Fantasy Fest Toga Party Costumes - Photo by Bill Klipp
This year the Key West Fantasy Fest theme is
All A Daze for a Holiday. There will be scheduled events and parties every day, October 22 - 31, 2021. Bars and venues are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the special celebrations! The iconic Kinky Carnival is happening. There will be body painting and several clothing-optional parties around the island. If you've never been - be prepared.
Key West Fantasy Fest is an adult-oriented party with outrageous costumes and lots of skin showing!
Stay Safe and Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
The City of Key West and Fantasy Fest organizers want everyone to be safe and prepared. Please party responsibly and
follow the Fantasy Fest Code of Conduct 2021. By now, everyone planning to attend Fantasy Fest 2021 should understand how to protect their health and the health of others. We must all work together to stay safe and prevent this from becoming a COVID-19 spreader event.
Fantasy Fest organizers advise all attending to bring masks and facial coverings. Everyone should be prepared to wear a mask when they can't safely socially distance. This is a perfect opportunity to make a unique Costume Mask that will help keep you and others safe! Event planners also advise that some businesses and events may require a vaccination card or a negative COVID test to get in.
The Origins of Fantasy Fest
Fantasy Fest dates to the last week of October 1979. In the 1970s Key West was notoriously empty of tourists in the summer and fall. Back then, two prominent businessmen, Tony Falcone and Bill Conkle owned the popular
Fast Buck Freddie's store on Duval Street. They understood how difficult it was to make it through the off-season with no business. They dreamed up a destination adult fantasy event to entice snowbirds to return to the island earlier than November. Two community organizers, Joe Liska and Frank Romano joined them to make it happen.
The Key West business community and citizens were skeptical about the plan at first. But ultimately agreed to allow the first Fantasy Fest. So in 1979, Key West threw a weeklong adult-oriented costume party, and it was a smashing success! Key West Fantasy Fest took on a life of its own, and 42 years later it has become a renowned festival of festivals.
Fabulous Fantasy Fest TuTu Costume
Outrageous Costumes, Parties, Live Music, Body Painting, Fundraisers, and More
Every year Fantasy Fest inspires amazing costumes, outrageous body painting, creative parties, impressive fundraisers, fun contests, and even a pet masquerade parade! The week usually culminates on the last Saturday night with a major parade up Duval Street. The parade is filled with inspired floats that are built by locals and sponsors. The parade was canceled for 2021 to help stop the spread of COVID-19. But not to worry - you'll find tantalizing soirees at iconic Duval Street bars, on South Beach, and on the Sunset Pier.
Fantasy Fest 2021 has adapted to the times and will be different.
But one thing is for sure - Key West knows how to party! Festival planners and business owners are a tight-knit community that knows how to get creative when things change. Come to Fantasy Fest 2021. You'll have a great time. But please be prepared to play safe!
Stay With VHKW - Vacation Homes of Key West for More Privacy and More Fun
Amelia's Hideaway Weekly Vacation Rental - Upper Duval Street
Some of our guests rent a
VHKW monthly rental and
stay for the entire month of October. Monthly rentals are a better bargain, so they relax or work remotely for the first three weeks. They finish their last week in Key West with some Fantasy Fest fun.
Whether you stay for a week or a month, enjoy the health safety, relaxation, space, and amenities of a vacation rental. During the festival week, leisurely dress up in your costumes. Have private fun in your home away from home before going to events to see how everyone else is dressed (or undressed). Enjoy retreating to the privacy of your vacation rental when you're ready to wind down and catch some Zs. One more thing - It's best to plan early for Fantasy Fest!. Now's a good time to reserve a rental for 2022.
Please see the Fantasy Fest Organizers page for schedule and event updates at https://www.fantasyfest.com/schedule/
