Monroe County Florida Fairgrounds Events

Monroe County, Florida is the Florida Keys, with Key West as the county seat. It doesn’t have a county fairgrounds or an annual county fair. Community life here runs on weekly markets, monthly art walks, and seafood festivals held in parks and waterfront spaces. The county stretches from Key Largo to Key West, so the events below are spread across several islands.

Where Monroe County Events Take Place

Most large events happen in four places. Truman Waterfront Park in Key West hosts the weekly farmers market and the Florida Keys Seafood Festival. Marathon Community Park, at mile marker 49 oceanside, hosts the Original Marathon Seafood Festival. Morada Way in Islamorada, between mile markers 81 and 82, is the home of the monthly art walk. Big Pine Community Park, at mile marker 31, hosts community celebrations like the Independence Day events.

Weekly Markets

Truman Waterfront Farmers Market, Key West

This is the most established market in the county. In 2026 it runs on Thursdays from early afternoon into the evening at Truman Waterfront Park, and it is free and pet-friendly. Vendors sell produce, honey, baked goods, plants, crafts, and prepared food. Organizers launched a series of monthly themed markets in 2026, starting with a Valentine’s event in February. Some older listings still say the market runs on Sundays, so check the current day before you go.

Key West Artisan Market

The Artisan Market runs in a parking lot at the Key West Wildlife Center on White Street. It features culinary vendors, produce, and local makers. Some listings describe it as a Sunday market from October through April, while others show summer dates, so confirm the current season before planning around it.

Other Keys Markets

Marathon has a Saturday farmers market at the Community Park. Islamorada’s weekly market is held at Founders Park. The Big Pine Flea Market is the largest single market in the Keys, and it runs during the winter and early spring. Most Keys markets scale back through July and August because of the heat, hurricane season, and smaller crowds. Schedules typically rebuild in October, which is when the season is picking back up.

Monthly Art Walks

Morada Way Third Thursday Art Walk, Islamorada

The Morada Way Arts & Cultural District runs its monthly Art Walk on the third Thursday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m. The event combines indoor galleries, outdoor artisans, live music, and food and beverage trucks along a stretch of Morada Way. The district is a nonprofit founded in 2011. Its ceramics studio offers pottery painting and clay classes during the walk. The schedule for upcoming months is published on the district’s own site and on the Visit Florida Keys calendar. Based on the third-Thursday pattern, the next walk after this month falls on November 19, 2026, but confirm it before you go.

Walk on White, Key West

Key West’s monthly art walk is held in the White Street gallery district and has run since 1999, with more than 25 local businesses taking part. Some sources list it as a third-Thursday event, while others describe a First Thursday open house that runs February through July, so check the current schedule.

First Fridays on Fleming, Key West

A separate monthly event, First Fridays on Fleming, runs from 6 to 9 p.m. in Key West. Like the art walks, it’s a good way to see local galleries and makers without buying a ticket.

Local fairs and community events create opportunities to enjoy regional traditions, exhibitions, vendors, and seasonal entertainment. Visitors exploring Monroe County Florida Fairgrounds Events can look for family activities and upcoming gatherings while also discovering Miami-Dade County Florida Fairgrounds Events.

Seafood Festivals

Florida Keys Seafood Festival, Key West

Sponsored by the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association, this is the county’s biggest food festival. The 20th annual edition ran in February 2026 at Truman Waterfront Park. It included fresh seafood, live music, local arts and crafts, and activities for kids. Admission was $10 for both days. The festival’s listings show the 2027 event at the same park on February 13 and 14, 2027, though organizers should confirm those dates.

The Original Marathon Seafood Festival

Held each March at Marathon Community Park, this festival calls itself the oldest seafood festival in the Keys. It celebrated its 50th year in 2026. Visitors come for local shrimp, lobster, and stone crab, along with live music, arts and crafts, and family activities. The Florida lobster dinner is the most popular item.

Key West Lobster Fest

Held in August, this festival raises money for the Key West High School Scholarship Fund. Its exact 2026 date wasn’t listed in the sources I checked. Florida’s lobster season opens August 6, which is why the event falls in that window.

Summer and Holiday Events

The Underwater Music Festival is a summer event at Looe Key Reef, a short boat ride from Key West. Attendees snorkel or dive to a whimsical underwater concert, often in sea-creature costumes, with coral-friendly messaging. The 2026 date was listed as TBD in the sources I checked.

For the Fourth of July, the Key West International Airport sponsors five public fireworks displays across the Keys. The county’s approval of that sponsorship was renewed for the sixth straight year in 2026. Monroe County Fire Rescue reminds residents and visitors to leave fireworks to professionals.

The county’s community events page lists recurring programs such as Beat the Heat, National Night Out, Fire Prevention Week, holiday parades, and an Easter egg hunt at Big Coppitt Fire Station. Check that page for current dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Monroe County, Florida have a county fairgrounds?
No. Monroe County, Florida doesn’t have a county fairgrounds or an annual county fair. The Monroe County Fairgrounds listings that come up in searches are in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Ohio.

When is the Key West Farmers Market?
The Truman Waterfront Farmers Market runs weekly in 2026, and the most recent listings show Thursdays from early afternoon into the evening at Truman Waterfront Park. Some older sources list Sundays, so confirm before you go.

Where is the Morada Way Art Walk held?
The art walk takes place on Morada Way in Islamorada, between mile markers 81 and 82. It runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.

When is the Florida Keys Seafood Festival?
The festival is held in mid-February at Truman Waterfront Park in Key West. The 2026 edition was February 14 and 15, and the 2027 event is listed for February 13 and 14.

How much does the Florida Keys Seafood Festival cost?
Admission was $10 for both days in 2026, according to the event listing.

Is the Original Marathon Seafood Festival still held?
Yes. It is held each March at Marathon Community Park and celebrated its 50th year in 2026.

Are the farmers markets open in summer?
Most Keys markets scale back or close through July and August. Schedules typically return in October.

Can I set off fireworks in the Keys?
Monroe County Fire Rescue asks residents and visitors to leave fireworks to professionals. Public displays are sponsored by the Key West International Airport.