From strawberries to plein air, fairs to festivals, Swamp Monsters to Highland games, Florida has it all. Take advantage of spring in the Sunshine State and consider what we think may be the best places to travel in Florida in March.
Plant City
One of the oldest springtime festivals in Florida runs February 27 — March 9 in Plant City, about 20 minutes outside of Tampa. It’s the Florida Strawberry Festival! Come for the fresh strawberry shortcake and stay for the music — Reba, Boyz II Men, Lynyrd Skynyrd and others take the state over the 11-day festival.
Orlando
Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Lake, Osceola and Brevard counties come together in Orlando for the Central Florida Fair, established in 1910. The 10-day fair runs February 27 — March 9, during which time fairgoers will enjoy rides, games, fair food, and live music and entertainment.
Boca Raton
The Festival of the Arts Boca is back February 28 — March 9, and the lineup can’t be beat. Join festival favorite and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin for a conversation about politics, history and hew new memoir, An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s. Other appearances and performances include Dallas Brass: An American Musical Journey, which kicks off the festival; A NeoDance Story Featuring Nestor Torres; and a screening of “Back to the Future,” accompanied by a live orchestra.
Panama City Beach
The Scottish tradition of Highland Games hops the pond for the Panama City Beach Scottish Festival on February 28 and March 1. Watch athletes compete in the traditional games like a stone throw, hammer throw and sheaf toss, and enjoy Irish step dancing performances, Scotch whisky tastings, a British car show, bagpipe bands and much more.
Tampa
Nearly every medium you can imagine is showcased March 1 & 2 at the riverside Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in Tampa. Ceramic, digital, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor and wood artists will display their works to a soundtrack of live music.
Spring Hill
Watch out for the Swamp Thing March 7 — 9 in Spring Hill, about 45 minutes north of Tampa — it’s the Weeki Wachee Swamp Festival! For nearly 30 years nature enthusiasts, artists and families have come together to celebrate the mossy, wet and monstrous side of the Florida’s wildlife. Arts and crafts, food and gifts will be available, and live folk music will make you feel like dancing. Kids and adults are invited to channel their inner Swamp Thing for the Swamp Monster costume contests.
St. Augustine
Northeast Florida’s only St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday, March 8 as part of the St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival March 7 — 9. The weekend will be filled with live music, food, whisky tastings and more. And here’s a fun fact: St. Augustine is home to the first recorded St. Patrick’s Days Parade in the country which happened in 1601!
The weekend’s events also features the St. Augustine Highland Games. Athletes will compete in Open Stone Put, Braemer Stone Throw, Caber Toss and Sheaf Toss. Want to get involved? Go ahead, sign up and test you mettle!
Apalachicola
Forgotten Coast En Plein Air is one of the largest plein air festivals in all of Florida and it’s taking place in Apalachicola on the Panhandle March 14 — 23. The 10-day event features 19 artists from throughout Florida and beyond, and includes artist demonstrations and artist-led workshops. Visit the Wetroom each day to see artwork that’s been completed during that day’s demonstrations and workshops. If you discover a favorite, the artwork will be for sale, too.
Clewiston
What may very well be the sweetest festival in all of Florida takes place in Clewiston (about 80 miles northwest of Fort Lauderdale) March 14 & 15. Food vendors, live music, arts and crafts, and cornhole and horseshoe tournaments are on tap for the family-friendly Clewiston Sugar Festival. Be sure to save room for the Sweet Taste Baking competition!
Where will your Florida travels take you in March?
