, and American flavors, making him a key figure in the region’s food history. This historic image is featured in Celebrating Conch Cuisine, a Smithsonian-collaborative exhibit opening Feb. 27 at the Key West Museum of Art & History that explores the cultural roots and evolution of Florida Keys cuisine. (Richard Weatherwax)
Volunteers serve cold Key West pink peel-and-eat shrimp at one of the many food booths during the 2025 Florida Keys Seafood Festival at Truman Waterfront Park in Key West. The shrimp stand was part of the event’s wide selection of fresh, locally caught seafood and artisan vendors. The 20th Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival returns Feb. 14–15 with live music, family-friendly activities, and local arts and crafts, supporting sustainable fisheries and youth scholarships in the Keys. (Photo courtesy Florida Keys Seafood Festival)
Marathon junior angler Pablo Rodriguez holds one of his two mahi-mahi caught aboard the Silent Hunter during the 2025 Keys Kids Sailfish Tournament in the Florida Keys. Rodriguez earned top honors in the junior division for outstanding catch. The free Keys Kids Sailfish Tournament returns Feb. 13–14 and is open to anglers under age 16, held during peak sailfish season with support from local sponsors and the Islamorada fishing community. (Photo courtesy Keys Kids Sailfish Tournament)
Small fry angler Logan Silva holds a wahoo caught during the 2025 Keys Kids Sailfish Tournament in the Florida Keys. Silva received outstanding catch recognition in the small fry division during the annual youth fishing event. The free Keys Kids Sailfish Tournament returns Feb. 13–14 and is open to anglers under age 16, with support from local sponsors and the Islamorada fishing community. (Photo courtesy Keys Kids Sailfish Tournament)
The Trop Rock Junkies perform during the 2025 Spanish Fly Music Festival at Boondocks Grille & Draft House on Ramrod Key in the Florida Keys. The annual event raises funds for the Jose Wejebe Spanish Fly Memorial Foundation, honoring legendary Captain Jose Wejebe by supporting programs that help veterans, children in foster care, and families facing life-changing challenges. The Spanish Fly Music Festival returns Feb. 1 for its eighth year, celebrating live music, waterfront vibes, and the boating community. (Photo courtesy Jose Wejebe Spanish Fly Memorial 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
Senior Director of Public Relations
Visit Florida Keys & Key West
(305) 394-3142
Visit Florida Keys & Key West PR Agency Team (TURNER)