January is one of the best months to experience Florida, thanks to mild winter weather, peak festival season, and endless outdoor activities.
From lively food festivals and historic celebrations to art shows, wildlife events, and family‑friendly fairs, Florida events in January 2026 offer something for everyone.
This detailed guide is created especially for Florida residents, families, couples, and visitors, helping you compare events that often happen on the same weekends so you can choose what fits your interests best.
Whether you’re planning a weekend road trip or building a full January itinerary, these Florida festivals are absolutely worth exploring.
Northwest Florida Events – January 2026
17th Annual Penguin Plunge N’ Paddle – Navarre
📅 When: January 1, 2026
📍 Where: 1451 Navarre Beach Causeway, Navarre, FL 32566
Start the New Year with one of the most unique Florida New Year’s Day events. The Penguin Plunge N’ Paddle features a paddleboard adventure course followed by a thrilling plunge into the chilly Gulf of Mexico.
This fun‑filled event benefits Healing Paws for Warriors, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans receive trained service dogs. Participants and spectators often dress in costumes, making the atmosphere festive and memorable.
Why attend: Charity event, beach vibes, costumes, and New Year traditions.
Official Website Juana’s Pagodas official website.
Polar Bear Plunge – Pensacola Beach
📅 When: January 1, 2026 | ⏰ Time: 2:00 PM
📍 Where: 7 Casino Beach Boardwalk, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561
Another exciting New Year’s Day tradition in Northwest Florida, the Polar Bear Plunge invites brave participants to jump into the Santa Rosa Sound.
Costumes are highly encouraged—past plungers have dressed as sharks, dinosaurs, and holiday characters. After the plunge, attendees enjoy free black‑eyed peas and cornbread, live music by the John Hart Project, and costume contest awards.
Proceeds support the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Official Website: Visit Pensacola website.
Pensacola Mardi Gras – 12th Night Kick‑Off
📅 When: January 3, 2026
📍 Where: Palafox & Government Streets, Downtown Pensacola
This celebration officially kicks off Pensacola’s Mardi Gras season with a New Orleans‑style street procession. Expect marching bands, costumed Krewes, festive floats, and the beloved tradition of free King Cake.
This family‑friendly event is one of the earliest Mardi Gras celebrations in Florida.
Official Website: Pensacola Mardi Gras official website.
Mardi Gras Mambo – Pensacola
📅 When: January 24, 2026
📍 Where: Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E Gregory St, Pensacola, FL
The Mardi Gras Mambo is an all‑ages, ticketed indoor celebration featuring live music, dancing, themed food, and festive drinks. It’s perfect for those who want a high‑energy Mardi Gras experience without waiting until February.
Official Website: Pensacola Mardi Gras official website.
17th Annual 30A Songwriters Festival – Santa Rosa Beach
📅 When: January 16–19, 2026
📍 Where: Multiple venues along Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach
One of the most respected Florida music festivals, the 30A Songwriters Festival showcases more than 250 live performances across intimate venues. The festival highlights talented songwriters from various genres in a relaxed coastal setting.
Ideal for music lovers looking to discover new artists while enjoying Florida’s scenic Emerald Coast.
Official Website: https://30aswf.freshtix.com/events/2026-30a-songwriters-festival
North Central Florida Events
39th Annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire – Gainesville
📅 When: January 24–25, 2026
📍 Where: Depot Park, 874 SE 4th St, Gainesville, FL
Step back in time at one of Florida’s most beloved cultural festivals. Hoggetowne Medieval Faire features Olde World music, falconry demonstrations, medieval combat, artisan markets, and traditional fair food.
The 2026 event is free to attend and located in downtown Gainesville, making it accessible and family‑friendly.
Official Website: Hoggetowne Medieval Faire official website.
4th Annual Arbor Day 5K & Tree Giveaway – Quincy
📅 When: January 17, 2026
📍 Where: Bear Creek Educational Forest, Quincy, FL
This scenic trail race winds through natural Florida landscapes. Top finishers receive live oak saplings, including special awards for youth runners and canine participants.
Perfect for runners, families, and nature lovers.
Official Website: Race Calendar.
Northeast Florida Events
Saint Augustine Film Festival
📅 When: January 7–11, 2026
📍 Where: Flagler College & Lightner Museum venues
This annual, ticketed film festival showcases a carefully curated lineup of independent and international films. Guests can purchase individual tickets or all‑access passes.
The historic venues add charm and intimacy to every screening.
Official Website: Saint Augustine Film Festival official website.
