PLANT CITY, Fla. — The 91st annual Florida Strawberry Festival will make its return to Plant City on Thursday. Guests can celebrate the history of the Florida strawberry while enjoying plenty of entertainment, rides, agriculture, fine arts and food — including the St. Clement “Make Your Own” Shortcake Booth.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival.
When is the Florida Strawberry Festival? ⏰
The Florida Strawberry Festival is scheduled to take place from Feb. 26 through March 8.
Festival Hours:
Administrative Office:
Open Daily
Amscot Main Ticket Gate, Gate 1:
Open Daily
Solution Source Construction Box Office Hours:
Open Daily
Midway Hours:
SUN ‘n FUN Kiddie Korral:
Open Daily
Tuesday-Friday:
- 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. (*On Friday, March 6, Midway closes just before 10 p.m. and reopens from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. for Moonlight Magic. Moonlight Magic wristband purchased for $30 includes gate admission.)
Weekends & Monday:
Ticket Prices 🎟️
- Adults (ages 13+): $15
- Children (ages 6-12): $5
- Children (ages 5 and under): Free with paid adult admission
Discount Gate Admission:
(Available Feb. 1 through March 8 at these participating Publix Super Market stores throughout Central Florida.)
- Adults (ages 13+): $10
- Children (ages 6-12): $4
- Children (ages 5 and under): FREE with paid adult admission
Purchase tickets for the Florida Strawberry Festival.
Special Days and Discounts 🍓
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH, 2026 |
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Florida Blue Senior Citizens Day | Lazydays RV Ride-A-Thon Day |
Patrons 60 years of age or older will be admitted at a discounted gate admission ticket for $10. From noon – 11 p.m. A wristband purchased at the Midway for $25 will entitle the wearer to ride most mechanical rides for this one low price. Visit the Lazydays RV display on the festival grounds to receive a $5 off voucher. Take this voucher to any Midway ticket booth to receive $5 off the $25 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for this one low price of $20. Vouchers will be available at the Lazydays RV display on Feb. 26 and March 5. |
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH, 2026 |
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Publix Food & Fun Friday | Special Smiles Day |
Present any Publix branded or GreenWise non-perishable and receive a voucher for $5 off the $30 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for only $25. Special Smiles Day is sponsored by Rotary Club of Plant City and welcomes all individuals with special needs from 9 a.m. to noon. This unique event is reserved for celebrating and serving our most treasured guests in a safe, fun and sensory considerate environment. All Special Smiles attendees and one companion will be admitted FREE. Entry at Gate 5. |
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH, 2026 |
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Mid Florida Credit Union Free Kids Day | Circle K Super Saturday Wristband Day |
Kids through high school age admitted FREE. Just stop by any Festival ticket booth and receive a complimentary voucher on this special day. From 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Present a Circle K register receipt and receive $5 off the $35 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for only $30. One receipt required per wristband. |
SUNDAY, MARCH 1ST, 2026 |
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Coca-Cola Family Day |
Present any empty Coca-Cola brand can or plastic bottle product at the entry gate to receive a voucher for $5 off the $35 wristband and ride most mechanical rides from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. for only $30. One voucher required per wristband. Can or bottle is not valid for gate admission. Only one can per person. |
MONDAY, MARCH 2ND, 2026 |
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TITAN’s Grand Parade Day | Chick-fil-A Ride-A-Thon Day |
Grand parade begins at 1 p.m. and passes by Festival grounds at approximately 2 p.m. 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. – Present a Chick-fil-A register receipt or any proof of purchase and receive $5 off the $25 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for only $20. Home Depot Kid’s Workshop starts at 3 p.m. located near The Bank of Tampa Berry Big Wheel. |
TUESDAY, MARCH 3RD, 2026 |
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Tampa Bay History Center TWOSDAY | FREE Kids Day |
