FANTASY FEST 2025: SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT

a group of women in costumes posing for a picture

Why waste time with a bunch of words, when photos tell the true story of another Fantasy Fest in Key West?


Tens of thousands of costumed revelers took the theme to heart and brought to life the 2025 theme of “Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters.” Peter Pan flew above the parade crowd. A pony was transformed into a winged dragon. Dozens of little pigs danced down Duval and, as always, the local favorite Masquerade March reminded us all of Key West’s magic.
Now, for the photos…

a group of people on a stage with a horse
a group of people that are standing in the street
a man and woman sitting in the back of a truck
a large group of people standing in the street
a group of people walking down a street
a couple of people that are standing in the street
a group of women in costumes posing for a picture
a group of police officers standing next to each other
a group of people standing on the side of a road
a parade float with a purple octopus on it
a group of people that are standing in the street
a group of women in pink dresses and hats
a parade float with a dragon on top of it
a float in a parade with a gorilla on it
Mandy Miles
Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. An award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together in Key West since 1998. "Local news is crucial," she says. "It informs and connects a community. It prompts conversation. It gets people involved, holds people accountable. The Keys Weekly takes its responsibility seriously. Our owners are raising families in Key West & Marathon. Our writers live in the communities we cover - Key West, Marathon & the Upper Keys. We respect our readers. We question our leaders. We believe in the Florida Keys community. And we like to have a good time." Mandy's married to a saintly — and handy — fishing captain, and can't imagine living anywhere else.