Is the strawberry festival open is a question many visitors are asking as crowds gather in Plant City, Florida, for one of the state’s most celebrated seasonal events. The Florida Strawberry Festival opened on February 26, 2026, and continues through March 8, 2026, welcoming guests each day to experience fresh strawberries, live concerts, carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, and family-friendly entertainment.
The annual festival celebrates Florida’s strawberry harvest and the farming heritage that helped shape the Plant City region. Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors travel to the festival grounds to enjoy the mix of food, music, rides, and community traditions.
This guide explains the festival’s current status, daily hours, attractions, and what guests can expect when visiting the Florida Strawberry Festival in 2026.
Festival Dates and Location
The Florida Strawberry Festival takes place annually in Plant City, a community located between Tampa and Orlando. The region is widely known for its strawberry farms, which produce a large portion of the strawberries harvested in the United States during winter months.
2026 Festival Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Florida Strawberry Festival |
| Location | Plant City, Florida |
| Opening Day | February 26, 2026 |
| Final Day | March 8, 2026 |
| Duration | 11 days |
| Event Type | Agricultural and entertainment festival |
The festival spans eleven days and features attractions across a large fairground area that includes concert venues, food courts, carnival rides, and agricultural exhibits.
Visitors from across Florida and neighboring states attend the event each year.
Daily Festival Hours
The festival opens its gates every morning and continues operating into the evening.
While exact closing times can vary based on events scheduled that day, the festival generally begins welcoming visitors in the morning.
Typical Daily Schedule
| Activity | Approximate Opening |
|---|---|
| Festival Gates | Around 10 a.m. |
| Food Vendors | Late morning through evening |
| Carnival Midway | Late morning through night |
| Concert Performances | Afternoon and evening |
Evenings are often the busiest time of day. Visitors frequently arrive after work or school to experience the lights of the carnival rides and nighttime entertainment.
Weekend attendance is typically higher than weekday attendance.
What Happens When the Festival Opens Each Day
Once the gates open, the festival grounds quickly become lively. Food vendors begin serving strawberry desserts, musicians perform on stages, and visitors explore the attractions across the property.
The event blends several types of experiences into one large celebration.
Visitors attending the festival can explore:
- Fresh strawberry desserts and specialty foods
- Carnival rides and midway games
- Agricultural exhibits and livestock barns
- Craft vendors and merchandise booths
- Live music concerts and performances
Because the festival grounds cover a large area, many visitors spend several hours exploring the attractions.
Strawberries and Signature Festival Desserts
Strawberries remain the heart of the festival. Vendors throughout the grounds offer a variety of desserts made with fresh berries harvested from local farms.
The festival takes place during Florida’s strawberry harvest season, which ensures that the fruit served at the event is fresh and flavorful.
Popular Strawberry Desserts
Visitors frequently purchase:
- Strawberry shortcake
- Strawberry milkshakes
- Chocolate-covered strawberries
- Strawberry lemonade
- Fresh strawberries by the cup
Strawberry shortcake stands out as the festival’s most recognizable dessert. Volunteers prepare thousands of servings during the event.
Guests often line up to enjoy the classic treat made with fresh strawberries, cake, and whipped topping.
Carnival Rides and Midway Attractions
The carnival midway is one of the most visually exciting areas of the festival. Rows of rides, games, and snack stands create a colorful environment that draws visitors throughout the day and night.
Types of Rides at the Festival
Visitors will find several ride categories on the midway.
Thrill rides
- Tower drop rides
- Spinning attractions
- High-speed carnival rides
Family rides
- Ferris wheels
- Swing rides
- Tilt-style rides
Children’s rides
- Mini roller coasters
- Carousel rides
- Small train rides
Ride tickets and wristbands allow visitors to enjoy multiple attractions during their visit.
After sunset, the midway lights create a vibrant scene that becomes one of the most photographed areas of the festival.
Concerts and Live Entertainment
Music plays a major role in the Florida Strawberry Festival. Each year, the event hosts a lineup of performers representing several music genres.
Concerts take place in a large venue located on the festival grounds.
2026 Concert Lineup Highlights
Performers scheduled to appear during the festival include:
- Alabama
- Riley Green
- Lauren Daigle
- Dierks Bentley
- Brantley Gilbert
- Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
- The Offspring
Concert seating typically requires separate tickets from general festival admission.
In addition to the headline performances, smaller stages throughout the festival feature musicians and entertainers throughout the day.
Agricultural Exhibits and Farming Heritage
The Florida Strawberry Festival began as a celebration of agriculture, and that tradition continues today.
Several areas of the festival grounds highlight farming practices and livestock raised by local students and farmers.
Agricultural Attractions
Guests can explore:
- Dairy cattle exhibitions
- Swine competitions and auctions
- Poultry displays
- Horticulture exhibits
Students involved in agricultural programs bring animals they have raised throughout the year.
These competitions provide educational opportunities and celebrate the region’s agricultural roots.
Many visitors enjoy walking through the barns to learn more about farming traditions.
Shopping and Craft Vendors
Shopping is another popular activity at the festival. Vendor booths line the walkways across the fairgrounds.
Items Visitors Can Find
Craft and merchandise vendors sell products such as:
- Handmade jewelry
- Clothing and accessories
- Decorative home items
- Artwork and crafts
- Specialty snacks and packaged foods
These booths allow local businesses and artisans to reach thousands of visitors during the festival.
Many guests purchase souvenirs as reminders of their visit.
Parking and Transportation
Parking areas surround the festival grounds in Plant City. Many of these lots are operated by local organizations and community groups.
Parking Information
- Standard parking typically costs about $10
- Oversized vehicle parking may require higher fees
- Some parking areas offer shuttle service to the gates
Because the festival draws large crowds, arriving early can help visitors find convenient parking.
Traffic tends to increase during weekend evenings.
Why the Festival Remains So Popular
The Florida Strawberry Festival continues to attract visitors because it combines agriculture with entertainment in a welcoming environment.
Several factors contribute to the festival’s popularity.
Reasons Visitors Attend
Fresh seasonal strawberries
The festival occurs during peak harvest season.
Wide variety of attractions
Rides, concerts, and exhibits appeal to many age groups.
Family-friendly atmosphere
Activities are available for children and adults.
Community tradition
The event celebrates the farming heritage of the region.
These elements create a festival experience that draws both local residents and tourists.
Planning a Visit to the Festival
Visitors planning to attend the festival can make the most of their experience by preparing ahead of time.
Helpful Visitor Tips
- Arrive earlier in the day to avoid heavy crowds
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the grounds
- Bring cash for smaller food vendors
- Check concert schedules before visiting
- Try multiple strawberry desserts during the visit
Because the festival offers so many attractions, many guests plan to spend several hours exploring the grounds.
A Seasonal Tradition in Plant City
The Florida Strawberry Festival remains one of Florida’s most recognized annual events. Fresh strawberries, carnival rides, concerts, and agricultural exhibits create a lively celebration that reflects the culture of Plant City and the surrounding farming communities.
Visitors attending the festival experience a unique mix of food, entertainment, and tradition that has made the event a staple of Florida’s spring calendar.
Are you planning to visit while the festival is open this year? Share your favorite strawberry treat or festival memory and join the conversation with other attendees.