Events Bradenton Blues Festival One of the area’s largest music festivals returns with a strong lineup of national and regional blues acts playing over a three-day stretch. Also enjoy local craft beer and food tents along with after-party celebrations. When: Early Dec. Where: Riverwalk Pavilion, downtown Bradenton Web: http://www.bradentonbluesfestival.org Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade There are many Florida holiday boat parades, but this one, known as “12 miles of the greatest show on H20,” is the leader of the pack. When: Dec. 16 Where: Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach Web: winterfestparade.com NOVEMBER Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Where else but the Venice of America would you nd this amazing event? You’ll see thousands of vessels, including some of the largest luxury yachts in the world. When: Nov. 2-6 Where: Various locations in Fort Lauderdale Web: showmanagement.com Foo Foo Festival This eclectic, two-week-long lineup of arts and culture events includes the Great Gulfcoast Arts Fest and the Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival. When: Nov. 2-14 Where: Pensacola Web: foofoofest.com Celebrate Twice Take the free trolley between Port St. Joe (EST) and Mexico Beach (CST) to pop the bubbly and ring in the New Year from two time zones. When: Dec. 31 Where: Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach Web: www.celebratetwice.com Nights of Lights Fairchild Fall Garden Festival & 77th Ramble Experience the magic of one of the 10 best holiday light displays in the world by trolley, horse-drawn carriage, boat or on foot. When: Nov. – Dec. Where: St. Augustine Web: oridashistoriccoast.com/nights Key West New Year’s Eve Anybody can drop a glitter ball and call it a year, but nobody does New Year’s Eve like Key West. Highlights include the Pirate Wench Drop, Giant Shoe Drop and the Conch Shell Drop. When: Dec. 31 Where: Key West Web: www. a-keys.com/calendarofevents It’s South Florida’s most beloved garden party. Included will be cooking classes, gardening demos, a beer garden and the usual Ramble traditions: art, antiques, rare books, gourmet food and more than 15,000 plants for sale. When: Nov. 10-12 Where: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables Web: fairchildgarden.org Ribfest The rich smell of smoked meat and rock music ll the air as some of the region’s best “ribbers” and BBQ cooks bring their best to this three-day charity fundraiser, now in its 28th year. When: Nov. TBA Where: Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg Web: ribfest.org DECEMBER Art Basel Top galleries from all over the world will showcase works by masters of modern and contemporary art. Don’t miss the dozen or so smaller but wildly eclectic satellite art shows, too. When: Early Dec. Where: Miami Beach Convention Center and nearby by beaches and parks Web: artbasel.com Find more events online! 78 4 VISITFLORIDA.com Explore the full collection of Florida happenings at VISITFLORIDA.com/events PHOTOS: REALIZE BRADENTON; COURTESY ART BASEL
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