Florida Strawberry Festival 2027 – Plant City, United States

• March 4, 2027
  Event date:
• March 14, 2027
  Event end:

Overview

The Florida Strawberry Festival is an 11-day community celebration that brings together agricultural heritage, top-tier entertainment, and family fun in the winter strawberry capital of the world. Originally established in 1930, this iconic event honors the bountiful strawberry harvest of Eastern Hillsborough County. Over the decades, it has evolved into one of the premier agricultural fairs in the United States, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each spring to enjoy its warm hospitality and small-town charm.

The festival grounds feature an expansive array of attractions designed to delight guests of all ages. Visitors can experience elite headline concerts starring legendary music artists, competitive youth livestock shows, and extensive commercial exhibits showcasing local craftsmanship and agricultural innovations. The Midway offers a thrilling collection of carnival rides and interactive games, creating a festive environment where community pride and wholesome entertainment take center stage.

Food is a central focus of the entire event, with vendors offering countless creative iterations of the region’s famous fruit. Guests can indulge in world-famous strawberry shortcakes, deep-fried strawberries, strawberry milkshakes, and fresh-picked berries directly from local fields. The celebration successfully preserves historical farming traditions while creating a modern, high-energy festival atmosphere that highlights the profound impact of agriculture on the local community.

Event Highlights

• Headline Concert Series: Nationally touring musical artists perform daily on the main stage to deliver memorable live concert experiences for fans.
• Agricultural and Livestock Shows: Local youth participate in prestigious competitions showcasing livestock, poultry, and complex farming projects.
• The Midway Carnival: A massive fairground area packed with major amusement rides, family-friendly attractions, and classic skill games.
• Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest: A high-spirited public competition celebrating the most famous dessert of the regional harvest.

Why Attend

Attending this historic festival provides an incredible opportunity to enjoy world-class musical acts and elite entertainment at an exceptionally affordable admission rate. The community-oriented environment offers an immersive look into authentic American fair traditions, blending heritage and modern carnival thrills seamlessly. It remains an ideal destination for creating long-lasting family memories, offering a safe, vibrant, and nostalgic atmosphere that perfectly captures the charm of rural Florida.

The event is perfectly tailored for food lovers, families, music enthusiasts, and anyone looking to experience classic Southern hospitality. Attendees gain access to the finest culinary creations made with fresh local strawberries alongside traditional fair food delicacies. By visiting, guests also support local youth scholarships and agricultural education programs, ensuring that these vital farming traditions continue to thrive for future generations.

Date & Duration

• Event Date: March 4 to March 14, 2027
• Event Duration: 11 days of continuous fairgrounds activities and daily entertainment

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Ticket Information

• How Tickets Are Sold: General admission and headline concert tickets can be purchased online through the official website or directly at the main box office gates.
• Admission Type: Daily general admission passes provide entry to the festival grounds, livestock exhibits, and independent free entertainment stages.
• Ticket Pricing: Advance general admission options range from a minimum of 4 USD for children up to a maximum of 15 USD for adult gate entry.
• Special Seating Options: Separate grandstand ticket options are required for the headline concert series to secure reserved seating near the main sound stage.
• VIP Options: Premium packages offer enhanced amenities including front-row concert seats, priority parking access, and specialized hospitality services.

Venue / Location

• City and Country: Plant City, United States
• Venue Name: Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds
• Google Maps Address: 303 Berryfest Pl, Plant City, FL 33563, United States

Contact Information

• Email: berrypr@flstrawberryfestival.com
• Phone Number: +1 813-752-9194
• Official Website: flstrawberryfestival.com

Accommodation Options:

Finding a place to stay near the fairgrounds gives you the convenience of quick travel times to the daily morning exhibitions and evening stadium concerts. Several comfortable chain hotels, extended-stay lodges, and modern suites operate directly along the main commercial corridors of Plant City. It is highly recommended to finalize lodging reservations early in the winter season because properties fill up rapidly due to high tourism demand.

Many visitors choose to book their accommodations in nearby metropolitan areas like Brandon, Lakeland, or downtown Tampa to enjoy broader urban amenities. These surrounding cities feature premier luxury resorts, boutique vacation rentals, and business hotels located within a convenient highway drive of the festival fields. Selecting these neighboring locations allows travelers to combine agricultural daytime excursions with the diverse culinary scenes and coastal attractions of Central Florida.

Getting There

• Nearest Airport: Tampa International Airport is located approximately 28 miles west of the main festival grounds.
• Nearest Train/Metro Station: The Lakeland Amtrak station serves as the closest regional rail hub connecting passengers to local transit networks.
• Bus Routes or Public Transport Options: Hillsborough Area Regional Transit provides connecting bus links into Plant City from major regional transit centers.
• Parking Availability: Extensive official grass parking fields surround the perimeter gates with dedicated zones for vehicles displaying valid disabled permits.
• Directions by Car: The property is easily reached by driving along Interstate 4 and taking Exit 17, Route 92, or using the James L Redman Parkway.

What is this event?

The Florida Strawberry Festival is a legendary community fair that honors the annual spring fruit harvest through agricultural displays and premier live entertainment. The multiday gathering hosts a robust schedule of livestock judging events, cooking competitions, and massive industrial craft exhibitions.

The event serves as an essential platform for showcasing the deep agricultural roots and cultural identity of Central Florida’s farming communities. It welcomes a diverse audience of global travelers and residents to celebrate regional history and share in wholesome family recreation.

Why is it popular?

The festival is immensely popular because it combines top-tier, stadium-quality music concerts with the comforting atmosphere of an authentic, old-fashioned county fair. The opportunity to sample endless varieties of legendary strawberry shortcake made with fresh-picked winter berries remains a massive draw for visitors.

It has earned national acclaim as a premier spring destination due to its exceptional organization, safe layout, and friendly community spirit. People love the diverse mix of thrilling midway rides, youth competitions, and agricultural showcases that provide great value for all generations.

Tips before you go

• Buy admission tickets in advance: Purchasing gate admission early through participating local outlets helps you secure discounted rates and avoids morning ticket lines.
• Carry a mix of payment methods: While ticket windows accept major credit cards, having physical cash is helpful for purchasing smaller food items and independent craft souvenirs.
• Check the daily entertainment schedule: Review the official event lineup before arriving to coordinate your visit around specific free stage performances and agricultural shows.
• Prepare for changing weather conditions: Wear layers and bring light rain gear since the outdoor festivities run continuously from morning until late in the evening.
• Plan your dessert stops early: The most popular strawberry shortcake booths can develop long queues during peak afternoon hours, so visiting during off-peak times is wise.

Attendee Experiences

• The strawberry shortcake was absolutely massive and tasted like it was picked straight from the field.
• Seeing a legendary country band perform live in such a friendly community setting was incredible.
• The livestock barns were kept so clean and the youth participants were incredibly knowledgeable.

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