The Best Florida Events in February 2027: The Daytona 500, the State Fair, Spring Training and More 🌴🏁
February is when Florida really hits its stride. The weather is warm and dry, spring training camps open, and the event calendar goes from busy to packed: the Florida State Fair in Tampa, the Miami International Boat Show, Mardi Gras at Universal, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival over Presidents’ Day weekend and, of course, the Great American Race at Daytona.
Here are the best things to do in Florida in February 2027, in date order, with confirmed 2027 dates and where I’d stay for each. Arriving at the end of January? Don’t miss the Gasparilla Parade of Pirates in Tampa on January 30. February is also peak season, so book your hotel early.
1. Eat Something Deep-Fried at the Florida State Fair (Tampa) 🎡
📍 Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa | 📅 February 4 – 15, 2027
The first state fair of the year in the U.S. takes over the fairgrounds in east Tampa for 12 days of midway rides, livestock shows, concerts and some of the wildest fair food in the country. Watch for the discount days: in 2026 there was $3 admission on Thursday afternoons and a $25 admission-plus-unlimited-rides day.
For hours, ticket prices, parking and the closest hotels, see our Florida State Fair 2027 guide.
Minutes from the fair gates, with free hot breakfast before a long day on the midway.
Check Rates & Availability →2. Catch Beads at Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando 🎭
📍 Universal Studios Florida, Orlando | 📅 February 6 – March 27, 2027
Universal’s Mardi Gras brings a nighttime parade with giant floats and flying beads, New Orleans bands, food from celebrations around the world and concerts on select nights. It’s included with park admission, and the 2027 run wraps up a week earlier than 2026, so don’t wait until April.
Suites with kitchens close to the parks, a smart base for a family Universal trip.
Check Rates & Availability →3. Step Back in Time at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival (Dade City) ⚔️
📍 Dade City | 📅 Weekends, February 6 – March 21, 2027
A recreated 16th-century village north of Tampa with full-contact jousting, artisans, turkey legs and a different theme every weekend. Costumes are encouraged. It’s an easy day trip from Tampa if you’re in town for the State Fair or spring training.
4. Tour the Yachts at the Miami International Boat Show ⛵
📍 Miami | 📅 February 10 – 14, 2027
One of the biggest boat shows in the world, with more than 1,000 boats and yachts on display across several locations in Miami. Even if you’re not shopping for a boat, walking the docks is a blast.
A downtown base that keeps you close to the show sites and the rest of Miami.
Check Rates & Availability →5. Shop and Stroll the Coconut Grove Arts Festival (Miami) 🎨
📍 Coconut Grove, Miami | 📅 February 13 – 15, 2027
Presidents’ Day weekend means one of the top outdoor fine-arts shows in the country, with around 285 juried artists set up along the waterfront in Coconut Grove, plus live music and food.
Close to the festival grounds, so you can skip the Presidents’ Day weekend parking hunt.
Check Rates & Availability →6. See the Lights at the Sant’Yago Knight Parade (Tampa) ✨
📍 7th Avenue, Ybor City | 📅 2027 date TBA (usually mid-February)
Gasparilla season ends with an illuminated night parade through historic Ybor City. In 2026 it was on February 14, about two weeks after the main Gasparilla parade. Watch for the 2027 date.
Stay in Ybor and walk to the parade route, then ride the free streetcar downtown the next day.
Check Rates & Availability →7. Play Ball: Spring Training Opens ⚾
📍 Ballparks across Florida | 📅 Games begin February 19, 2027
Pitchers and catchers report in mid-February, and Grapefruit League games start around February 19, when the Yankees open against the Blue Jays at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Keep an eye on MLB’s labor talks: the collective bargaining agreement expires December 1, 2026, and a lockout could push dates back.
Planning a trip? See our Florida spring training guide for all 15 teams, plus our Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays guides.
A few miles from Steinbrenner Field, with easy rideshare to the ballpark and plenty of restaurants nearby.
Check Rates & Availability →8. Feel the Thunder at the Daytona 500 🏁
📍 Daytona International Speedway | 📅 February 21, 2027
The 69th Daytona 500 kicks off the NASCAR season on Sunday, February 21, 2027, with Speedweeks races and qualifying filling the days before. It’s later than usual this year, so double-check your dates before you book.
Hotels near the speedway sell out fast. See our guide to hotels near Daytona International Speedway for the full list.
Close to the speedway, with free breakfast before race day.
Check Rates & Availability →9. Watch the Pros at the Cognizant Classic (Palm Beach Gardens) ⛳
📍 PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens | 📅 February 25 – 28, 2027
The PGA Tour’s Florida swing tees off at PGA National, home of the famously tough Bear Trap holes. It’s the first of four Florida events in four weeks, followed by Doral, THE PLAYERS and the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. See our March 2027 events guide for those.
A waterfront stay at Harbourside Place in Jupiter, an easy drive to PGA National.
Check Rates & Availability →Planning Tips for February in Florida
Book early. February is peak season, and Presidents’ Day weekend (February 13 – 15, 2027) and Daytona 500 weekend are two of the busiest of the year.
Stack your trip. In Tampa Bay you can hit the State Fair, the Renaissance Festival and a spring training game in one long weekend. Then come back in March for the Florida Strawberry Festival.
Looking for more? See our Florida festivals worth planning a trip around and the Florida events calendar.
FAQ
What are the best events in Florida in February 2027?
Highlights include the Florida State Fair in Tampa (February 4 – 15), Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando (February 6 – March 27), the Miami International Boat Show (February 10 – 14), the Coconut Grove Arts Festival (February 13 – 15), the start of spring training (around February 19), the Daytona 500 (February 21) and the Cognizant Classic (February 25 – 28).
When is the Daytona 500 in 2027?
The 69th Daytona 500 is Sunday, February 21, 2027, at Daytona International Speedway.
When does spring training start in 2027?
Pitchers and catchers report in mid-February, and Grapefruit League games begin around February 19, 2027. MLB’s labor agreement expires December 1, 2026, so a lockout could change the schedule.
Is February a good time to visit Florida?
Yes. February brings warm, dry weather, spring training and some of the state’s biggest events. It’s also peak season, so book hotels early, especially for Presidents’ Day weekend and Daytona 500 weekend.
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