Arts & Culture

The three-night Legends of Music Row Music Festival, hosted by Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter Dean Dillon with a special appearance by country legend George Strait, is slated Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 13-15, at Key West’s Coffee Butler Amphitheater.

Merrymakers can show off their most creative, extravagant masks and dazzling headdress regalia at the 39th annual Headdress Ball set for Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater at Key West’s Truman Waterfront Park.

Artists and artisans around the Florida Keys are ramping up their creativity to prep for Fantasy Fest, Key West’s Oct. 21-30 masking and costuming festival capped by a lavish parade along the island’s Duval Street.

Revelers can express their creativity by donning dazzling costumes during the annual Fantasy Fest celebration in Key West. Set for Friday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Oct. 30, the 2022 festival is themed “Cult Classics & Cartoon Chaos.”

Each July visitors can spot the spirit of Ernest Hemingway (or even scores of spirits) on the island where the legendary author lived and wrote during the 1930s. That’s because as many as 150 stocky, white-bearded aspiring “Ernests” converge on Key West in July to compete in Sloppy Joe’s annual Hemingway® Look-Alike Contest.

Mango lovers can celebrate the sweet, juicy fruit and its heritage in Key West Thursday through Sunday, June 23-26, during the island’s annual Mango Fest.

Audiences can rock, sway and sing along to some of America’s hottest contemporary hits and classics Wednesday through Sunday, May 4-8, during the 2022 Key West Songwriters Festival.

Rain or shine, families are to gather to celebrate music, art, food and fun at the 30th annual Florida Keys Island Fest scheduled Saturday and Sunday, April 2-3, in Islamorada.

Live musical performers representing Florida Keys jazz, country, trop-rock and blues musicians are to play for audiences from midday into the evening Sunday, March 27, at Islamorada’s Bay Jam 27.

Nature lovers can explore the 15-acre Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden and acquire native and exotic plants Saturday, March 5, during “GardenFest Key West: The Green Market Place 2022.”