Guide to Florida Beach Events and Activities: April 2023

Now that Spring is in full swing in Florida, we are thinking about the fun things to do in the coming months. We've got the pickup truck serviced and ready to go. Here's a list of Florida beach adventures we're looking at.

Florida is definitely all about the beaches. But you can make a vacation interesting if you plan some off-beach activities. Sometimes a little break from the sun is worth it. Especially if it involves food, music or delicious drinks. Exploring beach town events, beach activities and family-friendly destinations is what this blog is about.

We've already booked an adventure to Panama City Beach in the Florida Panhandle. It is still a bit cool up there but Spring is a good time to go if you want to beat the crowds. The Gulf beaches are beautiful even if it's chilly for swimming in April. Instead of a hotel, we are trying a new Airbnb property within walking distance of the beach. This is so we can take our greyhound dog, Fancy Pants. She loves a good Florida road trip!

New and Renovated Florida Hotels

Siesta Key Beach Resort

Although we love Fancy Pants, we can't always take her with us. So we've planned some other trips to explore a few of the new Florida beach hotels that have just opened. There are probably more new hotels opening, but here are a couple of hotels that we have in mind:

• AKA West Palm: On the intracoastal waterway, with a trolley to the beach. Only 15 minutes to Peanut Island!
• The Pointe Hotel Jupiter: Another intracoastal, waterfront hotel with private beach and free parking. Close to Juno Beach.
• Julia Hotel Miami: Boutique, walk to the South Beach, adults only. Recently renovated.
• The Siesta Key Beach Resort and Suites: Renovated in the past couple of years with a new pool and Tiki Lounge. One minute from beautiful Siesta Key beach!

April 2023 Music Festivals

One thing you will find everywhere in Florida is music festivals. With its warm weather, beautiful beaches, and diverse cultural scene, Florida is an ideal location for outdoor music events. Here are some of the ones we may want to check out:

• Tampa Bay Blues Festival - April 14, 15 16
• Tortuga Festival - April 14,-16 Fort Lauderdale
• Seabreeze Jazz Festival - April 19-23 Panama City Beach
• Strange Desert EDM Festival: Electronic Railroad - April 29 Orlando

The Electronic Dance Music is probably not one we're going to try. Although we've heard those festivals are quite amazing. The others look more age appropriate for us!

Must Try Food Festivals

The 2023 Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival takes place every Friday through Sunday until May 21, 2023. It has live concerts every weekend. This Florida festival isn't exactly near the beach but it's within driving distance to Tampa Bay and is well worth the trip. 

Disney has one too: The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. Disney World, located in Orlando, Florida, is about an hour's drive to Cocoa Beach and Daytona Beach. It's not much farther to Clearwater Beach.

• ​Pompano Beach Seafood Festival - April 21-23
• Pensacola Crawfish Festival - April 28-30
  
• Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival - April 12-15

Photo: Josh Olalde

Whether you're enjoying a cold beer on a hot summer day or sipping a glass of wine, beer and wine can make a beach day better. These April festivals are popular in Florida:

• South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival - April 27-30
• Las Olas Wine and Food Festival - April 21​​

Best Places for Art and Gardens

Within driving distance to the beaches, the Disney's EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is happening now until July 5, 2023. Enjoy flowers and Disney inspired garden displays. They offer food booths and live music at the Garden Rocks concerts, every Friday through Monday.

Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival is the #1 sand-sculpting festival in Florida. Find out for yourself in Clearwater Beach. It starts April 7, 2023.

One of the largest Arts & Crafts Fairs is the Delray Affair in Delray Beach, FL. With ten blocks and 500 vendors, this looks like fun. Free parking and shuttle service nearby. It runs April 14-16.

Top Air and Vehicle Shows

Photo: Chandler Cruttenden

U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron the Blue Angels, helicopters, Air Force legacy planes and commandos! We will be heading to Lori Wilson Park at Cocoa Beach to take part in the "Drop Zone". We can't wait to see the performance. Here are some other April 2023 popular Air Shows near Florida beaches:

• Cocoa Beach Air Show - April 15, 16
• ​NAS Key West Southernmost Air Spectacular - April 15, 16
• Fort Lauderdale Air Show -  April 29, 30.

Car Events

• Jeep Beach Daytona - April 23-30, 2023
• The Official Lowrider Tampa Supershow - April 2, 2023

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