Where is Sunset Celebration?
Sunset Celebration is located on Mallory Square Dock and Plaza in Key West, Florida. It is on the north west waterfront close to the foot of Duval St. (old town’s main street).
What is the entrance fee to Sunset Celebration?
It is totally free to attend Sunset Celebration. We only ask the you support the local artists, performers and food vendors by purchasing their art, eating their creative food and tipping the buskers.
What is the best way to get to Sunset Celebration?
The easiest way to get to the event is by walking or by bicycling.There is a parking lot at Mallory Square but it is expensive to park ($4.00 per hour). If you are going to drive it is recommended to park on the street and walk in as the lot can be very congested during sunset hours.
How do the Street Performers get paid?
The street performers do not get paid. They make all of their money from tips from the spectators. If you watch a performers show PLEASE be considerate and leave a tip. It will be much appreaciated and you will be a hero!
Who runs Sunset Celebration?
Sunset Celebration is managed by the Key West Cultural Preservation Society a non-profit arts organization. We rent Mallory Square from the City of Key West and charge the artists a nominal fee to set up to help with the expenses. We also accept donations from donors who are thrilled to support this spectacular event!
What time does Sunset Celebration take place?
The festival begins around two hours before Sunset and ends approximately soon after sunset. The event takes place every night 7 days a week, 365 days a year (weather permitting).
See Schedule below for monthly setup times: we reccomend getting there 1 hour after startup when the crowd has grown.
January 4:00 PM
February 4:15 PM
March 4:30 PM
– Daylight Savings –
April 5:30 PM
April 5:45 PM
May 6:00 PM
June 6:15 PM
July 6:15 PM
August 6:00 PM
September 5:45 PM
October 5:15 PM
November 5:00 PM
– Daylight Savings –
November 3:45 PM
December 3:45 PM
What is the CPS?
The Key West Cultural Preservation Society, Inc. was established in 1984. It is a not for profit corporation established to support the arts. The main function of the organization is to manage Sunset Celebration, Key West’s premiere nightly arts festival. The CPS leases Mallory Square Dock from the City of Key West, Florida for four hours nightly and in turn rents space to artisans.
The CPS’s Mission is to:
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Preserve the spirit of the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, its history, tradition, and reality.
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Promote art as a cottage industry, by educating government officials and the public regarding the importance of art in the local economy.
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Stimulate greater governmental and public awareness and appreciation of the importance of artistic and cultural activities to the people·of Monroe County.
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Create documentation of Monroe County artistic and cultural activities for the education of the community.
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Encourage the use of public land for artistic and cultural purposes which would benefit the community as a whole by enriching the cultural experience of the citizens.
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Support and implement the preservation and growth of the county’s artistic and cultural activities.
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Secure a permanent location and funding for a Culture Center which will serve as a training center, workplace, and exhibition site for local artists.
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Encourage the formation of schools and training facilities for the arts in Key West.
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Provide funds for the legal defense of artists who are illegally arrested in the course of their profession.
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Participate in locally organized cultural events.
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Organize and sponsor such activities as exhibitions and lectures.
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Encourage and implement opportunities for Monroe County residents to participate in artistic and cultural activities.
Organizational Structure
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General Membership- The general membership consists predominantly of the participants of Sunset Celebration.
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Board of Directors- Volunteer body elected annually by the general membership to oversee all activities involving Sunset Celebration.
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Participation Committee- Volunteer entity approved by the board of directors who’s primary job is to ensure the authenticity of art exhibited at Sunset Celebration.
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Performers Committee- Volunteer body compromised of and elected by Sunset performers to address issues involving entertainers. Sits at the pleasure of the Board.
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Pier Managers- Paid employees to manage the day to day activities of Sunset Celebration.
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Clean up persons- Paid employees who clean up after Sunset Celebration.
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Web Administrator- Manages Sunset Celebration Web Site.
Contact
Sunset Celebration
P.O. Box 4837
Key West, FL 33040
Phone – (305) 396-7046