Fantasy Fest

Every October, Key West hands the entire island over to Fantasy Fest, ten days of costumes, parades, and unrestrained creativity running October 16 to 25, 2026. What started in 1979 as a way to bring visitors to the island during its quiet season has grown into one of the most recognized costume festivals in the country, with this year built around the theme "Musical Icons & Iconic Musicals."

What to expect

The week builds through a run of named signature events, the Fantasy Façade Contest, the Captain Morgan Masquerade March, a Street Fair, and the Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade as the closing centerpiece. Costumes range from elaborate group builds to body paint and everything in between, with Duval Street and the rest of Old Town transformed for the entire run. Proceeds and partnerships support several local organizations, including the Florida Keys SPCA, Keys Health + Housing, and Marc House.

History and legacy

Now in its fifth decade, Fantasy Fest has grown from a local idea into an internationally recognized festival, and it functions as much as a piece of Key West's identity as it does an event, shaping the island's entire October rather than occupying a single weekend within it.

Getting there

Key West is reachable by air into Key West International Airport or by car along the Overseas Highway from Miami. Given how much of Old Town closes to traffic during peak Fantasy Fest events, walking or biking is the only realistic way to get around once you're there.

Plan your trip

Accommodation across the island books out well ahead of October, and costumes, particularly anything elaborate, are worth planning long before arrival rather than assembling last minute. The festival's scale means picking a few signature events to prioritize, rather than trying to catch everything across all ten days, makes for a much better trip.