Autumn in Florida means a few things: slightly cooler temperatures, thrilling Halloween events and, perhaps best of all, a wide variety of food, wine and beer festivals across the state.
From major festivals like Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival to smaller Oktoberfests, there’s a celebration for everyone.
Beer lovers can enjoy events like Melbourne’s Rocky Water Brew Fest; wine connoisseurs can take on Safety Harbor’s wine festival; and seafood lovers have plenty of options, such as the annual Sponge Docks Seafood Festival in Tarpon Springs
Here’s a full list of all the food and wine festivals throughout Florida this fall:
Aug. 31-Nov. 13: Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, Walt Disney World. The annual food and wine lover’s paradise offers tapas-style dishes and beverages from 30 global marketplaces. Festival features culinary demonstrations, beverage and cheese seminars, and guest speakers from ABC’s “The Chew.” Tickets start at $99 per day and plates range from $4-$9. You can make reservations for the select events at Disney’s website. 407-939-5277. disneyworld.disney.go.com
Oct. 12-13: Alive After 5, Sanford. Oktoberfest-themed street party with art galleries, vendors, food, craft beers and entertainment. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free. Sanford Welcome Center, 230 E. First St. 407-302-2586. sanfordwelcomecenter.com
Oct. 13-15: Oktoberfest Tampa, Tampa. This eighth-annual event will transform downtown Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park into a beergarden with live music, dancing, beer and games. Friday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 600 N. Ashley Drive. 877-230-0078. visittampabay.com
Oct. 13-15: Greek Festival, St. Augustine. The Greek influence on the nation’s oldest city is celebrated with music, food and dancing at this 19th annual event hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Friday 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5. At the Special Events Field on Castillo Drive downtown. 904-479-6729. stauggreekfest.com
Oct. 13-15: BBQ and Blues Festival, Clermont. At Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards, enjoy a variety of live blues music by top class performers on the outdoor stage. Lakeridge wine, beer, soft drinks and a variety of food will be available for purchase, along with complimentary winery tours and wine tasting. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. $8, children free. 19239 U.S. 27 North. 800-768-WINE. lakeridgewinery.com
Oct. 14: Rocky Water Brew Fest, Melbourne. Some of the best breweries will be on hand for unlimited tastings in the Eau Gallie Arts District. No pets, children or strollers allowed. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets $30 if bought early or $35 at the gate. Eau Gallie Square, 587 W. Eau Gallie Blvd. rockywaterbrewfest.com
Oct. 14-15: 58th Pensacola Greek Festival, Pensacola. This annual festival features Greek food and pastries, lively music, church tours and more. 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Free. At Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 1720 W. Garden St. 850-433-2662. visitpensacola.com
Oct. 14: Oktoberfest on the Beach, Indian Rocks Beach. This beachy version of Oktoberfest features music, food, arts and crafts merchants and contests. Starts at 11 a.m. Bay Palm Boulevard. visitstpeteclearwater.com
Oct. 20-22, 27-29: Oktoberfest, Cape Coral. German tradition is alive and well in Cape Coral, home of Lee County’s largest annual Oktoberfest. Hosted by the German-American Club, event highlights include a kids’ carnival area, two stages, a giant dance floor and bands direct from Germany. Hours vary each day. Tickets $5 in advance, $6 at the gate. Children under 12 are free. At German-American Club, 2101 SW Pine Island Road. 239-283-1400. capecoraloktoberfest.com
Oct. 20-22: Upper Tampa Bay Oktoberfest, Oldsmar. Be transported to a German celebration with food, drinks, music, competitions and more. Friday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday noon to 6 p.m. $5, kids 12 and under free. 11225 Race Track Road. visitstpeteclearwater.com
Oct. 21: Mercato Brew-Ha-Ha Craft Beer Festival, Naples. Enjoy over 60 craft beers while benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities. Features live music, a silent action and more. 9132 Strada Place. 239-254-1080. paradisecoast.com
Oct. 21: Bloody Mary & Music Festival, Panama City Beach. This is an all-you-can sample experience with a full bar and food also available. Guests will also vote on the best Bloody Mary. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $20. Schooners Last Local Beach Club, 5121 Gulf Drive. visitpanamacitybeach.com
Oct. 26-29: John’s Pass Seafood Festival, Madeira Beach. Enjoy fresh seafood, live music and more in the historic John’s Pass Village. The festival will also include a Halloween block party, fishing tournament and the world’s largest Bloody Mary toast. 12901 Gult Blvd. 727-322-5217. visitstpeteclearwater.com
Oct. 27-28: Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic, Walt Disney World. Annual event with food and wine tastings and beverage seminars at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel. 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Ticket prices vary. 1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd. 888-828-8850. swandolphinfoodandwineclassic.com
