🎭 Fantasy Fest 2025: Key West's Most Uninhibited Island Celebration
Duval Street is never quiet. But once a year, it explodes into a kaleidoscope of color, chaos, creativity — and costumes. Welcome to Fantasy Fest 2025, the most outrageous, flamboyant, and downright fun 10-day festival in the Florida Keys. Scheduled from October 17 to 26, this year’s extravaganza promises more glitter, glow, and groove than ever.
Let’s dive into the heart of this iconic event, and why every island lover, costume connoisseur, and spirited traveler should have Fantasy Fest on their bucket list.
🎃 A Brief History of Fantasy Fest
In the 1970s, October in Key West was considered the off-season. Local businesses struggled as the summer crowds dispersed, and winter snowbirds hadn’t arrived yet. That all changed in 1979, when four visionary locals — Bill Conkle, Tony Falcone, Joe Liszka, and Frank Romano — decided to throw a giant party inspired by Halloween and Key West’s costume-loving culture.
Their parade idea was a hit — and Fantasy Fest was born.
Since then, the event has grown into a legendary celebration of self-expression, drawing tens of thousands of revelers from around the globe to this quirky little island.
📅 Fantasy Fest 2025 Schedule: What You Need to Know
Fantasy Fest isn’t just a weekend blowout — it’s a full-on, ten-day spectacle from October 17 to 26, 2025, packed with iconic traditions, outrageous costume contests, themed pool parties, and nightly adventures that range from quirky to scandalous. While the official schedule won't be finalized until early to mid-September, there are annual anchor events that Fantasy Fest regulars know and love — and you can already start planning around them.
The party kicks off on Friday, October 17, with the Royal Coronation, where the King and Queen of Fantasy Fest are crowned in fabulous style. That same day and Saturday, the streets of Bahama Village come alive with the Goombay Festival — a lively, family-friendly celebration filled with island music, local food, and vibrant culture.
Come Sunday, October 19, it’s time to get spooky with one of Fantasy Fest’s most beloved traditions — the Zombie Bike Ride. Thousands of costumed cyclists take over the island, riding from Fort East Martello into downtown Key West in full zombie garb. The day starts with body painting and family fun, and ends with a full-on zombie dance party.
Monday, the 20th, ramps up the heat with several themed parties, including the Kinky Carnival, the Fantasy Fest 5K Run/Walk, and the Comic Book Cape-ers party. You can also swing by Sloppy Joe’s Tops or Bottoms Underwear Party if you’re ready to bare a bit more.
Then it’s Tutu Tuesday, a Fantasy Fest staple. Whether you're rocking neon fluff or metallic feathers, you’ll be joining a day-long extravaganza that includes Captain Tony’s Party in Plaid, pre-party bar crawls, and the legendary Tutu Tuesday Dance Party, where admission literally requires a tutu.
Wednesday is your chance to get weird — in the best way. You’ve got the Homemade Bikini Contest, the Sloppy Joe’s Slumber Party, and full-on retro vibes with Wharfstock. Don’t miss LUV2GLOW, the official blacklight dance party — a surreal experience in glowing dreams, body paint, and pulsing beats.
On Thursday, the festival gets even more flamboyant with the Headdress Ball — a fierce, glamorous contest judged from the shoulders up. You’ll also find the Sloppy Joe’s Toga Party, the cheeky Pink Party at Fat Tuesday, and the always unpredictable Exposed at Bourbon St. Pub bash.
By Friday, the build-up reaches full fever pitch. It’s time for the Fantasy Fest Street Fair, the sexy Playboy Mansion Pool Party, the spectacular Living Art Expo, and most importantly, the Captain Morgan Masquerade March — a local-favorite parade where thousands stroll Old Town in elaborate, eccentric costumes. The march ends in a full-on downtown dance party, but the vibe continues all night.
The crown jewel of Fantasy Fest happens on Saturday, October 25 — the Fantasy Fest Parade. Starting at 7 PM, the streets of Key West transform into a glittering, music-filled, costumed wonderland. Expect giant floats, elaborate walking groups, dazzling dancers, and wild surprises. It’s loud, it’s beautiful, and it’s pure Fantasy Fest magic.
Finally, Sunday, October 26, is the calm after the storm — sort of. It starts with chill events like Children’s Day at Bayview Park and recovery pool parties across town, before ending with one last hurrah: The Fat Lady Sings Tea Dance at La Te Da. If you've got anything left in the tank, this is your moment to dance it out under the Key West sun one last time.
So whether you’re planning your week around costume contests, drag shows, pool parties, or the big parade, there’s something unforgettable happening every single day during Fantasy Fest 2025.
