Florida Keys holiday traditions center around the one and only Santa Keys — a jolly bearded fellow who brings cheer to those not lucky enough to live in the Keys, and to the underwater creatures in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. What happens on the night before Christmas? Santa Keys makes his rounds!
New Year’s Eve celebrations in Key West include gorgeous weather and a warmhearted “One Human Family” welcome for visitors fleeing winter’s icy chill. Festivities include several zany takeoffs on the traditional ball drop in New York’s Times Square — even one that stars a drag queen being “dropped” in a giant-sized red high heel.
New Year’s Eve in the Florida Keys traditionally features balmy temperatures and a warm welcome for revelers fleeing colder spots. From beachside fireworks where overcoats and gloves aren’t allowed to wacky takeoffs on the traditional ball drop in New York’s Times Square, the island chain offers a wealth of ways to welcome 2020.
Key West's historic homes, many dating from the late 1800s, range from elegant mansions with wraparound verandahs and wooden “gingerbread” trim to tiny, flower-decked cottages. On Friday and Saturday, Dec. 27-28, architecture buffs can explore homes reflecting the island’s intriguing heritage, plus distinctive contemporary gems, during tours presented by the Old Island Restoration Foundation.
Savoring the taste of fresh-baked Cuban bread, watching pooches play at Dog Beach, strolling along palm-lined streets past Victorian gems in historic Old Town, sipping late-afternoon cocktails on the waterfront deck at Louie’s Backyard ... all these are pleasures Key Westers can enjoy every day, but that aren’t easily experienced in other places.
Great news — Key West has been nominated in GayCities.com’s Best of 2019 travel awards’ “Chill Getaway” category, and Aqua Nightclub is a contender in the “Drag Bar Extraordinaire” category. Both nominations are well deserved, since Key West’s laid-back vibe is legendary among visitors and Aqua is home to the talented Aquanettes drag troupe.
Incredible as it may seem, the 2019 holidays are sneaking up fast. And in the Florida Keys, they’re celebrated with festivities that range from traditional to eccentric — with, of course, a unique island twist. Throughout November and December, visitors can find events designed to jingle their bells all around the holiday-loving Keys communities.
Instead of dreading winter’s upcoming descent, consider making plans to take a break in balmy Key West. Sun, sand and clear blue waters await visitors eager to immerse themselves in warmth and relaxation at a Key West or Florida Keys beach. Local favorites even include a beach nicknamed for iconic film star Liz Taylor.
Discover five fascinating sites in the Florida Keys' "Become a Reef Explorer" dive and snorkel program. The program spotlights Keys reefs with a specially created souvenir journal, designed for first-timers, families and fun-loving outdoor enthusiasts of all experience levels who want to log dives or snorkels while exploring the region’s remarkable reefs.
Fantasy Fest, Key West’s internationally renowned masking and costuming festival, offers both outrageous revelry and a unique showcase for artists — illustrators who create vivid poster and T-shirt designs, body painters who use the human form as their canvas and a local talent exhibiting immersive graffiti-inspired images. There’s even a self-guided art and bar stroll.