Cedar Key Events & Annual Festivals

Cedar Key’s annual festivals are a good starting point when you’re choosing a time to visit. This guide brings together the Seafood Festival, Cedar Key Pirate Invasion and Old Florida Celebration of the Arts, with links to the organizations publishing their details.

Event information checked October 12, 2026. The dated listings below reflect announcements available on that date. Confirm the latest schedule directly before making travel plans.

Festival dates published for 2026–2027

Cedar Key Seafood Festival

Past event: October 17, 2026 (Chamber listing).

The Seafood Festival is one of Cedar Key’s established fall events. The local Chamber of Commerce listed an October 17 event for 2026. For future announcements, check the Chamber’s Seafood Festival listing and the Cedar Key Lions Club for organizer updates. A future festival date is not confirmed by this 2026 listing.

If you’re planning your visit around a particular activity, check its individual date and details before setting your itinerary.

Cedar Key Pirate Invasion

Announced dates: October 30–November 1, 2026.

The event’s official website announces three days of pirate-themed festivities in Cedar Key, with a pirate camp in City Park and a charitable purpose. The organizers call the event the Cedar Key Pirate Invasion; their website is Cedar Key Pirate Fest.

Use the official Pirate Fest website and its visit-planning page for event details. Check the program for the activities that interest your group.

Old Florida Celebration of the Arts

Announced dates: April 3–4, 2027.

This juried fine-art festival is coordinated by the Cedar Key Arts Center. The Arts Center has announced April 3 and 4 for the 2027 festival and describes the event as free to attend, benefiting the Arts Center and participating local nonprofit organizations.

Visit the Cedar Key Arts Center’s official festival page for the current announcement and details as they are published.

Planning a Cedar Key festival visit

  • Start with the organizer: Check dates, the daily program, admission or activity charges, and any weather notices before booking your trip.
  • Plan your arrival: Read our parking and getting-around guide, then follow the event’s current parking instructions and posted signs.
  • Confirm accommodation and transport: Ask about cancellation terms and any minimum stay or rental period that applies to your dates.
  • Check practical needs: Ask the organizer about accessible routes, seating, restrooms, pets and the activities your group wants to attend.
  • Leave room for the island: Keep part of your visit open for a meal, a waterfront walk or another activity beyond the festival program.

An easy festival-day plan

Use this flexible day plan around the organizer’s published program, not as a fixed event schedule.

  1. Arrive and park. Read our parking guide, follow the event’s current instructions and leave extra time on busy weekends.
  2. Enjoy your festival priorities. Choose the activities that interest your group and confirm their times, locations and any charges with the organizer.
  3. Make room for island history. If an available departure fits your plans, reserve a 2-hour Cedar Key golf cart history tour before or after your festival visit. Check History Tour availability before finalizing your day so your tour time is confirmed before you arrive.
  4. Leave time to unwind. Plan a meal or waterfront walk without rushing to your next activity. Staying for the evening? Explore Haunted History and check its available dates separately.

Tours are booked separately; festival admission and activities are not included.

For more local listings, check the Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce events page. Each organizer’s latest information should guide your final plans. Find more ideas in our Cedar Key activities guide and guided golf cart tours guide.