Key West · August
Key West Lobsterfest
Florida's spiny lobster season opens August 6, and Key West celebrates the way it celebrates everything: by closing Duval Street and throwing a party. Lobsterfest 2026 runs Wednesday, August 5 through Sunday, August 9, its 28th year, built around lobster fresh off the boats that have been waiting all summer for the season to open.
The centerpiece is the free street fair on Saturday, August 8, when the 100 through 500 blocks of Duval fill with vendors serving lobster in every form from noon to 11 p.m., with live music through the day and a free concert around 8 p.m.
Quick Facts
- Dates
- August 5 to 9, 2026
- Street fair
- Saturday, August 8, noon to 11 p.m., Duval blocks 100 to 500
- Cost
- Street fair free; lobster boil and brunch ticketed
- Why August
- Lobster season opens August 6
- Edition
- 28th annual in 2026
- Tickets
- keywestlobsterfest.com
The street fair
Saturday is the day most people mean when they say Lobsterfest. Five blocks of Duval close to traffic and turn into a lobster market: grilled tails, lobster rolls, lobster mac, bisque, fritters, plus the usual street fair orbit of art vendors, beer stands and bands. Entry is free; you pay per plate. Lines for the best-known stands stretch by early afternoon, so eat your first round early and graze from there.
The ticketed events
The week around the fair carries the ticketed classics, and they sell out ahead of time.
- · The Lobster Boil on Thursday, August 6 at the Porter Mansion courtyard: a full boil dinner on the season's opening day. This is the hot ticket.
- · A lobster brunch closes the week on Sunday, August 9.
- · The lobster roll eating contest, for those who want their lobster competitively.
- · Buy through keywestlobsterfest.com as soon as tickets post. The boil does not last.
Timing your trip
Early August is low season with a catch: rooms are cheaper than winter, but this particular week fills with divers down for the season opener plus the festival crowd, so do not treat it like a walk-in weekend. It is also peak heat and peak hurricane-watching season. Book refundable where you can and drink more water than feels reasonable. The lobster is worth it.
Want more on Key West Lobsterfest?
Official details from the organizers, plus Keys Weekly's coverage from the newspaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Key West Lobsterfest 2026?
Wednesday, August 5 through Sunday, August 9, 2026. The free street fair runs Saturday, August 8 from noon to 11 p.m. on lower Duval.
Does Lobsterfest cost anything?
The Saturday street fair is free to enter, with food priced per item. The Lobster Boil, the Sunday brunch and a few other events are ticketed and sell out in advance.
Why is it in August?
Florida's commercial and recreational spiny lobster season opens August 6, so the festival lands on the first days fresh local lobster is legal to take. It does not get fresher.
Where is the street fair?
On Duval Street between the 100 and 500 blocks, which close to traffic for the day. The free concert usually kicks off around 8 p.m.
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