All kids up to age 17 are admitted free with a paid Adult. From noon – 11 p.m. Ride any single ride for only $2 or ride all day with a $25 wristband. |
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4TH, 2026 |
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Grow Financial American Heroes Day | Hungry Howie’s Ride-A-Thon Day |
All active, reserve, and retired military veterans, law enforcement, first responders and healthcare professionals are admitted free with valid ID. Ride-A-Thon from noon – 11 p.m. Present a Hungry Howie’s register receipt or any proof of purchase and receive $5 off the $25 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for only $20. |
THURSDAY, MARCH 5TH, 2026 |
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Florida Blue Senior Citizens Day | Lazydays RV Ride-A-Thon Day |
Patrons 60 years of age or older will be admitted at a discounted gate admission ticket for $10. From noon – 11 p.m. A wristband purchased at the Midway for $25 will entitle the wearer to ride most mechanical rides for this one low price. Visit the Lazydays RV display on the festival grounds to receive a $5 off voucher. Take this voucher to any Midway ticket booth to receive $5 off the $25 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for this one low price of $20. Vouchers will be available at the Lazydays RV display on Feb. 26 and March 5. |
FRIDAY, MARCH 6TH, 2026 |
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Tampa Bay Times Day on the Midway | Moonlight Magic Night |
The Tampa Bay Times Day on the Midway noon -10 p.m. Receive $5 off the $30 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for only $25. Moonlight Magic – Ride most mechanical rides for one special price of $30 per person. All patrons entering the Midway will be required to purchase a $30 wristband., 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. |
SATURDAY, MARCH 7TH, 2026 |
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Farm Worker Appreciation Day sponsored by Astin Farms | Circle K Super Saturday Wristband Day |
Farmworkers receive free admission with a voucher from Astin Farms. Super Saturday Wristband Day from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Present a Circle K register receipt and receive $5 off the $35 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for only $30. |
SUNDAY, MARCH 8TH, 2026 |
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Coca-Cola Family Day |
Present any empty Coca-Cola brand can or plastic bottle product at entry gate to receive a voucher for $5 off the $35 wristband and ride most mechanical rides from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. for only $30. Can or bottle is not valid for gate admission. ADVERTISEMENT |
Information provided by the Florida Strawberry Festival
Location 🗺️
The Florida Strawberry Festival is located at 2209 W. Oak Ave., Plant City, FL 33563.
Festival Parking 🚗
There are 11 festival parking lots (cash only) surrounding the grounds. These are manned by local churches and nonprofit organizations who benefit from the profits. The lots are easily accessible to gates 1, 16, 14, 13, 10 and 5, depending on where the lot is located.
- All festival lots are $10, including the Red, Gray, Pink, Purple, White, Tan, Yellow, Green, Orange and Magenta Parking Lot. Additional parking lots can be located off Ritter Street, Highway 92 or Highway 574.
In the Red lot only:
- Cars, pickup trucks and vans under 20 ft: $10 cash
- Vehicles over 20 ft. to 39 ft.: $20 cash
- Vehicles or buses over 40 ft.: $20 cash
The T-Mobile tram runs daily from the Red parking lot to the Festival’s entry Gate 10 and 14 as well as the corner of BerryFest Place and Oak Avenue near Gate 1 and Gate 5. There will also be parking available in independent lots around the festival grounds.
Food 🍰
The Florida Strawberry Festival is known for its variety of food options. Here are some highlights to expect this year, which include many new offerings such as the viral Strawberry Dubai funnel cake, and of course plenty more strawberry-themed treats:
Fresh Strawberries:
- Parkesdale Farms – South side of Parke Exhibit Building
- Wish Farms – Northeast corner of Parke Exhibit Building and just outside Gate 1/ Amscot Main Ticket Gate
World-Famous Strawberry Shortcake:
- St. Clement “Make Your Own” Shortcake Booth – In the middle of the Parke Exhibit Building, next to the Parkesdale Farms booth
- Transforming Life Church – Inside the Entenmann’s Strawberry Tent
