One thing I love about the south is the abundance of festivals. Down here, we can find any reason for a festival. Holidays, food, animals, civil war battles, you name it! Below, I’ve listed some of the best festivals coming to the north Florida area this fall!
September 14th-16th
Jekyll Island Shrimp and Grits Festival
100 James Rd, Jekyll Island, GA
(Free Admission – $10 Parking)
Presented by Southern Living, the Jekyll Island Shrimp and Grits Festival combines the classic southern dish with family-friendly entertainment, artists market, live music, craft beer, and more!
October 6th-7th
Datil Pepper Festival
St. Johns County Agricultural Center, 3125 Agricultural Center Drive, St. Augustine, FL
(Free Admission)
Celebrate St. Augustine’s very own datil pepper with pepper cook offs by local chefs, tastings, along with datil pepper products and plants to purchase. It’s a great time for the whole family exploring the local culinary culture of our oldest city.
October 12th-13th
French Country Flea Market Fall Show
Sweet South Cottage and Farms, 6007 Veterans Memorial Dr., Tallahassee, FL
($7 Admission – Free Parking)
Presented by Sweet South Cottage and Farms, the French Country Flea Market showcases antiques, hand painted home goods, shabby-chic style furniture, vintage curiosities, local art, live music, and delicious southern delicacies.
October 13th
ButterflyFest
Florida Museum of Natural History
3215 Hull Rd, Gainesville, FL
(Free Admission)
Explore the lives of bats, bees, and butterflies at the 13th annual ButterflyFest! Learn about butterfly gardening, conservation, backyard wildlife, and more! Other fun includes butterfly releases, a “pollinator” parade, and plant sale.
October 13th-14th
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Plant Sale and Orchid Show
Gainesville, FL
(Free Admission)
In celebration of the gardens’ 32nd birthday, there will be over 50 booths set up selling a wide variety of plants. In addition to the sale, there will also be an orchid show put on by the American Orchid Society.
October 20th
McIntosh 1890’s Festival
Van Ness Park, McIntosh Fl
(Free Admission, both free and paid parking available)
With it’s inaugural event in 1974, this festival has grown to over 250 vendors and an estimated 35,000 visitors annually. Come and enjoy crafts, food, and a good time!
October 20th
Florida Bat Festival
Lubee Bat Conservancy, 1309 NW 192nd Ave., Gainesville, FL
($8 Admission)
The 14th annual Florida Bat Festival will offer fun for the whole family including games, music, environmental discussions, vendors, crafts, food trucks, a beer garden, and the world’s largest bats with 6’ wingspans.
October 27th-28th
Micanopy Fall Craft Festival
Micanopy, FL
(Free Admission – both free and paid parking available)
In the heart of downtown Micanopy, expect hundreds of booths full of homemade candles, soaps, clothing, planters, jewelry, art, etc. There’s also a large section dedicated to tables full of antique and vintage items.