Fantasy Fest

Name: Fantasy Fest
Start: 2026-10-16
End: 2026-10-25
Location: Key West, FL

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Carnival & ParadeKey West

Dates16–25 October 2026Confirmed listing

Duration10 daysListed event span

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forMasks, paradesFounded in 1979 by four Key West residents

LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD

CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type

The story

Fantasy Fest in Key West

Fantasy Fest is a ten-day adult-oriented street party held in the last week of October in Key West, Florida, founded in 1979 and built around a krewe-driven costume parade, a Coronation Ball benefiting local AIDS care services, and Duval Street gatherings that close out the island's hurricane-season low tourist period.

Fantasy Fest began in 1979 as a practical fix to an economic problem: four Key West residents, Bill Conkle, Tony Falcone, Joe Liszka, and Frank Romano, wanted a way to lure visitors to the island during the slow, hurricane-season stretch of late October, when tourism traditionally dried up.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

Founded in 1979 by four Key West residents, including bar owner Bill Conkle, to draw visitors during the slow autumn season, Fantasy Fest has grown into an event compared to New Orleans Mardi Gras and Rio Carnival

The mystery stays covered

Krewes fund and build elaborate parade floats costing thousands of dollars, competing for a Conch King and Queen title decided at a Coronation Ball that doubles as a fundraiser for local AIDS care services

The city starts moving

Body paint, sexual-themed costuming, and a designated Fantasy Zone where painted nudity is permitted on the closing weekend set it apart from more family-oriented Halloween events, while a distinct daytime Pet Masquerade and children's activities keep an alternate track running alongside the adult scene

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The Coronation Ball selecting the Conch King and Queen

Water and renewal

Living ritual

held as an AIDS-service fundraiser

The sacred route

Living ritual

anchors the event's civic and charitable roots in Key West's tourism economy

The local code

Living ritual

modeled loosely on the New Orleans krewe system

Tradition 5

Living ritual

build and finance their own floats independently of festival organizers

Tradition 6

Living ritual

echoing Gulf Coast carnival traditions transplanted to the Florida Keys

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

16–25 October 2026

Getting around

Use Key West transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Costumes and body paint are the norm rather than the exception; many attendees wear elaborate or minimal outfits themed to the year's announced theme. Given Key West's humid, warm...

Safety

Keep valuables light, set a meeting point, and give processions room to move.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Key West, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map24.56 N, 81.78 W Open in Google Maps

Key West, FL

Nearest airportEYW — Key West

TransportUse Key West transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

Stay areaStay near workable transport in Key West, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Key West via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Key West, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for October.Compare fares Festival gearCostumes and body paint are the norm rather than the exception; many attendees wear elaborate or minimal outfits themed to the year's announced theme. Given Key West's humid, warm late-October climate, lightweight fabrics, sun protection, and comfortable closed-toe shoes for walking on pavement are practical under any costume.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Fantasy Fest?

Fantasy Fest is listed for 16–25 October 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Fantasy Fest take place?

The festival is listed in Key West, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

10 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Key West, FL

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLfantasyfest.com

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

SourceSource link available

Listed dates16–25 October 2026

Source statusOfficial source linked

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

Fantasy Fest

Fantasy Fest in Key West

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The city starts moving

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Tradition 5

Tradition 6

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

Key West, FL

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

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