All You Need to Know About Fantasy Festival – Key West
Keywest of Florida is famous for its water sports, fantasy festivals, and the different types of beach adventure games. This fest is the premier masked and costume party for grown-up people.
When talking about Florida, the beautiful beaches and sunny weather first come to mind, and the beachside is full of beautiful gods and goddesses with minimal clothes and beautifully painted bodies.
But in 2020, the Fantasy Fest date and time were missed for the first time. The pandemic is upon us, so for the distance maintenance issues and the COVID-19 alarm, the authority to stop the festival.
Many tourist dreams are shattered, especially those planning to visit the fantasy festival. But the good thing is that the festival was held in October 2021. If you are curious about the festival, here’s an article you’ll be interested in reading.
COVID-19 & Fantasy Festival – Key West
As the festival started back 41 years ago, the festival authority canceled the 2020 fantasy meet, but here comes the good news. The festival authority announces its 42nd fantasy festival in KeyWest in October 2021.
Now more questions are arising in your mind like:
- What will be the festival’s timing in the coming years?
- How could I book for this festival?
- What types of costumes are allowed here?
- Can I visit here with my family members?
- What type of entertainment is there?
If these questions are just popping into your mind, do not get frustrated. At the end of the article, you will get the full idea about the Fantasy Fest Key West and the dates for the festivals in the years to come.
The Facts Of The Fantasy Fest Key West
The festival was first initiated in 1979. After that year, each year, the festival carried forward the customs. In 2020 this festival was canceled due to the pandemic situation, but the fest authority fixed the 42nd Fantasy Festival time in October 2021.
Here is some important information for the traveler who wants to visit the festival.
1. The History Of The Fantasy Festival
The first time Fantasy Fest was initiated in 1979. For the first time, almost 60,000 people were visiting this Festival. After that year, the program carried forward the tradition. The tradition of this festival is coming from the concept of attracting the tourist during the slow tourism time.
Each year the festival theme was different. The Festival committee is deciding the theme of the festival. The people who are gathering here choose their outfits according to their theme, and most of the time, the outfit is quite fascinating and very attractive. The tradition of the elected King and the Queens are the most thrilling episode of the festival.
2. Date, Time And The Duration Of The Festival
The date and time of the festival were quite a fixed schedule, but the Fantasy Festival was canceled due to the pandemic situation in 2020. But in 2021, the fest authority bounced back with a robust entertainment package for the tourists. The festival duration spanned from October 22 to 31st October.
People experienced different glitter gods and goddesses on the streets, and these whole ten days 24, hours entertainment was arranged. The merrymaker to glitter or leather goddess, women, superman, everything will be here.
The fantasy fest key west energy is the main key attraction of the Festival. If you want to travel to the Florida Key West to attend the festival, then you can do so. But it’s important to check the date of the festival every year. Also, unless there are problems like COVID-19, it should happen as usual.
3. The Festival Programs
The Fantasy Festival programs are always very glittery and glamorous. The Fest’s key attraction is the colorful parade and featuring the comical floats with fantasy comic outfits wearing people. The floats and the parade are fully decorated with multiple color comic outfits wearing people.
The fantasy fest has multiple options for the entertainments like body painting and the many art-related entertainment works. The competitions of the artworks are also organized here so you can try to paint some and participate in the fun acts. If you are asking about the fun acts then we must say this 60% of the Festival programs are associated with adult entertainment acts. But if you are traveling there with your family, then there are some family-oriented programs and schedules are also available.
Keywest is the beach city, the weather and the climate are always humid. The beautiful crowd with minimal clothes and the colorful body makes the weather hotter. And the last of the entertainment is associated with the annually elected Conch King and Queen.
4.The Key West Beach Attractions
Key West City beach is itself full of entertainment. But when at the time of Fantasy Festival, the ambiance was jam-packed with a parade, carnivals, poolside parties, and full of rock and roll musical performances. The bar pubs and the parties are all time open everywhere on the streets. So enjoyments do not get any full stop during the fest.
If you are interested in participating in any events, you will get multiple options to attain party adventures. The day and night all time entertainments are just everywhere. The costumes are the main attractions of these parties. The ball performance dances and the contest are decided as per the aspect of the festival themes and the attire. The events are also based on your costumes and the party theme.
Fantasy Festival- Key West: Things to Look Out for
Key West decks itself up during Christmas, and this festival is one of the most important attractions to look out for. Whether you love cosplay, body paint, or 24 hours of partying and celebrating, this is where you belong when the year-end is just around the corner. Here are a few things you must look out for –
1. A Judgement-Free Place
Not just a place; this entire event is a judgment-free one, and people from all over the world participate here. Everyone is welcome, irrespective of their race, gender, color, or sexual orientation. The funny thing is: you can wear whatever you want and even choose to wear nothing with body paint on, and no one will bat an eye.
2. More than Just a Party
It’s a party, not just dedicated to the fun of it. They do it for several social causes like fundraising for local non-profits, Key West High School Tracks, Reef Relief, Florida Keys SPCA etc.
3. Heaven for the Cosplayers
Do you love to cosplay? Would you rather roam around town dressed as Batman than stay home enjoying the holidays with your so-called Peace? Well, be my guest. You can take a small trip to Walmart, buy your favorite costume, and join the parade. You’ll see many Captain America and Wonder Women out in town.
4. The Theme Changes Yearly
There’s no way this is getting boring. You won’t see the same costume party every year. They have a theme dedicated to the festival for the costume. It keeps changing every year. So, you’ll see new spirit, new colors, and so much more every year.
5. Packed With Events
They have a schedule for the events, and they are doing something new every day. You may look out for festival attractions like Pu Pu Platter, The Royal Coronation, Zombie Bikes, Toga Party, Living Art Expo, etc.
The Fantasy Festival is an all-time favorite among the local people. The local hosting city is also participating in the parade. The dining options and the beach party’s all over the place. This Festival is ten days long, and the entertainments are just everywhere.
Fantasy Fest 2024: How Was it This Year?
This year, it was a call back to the 1990s. The carnival was called the Neon Cosmic Carnival. The Grand Mashals, David L. Sloan, and Robert the Doll invited the participants to glitter, glow, and dance. It went from 18th October to 27th of October this year.
Fantasy Fest from 2025 to 2029
There’s always the next year to wait for if you missed the Fantasy Fest this year. Here are the dates for the Fantasy Fest from 2025 to 2029 –
| Year | Fantasy Fest Starts | Fantasy Fest Ends |
| 2025 | 10/17 | 10/26 |
| 2026 | 10/16 | 10/25 |
| 2027 | 10/22 | 10/31 |
| 2028 | 10/20 | 10/29 |
| 2029 | 10/19 | 10/28 |
Conclusion
The Fantasy Festival is an all-time favorite among the local people. The local hosting city also participates in the parade every year. The dining options and the beach party are all over the place. This Festival lasts for roughly ten days and the entertainment takes a wild and amazing level.
In most years, as per the table provided above, you can expect the festival to start a week or two before Halloween. If you are planning to be in the festival in the next year, mark your calendar now.
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