by | September 3, 2026
What To Do This September in Florida
Bull riding, music festivals, flea markets and more happening in Florida all month long
North
Bulls on the Beach
Flora-Bama
Sept. 10–12
The coastline is about to get a little wilder as the Flora-Bama Beach Bar hosts its 13th annual oceanfront rodeo. Perched on the Florida-Alabama state line, the three-day event brings adrenaline-fueled fun with professional bull riding, live music and signature Panhandle provisions like the Bushwacker cocktail and fresh oysters. Watch cowboys trade dirt for dunes and stay for a Flora-Bama fete like no other. Thursday also brings Kids’ Night, while a portion of the event’s proceeds benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
florabama.com
Flea Across Florida
Historic Highway 90
Sept. 11–12
The largest community yard sale in the state is back this September along Historic Highway 90. Held twice a year, this epic roadside rummage stretches nearly 300 miles from Pensacola to Jacksonville, with antiques, clothes, local crafts and everything in between. Get an early start and stop by Hidden Treasures of Chipley or Alyssa’s in Pace for some of the route’s best thrift picks.
visitwcfla.com
St. Augustine Songwriters Festival
St. Augustine
Sept. 24–27
Some of Nashville’s biggest hits sound even better when they’re performed by the people who wrote them. That’s the draw of the St. Augustine Songwriters Festival, where acclaimed songwriters take the stage at intimate venues throughout the city’s historic district, making every performance feel like an invitation into the songwriting process. Take a seat under a 300-year-old oak tree at Colonial Oak Music Park and listen as every note comes alive or rewind time at Prohibition Kitchen for the ultimate speakeasy escape into a world of moonshine and swing.
staugustinesongwritersfestival.com
National Public Lands Day
Across Florida
Sept. 26
Lend a helping hand to keep Florida’s state parks beautiful at the 33rd annual National Public Lands Day. With thousands of volunteers from across the state coming together to refurbish trails, plant trees, restore habitats and more, the event is the nation’s largest single day of volunteering for public lands. Various locations throughout Florida demand attention, including Silver Springs State Park, Everglades National Park and Weikwa State Park. You can check here to find the closest park that needs your help.
neefusa.org
Central
EPCOT Food and Wine Festival
Orlando
Aug. 27–Nov. 21
It’s a small world after all, especially when you can eat and drink your way around it. With dozens of food and wine options from across the globe, EPCOT is bringing brand-new and fan-favorite dishes to the park. Guests can munch on pumpkin-mascarpone ravioli, basil pesto chicken gyoza and Canadian cheddar bacon soup as they explore. Join Emile’s Fromage Montage Cheese Crawl or Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt to fully immerse yourself in the fantastical fest. Don’t miss live musical performances from Smash Mouth, Yellowcard and Fly Guys at the America Gardens Theatre.
disneyworld.disney.go.com
Arts Fest ’26
Tampa
Sept. 11–13
Channel your inner Broadway star—or just sit back and enjoy the show. The New Tampa Performing Arts Center is hosting a weekend of free workshops and performances designed to immerse the community in the arts. Saturday is Family Day, with a screening of “Zootopia 2” and The Florida Orchestra’s Instrument Petting Zoo, where young musicians can try out real instruments. The rest of the weekend features demonstrations from Tampa City Ballet, Anna Dance Academy and Hillsborough College’s music program, along with workshops on improv, theater, piano and more.
newtampaartscenter.org
I Like It Hot
St. Petersburg
Sept. 12–13
Prepare your tastebuds and discover bold new flavors at Florida’s hottest event. With a variety of sauces, samples and all things spicy, I Like it Hot is bringing the heat to Pinellas Park. Spend the day exploring the world of spice by indulging in new flavors ranging from mild to wild, and participate in the International League of Fire Pepper Eating Challenge and vendor hot sauce competitions for a fiery good time. Whether you are a regular foodie or an avid spice lover, I Like it Hot has delicious dining for everyone.
visitstpeteclearwater.com
Orlando Oktoberfest
Orlando
Sept. 26
Fill up a steins and grab a soft pretzels for Orlando’s biggest Oktoberfest celebration of the year. Full of Bavarian spirit, this Oktoberfest event is a unique way to experience Orlando’s most popular bars and nightlife venues while sipping seasonal brews and soaking up festive energy. With specialty food and drink menus at participating locations, each spot will be full of the unmistakable Oktoberfest spirit as you make your way through the citywide celebration.
pubcrawls.com
South
Just a Few Friends
Key West
Sept 3–7
Ocean breezes and sundown sails set the tone as the Conch Republic comes alive this Labor Day weekend to honor the island’s favorite son, legendary singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. Over five days, fans can stroll the streets and pull up barstools at the haunts that sparked Buffett’s stories and informed his “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” mindset. From early mornings on the water to late-night singalongs, the programming spans snorkeling excursions, beach parties, lively bar crawls and storytelling sessions, along with concerts featuring Buffett’s musical friends and the Second Line Memorial Walking Parade down Duval Street. It all adds up to a few days of classic Key West revelry inspired by Buffett’s legacy.
justafewfriendskeywest.com
BBQ Brews & Blues
West Palm Beach
Sept. 5
Fire up the grill—and the groove—at West Palm Beach’s 11th annual BBQ, Brews & Blues. This Labor Day weekend, the city is serving up live music, cold brews and plenty of grilled fare. Catch the Derek Mack Band before headliner Selwyn Birchwood takes the stage with his high-energy blend of blues, funk and Southern soul. Some of South Florida’s best barbecue will also go head-to-head in the BBQ Throwdown, where attendees can cast their votes for a crowd favorite. And in the Fire Grill Drill, local first responders trade their helmets for aprons to compete for the title of Best Firehouse BBQ.
wpb.org
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest
Lee County
Sept. 18–17
Some of country music’s biggest names are hopping from island to island across Lee County for 10 days of songs and the stories behind them. The festival makes stops on Captiva Island, in Cape Coral, downtown Fort Myers and on Fort Myers Beach, turning Southwest Florida into one big songwriter’s stage. Edwin McCain, Alexandra Kay, LOCASH and Michael Ray headline the 2026 lineup, giving fans the chance to hear familiar hits from the artists who wrote them and discover a few new favorites along the way.
island-hopperfest.visitfortmyers.com
Moonlight at Fairchild
Coral Gables
Sept. 26
Bask under the light of the Harvest Moon at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s nighttime celebration. With access to the garden after dark, visitors can see night-blooming plants, like the powder puff tree, and hear nocturnal creatures, like the great horned owl, in the foliage. Walk along the garden’s candlelit paths or peruse the grounds on a tram tour. In light of Fairchild’s partnership with NASA, Growing Beyond Earth, which teaches about the intricacies of growing plants in space, astronomers will host a celestial viewing with telescopes on the garden’s Bailey Palm Glade. At the Star Bar Lounge, visitors can cap off the night with cocktails and charcuterie.
fairchildgarden.org
