Recap Manatee Fest 2026
Yes- there is a festival completely dedicated to manatees! If you are a true sea-cow fan, or just looking for a fun way to spend the weekend in Florida, you won’t want to miss this! This three-day-long event has creative foods, local vendors, and entertainment for everyone in the family to enjoy! Join Crystal River in celebrating the city’s most loved snowbird–the manatee!
History of Manatee Fest
Manatee Fest was started in the Fall of 1983 for the Chamber of Commerce to raise funds in order to buy a building. A man named Charles Alexander stepped up to the plate and suggested putting on a festival centered on what Crystal River was known for–manatees! He ended up chairing the first and second Manatee Fest and is now considered the founder. These early Manatee Fests had things like carnival rides, celebrity musicians, and presentations from The Save the Manatee Club!
Manatee Fest has become a beloved tradition for residents and visitors alike and is held every third weekend in January in downtown Crystal River. This awesome festival has happened nearly every year in Crystal River for 4 decades!
What Happens At Manatee Fest?
Manatee Fest has so much to offer, so be sure to take a look at their event schedule when you come to visit. Here are some highlighted events from the 2026 Manatee Fest!
- Interactive pirates performing improv shows!
- Mermaid photo ops!
- Soccer Collies! An interactive show where trained dogs score goals against a line of human goalies!
- Live Music!
- Fresh Seafood & Award-winning BBQ
However, there are plenty of other things to enjoy about Manatee Fest, including:
- Different fun foods, including manatee-shaped pretzels!
- Live entertainment from a variety of performers and bands!
- Local arts and crafts brought by vendors and artisans!
- Local businesses vending specialty items for the festival!
- Special boat and kayak tours!
- Free entrance to Three Sisters Springs National Wildlife Refuge where you can walk on the boardwalk trail to see inside Three Sisters Springs and learn more about the resident manatees!
Enjoy A Clear Kayaking Tour with Get Up and Go Kayaking During Manatee Fest!
Visiting Manatee Fest on land is one thing, but paddling the area to get a close encounter is really the main attraction! Our manatee tours in clear kayaks sell out fast, so make sure to book your tour with Get Up and Go Kayaking – Crystal River well in advance! On your tour, you will be led by one of our top-notch eco-guides who can answer any and every question about manatees you may have. They also know just where to look for them and can show you the different springs found throughout Crystal River’s waterways.
This gives you the opportunity to check out the beautiful, clear water of the springs and the chance to see manatees up close through our crystal-clear kayaks that offer 360° views! Other than manatees, you may even be able to spot alligators, a variety of different birds, and even a cute family of river otters. Our professional guides will take complementary photos of your group to commemorate the memorable experience with local manatees!
Next Year
If you missed the 2026 Manatee Fest, don’t fret! Mantee Fest 2027 will be the biggest yet, as it marks the 40th annual event, so be sure to pencil it in on your calendar!
Plan your trip to Crystal River now, so you get ahead of the Manatee Fest crowd and lock in your spots for next year! You can book a clear kayaking tour with Get Up and Go Kayaking – Crystal River online or by calling us directly. Remember to keep an eye on the Manatee Fest website and Facebook page to check out events, vendors, and special deals!
We look forward to having you join us in Crystal River to enjoy the Manatee Fest in 2027!
Source: Florida Manatee Festival.” Facebook.com, 2025, www.facebook.com/FloridaManateeFestival/posts/throwback-thursday-festival-historyas-we-get- ready-for-the-38th-annual-florida-m/1140339611424774/