Every March, Plant City, the self-proclaimed “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World,” throws one of the biggest parties in Florida. The Florida Strawberry Festival packs 11 days of big-name concerts, carnival rides, livestock shows and more strawberry desserts than you can count into a small town just east of Tampa. More than 650,000 people make the trip every year.
Where: Florida Strawberry Festival grounds, 303 BerryFest Place, Plant City
Admission (2026 prices): $15 ages 13+, $5 ages 6–12, free 5 and under
Save: discounted advance tickets at Publix
Parking: about $10 per car, cash only
From Tampa: about 25 minutes east on I-4
Florida Strawberry Festival 2027 Dates
The 2027 festival runs Thursday, March 4 through Sunday, March 14, 2027. Weekdays are noticeably less crowded than weekends, so if you can swing a Tuesday or Wednesday visit, you’ll spend less time in lines and more time eating shortcake.
The headliner lineup is usually announced in the months leading up to the festival. We’ll add the 2027 headliners here as soon as they’re released.
Tickets and Admission
- Gate admission (2026 prices): $15 for ages 13 and up, $5 for ages 6–12, and free for kids 5 and under. 2027 prices haven’t been posted yet.
- Save at Publix: advance tickets at Publix were $10 for adults and $4 for kids in 2026, an easy way to save on a family trip.
- Discount days: the festival typically offers discounts on select days, so check the schedule before you go.
- Headliner concerts: concert seats are sold separately from gate admission through the festival’s official ticket site, and popular shows sell out fast. Ticket office: (813) 754-1996.
Parking and Getting There
- The festival grounds are at 303 BerryFest Place in Plant City, just off I-4, about 25 minutes from Tampa, 20 minutes from Lakeland and about an hour from Orlando.
- There are roughly 11 parking lots around the grounds. Parking was $10 per car in 2026, cash only, so bring small bills.
- On weekends and concert nights, arrive early. Traffic on I-4 and around the grounds backs up fast.
What to Eat: The Strawberry Must-Haves
The food is the real star. You’ll find strawberries in just about everything, but a few things are non-negotiable:
- Strawberry shortcake: the classic. Shortcake booths run by local churches and community groups, like the St. Clement’s booth, have been a festival tradition for years.
- Chocolate-covered strawberries and strawberry milkshakes, sold all over the grounds.
- New creations every year. Recent hits included strawberry chocolate cups and strawberry crunch “nachos.”
- Bonus stop: on your way in or out of Plant City, the local farm stands are famous for their own strawberry shortcake and milkshakes in season.
Hotels Near the Strawberry Festival
Plant City only has a handful of hotels, and they fill up fast during the festival, so book early. These three are all within about 2 miles of the festival grounds.
TownePlace Suites Plant City (best for families)
One of the newest hotels in Plant City, with suites and kitchens, which is handy for families or longer stays. It’s about 2 miles from the festival grounds.
Hampton Inn Plant City
A dependable pick with free hot breakfast, about 2 miles from the grounds. Check rates at the Hampton Inn Plant City.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Plant City
Right off I-4, a quick drive to the festival and an easy hop to Tampa or Lakeland. Check rates at the Holiday Inn Express.
If Plant City is booked up, stay in Tampa (about 25 minutes away) or Brandon and drive in. See our best things to do in Tampa to fill the rest of your trip.
Make It a Bigger Trip
- Spring training: the festival overlaps with spring training. The Tigers play in Lakeland, about 20 minutes away, and the Yankees play in Tampa. See our Florida spring training guide and Yankees spring training guide.
- Beach day: Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach are about an hour west. Compare them in our Clearwater vs. St. Pete Beach guide.
- More events: browse our Florida events calendar.
FAQ
When is the Florida Strawberry Festival 2027?
The 2027 Florida Strawberry Festival runs March 4–14, 2027, at the festival grounds in Plant City, Florida (303 BerryFest Place). It’s an 11-day event.
How much are Florida Strawberry Festival tickets?
In 2026, gate admission was $15 for ages 13 and up, $5 for kids 6–12, and free for kids 5 and under, with discounted advance tickets at Publix ($10 adults, $4 kids). 2027 prices haven’t been posted yet. Headliner concerts are ticketed separately.
Where do you park at the Strawberry Festival?
There are about 11 parking lots around the festival grounds. In 2026, parking was $10 per car, cash only, so bring small bills. Arrive early on weekends, when the lots fill fastest.
Where can I get strawberry shortcake at the Strawberry Festival?
Shortcake booths run by local churches and community groups are a festival tradition, including the St. Clement’s shortcake booth. Lines get long in the afternoon, so grab yours early.
Where should I stay for the Strawberry Festival?
Plant City has a handful of hotels within about 2 miles of the festival grounds, including Hampton Inn, TownePlace Suites and Holiday Inn Express. Tampa is about 25 minutes west and Lakeland about 20 minutes east if you want more options.
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