Local Events
No need to wait for the holidays to celebrate in the Keys! Marathon hosts a variety of events and festivals all year long. Book your stay with Coastal Escape and join in on the next big event!
See the full list of events on fla-keys.com.
Marathon Seafood Festival
March - The Marathon Seafood Festival is the premier event for great/fresh seafood and entertainment in the Florida Keys. Bring the whole family for two days and enjoy great cuisine, entertainment, and fun!
Seven Mile Bridge Run
April - Race on the historic Seven Mile Bridge over the beautiful waters of the Florida Keys. The Seven Mile Bridge Run is held in April, but be sure to purchase your spot ahead of time as registration fills up fast!
Mini Lobster Season
July - Every July the coastal areas of Florida are flooded with lobster hunters trying to get their share of this year's bounty when the official mini lobster season kicks off. There are two Florida Lobster Seasons: the 2-day mini season and the 8-month regular season. The mini lobster season is always the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July.
Fantasy Fest
October - Fantasy Fest is an annual 10-day party in paradise for grown-ups. Started in 1979 by a small group of Key West locals, the party was created to bring visitors to the island in what was a typically quiet, but beautiful season. It worked. Fantasy Fest has grown every year since its inception and is now the wildest extravaganza around! Fun-loving revelers from around the globe bring their creativity and imaginations as they descend upon Key West each year in October for 10 days filled with costuming, parades, libations, and excitement!
Key West Boat Races
November - The Race World Offshore Key West Championships are held in November. This is an exciting annual event that brings the world's top offshore boat racers to Key West. Every fall, the beautiful water off of the coast of Key West is a proving ground where professional boat racers push the limits.
Local sayings and phrases
- “Only in the Keys.” - the four-word phrase is a standard response for people hearing about everything from a parade for dachshunds to mermaids attending a local music festival.
- Key West's motto is “close to perfect” and “far from normal.”
- "Conch" - a person born in Key West (part of the Conch Republic). Also a shelled sea animal and popular food.
- "Key Lime Pie" - Key limes, a tiny, tart, yellow variety from the Florida Keys, are what give Key Lime Pie that sunshine and tropical breeze taste. Don't be fooled by imitations; real Key lime pie is yellow, not green!
