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Annually, thousands of visitors come to enjoy Cedar Key's Old Florida Celebration of the Arts in April, Clamerica Celebration on the 4th of July, the October Seafood Festival and the events of A Cedar Key Christmas between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Smaller events take place throughout the year including the Cedar Key Star Party, fishing tournaments, boat and kayaking events, nature tours, and community civic and church activities. If you look around, there's always something happening in Cedar Key.
See our Community Calendar for more events.
 Celebrate Cedar Key
July 4th, 2013
Celebrate Cedar Key will be July 4th. There will fireworks and lots of other activities.
View a photo gallery here
 Lighthouse Open to the Public
Date to be Announced
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge hosts an openhouse on Seahorse Key several times a year. Enhance your summer by getting the family outdoors into the spectacular Cedar Keys. Bring your camera, fish a little, walk along the beach, and enjoy the young pelicans through the spotting scope.
The interior of Seahorse Key is normally closed to public entrance, as are all posted refuge islands, so that nesting birds and other wildlife are not disturbed. Annually, a three hundred foot buffer is closed to all public access from March through June to provide more security to the rookery while mature birds nest and rear their young. On June 30 the closure ends; nesting time will be over and the fledglings will be flying. This celebration of wildlife is an opportunity to visit the otherwise closed Seahorse Key with staff present to answer questions.
The lighthouse on Seahorse Key, atop the 54-foot tall dune, offers great perspective for wildlife photography as the adult and juvenile birds fly by the tower. You’ll see brown pelicans, ibis, cormorants, herons and this year’s new couple – reddish egrets flying from the rookery. Eagles and osprey also visit throughout the day from their nearby nests.
This year, ghosts-like figures in period dress will tell us tales of the light station and its challenges, as well as the history of the two cemeteries on the island, both Civil War sailors’ and light keepers’.
Catch a tour boat from the city docks, rent a vessel, or take your own to Seahorse Key for a celebration of wildlife hosted by refuge staff. Enjoy the out of doors at the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, where wildlife comes first.
If interested in a shuttle boat ride, please call either Tidewater Tours 543-9523, Cedar Key Paddling 352-665-1276 or Cedar Key Island Tours at 352-231-4435 for reservations.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, of which the National Wildlife Refuge System is a part, is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information call (352) 493-0238.
View a photo gallery here
 Labor Day Auction
September 1st, 2013
The Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce will host its annual labor Day Weekend Auction on Sunday. Auction-goers will find great deals on lodgings, dining, fishing, fine art, gifts, fresh clams and more. As the organization`s largest fundraiser of the year, the auction plays a vital role in keeping the Chamber and The Cedar Key Welcome Center operational. All items are donated by local businesses, residents and artists. Many items are auctioned for a fraction of their value-providing a great opportunity to save money and help the Cedar Key business community serve our guests at The Welcome Center. It`s a fun time with for all who attend. Come for the early viewing of auction items at 12:30 p.m.. We always have a full house!!!!!
See some little video clips here
 Hidden Coast Paddle Event
October 4th, 2013 to October 6th, 2013
Hidden Coast Paddle event. Starts in Cedar Key October 4th, 2013. See the Hidden Coast Website for the full itinerary and more details.
 48th Annual Seafood Festival
October 19th, 2013 to October 20th, 2013
9:00 AM until 5:00 PM each day. This major event features well over 200 arts and crafts exhibits, and great local seafood in City Park. There will be live musical entertainment at several places around town during the days and nights, and a parade on Saturday morning.
In addition on this weekend, there is an open house at the lighthouse on Seahorse Key, the big island 3 miles to the west of Cedar Key. Explore the lighthouse, look at the exhibits and wander this beautiful island. Shuttle boats are available at City Marina. Be sure to remember your camera and binoculars!
For arts and crafts vendor information, contact Thelma McCain at 352-543-5436.
View a video of a previous event here
View a photo gallery here
 A Cedar Key Christmas 2013
November 29th, 2013 to December 25th, 2013
Join the festivities which begins with a traditional lighting of the tree in City Park the day after Thanksgiving. Hot Cocoa, caroling and good cheer, are all sure to warm your heart for the start of the Holiday. Call 352-543-5600 for more information.
View a video of a previous event here
View a photo gallery here
 Cedar Key Star Party 2014
Date to be Announced
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve and Cedar Key Museum State Park will host National Stars-n-Parks Programs.
Amateur astronomers are coming to town and bringing their high-powered telescopes for a week long stargazing event and Cedar Key is one of the few places in the nation with skies dark enough to host. This is a Public Education Astronomy Program given by volunteers. Activities are designed to stimulate interest in astronomy and to educate the public about advantages of protecting the night sky from light pollution.
For more information and to make reservations call (352) 543-5567. If you require assistance in order to participate in this event, please inform park staff when making reservations. For more information, visit www.floridastateparks.org.
 50th Annual Old Florida Celebration of the Arts
April 12th, 2014 to April 13th, 2014
Cedar Key's 50th annual fine arts festival is hosted by the Cedar Key Arts Center. Over 120 fine artists and craftsmen will showcase their brilliant works of art on Historic 2nd Street. Artists compete for over $10,000 in prize money and purchase awards during this juried event. Last year over 20,000 people visited Cedar Key to enjoy this fine art festival and purchase a piece from the collection. Local non-profit businesses and churches sell a variety of food and desserts in City Park. Cedar Key is famous for their steamed clams and some of the freshest seafood you can find. Music, sidewalk chalk, and face painting will also be happening in the park all weekend. As you cross Cedar Key's bridges you will feel as if you are stepping back in time with it's old Florida charm. Don't forget to check out their million dollar sunsets!
Cedar Key is located 60 miles SW of Gainesville at the end of State Road 24.
View a video of a previous event here
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© Bill Kilborn
© Bill Kilborn
© Bill Kilborn
© Dick Martens
© Bill Kilborn
© Dick Martens
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