Fantasy Fest - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Fantasy Fest
Fantasy Fest
4.5
About
Thousands of fun-loving party people descend on Key West every October for an adults-only extravaganza. Revelers mingle in the lively streets and drinks flow to get everyone in the spirit. A Conch King and Queen lead the spectacular parade, a highlight of the outrageous festivities. Don’t plan on coming to this 10-day event without a costume, because each year is a different theme that people take seriously to indulge their wildest fantasies.
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  • AJNNJ44
    New Jersey403 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Funky Town
    We were staying about 30 minutes north for a week long vacation in the Keys. We had never been to Fantasy Fest and planned our trip not knowing it was even happening. Day one of our trip we drove down to Key West for the sunset and… BOOM… Fantasy Fest! We had such a good time we returned 3 nights during the week. Key West always has a funkiness all its own but this was ratcheted up to an insane level. So much fun…
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 27, 2023
  • Darlingmary
    Culpeper, Virginia23 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Hold onto your hat!!
    It's not for little kids. It's a lot of partying, costumes and body painting...most of whom shouldn't be!! It was an experience I shared with my 16 yr old granddaughter. We had a lot of laughs, but I wouldn't take anyone younger than that.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written October 31, 2023
  • WeRe Adventurous
    United States8 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Don't Just Fantasize!
    There is not a better party anywhere! Ok... that might be a bit presumptuous, but if you are over 30 and like to dress up, have fun, eat, drink, drink and get a little crazy, this party is for you. The costumes are amazing, people wear anything from a boring t-shirt to full-on transformer. Lots of body paint, pasties, masks, hats, off the shelf costumes and some amazing walking works of art. The parades happen all week, and the bars are packed. Take a small suitcase and an open mind. Pool parties are off the hook, lots of private events to get as naughty as you dare, and some of the hotels get a little clothing optional this time of year. Now the city is promoting a little more family freindly type event than maybe it has been in the past, but like anywhere public, show some respect, don't be a jerk, and use common sense and everyone has a great time. Key West is changing, for sure, like everywhere else, but we still had a blast. Do eat at Pepe's Drink at the Schooner Wharf, and dance wherever it's loud. Don't miss a sundowner at Mallory Square and be nice to people. 🍍
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 16, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles100 reviews
Excellent
74
Very good
15
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
4

Stopher
Lakeside Park, KY680 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019 • Couples
2019 was our 9th straight FF. We had a great time, as always, but. I absolutely hated how they did the street closures. Blocking off Caroline and Greene between Duval and Telegraph Ln was terrible. Creating 2 separate areas instead of blocking off Greene and Duval, kept people in those areas, instead of mingling more. A lot of people commented how strange it looked seeing Duval empty, other than all the traffic going 10 mph. Hopefully they go back to the old way this coming year.
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Veronica Hunter
Medford, NJ6,132 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
I chose to put away my responsibilities and unwind by filling a small carryon and a tote bag with cycling cloths, costumes, shoes, wigs, and fake breasts.
Daily, I woke up at 5:00 am to start my day riding my rental bicycle. sometimes 46 miles… Key West to Cudjoe Key and back.
Around 5:00 pm, I changed my appearance completely to emotionally escape and have fun .... feeling good. I returned to my dormitory around 10:00 pm.
Written December 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

WeRe Adventurous
United States8 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
There is not a better party anywhere! Ok... that might be a bit presumptuous, but if you are over 30 and like to dress up, have fun, eat, drink, drink and get a little crazy, this party is for you. The costumes are amazing, people wear anything from a boring t-shirt to full-on transformer. Lots of body paint, pasties, masks, hats, off the shelf costumes and some amazing walking works of art. The parades happen all week, and the bars are packed. Take a small suitcase and an open mind. Pool parties are off the hook, lots of private events to get as naughty as you dare, and some of the hotels get a little clothing optional this time of year. Now the city is promoting a little more family freindly type event than maybe it has been in the past, but like anywhere public, show some respect, don't be a jerk, and use common sense and everyone has a great time. Key West is changing, for sure, like everywhere else, but we still had a blast. Do eat at Pepe's
Drink at the Schooner Wharf, and dance wherever it's loud. Don't miss a sundowner at Mallory Square and be nice to people. 🍍
Written December 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lily TravelGirl
Miami Beach, FL258 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022
The best weeklong party for grown-ups in America. The adult parties and events start the week right before Halloween and usually ends on Sunday. If you can afford it reserve a hotel early in Key West. For cheaper options stay around Marathon Key and drive, but it's too far (and too long with traffic) to drive from Miami or even Key Largo. We had good luck looking for hotels a few days before with cancelations. Heard from folks that the paid parties are not worth the price, but we can't confirm since we didn't attend any paid parties. It was fun just people watching and walking around taking photos with everyone. Everybody we talked to was friendly and did not hesitate to be in photos. I guess you just have to ask nicely. Overall, we felt safe and had a great time.
Written January 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Darlingmary
Culpeper, VA23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
It's not for little kids. It's a lot of partying, costumes and body painting...most of whom shouldn't be!! It was an experience I shared with my 16 yr old granddaughter. We had a lot of laughs, but I wouldn't take anyone younger than that.
Written October 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AJNNJ44
New Jersey403 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
We were staying about 30 minutes north for a week long vacation in the Keys. We had never been to Fantasy Fest and planned our trip not knowing it was even happening. Day one of our trip we drove down to Key West for the sunset and… BOOM… Fantasy Fest! We had such a good time we returned 3 nights during the week. Key West always has a funkiness all its own but this was ratcheted up to an insane level. So much fun…
Written October 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kathleen
Arcadia, IN48 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Solo
It’s like Mardi Gras in the sense that there is nothing else like it and it’s so much fun if you let it be. Just go, make some friends, have some drinks, participate in the themed days and attend the parades. So so so much fun.
Written January 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marcia C
Clermont, FL92 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021 • Couples
Couples trip to Fantasy Fest. 2021. Lots of interesting things to see and do, (Truman's little Whitehouse, Hemingway home, the distillery) buy tickets to the hope on hop on hop off trolley, Lots of walking with plenty of bars to grab a drink. Dont go to Fantasy Fest if you are feint of heart
Written October 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Meander257138
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2018 • Couples
Hi. I'm arriving in Miami on the 26th, I'm going to Key West and back on Saturday morning. My idea is to get to know the sights of Key West and not attend the party at the moment. Will going to Key West on Friday the 26th and coming back on Saturday morning I will get traffic myth and the city too crowded? I've heard that the party gets fuller on Saturday and Sunday.
Written October 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Scott R
Phoenix, AZ6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2017 • Couples
2017 was our 3rd year at Fantasy Fest, looking forward to 2018. Book early as hotels are already selling out. Crowd this year was smaller than years past per locals of KW, but that was due to false media info about hurricane Irma seriously damaging KW. Sad as it only affected the economy of KW. Lot's of nudity so if your shy or judgmental this is probably not your cup of tea. lol A must for your bucket list for those who like to take a step on the wild side and have fun!
Written November 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Fantasy Fest - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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