Key West’s biggest annual party and costume spectacle — is set to transform the island into a celebration of sound and spectacle with this year’s “Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals,”-themed extravaganza, happening Oct. 16-25.
Revelers are invited to create an imaginative persona of their own or be inspired by the scenes, sequins, leathers and feathers of their favorite musical icon or iconic musical.
“Fantasy Fest is a bucket-list experience, an invitation to immerse in an electrifying world of creativity, music, costumes and revelry,” said Fantasy Fest Director Nadene Grossman Orr. “Whether you arrive as a Broadway legend, rock icon, pop superstar or icon of your own creation, this is your invitation to step into the spotlight and let your imagination take flight.”
There are more than 100 opportunities to parade and pose, see and be seen, starting Friday, Oct. 16 at the Royal Coronation. The stage show is the finale fundraiser for the Florida Keys SPCA at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater, where candidates for Fantasy Fest 2026 King and Queen and local entertainers shine in a series of performances before the Royal Court is crowned, according to the amount of money each candidate raised over a six-week period.
On Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16 and 17, the Bahama Village Goombay Festival offers a family-friendly cultural celebration, filling the historic neighborhood surrounding Petronia Street with music, marching, pageantry, food, arts and crafts from noon to 11 p.m.
Other early-event highlights include a “Legends Never Die: Día de los Muertos Celebration of Musical Icons” costume party at Opal Key Resort & Marina that invites attendees to creatively channel departed musical icons; time-traveling theatrical tributes to classic rock ‘n’ roll with two That Arena Rock Show events at Sunset Pier; and a 1960s dress-up dance party at the Green Parrot Bar with Key West’s own Beatles tribute band. Another cause for celebration: each of these events is free to attend.
On Tuesday, Oct. 20, Tutu Tuesday turns the Caroline Street district into a multi-venue dance party featuring DJs, lights and lasers — tutus required. Wednesday, Oct. 21 lights up with LUV2GLOW, an immersive black-light party at Rick’s Upstairs filled with fluorescent décor, pulsating house music and glowing performers. Elsewhere, the endearing, unpredictable and frequently hilarious Pet Masquerade gives costumed critters their moment in the spotlight during an over-the-top competition at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater featuring costumed pets and their people.
Thursday, Oct. 22 features Southernmost Scavenger Hunt’s 7th Annual Fantasy Fest Bar Crawl, a Moulin Rouge Sing-Along Movie Night at Adam & Eve, and the 42nd annual Key West Headdress Ball, a legacy event where towering headdress creations turn heads and take center stage alongside live performances.
On the final Friday, Oct. 23, Paparazzi Row sets the stage for costumed posing, selfies, social media sharing and revelry before flowing into the Captain Morgan Masquerade March — the famed costumed “locals’ parade” through Old Town. The Fantasy Fest Street Fair and Costume Promenade invites revelers to Duval Street on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 and 24 to experience a mile of food, drinks, arts, crafts and an ever-changing parade of costumes.
The celebration reaches its peak on Saturday, Oct. 24 with the Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade featuring floats, costumed marching groups, and cool kinetic contraptions bringing this year’s theme to life.
Every day throughout the festival, the island overflows with events, live entertainment, themed parties, costume contests and time-honored traditions.
Fantasy Fest 2026 is presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and We’ve Got the Keys. For a complete calendar, schedule updates, contest details, and mobile app, visit fantasyfest.com.
