Florida’s Biggest Annual Events in 2026: From Art Basel Miami Beach to the Daytona 500
Florida stands out as one of the most event-driven states in the U.S. Its calendar blends global cultural events, iconic sports competitions, theme-park spectacles, and multicultural festivals shaped by its coastal geography and diverse communities.
Below is a month-by-month guide to Florida’s biggest annual events in 2026, with deeper coverage of the state’s most distinctive, large-scale celebrations.
Read more: 2026 Florida Public School Calendar: Key Dates, Holidays, and What Families Should Know
January: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
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| Walt Disney World Marathon |
This is one of the largest running events in the world, attracting tens of thousands of runners from more than 50 countries. Held across multiple days in early January, the event includes a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon, all set inside Walt Disney World Resort.
What makes it unique is the combination of serious athletic competition and immersive theme-park storytelling. Runners pass through multiple parks, encounter Disney characters, and often race in costume, creating a festival atmosphere rarely seen in endurance sports.
February: Daytona 500 & Gasparilla Pirate Festival
Daytona 500
Known as “The Great American Race,” the Daytona 500 is NASCAR’s most prestigious event and the official opener of the racing season. Held at Daytona International Speedway, it draws massive crowds, celebrity appearances, and global media coverage.
For Florida, this event represents speed, Americana, and motorsports heritage, making it one of the state’s most recognizable annual spectacles.
Gasparilla Pirate Festival
A uniquely Floridian tradition, Gasparilla transforms Tampa into a pirate-themed celebration with a mock invasion, massive parade, and waterfront parties. Few U.S. festivals have such a playful, local identity.
March: Spring Break & EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Running from early spring into late May, this festival combines elaborate garden displays, outdoor kitchens, and live performances. It’s one of Disney’s most popular seasonal events and a major draw for adult travelers and families alike.
March is also peak Spring Break season, especially in Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Panama City Beach.
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| Spring Break |
April: Miami Music Week & Ultra Music Festival
Miami Music Week
Miami Music Week is not a single event but a citywide takeover, with hundreds of electronic music shows across clubs, beaches, and pop-up venues. DJs, producers, and fans from around the world descend on Miami, turning the city into a global dance-music capital.
Ultra Music Festival
The centerpiece of the week, Ultra is one of the most influential electronic music festivals in the world, broadcast globally and closely associated with Miami’s modern nightlife identity.
June: Miami Beach Pride
Miami Beach Pride
Miami Beach Pride is Florida’s largest LGBTQ+ celebration, blending parades, concerts, beach parties, and art events. Its coastal setting and international crowd make it one of the most visually striking Pride events in the U.S.
July: Independence Day & Theme Park Spectacles
July 4 brings large-scale fireworks displays in Miami, Tampa, and Orlando, while Florida’s theme parks stage extended shows and special nighttime celebrations.
October: Halloween Horror Nights
Halloween Horror Nights
This is the most famous Halloween event in the theme-park world. Held at Universal Orlando, it features movie-quality haunted houses, scare zones, and immersive storytelling.
Halloween Horror Nights has become a global brand, drawing fans who travel specifically for this event.
November–December: Art Basel Miami Beach
Art Basel Miami Beach
Art Basel Miami Beach is Florida’s most prestigious cultural event and one of the most important art fairs globally. Each December, it attracts leading galleries, collectors, celebrities, designers, and media from around the world.
Beyond the convention center, the event spills into the entire city with satellite fairs, installations, fashion events, and nightlife. It defines Miami as a global art and culture capital, not just a beach destination.
Why Florida’s Major Events Matter
Florida’s biggest annual events reflect its identity: sun-driven, globally connected, entertainment-focused, and culturally diverse. From the speed of Daytona to the creativity of Art Basel, these events are not just attractions—they shape how the world sees Florida.
