by | March 26, 2026
What To Do This April in Florida
Seas the day and catch your own fish dinner, mix and mingle with filmmakers and meet the songwriters behind big country hits this month in Florida.
North
Unwined
Panama City Beach
April 3–4
Parade peony prints at this weekend soiree overflowing with fruity moscatos, earthy pinot noirs and sparkling rose. Notable chefs like Jacksonville’s Kenny Gilbert—a crowd favorite in “Top Chef” season 7—and other renowned culinary folks of the South will be there, preparing locally-sourced curated food pairings.
visitpanamacitybeach.com
Sandestin Wine Festival
Miramar Beach
April 16–19
Savor the South at this sauvignon-fueled social featuring more than 100 wines imported from global destinations such as Stellenbosch, South Africa, and Kaiken, Argentina, and more. Seas the day on the beach with morning yoga and mimosas or cruise into the night with a private, four-course dinner hosted by The Prisoner Wine Company. You don’t need to be a sommelier to be able to try crisp Sauvignon Blancs from Napa Valley and full-bodied Barolo Soranos from Italian estates—just come with an open mind and an empty glass.
sandestinwinefestival.com
Fish to Fork
Amelia Island
April 16–19
At this cooking competition talented chefs, like four-time James Beard semifinalist Kathleen Blake, bring high-level culinary expertise and compete in an “Iron Chef” style showdown which includes a surprise local ingredient. This helm to hearth weekend features a five-hour fishing excursion to catch that night’s dinner, an open bar and live music with an ocean view.
omnihotels.com/fish-to-fork
Word of South
Tallahassee
April 24–26
Read, rock, repeat at this literature-meets-music festival at Cascades Park, where book and boogie lovers alike can stop by nine stages hosting a mix of readings, conversations and live performances. Headliner Earth, Wind & Fire sets the tone, and the weekend continues on with the festival’s signature “mu-aushups,” which pair musicians with authors onstage for one-of-a-kind collaborations. Writers read excerpts, unpack inspiration and let the music respond in real time—an approach that has previously seen author Joe Hill (Stephen King’s son) blend horror readings with upbeat folk for an eerie, unforgettable effect. The Flamingo stage features singer Madison Hughes, Washington Post classical music critic Michael Andor Brodeur and a panel hosted by Florida Book Award winners in fiction and nonfiction. Arrive Friday for the legendary disco band, then stay all weekend to meet writers, hear new artists and leave with a fresh TBR list.
wordofsouthfestival.com
Central
Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival
Clearwater Beach
March 27–April 12
This isn’t your average sandcastle competition. During this 17-day festival, Clearwater’s fine-grained sugar sand is transformed into larger-than-life sculptures, drawing more than 118,000 visitors to wander through nearly 1,000 tons of intricately shaped sand. The centerpiece is the 24,000-square-foot Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit, where 18 professional sand sculptors from around the world transform this year’s theme—United in Sand: Celebrating Sports & Spirit—into temporary works of art created in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Admission is required to see the impressive creations, but the surrounding beach hosts free programming, including sand sculpting demonstrations, live music, artisan vendors, beach yoga and fireworks.
sugarsandfestival.com
Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival
Sarasota
April 18
Paddling to the beat of their own drums, 22-person crews aim to move in near-perfect synchronization across Nathan Benderson Park’s 400-acre lake at this high-energy dragon boat competition. Elite teams in the Sport Division paddle in 200-meter, 500-meter and 2,000-meter races, while the Community Division invites beginners to take part in three recreational heats. Flying solo? Join the Train and Race program, where five weeks of coaching prepares racers to compete and places them in a boat on the big day. Or, for instant gratification, sign up for the Race Ready experience, a one-hour introduction practice before the race begins, and compete shortly after. Spectators can cheer from the shore, grab a bite from the Food Truck Bazaar and browse the Health & Wellness Village, featuring brands like Pure Lotus Organics and The Monkey Brand.
gwndragonboat.com
Palm Coast Songwriters Festival
Daytona Beach
April 23–26
Hits like “Red Solo Cup” weren’t written overnight, nor were they written alone. Storytelling and sound are the focus here, where songwriters, like Wynn Varble, who co-wrote Brad Paisley’s “Waitin on a Woman,” tell the history behind the music they’ve helped create. Intimate amphitheatres and open lawn seating set a relaxed scene for listening to acoustic melodies and unforgettable stories.
