Press Releases

Boaters, anglers, divers, snorkelers, kayakers, paddleboarders and others who enjoy the Florida Keys marine environment can find supplies for their seafaring pursuits at the Big Pine & Lower Keys Nautical Expo set for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 11-12.

Hundreds of college swimmers from around the country, some who have pursued Olympic gold, are to meet and compete in a popular monthlong winter training session in Key Largo that culminates in the open-to-spectators Orange Bowl Swimming Classic Friday, Jan. 3.

Architectural highlights on the continental United States’ southernmost island range from charming 19th-century cottages to ornate period mansions decorated with intricate wooden “gingerbread” trim. Visitors can explore homes embodying this stylistic heritage as well as contemporary gems during weekend home tours in December 2019 and January, February and March 2020.

Three days of flavorful traditional bluegrass, old time, soulgrass, “newgrass” and Americana bands are to attract thousands of music lovers to the Baygrass Bluegrass & Craft Beer Festival. The event is set for Friday through Sunday, Jan. 17-19, in Islamorada.

Celtic history, culture, food and music are to be featured at the Florida Keys Celtic Festival, a favorite Middle Keys event for families, scheduled Friday through Sunday, Jan. 10-12, 2020.

New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Florida Keys traditionally feature balmy temperatures and a warm welcome for revelers fleeing colder climes. From beachside fireworks where overcoats and gloves aren’t allowed to wacky takeoffs on the traditional ball drop in New York’s Times Square, the island chain offers visitors a wealth of ways to welcome 2020.

Matt Sexton, 34, a “retired” professional kiteboarder, owns and operates the new Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club that opened last spring. With a zero-waste program and on-site sustainable amenities, the resort features a bar hand-tooled from locally salvaged wood surrounded by aeroponic tower gardens for flowers, luffas and garnishes; uses biodegradable and plant-based soaps and detergents and accessible water filtration systems; and bans single-use plastics and Styrofoam.

Discover the flavors of the Florida Keys in two of the island chain’s regions during the 2020 edition of “Uncorked: The Key Largo and Islamorada Food and Wine Festival,” an 11-day culinary and cocktail extravaganza Thursday, Jan. 9, through Sunday, Jan. 19.

Sunny holidays bring warmth and good cheer to the Florida Keys & Key West throughout the 125-mile-long island chain. From Key Largo to Key West, the 2019 holiday season — filled with spirited events such as lighted boat parades, historic inn tours, only-in-the Keys frivolity and waterfront celebrations — sparkles with island festivities.

The seafaring spirit, culinary diversity, recreational opportunities and artistic enterprises of Stock Island, the Florida Keys community adjacent to Key West, are to be on display Friday through Sunday, Dec. 13-15, for attendees of the fourth annual I Love Stock Island Festival.