St. Augustine Arts & Crafts Festival
📅 When: January 10–11, 2026
📍 Where: St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park Pavilion
Nearly 100 artists display handmade jewelry, glasswork, photography, paintings, and more. This free event is ideal for art lovers and beachgoers alike.
Official Website: Florida Historic Coast website.
Central West Florida Events
Downtown Dunedin Art Festival
📅 When: January 3–4, 2026
📍 Where: 271 Main St, Dunedin, FL
This free weekend festival celebrates Dunedin’s creative spirit with a wide range of locally produced artwork. Visitors can stroll downtown streets while enjoying food vendors and live entertainment.
Official Website: Art Festival website.
Florida Manatee Festival – Crystal River
📅 When: January 17–18, 2026
📍 Where: Downtown Crystal River, FL
Held in the Manatee Capital of the World, this two‑day festival celebrates Florida’s iconic sea cows. Highlights include live music, food vendors, kids’ activities, discounted manatee tours, and free admission to Three Sisters Springs State Park.
Official Website: Florida Manatee Festival’s official website.
Gasparilla Pirate Fest – Tampa
📅 When: January 31, 2026
📍 Where: Downtown Tampa & Bayshore Blvd
One of Florida’s most famous events, Gasparilla features a dramatic pirate invasion, massive parade, live entertainment, and city‑wide celebrations.
Official Website: Gasparilla website.
Dade City Kumquat Festival
📅 When: January 31, 2026
📍 Where: 14112 8th St, Dade City, FL
Celebrate Old Florida charm at the annual Kumquat Festival. Enjoy kumquat‑inspired foods, live music, arts and crafts booths, and family‑friendly fun.
Official Website: Kumquat Festival website.
Central & East Florida Events – January 2026
42nd Annual Orange City Blue Springs Manatee Festival – Orange City
📅 When: January 24–25, 2026
📍 Where: Valentine Park, 1511 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763
This beloved Central Florida festival celebrates one of Florida’s most iconic marine animals—the manatee. The event features live music, food vendors, arts and crafts booths, and interactive family-friendly activities.
Proceeds from the festival benefit local community programs and Friends of Blue Spring State Park. During January, Blue Spring is home to hundreds of manatees seeking warmer waters, making this festival an ideal winter wildlife experience.
Official Website: Manatee Festival website.
42nd Annual Florida Storytelling Festival – Mount Dora
📅 When: January 22–25, 2026
📍 Where: Lakeside Inn, 100 Alexander St, Mount Dora, FL 32757
One of the most unique cultural events in Florida, the Florida Storytelling Festival brings together nationally and internationally known storytellers for four days of performances, workshops, concerts, and story swaps.
Attendees can enjoy storytelling competitions, music-infused stories, and hands-on workshops in the charming lakeside town of Mount Dora—perfect for couples and culture lovers.
Official Website: Florida Storytelling Association website.
Space Coast Renaissance Fair – Viera
📅 When: January 10–11 & January 17–18, 2026 | ⏰ 10 AM – 6 PM
📍 Where: Space Coast Daily Park, 5775 Stadium Pkwy, Melbourne, FL 32940
Step back into the Middle Ages at this family-friendly Renaissance fair featuring live jousting tournaments, armored combat, jesters, musicians, and theatrical performances.
Guests can shop for handcrafted goods from artisans, enjoy traditional fair food, and watch knights battle for honor. Costumes are encouraged, making it a magical experience for kids and adults alike.
Official Website: official Space Cast Renaissance Fair website.
35th Annual Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival – Fellsmere
📅 When: January 15–18, 2026
📍 Where: 22 S Orange St, Fellsmere, FL 32948
A true Old Florida tradition, the Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival is famous for its frog legs and gator tail dinners. This free-entry festival also features carnival rides, live local music, vendor booths, and family entertainment.
It’s one of the most unique food festivals in Florida and a must-visit for adventurous eaters.
Official Website: Frog Leg Festival website.
50th Annual Images: A Festival of the Arts – New Smyrna Beach
📅 When: January 23–25, 2026
📍 Where: Riverside Drive & Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Celebrating its 50th year, Images is one of Florida’s premier outdoor art festivals. More than 200 artists showcase paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry, and mixed media.
The free festival also offers live entertainment, food trucks, children’s art activities, and scenic riverfront views, making it ideal for families and art enthusiasts.
Official Website: Images Art Festival Website.
27th Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival – Cape Canaveral
📅 When: January 21–25, 2026
📍 Where: Radisson Resort at the Port, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Nature lovers will enjoy this immersive wildlife festival featuring over 90 exhibits focused on birding, conservation, and Florida ecosystems.
