This year’s Bud Light Fantasy Fest Parade with its out-of-this-world floats, marching groups and cosmic kinetic creations will kick off at 7:00pm on Saturday, Oct. 26. (Photo Larry Blackburn/FantasyFest.com)
Fantasy Fest 2024 is coming up soon, and this year's schedule is packed with attractions centering around the theme “It’s a 90s NEON Cosmic Carnival!” Fantasy Fest, in Key West Florida, is set to run October 18-27, 2024.
Fantasy Fest 2024 – Are You Ready For An Out-Of-This-World Extravaganza?
Here's a look at some of the upcoming Fantasy Fest 2024 highlights. Complete information for events, times, locations, and contest entry links can be found at http://www.fantasyfest.com:
- Robert the Doll’s Frightful Façade Contest: Robert the Doll, Key West’s world-renowned haunted historic toy, dares Key West, Florida residents and business owners to decorate your digs for a chance to win cash prizes and everlasting glory. Go ghoulish, go “Tribute to Robert,” or roll with this year’s “It’s a 90s NEON Cosmic Carnival!” Fantasy Fest 2024 theme. The choice is yours, with Robert’s permission! Final day to enter is Mon. Oct. 14; judging will take place Oct. 21.
- Oct. 15-25: Don’t dream it – be it! “The Rocky Horror Show – The Musical” brings the infamous cult favorite to the Waterfront Playhouse stage.
- Oct. 18: The Royal Coronation event to crown the Fantasy Fest 2024 King and Queen at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater is a fabulous 2-hour stage show that features entertainment by the competitors along with a line-up of local celebrities. Benefits the Florida Keys SPCA.
- Oct. 18 and 19: The Bahama Village Goombay Festival welcomes revelers of all ages to celebrate island arts and crafts, music and food in Key West’s historic Bahama Village neighborhood.
- Oct. 18-24: “Star Wars Strips: A Burlesque Parody” at the Key West Theater offers light-sabers and laughs with a cheeky twist on some of the “space opera’s” most popular story episodes.
Fantasy Fest 2024
- Oct. 20: Brain food anyone? The annual Zombie Bike Ride kicks off at Fort East Martello in the afternoon with fun and entertainment, including body painting, food and beverage vendors and a kids zone. In the evening, thousands of zombies of all ages bike to the Coffee Butler Amphitheater for a free Zombiefest Dance Party presented by Rams Head Presents.
- Oct. 21: Mrs. Roper’s Romp: Break out your colorful caftan’s and that signature curly red wig for a groovy “Three’s Company” inspired party at the Sunset Pier filled with music, photo ops, dancing, games, and prizes.
- Oct. 21: Sloppy Joe’s Comic Book Cape-ers Party: Come dressed as your favorite caped superhero or villain and groove to live music, dancing, and a costume contest with prizes for 1st-3rd place winners.
- Oct. 22: Florida Keys Council of the Arts Fantasy Fest poster-signing event at the La Concha Hotel. Buy your poster and have it signed by winning design competition artist Theresa Chiechi, and stock up on other collectable Fantasy Fest 2024 t-shirts and swag.
- Oct. 22: It’s Tutu Tuesday with its annual epic dance party that happens across multiple Caroline St. district area venues. Tutu required!
- Oct. 23: Costume yourself and your critter(s) to compete, or applaud from the audience at the annual wild and wacky Pet Masquerade at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. Registration fees benefit the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm.
- Oct. 23: The 12th Annual LUV2GLOW Party: Experience Rick’s Upstairs on Duval St as the LUV2GLOW team transforms it into a glowing universe. Think aliens, 90s rave gear, planets, stars, astronauts and deep space as you plan your galactic UV black-light reactive costumes around this year’s Fantasy Fest theme.
- Oct. 24: The 41st Annual Key West Headdress Ball, presented by the Key West Business Guild at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater showcases a galaxy of out-of-this-world headdresses modeled by their creators, along with exciting entertainment by some of the island’s best local talent.