🛏️ Where to Stay: Close to the Action or Off-the-Grid?
Fantasy Fest is notoriously busy, so book your accommodations early — ideally 7–10 months in advance.
If you want to be in the thick of the party, look for lodging near Duval Street. Want a more relaxed retreat to sleep off your hangovers? Choose hotels on Stock Island or the New Town side of the island.
Check the Fantasy Fest Where to Stay page for trusted lodging partners that match your vibe — from luxury waterfront resorts to charming boutique guesthouses.
🚲 Getting Around Key West During Fantasy Fest
Ditch your car — Key West is all about pedal, stroll, and party. Here’s how locals and savvy visitors do it:
- 🚶 Walking: Everything in Old Town is within a 15-minute walk.
- 🚲 Biking: Rent a cruiser or electric bike from a local shop.
- 🚕 Pedicabs: The most fun (and festive) ride in town.
- 🚌 Free Duval Loop Bus: Easy, convenient, and air-conditioned.
🚨 Heads up: Duval Street and adjacent areas get PACKED during the big events. Be mindful of traffic restrictions and always plan ahead.
🎟️ Tickets & VIP Access
Fantasy Fest is a mix of free street events and ticketed experiences. You can buy tickets for most events via KeysTix.com or directly through the hosting venue.
Popular ticketed parties include:
- The Headdress Ball
- LUV2GLOW Party
- Fantasy Fest Parade VIP Viewing Parties
- Poolside Foam Parties at Bourbon St. Pub
- Couples-Only Kinky Events at 801 Bourbon Bar
🎟️ Many of these events sell out fast, so don’t wait until October to grab your spot!
✨ Daily Diversions You Won’t Want to Miss
When you're not parading in costume or sipping cocktails by the pool, check out these daily Fantasy Fest activities:
- 📸 Selfie with the King & Queen Sculpture (Chamber of Commerce)
- 🖼️ Q-Rated Fashion Exhibit by drag legend Qmitch
- 🎤 Karaoke Nights at The Empourium
- 🎨 Femme Fatale Body Art on Sunset Pier
- 🍸 Happy Hours & Hydration Stations (Yes, even IV hydration pop-ups!)
Plus, locals go all-out in the Fantasy Façade decorating contest, where houses and businesses transform into spooky, sparkly showstoppers.
👮 Code of Conduct: Keep It Fun (and Legal)
Fantasy Fest is wild, but there are rules:
- 🧴 Body paint is allowed — but ONLY within designated “Fantasy Zones.”
- 🙅 Nudity and lewd acts in public are illegal — you will be fined or arrested.
- 🍹 Keep your drinks in plastic or paper cups, and stay inside the Fantasy Zone when sipping alcohol.
- 🎒 No backpacks, coolers, weapons, or glass containers allowed.
The official Fantasy Zone is Duval Street from Front Street to Truman Avenue, from 4 PM to 4 AM daily.
🏆 2025 Fantasy Fest Parade: The Crown Jewel
The Fantasy Fest Parade rolls down Duval Street on Saturday, October 25 at 7PM. This is the moment the island waits for all year — a wild spectacle of:
- 🚚 Glittering floats
- 👯 Massive walking groups
- 🚲 Kinetic contraptions
- 🎭 Elaborate costumes
- 🥁 Pulsing music and lights
With over 70,000 attendees, this is the event that defines Key West’s spirit of inclusion, expression, and absolutely unfiltered joy.
Looking for the best view? Get a VIP seat at:
- The Hard Rock Café Balcony Party
- Mangoes Parade Party
- La Te Da Streetside VIP Viewing
- Surly Siren Saloon
- Viva Argentinian Steakhouse's VIP Dinner
- Island House’s Exclusive VIP Bash
🏝️ The Fantasy Isn’t Over on Sunday...
Close out your Key West adventure with Sunday’s chill-and-recover lineup:
- 🧘 Hangover Pool Parties
- 🎾 Pickleball & Tennis Fundraisers
- 🍔 Family-friendly Children’s Day at Bayview Park
- 🎉 “The Fat Lady Sings” Tea Dance at La Te Da
This is the final note of your wild Fantasy symphony — one more dance, one more cocktail, and one last sunset on the island.
🎉 Plan Early, Dress Wild & Embrace the Madness
Fantasy Fest 2025 is more than a festival — it's an experience of liberation, artistry, and tropical revelry. Whether you’re rocking a tutu on Tuesday or biking as a zombie on Sunday, every day offers a new way to unleash your inner party animal.
Costumes are a must. Creativity is celebrated. And Key West? It’s ready for you.
🧜♀️ Don’t just attend Fantasy Fest — become part of it.
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