Five Days of Celebration
It’s often considered THE biggest and THE tastiest summer celebration on the island. This year, for the 28th time, the Key West LobsterFest will take place from Wednesday, August 5, through Sunday, August 9! Five unforgettable days to celebrate the opening of the Florida spiny lobster season with a massive street fair on Duval Street, live music, and an endless array of crustaceans prepared in every imaginable way. It’s the ultimate celebration of shellfish, with the Florida spiny lobster taking center stage.
July 29–30, 2026: Two days of spiny lobster fishing for
Florida residents and non-residents
As if to herald the festival, the Florida spiny lobster fishing season begins every year on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July. However, this fishery is regulated, with a daily limit of six spiny lobsters per person in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park, and 12 per person in the rest of Florida. In addition, the carapace must measure at least 7.62 cm (three inches). For more information on the required fishing license and current regulations, it is recommended to check with local authorities. https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/lobster
A festive program for all tastes and budgets, and on Wednesday, August 5: Key West Lobsterfest Kick-Off Party
From 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – kick-off party.
This is where it all begins for the 28th Annual Key West Lobsterfest, featuring a contest for the island’s best lobster dish.
Attendees can sample an incredible lobster pizza and enjoy special drink offers courtesy of official sponsors Sun Cruiser Iced Tea and Cuervo 1800 Tequila.
• Rick’s & Durty Harry’s Entertainment Complex in Historic Old Town
202 Duval Street / Key West.
• Lobster Trivia at the Southernmost Beach Resort overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
1319 Duval Street / Key West
Various tickets on sale starting August 1.
Thursday, August 6: Lobster Boil
From 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., attendees can enjoy live music, a fully stocked bar, and delicious food. (fresh lobsters, jumbo Key West shrimp, red-skin potatoes, fresh corn on the cob, fresh-baked jalapeño cornbread, and melted butter).
Tickets go on sale August 1. Individual tickets are valid for one meal.
• The Porter Mansion Courtyard in Historic Old Town.
429 Caroline Street / Key West
Friday, August 7: Two activities to choose from
• Pool Party at the Marker Key West Harbor Resort.
200 William Street, Key West (free admission).
From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, it’s party time at the hotel pool for a moment of rest and relaxation.
• Duval Pub Crawl, right after sunset.
From 8:00 PM to midnight, it’s a pub crawl on Duval Street. Admission tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door. This includes an official Lobsterfest T-shirt, a lanyard, and a 2-for-1 special (Sun Cruiser and Cuervo 1800 Tequila) at participating bars. You must pick up your T-shirt, lanyard, and instructions at the Marker Resort Pool Bar (200 William Street) between 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM.
Saturday, August 8: Street Fair & Concert on Duval Street
From noon to 11:00 p.m., from the 100s to the 500s block of Duval Street, it’s party time—and there’s no admission fee. Visitors are responsible for their own purchases.
• Numerous booths feature art, crafts, and merchandise.
• Numerous local bars and restaurants offer Florida lobsters caught that very day and refreshing drinks such as ice-cold Coronas, as well as delicious Blue Chair Bay Rum cocktails and more.
Performances are offered to visitors throughout the afternoon and late into the evening.
• 1:00 p.m.: The shows begin with Just George.
• 3:00 p.m., on the main stage: Fried Newt, “Jammin’ On Da Keys.”
• 5:30 p.m., Jordan Oak—his infectious energy and island-inspired tunes are the best way to get into the summer spirit.
• In the late afternoon, the Durtbags, Key West’s #1 Rockers, take the stage until the end of the performances. They’ll then head to Durty Harry’s, where they’ll play late into the night!
Sunday, August 9: Lobster Beats & Brunch and more to
wrap up Lobsterfest 2026 in style
• From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery (301 Whitehead Street, Key West).
Attendees are invited to gather in the resort’s lush tropical gardens to enjoy an exceptional and “decadent” brunch. Unlimited Florida lobster bites, chef-prepared small plates, sweets and desserts, bottomless mimosas, and Bloody Marys, all in a festive atmosphere with a live DJ.
Ticket price: $99 (plus tax and service charge)
• From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Southernmost Beach Resort (1319 Duval Street, Key West).
Free admission to the resort’s pool. Lobster hunt, followed at 2:00 PM by a tasting contest featuring lobster-stuffed rolls. The first person to finish their roll completely wins a certificate for a lobster dinner for two at the resort’s café. $30 registration fee to participate.
For the record, here are a few facts:
1- The name “langouste” derives from the Latin locusta, meaning “grasshopper,” because it often moves through the water by hopping, and in the 16th century this crustacean was called the “sea grasshopper.”
2- Don’t confuse the langoustine with the lobster, which is a different species of crustacean with large claws and a smooth shell, whereas the langoustine has no claws and a spiny shell—hence its English name. Furthermore, spiny lobsters prefer warm waters, such as those of the Mediterranean, the Eastern Atlantic, and the Caribbean, whereas lobsters mainly inhabit the cold waters of the North Atlantic.
3- The best part of it all is that the Key West Lobsterfest is proud to raise funds to support the Key West High School scholarship fund, thereby securing the future of the local “Conch community.”
Sources: https://keywestlobsterfest.com
www.wikipedia.org
N.B. ARTICLE TRANSLATED BY DEEPL