Things To Do in Florida: The Tide Spring 2019
Road-trip-worthy events throughout the Sunshine State
Editor’s Picks of Where to Go and What to See Right Now
NORTH FLORIDA
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND LIVE
PENSACOLA
APRIL 30
For the first time ever, Dave Matthews Band takes the stage in Pensacola Bay. It’s one of four Florida tour dates, which include stops in West Palm Beach and Jacksonville. The Grammy-winning rock band from Virginia is known for songs like “Crash Into Me” and “American Baby.” Dave Matthews Band will kick off its 2019 summer tour at the Pensacola Bay Center. Additional stops include Colorado, North Carolina and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. In 2016, Dave Matthews Band celebrated its 25th anniversary and last year, the band released its ninth studio album, Come Tomorrow. Keeping up with the band’s last six studio album releases, Come Tomorrow peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 chart. With every ticket purchase, the group is including an unreleased live recording from its 2018 tour. The song can be redeemed online through the band’s website with proof of purchase. davematthewsband.com/tours
AMELIA ISLAND CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE
AMELIA ISLAND
March 7-10
A car lover’s dream, this automotive charity event showcases hundreds of rare cars, new and old, from Duesenbergs to Porsches. Test drives are also available. ameliaconcours.org
THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP
PONTE VEDRA BEACH
March 12–17
This annual golf tournament has a party atmosphere with local food and drink vendors including Hawkers Asian Street Fare, Hoptinger Bier Garden and Sausage House. theplayers.com
25th ANNIVERSARY SPRING TOUR
BROOKSVILLE & IVERNESS
March 29–31 & April 1–3
More than 500 cyclists discover Florida’s landscape by bike. Enjoy communal meals, live music, games and camping at each site. bikeflorida.org
TALLAHASSEE FILM FESTIVAL
TALLAHASSEE
April 5–7
This celebration of independent films screens a mix of more than 90 documentaries, dramas and short films. Preview films by future Oscar-winning directors before people know their names. tallahasseefilmfestival.com
WORD OF SOUTH
TALLAHASSEE
April 12–14
Music and literature join forces when more than 50 authors and musicians share their work. The annual festival, now in its fifth year, takes place at Cascades Park, a 24-acre venue downtown. wordofsouthfestival.com
ISLE OF EIGHT FLAGS SHRIMP FESTIVAL
FERNANDINA BEACH
May 3–5
Walk the docks and the historic downtown. Revelers pile their plates with hushpuppies, fried fish and of course, shrimp at this annual celebration of seafood. shrimpfestival.com
FORGOTTEN COAST EN PLEIN AIR
APALACHICOLA
May 3–12
World-renowned artists convene to portray the scenery and culture of old Florida through painting at this ten-day gathering. The fair concentrates on restoring land affected by hurricane destruction. pleinairfl.com
CENTRAL FLORIDA
FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG
ST. PETERSBURG
March 8–10
IndyCar drivers race through downtown St. Petersburg on a temporary course that includes the runways at the Albert Whitted Airport. Take in the extensive views of the city—including the iconic Dali Museum and the Duke Energy Center for the Arts—while enjoying local food and interactive activities such as beer gardens, an IndyCar series fan village and driver autograph sessions. The race circuit features a 14-turn configuration that uses streets in the surrounding area. A three-day festival downtown will kick off the ninth straight year of the IndyCar Series. “The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is a must-do event,” Kim Green, CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, which organizes the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, said. “St. Pete is a world-class setting with absolutely terrific sightlines of the Tampa Bay, and the downtown remains open for fans to experience its great restaurants and shopping. This is the ideal coastal destination for both the fans and drivers to get a new IndyCar season started.” gpstpete.com
EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL
ORLANDO
March 6–June 3
Botanical enthusiasts wander through gardens with themes including Shakespeare, surrounded by more than 70 Disney-inspired topiaries. disneyworld.disney.go.com
GASPARILLA CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE
TAMPA
April 13
This car show is part of Tampa Bay’s Gasparilla festivities. Rare and historic automobiles and motorcycles will be on display. gasparillaconcours.com
WINTER PARK SIDEWALK ART FESTIVAL
WINTER PARK
March 15–17
One of the oldest, most prestigious juried fine art shows in the nation. Enjoy eats from vendors and mom-and-pop shops lining Park Avenue. wpsaf.org
GASPARILLA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
TAMPA
March 19–24
