Calendar of Events for Key West

Sculpture Key West
This contemporary art exhibit opens at the East and West Martello Museums, open through April 14.

Nature Photographer Clyde Butcher Exhibit
An extensive exhibit of large-format, black and white masterpieces by Florida’s preeminent nature photographer, showing at the Bryan Gallery at the Custom House through April 22.

Key West Symphony presents: “A Gift of Music – A Starry Night in Paradise”
April 10-11: The symphony performs a free, outdoor concert at 8:15 p.m. at historic Fort Zachary Taylor.

13th Annual Robert Frost Poetry Festival
April 11-15: This festival features poetry and haiku workshops and readings and contests at the Robert Frost Cottage at the Heritage House Museum.

Key West Symphony Presents: “Fire and Ice”
April 13-14: A symphony performance of works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninoff and Sibelius, featuring pianist Adam Golka at the Tennessee Williams Theatre.

World Sailfish Championship
April 17-21: Three days of hard-fought fishing, complemented by three evenings of food, drinks, fun and entertainment, including a free concert, gourmet meals and VIP parties.

25th Conch Republic Independence Celebration
April 20-29: Enjoy parades, bed races, parties and a wacky “drag race,” commemorating the founding of the Conch Republic on April 23, 1982.

12th Annual Taste of Key West
April 30: Area restaurants present delicious samples of their cuisine to benefit AIDS Help Inc. Takes place at the Truman Waterfront overlooking Key West Harbor.

Key West Songwriter’s Festival
May 2-5: The 12th-annual showcase, presented by the Hog's Breath Saloon, of musical magic features America's foremost performing songwriters, with concerts staged in island settings.

Shell Key West Challenge
May 17-19: Benefiting the Diabetes Research Institute, highly-skilled anglers are to pursue a variety of offshore fish.

Yamaha Dolphins Masters Invitational
May 26: Experienced offshore captains will search for the colorful and acrobatic dolphin fish and a great first prize.

PrideFest Key West
June 1-9: A festival honoring diversity, openness and freedom in a city recognized as one of the world's top gay and lesbian vacation destinations.

Harry S. Truman Legacy Symposium
June 9-11: Panel discussions, a reception and tours of the Little White House where former President Harry Truman worked and relaxed during his time in office.

Swordfish Event of the Key West Fishing Tournament Series
June 16-17: An overnight tournament where anglers strive to achieve the most releases of swordfish.

Fifth Annual Mercury/IGFA Junior Angler World Championship Tournament
June 17-19: Children ages 5-16 will compete in this all-release championship after winning one of over 30 qualifying fishing tournaments.

Key West Gator Club Dolphin Derby
June 22-24: Anglers will compete to catch dolphin fish, to raise money for college scholarships.

Conch Republic Ladies Dolphin Tournament
June 30: For ladies only, male captains and teammates allowed. Event includes cash prizes.

Del Brown Invitational Permit Tournament
July 17-20: Fly fishing in honor of the late angling pioneer Del Brown, who caught and released more than 500 permit off the Keys.

Hemingway Days Festival
July 17-22: This event celebrates the legendary author’s work and life. There will be literary readings, a short story competition, a museum exhibit, a fishing tournament and the Sloppy Joe’s Look-Alike Contest.

Key West Marlin Tournament
July 18-21: Anglers will hunt in the same waters plied by novelist Ernest Hemingway. The event is at the same time as the Key West’s annual Hemingway Days Festival.

Lobsterfest
August 11, from noon to 11p.m: The island celebrates the opening of the annual lobster season with offerings ranging from appetizers to full dinners from 16 local restaurants in the 100, 200, 300 and 400 blocks of Duval Street.

Womanfest
September 4-9: A lesbian-oriented festival featuring art shows, sailing and snorkeling, comedy performances and other activities.

Mercury Redbone Celebrity S.L.A.M. (Southernmost Light-Tackle Anglers Masters) Celebrity Tournament
September 7-9: This will be the first of the annual fall Redbone Trilogy events to raise money to fight cystic fibrosis. Top anglers and celebrities are to target tarpon, permit and bonefish with light tackle.

Goombay Festival
October 19-20: In Key West's historic Bahama Village neighborhood, the lively Goombay Festival has island-style food, handmade African arts and crafts, nonstop live entertainment and dancing in the streets.

29th Annual Fantasy Fest
October 19-28: “Gnomes, Toads and White Rabbit Tea Parties” is the theme for this 10-day celebration of costume competitions, promenades and street fairs, and a grand parade featuring marching groups and lavish floats.

Key West World Championship
November 4-11: High-speed powerboats in a challenge described as the Indianapolis 500 of powerboat racing.

Pirates in Paradise 2007
November 29-December 2: Historic Key West and Fort Taylor become a pirates’ stronghold with pirate entertainers, tall ships, sea battles, arts and crafts, pirate sails, a living history encampment and nonstop entertainment to celebrate Key West’s maritime history.

Pirates in Paradise 2007
November 29-December 2: Historic Key West and Fort Taylor become a pirates’ stronghold with pirate entertainers, tall ships, sea battles, arts and crafts, pirate sails, a living history encampment and nonstop entertainment to celebrate Key West’s maritime history.

Key West New Year’s Eve Celebrations
December 31st: Festivities include a “conch shell drop” at Sloppy Joe's Bar, 201 Duval St.; the descent of a 6-foot red high heel shoe carrying drag queen Sushi at the Bourbon Street Pub/New Orleans House complex, 724 Duval St.; and the descent of a pirate wench from the mast of the tall ship Liberty Clipper in the island city’s Historic Seaport.

Key West Lighted Boat Parade
Local leaders, civic clubs and churches parade through historic Key West. Date TBA.