JUNE 8-21, 2026
Join us for our 2026 summer solstice celebration
For two weeks, the Sunset Celebration transforms into a vibrant Solstice Festival filled with live entertainment, local art, interactive experiences, island-inspired food, and local non-profit
organizations. Celebrate the season with nightly festivities, community traditions, and
unforgettable sunsets in the heart of Key West.
Mallory Square 420 Wall St, Key West, FL 33040
organizations. Celebrate the season with nightly festivities, community traditions, and
unforgettable sunsets in the heart of Key West.
Mallory Square 420 Wall St, Key West, FL 33040
world food experience
Taste your way around the world with local island flavors to global-inspired bites in an experience that brings together diverse cuisines.
magical solstice activities
Hands-on solstice fun like wish banners, flower crowns, more whimsical ways to celebrate the solstice season.
Art, Music & more!
Every evening comes alive with local art, live music and performances and other interactive experiences.
Celebrate the Summer Solstice at MALLORY SQUARE
Join us for a free, family-friendly evening filled with live entertainment, hands-on craft demonstrations, global flavors, local vendors, raffles, and unforgettable waterfront energy.
From discovering unique art to tasting dishes from around the world, the Summer Solstice Festival brings the community together for a vibrant celebration of creativity, culture, and sunset magic.
Keeping the Celebration Alive
Our celebration wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors and community
partners. Their generosity helps keep this beloved waterfront tradition alive for locals and visitors to enjoy
night after night.
partners. Their generosity helps keep this beloved waterfront tradition alive for locals and visitors to enjoy
night after night.
Summer Solstice Is Special…But This Happens Every Night
365 Sunsets. One Celebration.
A cultural celebration like none other
Set on the iconic waterfront at Mallory Square Dock and Plaza, Sunset Celebration, Key West’s longest running arts festival, has been bringing people together for over 40 years to watch the sun go down in unforgettable fashion.
Just steps from the end of Duval Street, it’s a free, nightly gathering where the waterfront fills with performers, artists, and sunset seekers. Arrive by foot or bike for the easiest experience, and settle in as the celebration builds in the hours leading up to sunset, every single day of the year, weather permitting.
the heart of our celebration
From handcrafted art and waterfront bites to live performances under the sunset sky, there’s something new to explore around every corner. Meet the makers, taste the local flavor, and experience the energy that makes Sunset Celebration unforgettable.
CRAFTERS
Learn More
FOOd CARTS
Learn More
ENTERTAINMENT
Learn More
Meet Us at Sunset
Sunset Celebration is completely free to enter, but it thrives on community support.
The event is managed by the Key West Cultural Preservation Society, a nonprofit that helps keep this tradition alive, with artists contributing a small setup fee. Parking is available at Mallory Square, but it’s limited and pricey, so street parking and walking in is often the easier option during peak sunset hours.
40+ Years of Turning Sunset into Celebration
Join the Celebration
Are you a performer, artist, food vendor, or local maker looking to be part of Sunset Celebration? We’re always looking for creative talent and unique experiences that add to the energy of the waterfront. Whether you entertain crowds, create handmade goods, or serve unforgettable food, we’d love to hear from you and help keep the tradition growing.
THE STORY OF SUNSET CELEBRATION
What began as a spontaneous gathering on the waterfront grew into one of America’s most beloved daily traditions, a living festival born from community, nearly lost, and ultimately saved by the people who loved it.
THE BEGINNING
A RITUAL ROOTED IN THE HIPPIE ERA
Long before Jimmy Buffett was famous or Mel Fisher found his gold, locals and wanderers began gathering at Mallory Square to watch the sun go down. Tennessee Williams stood there and applauded. Performers, painters, mimes, and musicians were drawn to the spot and a nightly celebration was born.
GROWTH
A FESTIVAL TAKES SHAPE
Artists displayed their work. Street performers showed off their skills. Vendors set up shop. What had been an informal gathering became a structured nightly event, drawing people together to celebrate the sky, the sea, and the spirit of Key West.
CRISIS
SUNSET WAS ALMOST SHUT DOWN
In the early 1980s, the celebration grew controversial. Critics called it chaotic, lawless, and unregulated and pushed to have it banned entirely. The tradition faced a real threat of being extinguished by local authorities.
SALVATION
THE COMMUNITY FIGHTS BACK
Local business owners and citizens stepped up to defend Sunset Celebration. Their effort worked — and in 1984, a nonprofit organization was formed to steward the festival, preserve its character, and protect it into the future.
TODAY
A LIVING PIECE OF LOCAL CULTURE
Every evening, 365 days a year, the celebration begins 90 minutes before sunset near lower Duval. The people you meet there are the artists, cooks, and performers themselves, no franchises, no intermediaries. Traditions pass from generation to generation, and the joy is the same as it ever was.
Support the Sunset Celebration
Help keep this beloved waterfront tradition alive by making a donation. Your support directly contributes to maintaining the event, supporting local artists and performers, and ensuring Sunset Celebration remains free and open for everyone to enjoy for years to come.