- Oct. 25: All-hands-on-deck for the Captain Morgan Masquerade March, as costumed creatives parade through Old Town Key West Florida, stopping along the route for adult beverage samples provided by selected guest houses.
- Oct. 26: It’s the world famous Bud Light Fantasy Fest Parade in Old Town Key West, featuring fabulous floats, magnificent marching groups, cool kinetic contraptions, and neon cosmic creativity. An awesome island tradition since 1979!
- Oct. 27: Children’s Day from noon to 5pm at Bayview Park features food, rides, games, arts and crafts, and a costume contest for the kids.
- Oct. 27: Don your fabulous feathers for “The Fat Lady Sings” Tea Dance from 4-8pm at La Te Da on Duval Street—the final official Fantasy Fest 2024 celebration.
- Oct 28: The 2025 Fantasy Fest theme will be announced.
3 of The Top Attractions in the US Are In Florida
The 2024 Travelers' Choice® Awards Best of the Best Things to Do list is out and there's a reason why so many people vacation in Florida. 25 of the most loved top attractions in the US made the list, highlighting the highest rated experiences and attractions around the world and in the US based on Tripadvisor reviews.
What's number one? The Empire State Building in New York City climbed to the top as the No. 1 attraction, not just in the US, but globally. Reviewers are wowed by the 360-degree view of New York, where they can point out all of their favorite landmarks and see up to six states on a clear day. Over 300 reviews deem it a "once in a lifetime" experience and more than 8,000 5-star reviews put this tourist spot on top. Another New York iconic spot also made the top 3 top attractions in the US list.
Top Attractions in the US
Kristen Dalton, President of Tripadvisor states "Experiences make a trip, and our Best of the Best Things to Do Awards offer some of the highest-rated activities from across the world, highlighted by our community of travelers. Whether you're a thrill seeker or a leisurely explorer, the 'Best of the Best' badge has the seal of approval from global travelers as a source of inspiration for an unforgettable vacation."
Top Attractions in Florida
Florida still maintains itself as a major tourist destination with 3 of the top attractions in the US being here in the Sunshine State. As a 20 year resident of Florida, I love doing touristy things, but I'm kind of disappointed in myself. I've not been to any of these 3 attractions. Yet.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Scuba diving or snorkeling is the best way to view this park, but glass bottom boat tours are also available. TripAdvisor has this park, located in Key Largo, as the 4th best attraction in the United States. So what makes it so special?
In 1960 the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was named the United States' first undersea park. The Florida Keys have the only living coral reef in the continental United States. The in 1965, it got much more interesting.
On August 25th, 1965 the Christ of the Abyss was lowered into the water at a depth of 25 feet. The bronze statue still rests there with the top at a depth of 8-10 feet below the surface. Visible to snorkelers, but best viewed with SCUBA gear.
Stetson Mansion
We didn't have to go very far down the list to find the next Florida entry. The Stetson Mansion is listed as the 5th best top attraction in the US.
The Stetson Mansion is in Deland, Florida, just off I4 between Orlando and Daytona Beach. It's referred to as "Florida's first luxury estate". Built in 1886 the mansion is actually older than the city of Miami. And if you're wondering why the name "Stetson" sounds familiar, the mansion was built for famed hat maker John B. Stetson.
The mansion is not currently open for tours, but Christmas Tours are offered 2-7 times daily Nov 1st, 2024 - Jan 18th, 2025. I'm hearing Christmas is the best time to visit, so this might be something to put on your bucket list.
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Another Florida keys attraction, this one further down in Key West, is not a museum, but a living exhibit. Their website sums it up "Take a walk among hundreds of free flying butterflies, exotic birds and 2 glorious flamingos inside the soaring glass-domed tropical butterfly habitat."
Let one of their guides teach you about nature, pointing out the different butterflies and colorful flowers. When you're done, don't forget to hit up the gift shop.
The Top Attractions in the US
See the top 25 Best of the Best Attractions in the US here
