Florida Strawberry Festival 2026 Returns to Plant City With 11 Days of Food, Concerts and Florida Tradition
Every spring, Plant City steps into the spotlight. The Florida Strawberry Festival has long been one of the most anticipated events in Central Florida, blending agriculture, live entertainment, fair rides and some of the most recognizable strawberry shortcake in the state.
The 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival runs from Thursday, February 26th through Sunday, March 8th. Festival gate hours are listed daily from 10am to 11pm, with box office hours from 10am to 8pm, according to Bay News 9 and official festival information. For many Tampa Bay families, this is a yearly tradition that signals the shift into spring.
An Eleven Day Celebration Rooted in Florida Agriculture
While the midway and concerts draw large crowds, the foundation of the Florida Strawberry Festival remains agriculture. The event began as a way to showcase the region’s strawberry harvest, and that connection is still visible throughout the grounds.
Livestock shows featuring cattle, pigs, sheep, rabbits and poultry run during the festival, giving youth participants an opportunity to present animals they have raised and cared for throughout the year. Agricultural exhibits and competitions remain central to the experience, reinforcing Plant City’s reputation as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.
It is this balance between fair style entertainment and agricultural heritage that sets the festival apart from a standard carnival!
2026 Festival Schedule and Midway Hours
The festival spans eleven consecutive days, February 26th through March 8th 2026. Midway hours vary slightly by day. Tuesday through Friday the midway opens at 12pm and operates until 11pm. On weekends and Monday, midway hours begin at 10am and run through 11pm.
A special Moonlight Magic event is scheduled for Friday March 6th. On that night, the midway closes briefly before reopening from 10pm to 2am. A Moonlight Magic wristband is listed at $30 and includes gate admission. Checking daily schedules in advance is recommended, as entertainment times and ride hours can shift based on programming.
Admission Pricing and Discount Options
Gate admission for 2026 is listed as $15 for adults ages 13 and older, $5 for children ages 6 through 12, and free for children 5 and under with a paid adult.
Discounted admission tickets are available at participating Publix locations from February 1st through March 8th. The discounted rate is listed at $10 for adults and $4 for children ages 6 through 12.
As with most large scale festivals, overall costs will vary depending on rides, food and concert tickets. Planning ahead and purchasing discounted gate tickets in advance can help families manage their day more efficiently.
Headline Entertainment and Concert Nights
Concerts remain one of the biggest draws each year. Headline performances take place inside the festival’s main entertainment venue and require a separate concert ticket. Venue admission is not included with a concert ticket, and regular gate admission is still required for entry onto festival grounds.
The 2026 headliner lineup as reported the official festival site includes performers such as Alabama, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jo Dee Messina, Dierks Bentley and The Offspring among others throughout the run. Because many shows sell quickly, securing concert tickets in advance is typically the safest approach for visitors planning a specific performance night.
Strawberry Shortcake and New Food Highlights
No visit feels complete without strawberry shortcake. Three primary shortcake locations are confirmed for 2026, including the St. Clement Make Your Own Shortcake Booth, Transforming Life Church inside the Entenmann’s Strawberry Tent, and the East Historical Society Shortcake Booth near Pioneer Village.
Alongside the traditional favorites, newer strawberry themed creations are also part of this year’s lineup. Bay News 9 reports specialty items such as a Strawberry Dubai funnel cake, strawberry inspired chocolate slushes and other creative spins on the fruit that made Plant City famous.
Food vendors throughout the grounds offer both classic fair staples and seasonal strawberry focused desserts, giving visitors a wide range of options beyond the well known shortcake booths.
Parking, Location and Arrival Planning
The Florida Strawberry Festival takes place at 2209 West Oak Avenue in Plant City, Florida 33563. Festival organizers list 11 surrounding parking lots operated by local churches and nonprofit organizations. Standard festival lot pricing is listed at $10 and lots are cash only. A tram service from the Red lot transports guests to several gate entrances, offering added convenience during high traffic days.
Arriving earlier in the day can make parking and entry more manageable, particularly on weekends and headline concert evenings.
Digital Tools for a Smoother Visit
The Florida Strawberry Festival mobile app provides access to maps, food locations, entertainment schedules and ticket storage through a mobile wallet. The app is available on both Apple iOS and Google Play platforms.
For visitors traveling from Tampa, St. Petersburg or surrounding areas, reviewing maps and performance times before arriving can help maximize time on the grounds.
