The Florida Strawberry Festival 2026 is back and bigger than ever, turning Plant City into a sweet-smelling paradise of music, food, and full-on fair magic. If you’ve ever wanted to combine a county fair, a concert, and a strawberry-based food coma into one unforgettable day, this is your moment. Running February 26 through March 8 at the festival grounds at 303 BerryFest Place, the Florida Strawberry Festival 2026 promises nonstop entertainment, irresistible strawberries, and all-day fun. And yes, “just going for the shortcake” becomes a lie you tell yourself in the parking lot.
Festival Dates, Tickets, and Must-Know Details
The Florida Strawberry Festival 2026 officially runs from February 26 through March 8, welcoming families, food lovers, and music fans alike. Gate admission is $15 for adults (13+), $5 for kids ages 6–12, and children 5 and under enter free with a paid adult. For those hunting savings, discounted tickets are sold at participating Publix stores from February 15 through March 8 for $10 adults and $4 kids. Festival hours are 10 am to 11 pm daily, giving you plenty of time to explore every corner of this iconic celebration. For maps, showtimes, and special discount days, the festival directs visitors to its official site and mobile app, with updates also shared on Facebook, Instagram, and X via the Florida Strawberry Festival’s social media channels.
Rides, Exhibits, and Big-Stage Energy
What do you actually do at the Florida Strawberry Festival 2026? You wander, and you smile while doing it. The festival is a full-scale fair featuring agricultural exhibits, crafts, commerce displays, and youth livestock shows, all wrapped around a sprawling midway. According to the official site, the Deggeller Midway packs more than 80 rides, games, and attractions, with the main midway opening daily at noon and earlier starts on weekends and Mondays. Translation: the screams you hear are joy, gravity, and someone discovering spin rides as an adult. Between the rides, colorful exhibits, and lively atmosphere, there’s always something happening.
Star-Studded Concert Lineup
Music is one of the biggest reasons fans flock to the Florida Strawberry Festival 2026. Headline concerts, many requiring a separate ticket, bring national stars to the Plant City stage. Among the 2026 performers are Alabama, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Lauren Daigle, and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, plus plenty more across genres. These concerts turn the fairgrounds into a full-blown music destination, making each night feel like a mini festival inside the bigger celebration. Performance schedules and tickets are available through the festival’s official site and promoted across its social media platforms.
Strawberry Shortcake and the Real Reason You Came
Now, the most important science of the Florida Strawberry Festival 2026: the food. The festival FAQ reminds everyone that fresh strawberries are sold on site and that the world-famous strawberry shortcake is available at multiple booths around the grounds. Shortcake pops up in multiple locations, including booths inside the Parke Exhibit Building and the Entenmann’s Strawberry Tent. You’ll also find “dozens upon dozens” of other treats, which is festival code for: bring napkins, bring hand sanitizer, and bring a friend who will stop you from ordering a second dessert “for later.” It’s a foodie paradise that keeps fans coming back year after year.
A Family-Friendly, Alcohol-Free Festival
One more useful note for the responsible among us: the Florida Strawberry Festival 2026 does not sell alcohol anywhere on the grounds. That means your buzz comes from sugar, adrenaline, and the pure civic pride of Plant City doing its thing. This family-friendly policy keeps the environment safe, welcoming, and perfect for visitors of all ages who want to enjoy the festival without worries.
Plan Your Visit Today
From thrilling rides and chart-topping concerts to legendary desserts and hometown charm, the Florida Strawberry Festival 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting events of the year in Florida. Learn more, buy tickets, and plan your trip at the official site, and stay connected through Facebook, Instagram, and X on the festival’s social media pages for the latest updates, schedules, and surprises.
Get ready to follow the scent of strawberries and discover why this festival keeps getting sweeter every single year — and trust us, the best part is still waiting just around the corner.
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