palmcoastsongwritersfestival.com
Sunscreen Film Festival
St. Petersburg
April 30–May 2
Mix and mingle with actors, writers and producers in downtown St. Petersburg for a weekend spent at the theatre screening over 200 independent films. Along with a bucket of popcorn, enjoy cocktails at one of the nightly parties or attend their 8th annual Chicks Making Flicks brunch. Film novices to seasoned cinephiles are brought together in a sun-kissed setting for this filmmakers event.
sunscreenfilmfestival.com
South
O, Miami
Miami
April 1–30
Celebrate National Poetry month through a mixture of performances and parties, like “Everyone’s Quince/Nuestro Quince: 15 Years of O, Miami,” which is a city-wide quinceanera in honor of the festival’s 15th year, readings held at unique locations like the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens and workshops at this spoken-word soiree. To bring the community together under a universal Miami narrative, poetry can be found everywhere in Miami-Dade county, including on parking tickets, the side of buses and billboards. Lasting the entire month of April, this county-wide event’s goal is to have everyone in the county encounter a poem in their everyday routine.
omiami.org/poetry-festival/
Tortuga Music Festival
Fort Lauderdale
April 10–12
Country, rock and roots are the focus of this three-day beach party with headliners like Riley Green, Kenny Chesney and Flatland Cavalry. Catch emerging artists or take line dancing lessons at the Next from Nashville Stage, located in a tented area at the center of the festival letting the music fill up the smaller space. Refuel for the next set at Coconut Beady Bar with rum-infused cocktail or meet stingrays in Conservation Village.
tortugamusicfestival.com
Sebring Soda Festival
Sebring
April 11–12
The Sebring Soda Festival has grown beyond its niche roots to become a hub for the craft soda movement, with over 200 sodas to sample, more than 100 vendors to see and 30 tasting booths to visit. Florida’s fizziest festival offers more than sodas, like interactive scavenger hunts and DockDogs, where different breeds jump off a 40-foot dock and compete for the highest, longest and fastest jumps, at Florida’s fizziest festival.
sebringsodafest.com
Bonnet House International Orchid & Garden Festival
Fort Lauderdale
April 11–12
Sweet floral notes hang in the air as you wander through fragrant displays to your heart’s desire at the 17th annual Bonnet House International Orchid & Garden Festival. The 35-acre grounds come alive with vibrant orchids, like Catasetum and hybrids, tropical plants, herbs and fruit trees—many available for purchase from local and international vendors. Daily programming includes interactive talks on everything from creating a butterfly garden to growing orchids on a balcony or terrace. Admission also includes self-guided house and grounds tours, so you can make a day of exploring one of Fort Lauderdale’s most famous historic homes.
bonnethouse.org
Miami Film Festival
Miami
April 9–19
If you consider yourself a cinephile, you don’t want to miss this event with more than 200 international premieres, documentaries and shorts. Opening night rolls out the red carpet for “Tuner” starring Leo Woodall and Dustin Hoffman, and followed by nearly two weeks of special events, such as John Waters’s 80th Birthday Celebration. Several stars, like Bob Odenkirk and Lili Reinhart, will host Q&As at timeless Miami venues like the Tower Theatre in Little Havana.
miamifilmfestival.com
Helm to Hearth
Islamorada
April 17–29
The Three Waters Resort hosts a gourmet weekend featuring seven Michelin-starred and James Beard award-winning chefs. Guests will experience the coastal flavors of the Keys with a collaborative, seven-course meal including dishes like cobia with spring carrots and Atlantic scallop with couscous. Guests have the opportunity to earn their keep by joining chefs and taking to the seas to reel in fresh fish. After, the ensemble harvests the fruits of their labor with beachfront brunches and full access to the resort’s amenities.
islamoradaresortcollection.com/helmtohearth
Key West Songwriters Festival
Key West
April 29–May3
The Conch Republic heats up the live music scene this spring with tunes spilling onto Duval Street, on board sunset cruises and at everyone’s favorite haunts like Sloppy Joe’s during this annual fest. The five-day celebration pairs live sets with behind-the-scenes storytelling, giving area talent a platform to showcase new music to fans and industry professionals. It’s even helped launch the early careers of performers like Florida Georgia Line and Maren Morris. Expect intimate sets from performers like Nate Smith and Morgan Lee Powers across the island—from boats and beaches to historic venues like the Key West Theatre. Genres span country, pop, rock and blues. The best part? Many shows are free, making it easy to stumble from the bar and across the street to find your next favorite artist.
keywestsongwritersfestival.com
