Annual Events

FEBRUARY

HARAMBEE FESTIVAL Hosted by FAMU, the Harambee festival seeks to inspire “unity in the community.” This is an all-day event featuring live music, African drum and dance, spoken word, international food and vendors from across the region. On FAMU campus. facebook.com/FAMU1887

OPENING NIGHTS Florida State University hosts the Opening Nights Performing Arts Series throughout the year, with a concentration of performances in February. The artists include nationally and internationally renowned musicians, authors, actors, dancers and others, performing at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall and other venues throughout the area. Fees. (850) 644-6500, openingnights.fsu.edu

NATIONAL HIGH MAGNETIC FIELD LABORATORY OPEN HOUSE The “Mag Lab” is a research facility housing the world’s largest, most powerful magnets. The popular open house offers tours, demonstrations, displays, hands-on activities and more. Free. Innovation Park, 1800 E. Paul Dirac Drive. (850) 644-0311, nationalmaglab.org

TALLAHASSEE MARATHON Starting in downtown Tallahassee, the USA Track & Field-sanctioned marathon and half-marathon wind through local parks and districts, past local landmarks and back to the permanent finish line at Kleman Plaza. It also is a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon. Fee to run. tallahasseemarathon.com

MARCH

DOWNTOWN MARKETPLACE In Tallahassee’s downtown historic district, Saturdays come alive with local produce, entertainment, arts and crafts, and special programs. Saturdays through November, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Free. Downtown, Ponce de Leon Park. (850) 224-3252, downtownmarket.com

TALLAHASSEE WINE MIXER Red, white or rosé, enjoy unlimited samples as you wine and dine your way between Madison Social and Township with over 50,000 ounces of wine to taste. Fee. Madison Social, 705 S. Woodward Ave. (850) 894-6276, madisonsocial.com JEWISH FOOD & CULTURAL FESTIVAL Grab your fill of pastrami and falafel — but save room for hamantaschen and rugelach. Savor and learn about Jewish customs, both culinary and cultural, including arts and crafts, dancing and live music. Free. Temple Israel, 2215 Mahan Drive. (850) 877-3517, templeisraeltlh.org

APRIL

SPRINGTIME TALLAHASSEE The Capital City’s premier festival, a rowdy celebration of springtime and Tallahassee heritage, includes the Grand Parade, entertainment, and arts and crafts. Free. Downtown Tallahassee and Cascades Park. (850) 583-9613, springtimetallahassee.com

USTA TALLAHASSEE TENNIS CHALLENGER Competitors from around the globe find their way to Tallahassee to play pro-circuit tennis while supporting the Vogter NeuroIntensive Care Unit and the Sharon Ewing Walker Breast Health Center at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. Fee. Forest Meadows Tennis Complex, 4750 N. Meridian Road. (850) 891-4979, tallahasseechallenger.com

FLYING HIGH CIRCUS Florida State University students perform daring high-wire acrobatics and precision stunts on trapeze and ropes under the big top. Fee. FSU campus, 269 Chieftan Way. (850) 644-4874, circus.fsu.edu

LEMOYNE CHAIN OF PARKS ARTS FESTIVAL More than 100 artists from around the nation exhibit their sculptures, paintings, photography and other media under the oaks in this downtown event presented by the LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts. Free. (850) 222-8800, chainofparks.com

TALLAHASSEE JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL Hear jazz, blues and gospel performed by local musicians on the museum’s outdoor stage. Fee. Tallahassee Museum, 3945 Museum Drive. (850) 575-8684, tallahasseemuseum.org

WORD OF SOUTH The Word of South Festival of Literature and Music is a three-day celebration of literary arts and musical performances. The lineup features poetry and prose readings by emerging and established authors, concerts by national artists, writer/musician mashups, interviews, Q&A sessions, conversations with Florida Book Award winners and a children’s story fort. Free. Some concerts require tickets. Cascades Park. wordofsouthfestival.com

Experience Asia Festival

MAY

EMANCIPATION CELEBRATION The first time the Emancipation Proclamation was read in Florida, it was 1865 and the reading was done on the steps of the Knott House in Tallahassee. Each May 20, the historic event is re-enacted on those same steps with military decorum followed by gospel music, dancing, an African American historic-site tour and lunch in the park. Free. Knott House Museum, 301 E. Park Ave. (850) 681-7881, museumoffloridahistory.com

