If you are heading to the sunshine state this July you can enjoy the fact that Florida is BURSTING with events in July.
As to be expected you can relish in beach, music, sports, history activities and so much more. Let’s take a peek at the juiciest events across the state for this July..
Coke Zero 400 Daytona
Every year around Independence Day NASCAR (stock car racing) hits Daytona’s International Speedway. If you are in Daytona on July 2nd, you can expect the following,
- Night-time racing
- Concerts
- Fireworks
- Beach parties to cater for moods and tastes.
- 2 Jul (annual)
Just head on over to Daytona International Speedway, tickets cost US$55-US$140 and can be ordered from the Nascar site. Races typically start after 8pm.
An Evening with Sting and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra TAMPA
The UK pop star, Sting, will gig at the Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa July 3rd. He will entertain avid fans with a selection of music from throughout his historic career. Sting a former member of the band, the Police (one of the biggest bands of the Eighties)recorded five albums before they split. After the success of The Police, the move to solo artist was uncannily smooth and Sting has produced a string of thoughtful, jazzy pop albums. If you are a fan you can expect a night to remember!
Fourth of July Celebration Miami
Independence day celebrations will kick off at Miami Beach on July 4th.This free beach party will also celebrate the area’s diverse cultural heritage. Soak up the atmosphere of Latin and tropical bands with a wonderful pyrotechnic display as the finale.
Kissimmee Celebrates US Independence
The Independence Day celebrations will roll out in Kissimmee on the 4th with a spectacular party in Lakefront Park. Three stages will serve up live entertainment all day, ranging from music to the spectacular Extreme Sports show. The night will end with a huge fireworks display.
Miss Florida Finals St Petersburg
St Petersburg will host the beauty contest on 7 – 10 Jul at the Mahaffey Theatre. The end of the night unveils a new Miss Florida face, but aint they all winners?
International Mango Festival Miami
Miami will host this fruity festival 9 – 11 Jul at Fairchild Tropical Gardens. “Hail the mango” cries Miami’s Fairchild Tropical Gardens. Experts will be on hand offering tips on how to cook and eat the sumptuous fruit through,
- Displays
- Exhibitions
- Workshops and tastings
- There will even be a mango auction.
Prices range from $20 and under. Opening Hours are 9.30am-4.30pm. Make sure you arrive in a fruity Mango MOOD!
Scorpions: Sting in the Tail World Tour Tampa
The Ford Amphitheatre will host the Florida leg of this huge world tour (17 Jul), in support of the Scorpions final album, Sting in the Tail. Famous for songs such as Rock You Like a Hurricane and Wind of Change, the band has sold over 100 million albums throughout the world. Tickets are priced at US$15-US$65…Not to be missed.
Afro-Cuban Dance Festival Miami
Thousands of revelers will hit the streets of Miami for a celebration of all things Afro-Caribbean and Cuban. You can look forward to
- drumming classes
- bilingual discussions and dialogues on Cuban arts.
The festival will be bursting with dance performances by festival organizer IFE-ILE’s world-renowned Afro-Cuban Music and Dance ensemble with quite a few performances to be held at the Florida International University. There will also be heritage tours to Little Havana and poetry readings. The dates are as follows, 15 – 17 Jul at Florida International University.
Colombian Festival Miami
Miami’s Colombian community get their sleeves rolled up to celebrate their heritage during the annual Columbian festival (18th July). The three day event features,
- Music
- Dancing
- Food
- Exhibitions
The festival will be held at Fair Expo Centre in Miami.
Vans Warped Tour St Petersburg, Miami and Orlando
Vinoy Waterfront Park in St Petersburg Florida (23 Jul), will be home to the music and extreme sports extravaganza that is the Vans Warped Tour. The tour will showcase,
- leading punk and hardcore bands
- extreme sports demos
- Lucha Libre wrestling and much much more.
Here is a taste of some of the bands appearing in,
- After Midnight Project
- Call The Cops
- Emarosa
- Sum 41.
The tour will then roll into Miami Cruzan Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach on the 24th Jul and lastly Central Florida Fairground, Orlando on 25th Jul.
Legendary Ernest Hemingway Festival Key West
This free festival which runs 20-25 Jul, will celebrate the life and work of the American legend Ernest Hemingway There will be several parties and events, including Sloppy Joe’s Annual Papa Look-Alike Contest. Lookalikes will participate in arm-wrestling and a Key Lime pie-eating contest. Other events taking place are,
- marlin fishing contest
- a unique take on a Hemingway classic, the Running of the Bulls
- a Caribbean Street fair
- Twilight Party.
To top it all off Hemingway’s granddaughter will present a monetary prize to the best short stories entered in the well known Lorain Hemingway Short Story Competition.
Rihanna Supported by Ke$ha Tampa
R&B star Rihanna will bring the house down at the Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa with special guest star… Ke$ha. The concert will take place on 30 Jul, tickets range in price from US$19.75-US$89.95. What more can I say… except a nite to remember!
Carlos Santana Tampa
Santana fans are in for a real treat as the infamous Santana hits the Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa (31st Jul). He is widely recognized as one of its greatest ever guitar players. His appeal is broad spectrum and will tingle the taste buds of ANYONE who enjoys good music!
Kid Fest Maitland Florida
Kid Fest is held at the Enzian Theatre in Maitland. This fest has flourished from the humble beginnings as a kids’ summer mini-series into a week-long celebration of film for children. You can look forward to,
- Screenings of old and new films
- Young Filmmakers’ Summer Camp.