The event includes expert-led workshops, lectures, and ticketed field trips that take participants to prime birdwatching locations across the Space Coast. The 2026 featured bird is the Sandhill Crane.
Official Website: Space Coast Birding website.
South, Southwest & Florida Keys Events – January 2026
Naples New Year’s Art Fair – Naples
📅 When: January 3–4, 2026
📍 Where: Cambier Park, 585 Park St, Naples, FL 34102
The Naples New Year’s Art Fair is one of Southwest Florida’s largest and most respected art festivals. Featuring over 250 nationally and internationally recognized artists, the fair showcases fine art including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photography, mixed media, and digital art.
This free, outdoor event is perfect for art collectors, casual browsers, and families looking to enjoy Naples’ charming downtown atmosphere. Food vendors and nearby cafés add to the experience, making it an ideal weekend outing.
Official Website: Naples Art website.
Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival – Sarasota
📅 When: January 2–4, 2026
📍 Where: JD Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
Located along Sarasota’s beautiful bayfront, this popular festival combines fresh Florida seafood with live music performances throughout the weekend. Guests can enjoy shrimp, crab, lobster rolls, fish tacos, desserts, and refreshing drinks.
In addition to food and music, the festival features an arts and crafts marketplace, making it a fun and relaxed event for couples, families, and seafood lovers.
Official Website: Paragon Festivals website.
Florida Keys Celtic Festival – Marathon
📅 When: January 10–11, 2026
📍 Where: Marathon Community Park, MM 49, Marathon, FL 33050
The Florida Keys Celtic Festival brings Irish and Scottish heritage to the islands with live bagpipe music, traditional dancing, Highland athletic competitions, and cultural exhibits.
This ticketed festival offers a unique blend of Celtic traditions and laid-back Florida Keys vibes, making it a must-attend event for culture lovers visiting the Keys in January.
Official Website: Florida Keys Celtic Festival website.
Art Deco Weekend – Miami Beach
📅 When: January 9–11, 2026
📍 Where: Ocean Drive & Lummus Park (5th–12th Street), Miami Beach, FL
Art Deco Weekend is one of Miami Beach’s most iconic annual events, celebrating the city’s world-famous Art Deco architecture. Highlights include guided architectural walking tours, antique shows, classic car displays, live entertainment, and historical exhibits.
One of the most popular features is the Deco Nights & Neon Lights Tour, which showcases Ocean Drive’s glowing neon signs after dark.
Official Website: Art Deco Weekend official website.
South Florida Fair – West Palm Beach
📅 When: January 16 – February 1, 2026
📍 Where: South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33411
Dating back to 1912, the South Florida Fair is the largest and longest-running January event in Florida. The fair includes carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, live concerts, food vendors, livestock shows, and family-friendly attractions.
A major highlight is Yesteryear Village, a living-history park where visitors experience life in Florida before 1940 through costumed interpreters. The 2026 theme is “Party with the Pirates.”
Official Website: South Florida Fair’s official website.
Key West Food & Wine Festival – Key West
📅 When: January 29 – February 1, 2026
📍 Where: Various venues throughout Key West, FL
This multi-day culinary festival celebrates the best of Key West’s food and wine scene. Events include wine tastings, chef-led dinners, cooking demonstrations, cocktail parties, and exclusive tasting experiences.
It’s an excellent event for couples, food enthusiasts, and travelers looking to enjoy a flavorful island escape.
Official Website: Key West Food & Wine Festival official website.
Homestead Championship Rodeo – Homestead
📅 When: January 30 – February 1, 2026
📍 Where: Harris Field Park, 1034 NE 8th St, Homestead, FL 33031
The Homestead Championship Rodeo is a classic Old Florida tradition that has been entertaining audiences for over 75 years. The rodeo features thrilling events such as bull riding, barrel racing, calf roping, and team roping.
With three action-packed performances and family-friendly entertainment, this historic rodeo remains one of South Florida’s most exciting January events.
Official Website: Homestead Rodeo website.
Final Thoughts: January 2026 Is the Perfect Time to Explore Florida 🌴
With mild winter weather, endless sunshine, and an unmatched variety of festivals, January 2026 is one of the best times to experience Florida. From coastal art fairs and historic celebrations to food festivals, wildlife events, and Old Florida traditions, the Sunshine State offers something for every type of traveler.
Whether you’re a Florida local planning weekend adventures or a visitor escaping colder climates, these events showcase the very best of Florida’s culture, creativity, and outdoor lifestyle. Planning ahead ensures you don’t miss out on Florida’s most popular January festivals.
✨ Florida Epic will continue updating this guide as more official details are released.