by The Editors | March 27, 2025
What To Do In Florida This April
From rodeo thrills and beachfront blues to world-class films and handcrafted art, April is packed with can't-miss festivities across Florida.
North
Word of South
Tallahassee
April 4–6
The ingredients for a good time? Singer-songwriters, authors and innovative chefs all in the same place. Hear from ’80s folk punk rock stars the Violent Femmes, meet local novelists and sample good Southern eats.
wordofsouthfestival.com
Fernandina Beach Songwriters Festival
Amelia Island
April 10–12
Follow 12 singer-songwriters as they perform across various venues in historic Fernandina Beach. Meet and greet local artists, listen to their intimate acoustic sets and learn the stories behind their songs.
fernandinasongwriterfestival.com
Sandestin Wine Festival
Sandestin
April 10–13
Savor the flavors of the Gulf Coast at the 38th anniversary of this four-day wine festival. Enjoy hundreds of featured wines, live music, gourmet bites and informative wine seminars for a weekend that’s truly grape for the soul.
sandestinwinefestival.com
10th Annual Tallahassee Extreme Rodeo
Tallahassee
April 12–13
Break out the boots and spurs for the 10th anniversary of this Panhandle cowboy showdown. Catch bronc riding, barrel racing and bull riders fighting to hang on to bucking brutes for eight seconds of glory.
visittallahassesports.com
Interstate Mullet Toss
Perdido Key
April 24–26
The Flora-Bama achieves peak redneckery at this three-day celebration, where participants stand inside a 10-foot circle and hurl a dead mullet across the state line into Alabama. Some may laugh, but competitors take it very seriously. Record-setting tosses have been reported in excess of 180 feet.
florabama.com
Knowing the West
Jacksonville
Now– August 31
Explore the true spirit of the American West through diverse 19th- and 20th-century art, dynamic programs and a Western-themed pop-up shop at the Cummer Museum Art & Gardens.
Central
Tampa Bay Blues Festival
ST. PETERSBURG
APRIL 11–13
Don your best festival fit for three days of music by the bay, featuring artists such as Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, JJ Grey & Mofro and Tab Benoit, as well as kick-off party performances by Ronnie Baker Brooks and North Mississippi Allstars.
tampabaybluesfest.com
DeLand Craft Beer Festival
DOWNTOWN DELAND
APRIL 5
Locally crafted brews and tasty bites are in endless supply at the 16th anniversary of this annual beer fest, featuring live music, food truck favorites and samples of over 200 beers—including exclusive pours at the Rare & Vintage tasting tent.
delandcraftbeer.com
Sebring Soda Festival
SEBRING
APRIL 5–6
Ready to pop, fizz and flavor bomb your taste buds? Prepare for a bubbly adventure with over 200 craft sodas, including brands like Cheerwine and Moxie, plus flavors like candied bacon, prickly pear and more.
sebringsodafest.com
Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival
CLEARWATER BEACH
APRIL 11–27
Explore a gallery of larger-than-life sand sculptures, created by a troupe of global artists, on Clearwater Beach or get your hands dirty with a free sculpting class to hone your sandcastle-building skills and create your own masterpiece.
sugarsandfestival.com
Jeep Beach
DAYTONA BEACH
APRIL 18–27
Take off the top and top-off the tank for the largest Jeep-exclusive gathering in the world. Join thousands of Jeep enthusiasts for an off-road beach cruise, tackle the obstacle course at Daytona International Speedway and don’t forget to bring those rubber duckies.
jeepbeach.com
Brooksville Blueberry Festival
BROOKSVILLE
APRIL 26
This beloved, free festival in historic Brooksville marks the start of blueberry season, featuring live music, local vendors and all things blueberries. Attendees can enjoy fresh berries and shop for fruit-infused treats and scented gifts.
facebook.com
South
Delray Affair
Downtown Delray Beach
April 4–6
Dubbed the “Greatest Show Under the Sun,” this expansive arts and crafts festival spans seven palm-lined blocks of downtown Delray Beach, brimming with a wide range of art including paintings, sculpture, fine-art photography and eclectic crafts.
delrayaffair.com
Miami Film Festival
Miami
April 4–13
Red carpets roll out with star-studded premieres, legendary filmmaker talks and 100-plus films from 40 countries. Plus, see the movies of six local filmmakers telling some of Miami’s most compelling stories, as part of the inaugural Louie awards.
miamifilmfestival.com
Sarasota Film Festival
Sarasota
April 4–13
Since 1998, this coastal fest has spotlighted rising filmmakers, acclaimed docs and buzzy features—plus parties that go beyond the screen.
sarasotafilmfestival.com
International Orchid & Garden Festival
Fort Lauderdale
April 5–6
Orchids of all varieties bloom at this lively two-day biophilic event full of fragrant tropical plants. Live music, gardening tips and a tropical luau lunch round out this annual fundraiser for the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens.
bonnethouse.org