- East Historical Society Shortcake Booth – South of the TECO Expo Hall near Pioneer Village
Strawberry shortcake station from the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Fla. (Spectrum News)
Strawberry shortcake station from the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Fla. (Spectrum News)
Here are some of the new foods that guests can enjoy at the 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival:
Strawberry BBQ Eggroll:
- Double T Enterprises (formerly Piggy Palace, inside Gate 10)
Strawberry Shortcake Snoball and Royal Strawberry Snoball:
- Pelican’s Snoballs (on the west side of the Arthur Boring Civic Center)
Penne Pickle Pasta:
- Spaghetti Eddie’s (outside the Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Pavilion)
Hot Honey Apple Fries:
- Crumpet Concessions (by the Central Florida Exterior Comfort Zone)
Strawberry Decker:
- Plant City High School Raider Regiment (inside the Stadium Exhibit Building)
Strawberry Campfire Crunch Melt:
- Sunshine Concessions (north of the Wish Farms Soundstage)
Strawberry Crunch Funnel Cake:
- Prowant Specialty (on the west side of the GT Grandstands)
Strawberry Cinnamon Bun à la Mode:
- Cinnamon Bun Saloon (south of the Parke Exhibit Building)
Strawberry Crunch Nachos:
- Sweet Missions (in the Softub Carriage House)
Deep Fried Uncrustable:
- Plant City Black Heritage Concessions (north of the Tampa Electric EXPO Hall)
Poor Porker:
- Sandy Ann’s Fried Pies (by the Stingray Chevrolet display)
Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Slush:
- Moose Joose Slush (outside the Tampa Electric Expo Hall)
Dubai Chocolate Truffles with Pistachio Cream:
- Orme’s Deep Fried Treats (near the Stingray Chevrolet display)
Strawberry Dubai Funnel Cake:
- Best Around Concessions (north of the BayCare Center)
Strawberry Dubai funnel cake from the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Fla. (Spectrum News)
Dubai Strawberry Chocolate Cups:
- Super Crunch (inside the TECO Expo Hall)
Chicken Teriyaki Mac and Cheese, White Cheddar Truffle Mac and Cheese and Buffalo Mac and Cheese:
- Brody’s Mac & Cheese (west of the GT Grandstands)
View additional details about food at the Florida Strawberry Festival.
Headline Entertainment 🎶
The Florida Strawberry Festival has been long known for its popular entertainment lineups. This year, attendees of all ages can expect to see dozens of performers take the stage. Some performances are free with the price of admission.
Here is the 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival entertainment lineup:
| 🍓DATE | 🍓TIME | 🍓LINEUP | 🍓COST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Feb 26 | 10:30 a.m. | Jimmy Stuff & His Orchestra | FREE WITH PAID ADMISSION |
| Thursday, Feb 26 | 3:30 p.m. | The Oak Ridge Boys | $40 |
| Thursday, Feb 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Alabama | $65 |
| Friday, Feb 27 | 3:30 p.m. | Jo Dee Messina | $40 |
| Friday, Feb 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Jamey Johnson | $45 |
| Saturday, Feb 28 | 3:30 p.m. | Lonestar | $35 |
| Saturday, Feb 28 | 7:30 p.m. | Ty Myers | $50 |
| Sunday, March 1 | 6:30 p.m. | Riley Green featuring Hannah McFarland | $110 |
| Monday, March 2 | 3:30 p.m. | Gene Watson | $30 |
| Monday, March 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Legends of Love featuring Brian McKnight, Ginuwine & Ruben Studdard | $40 |
| Tuesday, March 3 | 3:30 p.m. | Sandi Patty | $30 |
| Tuesday, March 3 | 7:30 p.m. | Lauren Daigle | $70 |
| Wednesday, March 4 | 3:30 p.m. | John Foster | $25 |
| Wednesday, March 4 | 7:30 p.m. | Brantley Gilbert | $50 |
| Thursday, March 5 | 10:30 a.m. | Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets | FREE WITH PAID ADMISSION |
| Thursday, March 5 | 3:30 p.m. | The Bellamy Brothers | $30 |
| Thursday, March 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Dierks Bentley | $70 |
| Friday, March 6 | 3:30 p.m. | The Marshall Tucker Band | $35 |
| Friday, March 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Forrest Frank | $70 |
| Saturday, March 7 | 3:30 p.m. | Pitbull Toddler | FREE WITH PAID ADMISSION |
| Saturday, March 7 | 7:30 p.m. | The Offspring | $70 |
| Sunday, March 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Joan Jett & The Blackhearts | $45 |
View additional Florida Strawberry Festival entertainment details and tickets.
On Grounds Entertainment 🎪
The Florida Strawberry Festival has dozens of free on grounds entertainment, acts, and performers for all ages to enjoy.
