A trail For Everyone

Events

North Central Florida


Events North Central Florida

Welcome to North Central Florida, where every season brings a new reason to celebrate! In the four counties of Dixie, Levy, Gilchrist, and Taylor, small-town charm meets big-time fun through festivals and events that invite everyone to join in. From the Gulf Coast to the Suwannee River, these celebrations capture the spirit of Old Florida in style. Whether it’s seafood cook-offs by the shore or holiday parades down hometown streets, the region’s calendar stays packed with family-friendly adventures. Visitors can dance under live oaks at spring fairs, savor local flavors at summer seafood festivals, and cheer alongside locals during fall heritage days and winter holiday gatherings. No matter when you visit, you’ll feel right at home as these communities welcome you with open arms and a full lineup of unforgettable events.

  • Fishing Dixie County

    Dixie County knows how to celebrate year-round. In spring, the Dixie County Fair brings out the community for carnival fun and local flavor. Summer invites visitors to dive into scallop season along the Gulf or join a fishing tournament for a taste of adventure on the water. Come fall, the Pioneer Day festival celebrates Old Florida heritage with historical crafts, music, and homestyle cooking. When winter arrives, a small-town Christmas parade lights up Cross City with twinkling floats and holiday cheer. And from art-and-nature festivals to Fourth of July fireworks, every gathering here feels like a family reunion, where friendly folks share their love of nature, history, and good times.

  • Fishing Gilchrist County

    Gilchrist County may be Florida’s smallest, but its events are big on heart and heritage. Every spring, the Suwannee Valley Quilt Festival in downtown Trenton brings a colorful patchwork of art, history, and hospitality to the streets – complete with quilt displays, craft vendors, and old-fashioned charm. In the fall, locals turn out for Down Home Days, a country fair-style festival with crafts, live music, and plenty of Southern food. As the holidays approach, Trenton’s Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration lights up the town with twinkling decorations, caroling, and a cheerful tree lighting that brings everyone together. From rodeos at the county arena to festive gatherings in the park, each event reflects Gilchrist’s close-knit community celebrating its natural springs and time-honored traditions.

  • Fishing Levy County

    Levy County serves up a full plate of festivals mixing coastal flavor with country charm. Seafood lovers flock to Cedar Key each fall for the famous Cedar Key Seafood Festival, where fresh Gulf catches and local crafts draw crowds to this quaint island town. In spring, Cedar Key also hosts the Old Florida Celebration of the Arts, turning historic streets into an open-air art gallery. Inland, the fun continues with the Chiefland Watermelon Festival in early summer—a slice of pure Americana with juicy melons, local music, and a lively parade. Every October, Williston’s Peanut Festival celebrates the local harvest with music, crafts, and plenty of roasted peanuts. Throughout the year, you’ll also find small-town holiday parades and community fairs that showcase Levy County’s friendly, down-home spirit and love for all things local.

  • Fishing Taylor County

    Taylor County celebrates its heritage and coastal lifestyle with festivals that blend outdoor adventure and Southern charm. Each October, Perry hosts the Florida Forest Festival, featuring lumberjack competitions, the King Tree Parade, and a world-famous free fish fry that honors the county’s “Tree Capital of the South” legacy. In February, the Steinhatchee Fiddler Crab Festival brings this fishing village to life with fresh seafood, a lively parade, and fireworks over the river. Summer heats up with the Smokin’ in the Pines BBQ Festival, where pitmasters serve up savory barbecue amid live country tunes. And whether it’s Fourth of July fireworks on the Gulf or a Christmas parade in downtown Perry, Taylor County’s events invite you to kick back and enjoy Big Bend fun with true Southern hospitality.