This yearโs Key West Fantasy Fest theme is โItโs a 90s Neon Cosmic Carnival!โ which will take revelers through carnivalesque pageantry and 1990s flashbacks from Friday, October 18 through Sunday, October 27.
The internationally renowned festival will feature an over-the-top grand parade, costume competitions, glamorous galas, masquerade parties, street fairs, and much more fun.
The โItโs a 90s Neon Cosmic Carnival!โ festival will evoke the โ90s spirit with everything from the eraโs goth trend to popular TV shows โFriendsโ & โSeinfeld,โ carnival craziness, space exploration, and the domination of the Y2K frenzy at the decadeโs end.
Innovative costuming is of greatest importance since the 10-day schedule features a variety of costume competitions with prizes for the most creative ensembles. Itโs highly recommended that people design their costumes and parade floats around the theme. A few possible ideas to let the imagination run wild include โ90s blockbuster film favorite โTitanic,โ the โHarry Potterโ book series, or the decadeโs neon-bright colors and hip-hop styles.
2024 Fantasy Fest Parade (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)
Kick off the Key West Fantasy Festival at the two-day Bahama Village Goombay Festival happening Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19. The Caribbean-flavored Goombay street party will feature arts and crafts, delicious island-style food, and nonstop musical entertainment. Also happening on Oct. 18, is the Fun and Furryous Royal Coronation soiree and on-stage extravaganza finishing a multiweek fundraiser to benefit the Florida Keys SPCA.
Dress up your furry friend and head to the wacky Pet Masquerade, a festival favorite you wonโt want to miss for costumed pets and their people on Wednesday, Oct. 23. The next day brings forth the Key West Business Guildโs 41st annual Headdress Ball, hosted by renowned female impersonator Randy Roberts. โHeadlinersโ at the Headdress Ball will compete for prizes in marvelous masks and one-of-a-kind headpieces.
Hit the streets on Friday, Oct. 25 for the cosmic carnival with a carefree Masquerade March of costumed characters. Marchers are encouraged to bring their loudest noisemakers and percussion instruments and put on display their best โ90s couture to โlight upโ the procession through part of Key Westโs Old Town.
Alice In Wonderland Fantasy Fest Parade (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)
Merrymakers can also celebrate their festive spirit at a slew of other Fantasy Fest events including a two-night Costume Promenade in the festivalโs designated Fantasy Zone, a disco dance party, Fantasy Market in the Key West Historic Seaport, a โLiving Artโ competition for painted bodies, musical tributes to iconic entertainers, โTutu Tuesdayโ celebrations, and donโt forget the Zombie Bike Ride.
Nearly 70,000 spectators are expected to line Whitehead and Duval streets for the eye-catching Bud Light Fantasy Fest Parade on Saturday night, Oct. 26. Be prepared for a dazzling parade of enormous floats along with costumed marching groups and bands. The Key West Fantasy Fest parade showcases the enthusiastic spirit and off-beat creativity that represent both the festival and defines the island of Key West for the past 200 years.