Hundreds of documentaries, short and feature length films, some never before seen in the U.S., debut in venues throughout the city. gasparillafilmfestival.com
SUNNYLAND ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC BOAT FESTIVAL
TAVARES
March 21–24
More than 300 vessels convene at the largest classic wood boat show in the U.S. featuring a nautical-themed flea market, seaplane rides and more. acbs-sunnyland.org
FLORIDA BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL
KISSIMMEE
March 28–31
Savor all things blueberry including fresh Florida blueberries, pies and other sweets at this four-day festival featuring a juried art show, a wine bar and free music. floridablueberryfestival.org
MELBOURNE AIR AND SPACE SHOW
MELBOURNE
March 30–31
Watch as the F-35 Lighting II Demo Team makes their North American debut. Also known as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the aircraft they’ll fly is the most advanced fighter in the world. airandspaceshow.com
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SPRING TRAINING
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS THROUGH MARCH 26
As part of Major League Baseball’s Grapefruit League, fans can root on teams, including the New York Mets and Houston Astros, as they prepare for next season in the Sunshine State. mlb.com
SOUTH FLORIDA
SOUTH U.S. OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP & THE GAY POLO LEAGUE TOURNAMENT
WELLINGTON
March 27–April 21 & April 4–7
Spanning 250 acres, The International Polo Club is a world-renowned polo destination. The tournament will host multiple events and matches featuring the world’s best horses and players throughout the winter and early spring. Polo is a team sport that requires coordination between a rider and their horse. The U.S. Open Polo Championship is a timeless tradition, first played in 1904 and regarded one of the most prestigious tournaments in the country. In addition, one of the featured tournaments this year is for the league’s LGBT polo team. The league includes people of different ages, backgrounds and skill levels—some of the teammates never rode a horse before joining. All of the matches are open to the public and are played in brackets. The top team from each bracket will go to semifinals and advance to quarters and of course, finals. Spectators can sip on champagne while watching matches from the stands or field-side seating. ipc.coth.com
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
MIAMI
March 1–10
This film festival spans across multiple venues and features showings from up-and-coming directors. Guests can see films before the movies are released to the public. miamifilmfestival.com
ORCHID FESTIVAL AT FAIRCHILD
CORAL GABLES
March 8–10
Explore a maze of 10,000 orchid plants and exhibits at this botany celebration. Learn about orchid culture and floral photography, and take home a plant from one of the vendors. fairchildgarden.org
MIAMI SAILING WEEK
MIAMI
March 4–10
Hundreds of competitors come from as many as 23 different countries to compete on the scenic waters of Biscayne Bay. The week prior is filled with award ceremonies, cocktail parties and cultural activities. miamisailingweek.com
ORIGINAL MARATHON SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
MARATHON
March 9–10
Appreciate locally caught fish, fresh oysters, lobster, shrimp and stone crab. Listen to local musicians and shop local vendors. marathonseafoodfestival.com
MIAMI OPEN
MIAMI
March 18–31
The world’s top tennis players face-off at this premier tournament, taking place in its new location, the Hard Rock Stadium. miamiopen.com
FEMALE BREW FEST
HALLANDALE
March 23
Created to highlight women in the beer industry, this festival showcases breweries from all over the country. femalebrewfest.com
PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
WEST PALM BEACH
March 28–31
Yachts line the waterways as activities including a kids fishing class, seminars and more take place. pbboatshow.com
PEACE RIVER REVIVAL
PUNTA GORDA
March 30
Vibe to funky music at this second annual festival that combines jazz, soul, bluegrass and rock. Florida-based band JJ Grey & Mofro headline the event. peaceriverrevivalpg.com
DELRAY AFFAIR
DELRAY BEACH
April 12–14
Covering 12 blocks of downtown Delray Beach, the 57th annual fair has received awards for its wide selection of global art. delrayaffair.com
TORTUGA MUSIC FESTIVAL
FORT LAUDERDALE
April 12–14
Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney and Sheryl Crow headline this concert on the beaches of Fort Lauderdale State Park. tortugamusicfestival.com
KEY WEST PADDLE CLASSIC
KEY WEST
May 4
Paddle around Key West in this 12-mile race, open to canoes, kayaks, dory boats and of course paddleboards. lazydog.com/events
KEY WEST SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL
KEY WEST
May 8–12
Music fans descend on the streets of Key West to hear songwriters perform on stages from beaches to boats to bars and historic theaters. keywestsongwritersfestival.com
