Events

Dixie County knows how to celebrate all year long. As the seasons change, so do the ways this close-knit community comes together. Spring brings a burst of energy with local gatherings full of fun, flavor, and family-friendly activities. In summer, the Gulf waters beckon for aquatic adventures and spirited competition on the open sea. Fall offers a nostalgic nod to Old Florida, with traditions that highlight the area’s rich heritage and down-home charm. When winter rolls around, the towns sparkle with festive lights and the warmth of shared cheer. From seasonal festivals to small-town celebrations, every event here feels like a homecoming—where neighbors and newcomers alike enjoy the simple pleasures of life, nature, and community.

Gilchrist County is big on heart and heritage. Every spring, the Suwannee Valley Quilt Festival in downtown Trenton brings a colorful patchwork of art, history, and hospitality to the streets, complete with quilt displays, craft vendors, and old-fashioned charm. In the fall, locals turn out for Down Home Days, a country fair-style festival with crafts, live music, and plenty of Southern food. As the holidays approach, Trenton’s Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration lights up the town with twinkling decorations, caroling, and a cheerful tree lighting that brings everyone together. From rodeos at the county arena to festive gatherings in the park, each event reflects Gilchrist’s close-knit community celebrating its natural springs and time-honored traditions.

Levy County serves up a full plate of festivals mixing coastal flavor with country charm. Seafood lovers flock to Cedar Key each fall for the famous Cedar Key Seafood Festival, where fresh Gulf catches and local crafts draw crowds to this quaint island town. In spring, Cedar Key also hosts the Old Florida Celebration of the Arts, turning historic streets into an open-air art gallery. Inland, the fun continues with the Chiefland Watermelon Festival in early summer—a slice of pure Americana with juicy melons, local music, and a lively parade. Every October, Williston’s Peanut Festival celebrates the local harvest with music, crafts, and plenty of roasted peanuts. Throughout the year, you’ll also find small-town holiday parades and community fairs that showcase Levy County’s friendly, down-home spirit and love for all things local.

Taylor County celebrates its heritage and coastal lifestyle with festivals that blend outdoor adventure and Southern charm. Each October, Perry hosts the Florida Forest Festival, featuring lumberjack competitions, the King Tree Parade, and a world-famous free fish fry that honors the county’s “Tree Capital of the South” legacy. In February, the Steinhatchee Fiddler Crab Festival brings this fishing village to life with fresh seafood, a lively parade, and fireworks over the river. Summer heats up with the Smokin’ in the Pines BBQ Festival, where pitmasters serve up savory barbecue amid live country tunes. And whether it’s Fourth of July fireworks on the Gulf or a Christmas parade in downtown Perry, Taylor County’s events invite you to kick back and enjoy Big Bend fun with true Southern hospitality.