Oct. 27-29: Stone Crab Festival, Naples. This annual festival connects several locations on the Old Naples Waterfront, offering fresh stone crab claws, music, art and more. Friday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. stonecrabfestival.com
Oct. 28: Oktoberfest, Casselberry. The German American Society of Central Florida puts on two festivals in October with live entertainment, dancing, stein-holding contests, beer, bratwursts, potato salad, pretzels and bounce houses for children. Pre-sale tickets $10, walk-ups $15. 81 Orange Lane. 407-834-0574. orlandogermanclub.com
Nov. 3-5: Feast of Little Italy, Jupiter. Come and enjoy all the food, music, fun and activities that await you at the 1annual Feast of Little Italy. With an average attendance of more than 70,000 people, it is the largest Italian event in the tri-county area. 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. $7, free for children 12 and under. At Abacoa Town Center, 1200 University Blvd. 561-427-0500. feastoflittleitaly.com
Nov. 3-4: Florida Seafood Festival, Apalachicola. This two-day event draws thousands of visitors to the historic town of Apalachicola in the curve of Florida’s panhandle region. The festival features delicious seafood, arts and crafts exhibits, a parade, the Blessing of the Fleet, musical entertainment, and a wide variety of seafood-related events, from oyster-eating and oyster-shucking contests to Blue Crab races and a cooking contest. Check the website for the full schedule. Battery Park, 1 Bay Ave. 850-653-4720. floridaseafoodfestival.com
Nov. 4: Safety Harbor Wine Festival, Safety Harbor. Enjoy a night of wine, live entertainment, food and crafts. Over 100 types of wine will be available to taste. 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Free. Main Street. visitstpeteclearwater.com
Nov. 4: Stone Crab Jam, Crystal River. Crystal River offers music in the streets, seafood to eat, and food and fun for all in this 10th annual festival. $10. In Downtown Crystal River. stonecrabjam.com
Nov. 4-5 Ruskin Seafood Festival, Ruskin. The annual Ruskin Seafood Festival features sun, fun and seafood. The seafood festival is Hillsborough County’s largest community event with more than 25,000 in attendance. Feast on lobster, oysters, clams, grouper, mullet, shrimp and much more. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5 adults, children under 12 free. At E.G. Simmons Park, 2401 19th Ave. 813-671-7655. ruskinseafoodfestival.org
Nov. 5: 2017 Marco Craft Beer & Fine Food Festival, Marco Island. This third-annual festival features local brewers and restaurants, along with live music, raffles and more. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. $50. 760 N. Collier Blvd. 239-394-7549. paradisecoast.com
Nov. 5: Taste of the Town, Fort Myers. This annual event, sponsored by the Junior League, features samplings from more than 40 local restaurants. The largest food and entertainment festival in Southwest Florida, attracting some 15,000 people, it also features live music and children’s entertainment. $10, children 12 and under free. At Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. 239-277-1197. facebook.com
Nov. 9-12: Greek Festival, Daytona Beach. Celebrate Greek culture and food along the Halifax River. Enjoy dancing performances, live music and fresh food. Free. At St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 134 N. Halifax Ave. 386-252-6012. daytonabeach.com
Nov. 10-12: Sponge Docks Seafood Festival, Tarpon Springs. This 30th-annual festival will feature live music, tons of local seafood and an arts and crafts show. Friday noon to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. 615 Hope St. spongedocks.net
Nov. 10-12: RibFest, St. Petersburg. This three-day fundraiser features the best BBQ ribbers in the world, as well as national touring bands playing classic and southern rock and country hits. At Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Drive. Tickets start at $25. Gates open at 11 a.m. daily. 727-528-3828. ribfest.org
Nov. 11-12: Homosassa Arts, Crafts and Seafood Festival, Old Homosassa. Sponsored by the Homosassa Civic Club, this annual event will draw arts and crafts buyers and enthusiasts. The event includes an art show, crafts, entertainment and seafood. $3 adults, free for children under 12. At the Homosassa Civic Club’s Festival Grounds, 5530 S. Mason Creek Road. 10974 West Creek Lane. 352-628-9333. homosassaseafoodfestival.org
Nov. 17-18: Chili Vibrations World Music Festival & Chili Cook-Off, Panama City Beach. This cook-off has multiple divisions, from Red Chili to Salsa to Anything Goes Chili, with all proceeds benefiting the Anchorage Children’s Home. Performers include The Hip Abduction, The Movement, Passafire and more. $25 to $45. At Spinnaker Beach Club and Paradise Grill, 8795 Thomas Drive. chilivibrations.com
Nov. 18: Downtown Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, Melbourne. This second-annual celebration will feature more than 50 restaurants, wineries and breweries. It will also include cultural demonstrations, live entertainment, cooking competitions and more. 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. $75. 700-1100 E. New Haven Ave. 321-430-3293. melbournefoodandwine.com
Nov. 18-19: Yankeetown Seafood and Arts Festival, Yankeetown. This 36th-annual event showcases great local seafood plus arts and crafts and live musical entertainment. Free, with a donation encouraged. At Riverside Drive. yankeetownseafoodfestival.com
idantonio@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5700
