A Key West vacation provides you with a myriad of opportunities to explore nature, experience cultural activities, and enjoy top-notch restaurants. There are plenty of things to do in Key West, and there is no shortage of Key West vacation homes full of luxurious amenities where you can enjoy your stay.
Along with the activities most vacationers seek, such as dolphin watching, nature walks, guided tours, and sightseeing, Key West is also home to some of the most exciting festivals in Florida!
Winter food festivals are full of fun, entertainment, and delectable dishes. Whether you’re vacationing in Key West to enjoy the New Year or to bring your family somewhere gorgeous and warm, you’ll love the warm weather and unique experiences found on this island.
Key West Food and Wine Festival
The Key West Food and Wine Festival is one of the biggest festivals Key West holds every year. When you look for Key West events to attend, this festival should be at the top of your list! With an average turnout of 7,000 visitors and 110 exhibitors, you’re guaranteed a diverse and exciting experience.
About
Having been named the best Wine Festival of 2022 by USA Today, the Key West Food and Wine Festival is the place to be in January! This festival is going on its 14th annual event. It will take place on Duval Street, where attendees will experience over 20 unique events to showcase a variety of diverse food and wine.
The Key West Food and Wine Festival runs through the final week of January, and tickets are available online. The events of this festival will take place at various locations along Duval street, which is just a short drive away from plenty of spacious and luxurious Key West vacation rentals.
What to Expect
The Key West Food and Wine Festival provides attendees with a unique experience every year. The vendors and activities change each year so you can attend the festival multiple times and always walk away having experienced something new and exciting.
You’ll want to buy your tickets well in advance, as they can sell out months before the event occurs. Most tickets are priced around $100, and there is rarely parking available at the event. You’ll need to walk or ride your bike over, so make sure you book one of our nearby Kest West rentals.
This upcoming January will feature a variety of food and wine experiences along with entertainment. Enjoy an afternoon learning to make empanadas, then sit back and relax while tasting your creations paired with delicious Argentinian wine. Spend your evening learning tango dancing while listening to music and tasting a selection of delicious wines.
Many activities are spread across five days that showcase various cultural foods, wines, and experiences. The Key West Food and Wine Festival is truly a Key West event that you won’t want to miss!
Local Chef Chimichurri Contest
One of the most anticipated aspects of the Key West Food and Wine Festival is the contests held each year. The contests differ annually, and this year attendees get to sample Chimichurri dishes from a variety of local chefs and businesses.
To vote in this contest, you must attend the festival and try Chimichurri dishes from each chef. Then, you can vote online or request a hard copy in person to submit your vote. If you vote for the chef who wins the contest, your name will be placed into a drawing where you can win some delicious wine!
Plan Your Key West Vacation!
Planning your dream vacation to Key West, Florida, doesn’t have to be difficult! Whenever you book with Key West Vacation Homes, it’s simple! Just view our luxury Key West vacation home rentals, reserve your favorite, and prepare for your favorite vacation yet.
Florida Keys Seafood Festival
Key West is home to a variety of exciting festivals throughout the year. Along with the Food and Wine Festival, there’s a Key West Film Festival, Fantasy Fest for Halloween, and the Florida Keys Seafood Festival! Travelers who love delicious seafood, exciting shopping and art, fantastic entertainment, and great merch will love this annual event.
About
The Florida Keys Seafood Festival is coming up on its 17th annual event in 2023. This festival began as a way to bring friends, family, and the community of the keys together to celebrate local fishermen and women and the commercial fishing industry, which has been the backbone of the economy in this area for decades. Local fishermen and women bring the freshest seafood for attendees to sample and enjoy. At the same time, event curators arrange live entertainment and other events to make this festival the place to be in January.
This festival is one of the most significant Key West events, and it will be held in Bayview Park on Truman Avenue on January 14th and 15th, 2023. Finding a good parking spot can be challenging at this event, so it’s helpful to stay at one of our nearby Key West vacation homes so you can walk or ride your bike there.
What to Expect
Attendees need to pay $10 per person for admission. When you buy a ticket, your name will be entered in a raffle, and the winner receives $250 worth of seafood shipped straight to their home. Tickets are available for purchase online and at the gate of the event.
You’ll enjoy plenty of entertainment and delicious food when you go to the Florida Keys Seafood Festival. Along with the seafood offered by local fishermen and women, there will also be classic fair food available, like hamburgers and hotdogs.
The entertainment varies each year, but for this upcoming festival, you can expect plenty of live music from local bands, great shopping and art, adult beverages, and children’s activities in the Children’s Eco-Discovery Zone.
Live Entertainment
Watching and supporting local bands at the Florida Keys Seafood Festival is one of the best parts of this event! On January 14th and 15th, the Bahama Village Music School will perform Jazz and Junkaneau music. This school offers free musical education and instruction to children between 6 and 16, so this is an excellent time to show them your appreciation!
Other musical groups performing during this festival include the Marshall Morlock Band, 79th Street Band, Rubixx, Lady A, Southern Stampede, and Mr. Nice Guy. These bands range from strictly southern music to covers of classic rock artists and blues. There is something for everyone at this festival.
Stay With Key West Vacation Homes
Along with the Florida Keys Seafood Festival and the Key West Food and Wine Festival, there are many activities to enjoy in the Key West community. Spend a day discovering Key West in a kayak, relaxing on the beach, or visiting the top nature preserves in the area. When you stay with Key West Vacation Homes, you’re guaranteed a luxurious experience close to all these unbeatable activities. We offer Key West vacation rentals in various sizes, and each comes with plenty of amenities to ensure your vacation is as relaxing as possible. We offer waterfront and pet-friendly Key West vacation homes; some of our Key West rentals even have boat docks. Contact us today to enjoy your stay in luxurious comfort!
