Costumed revelers will celebrate the 1990s and carnivalesque pageantry during Key West’s Fantasy Fest Oct. 18-27. The renowned costuming and masking festival features masquerade parties, costume competitions, street fairs, performance art, glamorous galas and an over-the-top parade.
The festival is themed “It’s a ’90s Neon Cosmic Carnival,” evoking everything from the era’s goth trend to television’s “Seinfeld” and “Friends,” space exploration, carnival craziness and the Y2K frenzy that dominated the decade’s end.
The theme has plenty of costuming possibilities from favorites like the spellbinding Harry Potter book series and blockbuster “Titanic” film, or the decade’s neon-bright color palette and hip-hop stylings.
Fantasy Fest 2024 features a blend of longtime favorite events and new offerings. Creative costuming is paramount, and the 10-day schedule features multiple competitions with prizes for the most imaginative ensembles.
Organizers encourage people to design their costumes and parade floats around the theme.
The festival’s official kickoff is the two-day Bahama Village Goombay Festival. Held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19, the Caribbean-flavored Goombay is a family-friendly street party in Key West’s historic Bahama Village neighborhood with nonstop musical entertainment, island-style food and arts and crafts.
Also Oct. 18, the Fantasy Fest King and Queen will be crowned at the Fun and Furryous Royal Coronation soiree, capping a multiweek fundraising effort by candidates to benefit the Florida Keys SPCA.
The Pet Masquerade on Wednesday, Oct. 23 is a festival favorite featuring costumed pets and their people.
The following day brings the Key West Business Guild’s 41st annual Headdress Ball, hosted by renowned female impersonator Randy Roberts, where “headliners” compete for prizes in huge and elaborate masks.
The Masquerade March on Friday, Oct. 25 is a freewheeling street party filled with costumed groups and characters.
Marchers are encouraged to bring noisemakers and percussion instruments, and display their best ’90s neon finery to “light up” the cavalcade through part of Key West’s Old Town.
Revelers can also indulge their festive spirit at events including the family-friendly Zombie Bike Ride, two-night Costume Promenade in the festival’s designated Fantasy Zone, “Tutu Tuesday” celebrations, Fantasy Market in the Key West Historic Seaport, disco dance party, musical tributes to iconic entertainers and a “Living Art” competition for painted bodies.
Saturday night, Oct. 26, nearly 70,000 spectators are expected to line Whitehead and Duval streets for the Key West Fantasy Fest Parade. A procession of large-scale floats and costumed marching groups, the parade displays the creativity and spirit that characterize both the festival and the island of Key West. More information is at fantasyfest.com. There is a Fantasy Fest app at the App Store or Google Play.
