“FLORIDA MANATEE FESTIVAL” – Crystal River
Activity Level: 3
January 18, 2026 : 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
With something to please everyone, the 39th Annual Florida Manatee Festival is the place to go! Rated by attendees as one of the best outdoor events in Citrus County! Featuring a wide selection of delicious cuisine choices. Manatee boat tours with participating local guides with M.E.T.A. (Manatee Eco Tourism Association) will take you to their favorite manatee watch spots for a chance to see our favorite floating friends up close without getting in the water!
Tickets for the boat tours can be purchased at the festival.
World-famous Three Sisters Springs is the perfect setting to view the majestic manatee in its natural environment without getting your feet wet! Hundreds of manatees flock to the springs every year during Manatee Season as refuge from the cold, utilizing the springs’ consistent 72-degree waters to regulate their body temperature at a healthy level.
Musical entertainment will be ongoing from four stages.
Additionally, a vast array of fine art, craft, commercial, and non-profit vendors will line the streets alongside our resident businesses.
For the cultural connoisseurs, “Art in the Park” will be held in Crystal River’s beautiful Town Square, offering the perfect setting to browse and purchase an original piece of art.
The festival is pleased to offer a tasty selection of delectable delights at the food court right near the main stage in Kings Bay Park, and a second food court near the gazebo stage in Little Springs Park.
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