If you’re looking to take advantage of the beautiful Florida weather this week, don’t miss the 90th annual Florida Strawberry Festival!
The week-long celebration , currently underway in Plant City, offers attendees a rich blend of agricultural exhibits, live entertainment, and, of course, an abundance of strawberry-themed delights. The festival, which began on February 27 and runs through March 9, 2025, celebrates the Central Florida region’s status as the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.” The event is consistently rated as one of the best things to do in Central Florida.
According to the Florida Strawberry Festival website, “The Florida Strawberry Festival represents a piece of Americana, a time in American history when fairs and festivals brought communities together through celebrations of their harvests. It has continued to grow in popularity year after year through the preservation of this heritage. Central to its focus, the Festival continues to preserve and enhance the agricultural and historical legacy of the Florida strawberry.”
Each year, the Florida Strawberry Festival attracts visitors from across the nation, eager to partake in its unique combination of traditional fair attractions and strawberry-centric offerings. The festival grounds are adorned with various exhibits showcasing local agriculture, fine arts, horticulture, and crafts. Attendees can also enjoy thrilling rides, contests, and parades that reflect the community’s rich heritage.
Headliner Concerts
A crowd favorite of the festival is its lineup of headline entertainers performing on the Wish Farms Soundstage. Tickets vary in price for the concerts. Here’s the lineup!
Sunday, March 2, 2025
7:30 PM Bailey Zimmerman
Monday March 3, 2025
3:30 PM Cornell Gunter’s Coasters, The Drifters, The Platters
7:30 PM Boyz II Men
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
3:30 PM Sara Evans
7:30 PM Chris Tomlin
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
3:30 PM The Bellamy Brothers
7:30 PM Lynyrd Skynyrd
Thursday, March 8, 2025
10:30 AM Jimmy Fortune
3:30 PM The Oak Ridge Boys
7:30 PM Whiskey Myers
Friday, March 7, 2025
3:30 PM The Beach Boys
7:30 Jon Pardi
Saturday, March 8, 2025
3:30 PM Sawyer Brown
7:30 PM Nelly
Sunday, March 9, 2025
7:30 PM John Fogerty
Tickets for these performances can be purchased through the festival’s official website or by calling 813-754-1996. It’s important to note that gate admission is not included with concert tickets.
Daily Attractions and Activities
Beyond the headline acts, the festival offers a variety of daily attractions suitable for all ages:
- The Berry Big Wheel: Operating daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., this Ferris wheel provides panoramic views of the festival grounds.
- Runa Pacha “Indian World”: Experience traditional music and dance performances daily at 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m. in the Verizon Gazebo.
- Circus Incredible: Witness thrilling acrobatic feats daily at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6 p.m.
- Robinson’s Racing Pigs: Enjoy the excitement of pig races held daily at 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m.
- Butterfly Kingdom: Explore a serene environment filled with butterflies daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Dennis Lee: A crowd favorite, Dennis Lee performs daily at noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m., with the exception of March 2, when there is no noon show.
Culinary Delights
No visit to the Florida Strawberry Festival is complete without indulging in its signature strawberry shortcake. Attendees can customize their desserts at the St. Clements Shortcake Booth, located in the Parke Exhibit Building, next to the Parkesdale Farms booth. And of course, there are plenty of Strawberry Jams, cakes, and desserts!
Admission and Parking
General gate admission is priced at $15 for adults (ages 13 and up) and $5 for children (ages 6-12). Children aged 5 and under receive free admission with a paid adult. Discounted tickets are available at participating Publix supermarkets throughout Central Florida and the Amscot Main Ticket Gate in Plant City, offering $10 tickets for adults and $4 for children. You can find a list of special events and discounts here.
Parking is available on festival grounds in the Blue, Gray, and Red lots located on Ritter Street, accessible via Highway 92 or Highway 574. Parking fees are $5 for standard vehicles, $10 for vehicles between 20 to 39 feet, and $15 for those over 40 feet.
Festival Hours
The festival gates are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Midway hours are from noon to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends and Monday.
