Spirited Holiday Events Entertain Visitors in the Florida Keys & Key West

FLORIDA KEYS — From Key Largo to Key West, the 2017 holidays are sprinkled with spirited activities and stylish only-in-the-Keys events featuring decorated boats, bicycles and a bodacious high-heeled shoe.

Spice up the holiday season with Florida Keys flair by exploring the following highlight events — and check out the Keys’ complete calendar at fla-keys.com/calendar for even more options.

Nov. 22 – Dec. 31: Key West Holiday Fest. Key West. Each year during the holiday season, a wide range of celebrations takes place throughout Key West. Highlights include the lighting of the Harbor Walk of Lights, Holiday Historic Inn Tours and a lighted boat parade. For event details and updates, visit keywestholidayfest.com.

Dec. 15: Holiday Historic Inn Tours. Key West. Two evenings of tours include trolley transportation between several participating inns, each decorated for the holidays. Treats and libations are offered at each inn. Event-goers also can provide their own transportation or bicycle to the inns. Contact the Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West to purchase tickets, priced at $30 per person. Visit keywestholidayfest.com or call 305-296-4959. 

Dec. 15: 27th Annual Schooner Wharf Bar/Abolut Vodka Lighted Boat Parade. Key West. RESCHEDULED due to weather, vessels of all shapes and sizes are to travel around Key West’s Historic Seaport and harbor areas. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with the Gerald Adams Elementary Steel your Heart Band. Parade begins at 8 p.m., visit schoonerwharf.com. 

Dec. 15 & 16: A Holiday Concert at Marathon Community Theatre. Marathon. Shows are slated to ring in the holiday cheer at 7 p.m. both evenings at the theater, located at 5101 Overseas Highway. Tickets are on sale online at marathontheater.org or call 305-743-0994. 

Dec. 16: Lighted Boat Parade. Key Largo. RESCHEDULED. Decorated and lighted boats are to cruise Florida Keys waters. For more on  the Key Largo Boat Parade on Blackwater Sound around mile marker 104, visit keylargoboatparade.com. 

Dec. 17: Artisan Market, A Holiday “Shop Local” Edition. Key West. Browse the vibrant open-air bazaar filled with Keys artists, authors, chef-made cuisine, craftspeople and performers. Admission is free and the market, located at 1111 Eaton St., is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit facebook.com/KeyWestArtisanMarket.

Dec. 21: Third Thursday Art Walk. Islamorada. Showcasing the area’s fine arts, music and culinary nuances, the Morada Way Arts & Cultural District features national and local artisans who are showcased in galleries at Morada Way between mile markers 81 and 82, as well as beer tastings and live music, from 6-9 p.m. Admission is free to this great pre-holiday celebration. Art Walk is held the third Thursday of each month. Visit moradaway.org.

Dec. 21: Second Annual Custom House Holiday Concert & Bazaar. Key West. The Key West Art & Historical Society is to host this second annual event at the historic Custom House Museum, 281 Front St. Highlights of the evening gathering are to include performances by musicians and choirs, local artisans showcasing their wares, a light show and “selfies” with Santa. Visit kwahs.org or call 305-295-6616. 

Dec. 27-28: 58th Annual Key West House Tours. Key West. Self-guided tours of unique Key West homes and gardens, festively dressed for the holidays, are to be presented by the Old Island Restoration Foundation. Tickets are $35 each. Proceeds benefit the foundation’s museum and programs. Visit oirf.org or call 305-294-9501. 

Dec. 31: Annual Key West Dachshund Walk. Key West. As many as 200 dachshunds, many of them costumed, participate in this noontime “wiener wonderland” stroll. Canines and their people meander through the island’s picturesque downtown during the beloved, much photographed walk. Spectators can watch the fun and meet the canine participants on Fleming Street between Whitehead and Duval streets. Visit facebook.com/Key-West-Dachshund-Walk-161327957238019/.

Dec. 31: New Year's Eve “Drops” in the Southernmost City. Key West. Ring in the new year with a “conch shell drop” at Sloppy Joe's Bar, 201 Duval St.; the descent of a super-sized red high-heel shoe carrying drag queen Sushi at the Bourbon St. Pub/New Orleans House complex, 724 Duval St.; the lowering of a pirate wench from atop a tall ship’s mast at the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St.; or at the Ocean Key Resort & Spa, at 0 Duval St., watch as a huge replica of a Key lime wedge splashes down into a larger-than-life margarita glass. For more information on the respective events, visit sloppyjoes.com, bourbonstpub.com, schoonerwharf.com or facebook.com/SunsetPierKeyWest/.

Dec. 31: New Year's Eve Fireworks on Blackwater Sound. Key Largo. The backcountry bay is the setting for the annual New Year's Eve fireworks extravaganza hosted by Sundowners, Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill, Señor Frijoles, Cactus Jack’s, Gus’s Grille at the Marriott Key Largo Beach Resort and the Caribbean Club, all located around mile markers 103-104. Visit keylargofireworks.com.

Dec 31: New Year’s Eve Midnight Fireworks in Islamorada. Morada Bay Beach Café at mile marker 81.6 bayside is to host a large beach party with live music, a beach barbecue, signature cocktails, performers and fireworks. Visit moradabay.com/full-moon-party/.

Florida Keys events calendar: fla-keys.com/calendarofevents/

Florida Keys visitor information: fla-keys.com or 1-800-FLA-KEYS (1-800-352-5397)

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