Fantasy Fest: Key West Halloween Festival 2024 in Key West & Florida Keys

Every October, when thousands of people take part in Fantasy Fest, Key West turns into Rio! You'll encounter tons of amazing costumes, carnival cheer, and excitement! Fantasy Fest is an annual ten-day carnival in a tropical paradise that celebrates creativity, imagination, freedom, and music. The festival was founded in 1979 by locals looking for ways to attract more visitors to the island. Since then, it has become one of the major annual events in Key West, drawing thousands of fun-loving party-goers from all over the world.

Fantasy Fest: Key West Halloween Festival Events and Activities

Fantasy Fest is much-lauded for its colorful parades, and each year, there is a new theme for costumes and floats. The parade snakes down Duval street, full of luxuriously decorated floats and numerous entertainers while thousands of spectators line Duval street to witness this fantastic occasion. The parade always takes place on Saturday, at 7 pm. After a fun eight-week campaign, which includes a singing competition, a Sunday BINGO, and a Saturday Red Shirt Run, people also select the Fantasy Fest King and Queen.

The Bud Light Fantasy Fest Parade is another event worth attending, featuring a moving party with festive floats, wild walking groups, bicycle brigades, and human-powered kinetic machines.

Many attendees go through amazing body painting transformations, letting their fantasy loose during the festival. Other events of the Fantasy Fest also include Beach Bash, Zombie Bike Ride, Bahama Village Goombay Festival, and much more. So, just pick what suits you best and have an amazing time!

Festival History

Held since 1979, the Key West Halloween Festival was established by Bill Conkle, Tony Falcone, Joe Liszka and Frank Romano, who aimed to attract visitors to Key West’s Duval Street for an earlier start to the lucrative winter season. Fantasy Fest has grown in popularity over the years and now features over 60 parties, costume parades, street fairs and glamorous balls, and the spectacular Fantasy Fest Parade.