Here’s the schedule of events:
| EVENT | TIMES |
|---|---|
| Granpa Cratchet | Daily at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. & 7 p.m., Puppet Mobile Daily at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. |
| K9s in Flight | Daily at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. & 6 p.m. |
| Rannels Rustic Wood Carving Show | Daily at 11:30 a.m.,1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. |
| Robinson’s Racing Pigs | Daily at 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. |
| “Mr. & Miss Berry” | Daily at 11- 11:30 a.m., 3:30-4 p.m. & 5:30- 6 p.m. |
| Gizmo D Robot | Daily at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. & 6 p.m. |
| Runa Pacha | Daily at 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. |
| Kids Coloring Corner | Daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Pretty Bird Paradise | Daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| The Berry Big Wheel Celebrating America’s 250 | Daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. *Ticket required to ride. |
Information provided by the Florida Strawberry Festival
View more free entertainment at the Florida Strawberry Festival.
Florida Strawberry Festival official mascots, Mr. & Miss Berry (Courtesy of Florida Strawberry Festival)
Agriculture 🐮
The Florida Strawberry Festival will hold livestock shows each day, which give youth the opportunity to showcase the animals and plants they have been raising for months, some even years. Animals in the shows include cows, sheep, pigs, rabbits and chickens.
Here is this year’s livestock show schedule:
| EXHIBIT | TIME | DATE | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poultry & Rabbit Exhibit Days | ALL DAYS | Astin Pavilion | |
| Swine Exhibit Days | Thursday, Feb 26 -Friday, Feb 27 | Astin Pavilion | |
| – Swine Show (Mosaic) | 6 p.m. | Thurday, Feb 26 | |
| – Swine Sale (Mosaic) | 6 p.m. | Friday, Feb 27 | |
| Dairy Animal Exhibit Days | Friday, Feb 27 – Sunday, March 1 | Astin Pavilion | |
| – Dairy Judging Contest | 1 p.m. | Friday, Feb 27 | |
| – Dairy Showmanship | 11 a.m. | Saturday, Feb 28 | |
| – Dairy Show | 1 p.m. | Saturday, Feb 28 | |
| – Dairy Adult Showmanship | 11 a.m. | Sunday, March 1 | |
| – Dairy pee Wee Showmanship | 11:30 a.m. | Sunday, March 1 | |
| – Dairy Costume Ball | 12:30 p.m. | Sunday, March 1 | |
| Plant Exhibit Days | Sunday, March 1 | Swindle Pavilion | |
| – Plant Silent Auction | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Sunday, March 1 | |
| – Plant Sale | 2 p.m. | Sunday, March 1 | |
| Lamb Exhibit Days | Monday, March 2 – Tuesday, March 3 | Swindle Pavilion | |
| – Lamb Jumping Contest | 3 p.m. | Monday, March 2 | |
| – Lamb Costume Contest | 7 p.m. | Monday, March 2 | |
| – Lamb Showmanship | 3 p.m. | Tuesday, March 3 | |
| – Lamb Show | 6 p.m. | Tuesday, March 3 | |
| Steer Exhibit Days | Wednesday, March 4 – Friday, March 6 | Astin Pavilion | |
| – Steer Show (Mosaic) | 6 p.m. | Wednesday, March 4 | |
| – Steer Sale (Mosaic) | 6 p.m. | Thursday, March 5 | |
| – Steer Showmanship (Mosaic) | 6 p.m. | Friday, March 6 | |
| Beef Animal Exhibit Days | Saturday, March 7 – Sunday, March 8 | Swindle Pavilion | |
| – Beef Breeds Showmanship | 6 p.m. | Saturday, March 7 | |
| – Beef Breeds Show | 11 a.m. | Sunday, March 8 | |
| Livestock Judging | 10 a.m. | Saturday, March 7 (Registration – 9 a.m.) |
*All shows and sales are held in the Patterson Arena located in the Grimes Family Agriculture Center
Information provided by the Florida Strawberry Festival
Festival App 📱
The Florida Strawberry Festival has a mobile app where visitors can access food locations, event schedules, the grounds map and more. Guests can also purchase and download gate admission and headline entertainment concert tickets to their mobile wallets. The app is available on Apple iOS and Google Play.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source baynews9.com ’
