by The Editors | April 28, 2025
Festivals and Fetes Across Florida This May
Try shrimp hotdogs in Fernandina Beach, cheer for speedy wieners in St. Pete, watch Formula 1 in Miami and more across Florida this May.
North
Palm Coast Songwriters Festival
Palm Coast
April 30– May 4
More than 45 acclaimed songwriters come together for five days of coastal concerts and storytelling at scenic Palm Coast venues. Hear the stories behind 175+ hits and see them performed live in an intimate celebration of country music.
palmcoastsongwritersfestival.com
Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival
Fernandina Beach
May 2–4
Join 135,000 visitors in celebration of the area’s very-loved crustaceans—shrimp. Eat shrimp-anadas, shrimp lumpia, fried shrimp and the “Yuligan,” a hot dog loaded with Mayport shrimp. Beyond the excessive fare, there’s a parade, live music, fireworks and more.
shrimpfestival.com
St. Augustine Food and Wine Festival
St. Augustine
May 7–11
Starting their fifth year at a new location, this food and wine fest is now hosted at Ancient City Farmstead, a charming, rustic property surrounded by 1,500 acres of Florida fields and just 10 minutes from the city’s historic downtown. Enjoy wine tastings, talk with local celebrities chefs and samples some sweet ‘n smoky barbecue at Smoke on the Walk.
staugustinefoodandwinefestival.com
Fish to Fork
Amelia Island
May 15–18
Get hooked on Omni Amelia Island Resort during this weekend of competitive cuisine, where chefs go deep-sea fishing at sunrise and compete in a culinary face-off, cooking their fresh catches at sunset. Dine on dock-to-dish creations, and vote for your favorite.
fishtofork.com
Hang 8 Dog Surfing Extravaganza
Flagler Beach
May 17
Surf’s pup at the fourth annual dog surfing extravaganza, where furry friends ride waves to support K9s for Warriors, SMART Pet Rescue and the Flagler Humane Society. Enjoy local vendors selling their wares, adoption zones and friendly canine costume contests.
hang8dogsurfing.com
Gulf Coast Jam
Panama City Beach
May 29–June 1
Swap the flip-flops for cowboy boots and get ready for four days of non-stop country music with 24 of the biggest stars, including Blake Shelton, Jordan Davis, Lainey Wilson, Sam Hunt and Tyler Childers.
gulfcoastjam.com
Central
Florida Wiener Dog Derby
Tampa
May 2
Relish in some friendly competition among fleet-footed Fidos during the 15th annual dachshund derby, part of Tampa’s Riverfest in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Cheer on more than 500 four-legged wiener dogs and other small breeds as they dash 50 feet to the finish line.
floridawienerdogderby.com
Tampa Riverfest
Tampa
May 2–3
Taco ’bout an exhilarating weekend—live music, tacos galore, a paddle invasion, a stunning balloon glow and Sister Hazel’s headlining performance.
thetampariverwalk.com
Country Thunder
Tampa
May 2–4
Keep the country music playing all month long at this three-day festival featuring performers Riley Green, Ella Langley, Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll and more. Country Thunder started new themed days to help plan your festival fits: Camo Country, Beach Bash and Cowboy Grunge.
countrythunder.com
Palatka Blue Crab Festival
Palatka
May 23–24
Crack into summer with three days of local musical acts, fresh seafood and local vendors in this charming and quaint city’s historic downtown.
palatkabluecrabfestival.com
South
Florida Outdoor Expo
West Palm Beach
May 2–4
Only at Florida’s largest sportsman show, held at the South Florida Fairgrounds, can you shoot a bow, buy an RV, outfit your boat and savor the flavors of barbecue champions. Animals get in on the action too, with swine racing and a DockDogs jumping competition.
floridaoutdoorexpo.com
Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix
Miami
May 2–4
Engines will rev, checkered flags will fly and champagne will be sprayed at this 1,000 horsepower open-wheel Formula 1 showdown. More than 20 of the best drivers in the world, such as Oscar Piastri, Charles LeClerc and Lando Norris, traverse this 3.36-mile course while surrounded by glitzy Miami parties and celebrity sightings.
formula1.com
SoFlo Boat Show
Miami
May 17–19
Over 100 boats on display, 13,000 gallons of underwater gear views, sea trials, safety demos and hands-on experiences at this marine showcase. Gear up, dive deep and chart your course at South Florida’s ultimate boat show.
sofloboatshow.com
