Hemingway Days 2026

Every July, Key West throws a five-day party for its most famous former resident. Hemingway Days returns July 21–26, 2026, marking the birthday of the writer who spent much of the 1930s fishing these waters, drinking on Duval Street, and turning out some of his best work from his Whitehead Street home. The festival has run since 1981, and most of the action still centers on Sloppy Joe's, Papa's old barstool of choice. That's where dozens of white-bearded, barrel-chested hopefuls square off in the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, each vying to be crowned this year's "Papa." Past winners return for the Running of the Bulls, a tongue-in-cheek Duval Street take on Pamplona where the bulls are wooden and nobody gets gored. There's plenty for those who'd rather fish, read, or run than grow a beard. The Key West Marlin Tournament brings serious anglers chasing the same blue water Hemingway wrote about in "Islands in the Stream." The literary side includes readings, workshops, book signings and the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition, judged by the author's granddaughter. And the 5K Sunset Run nods to Papa's sporting streak, minus the boxing gloves. Full schedule and event registration at hemingwaydays.org.