SOUTHERN SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL Come out to Cascades Park to enjoy a threeday celebration of the works of William Shakespeare. This festival features a fulllength production of one of Shakespeare’s plays, fencing demonstrations, readings, food and more! Free. 1001 S. Gadsden St. southernshakespearefestival.org/our-festival

TOUR OF GARDENS Guided tours of select private and public gardens in the area. Special speakers. Fee. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens, 3540 Thomasville Road. (850) 487-4556, friendsofmaclaygardens.org

JUNE

BIG BEND MODEL RAILROAD SHOW Check out the layouts, test and buy model trains, themed paraphernalia and more at this fundraising event sponsored by the Big Bend Model Railroad Association. Fee. North Florida Fairgrounds. (850) 524-4399, bbmra.org

JULY

INFINITY CON This family-friendly comic book and pop culture convention features major and independent comic books, video and tabletop gaming, anime, plus events and

entertainment for all ages all weekend long. Fee. Tucker Civic Center, 505 W. Pensacola St. InfinityConTally.com

TALLAHASSEE CELEBRATES AMERICA In honor of Independence Day, the city presents the area’s largest fireworks display, activities, arts and crafts, music, food, free shuttle service and more. Free. Tom Brown Park, off Conner Boulevard. (850) 891-3860

SWAMP STOMP Bluegrass, folk and acoustic music on the Tallahassee Museum’s outdoor stage, plus folk tales, cloggers, old-timey games and more. Fee. 3945 Museum Drive. (850) 576-1636, tallahasseemuseum.org

AUGUST

GRAPE HARVEST FESTIVAL Featured activities include a grape-stomping contest, grape throwing, grape and wine sampling, and a 2K/5K vineyard run. FAMU Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research, 6361 Mahan Drive. FamuNews.com/grape-harvest-festival TALLAHASSEE BEER FESTIVAL Sample over 200 different beers, ciders, ales, meads and sparkling sodas from more than 75 home brewers and breweries. Fee. Tucker Civic Center, 505 W. Pensacola St. TLHBeerFest.com

SEPTEMBER

EXPERIENCE ASIA FESTIVAL The Asia Festival showcases the cultures of Asian and Pacific communities within the Tallahassee area. Featured performances include EPCOT’s Matsuriza Taiko Drummers, with Japanese dancing, live music, arts and crafts and cultural food. In the Downtown Chain of Parks. asiantlh.org

TALLAHASSEE CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL An event that brings the Islands and its culture to you with food, vendors, a parade and live performances. Free. 2810 Sharer Rd. tccarnival.com

OCTOBER

BEST OF TALLAHASSEE Tallahassee Magazine readers vote and the best of the best are honored at the Best of Tallahassee event. More than 100 winners are honored in the categories of entertainment, food and beverage, shopping, services and online. The evening’s guests also enjoy food, live auctions and raffles. Fee. tallahasseemagazine.com

GREEK FOOD FESTIVAL Whether you are Greek by birth or just Greek for a day, enjoy pastries, gyros, spanakopita and moussaka, along with wine, ouzo, music and dancing. Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church, 1645 Phillips Road. (850) 878-0747, tallahasseegreekfoodfest.com

OKTOBERFEST Don your lederhosen, practice your chicken dance and join in for a barrel of fun at Oktoberfest, featuring traditional German food and a biergarten, beer tasting, silent auction and live entertainment. The fundraiser supports the work of Elder Care Services. Fee. Cascades Park. (850) 921-5554, ecsbigbend.org

ZOOBILEE Spend an evening at the Tallahassee Museum enjoying an open bar, AYCE food from 20-plus local restaurants, and live dance music performed on the outdoor stage in this festive benefit. Fee. 3945 Museum Drive. (850) 575-8684, tallahasseemuseum.org

NOVEMBER

BRADLEY’S FUN DAY Famous homemade sausage, grits ground on-site, arts and crafts, syrup making, Model A rides and more. Free. Bradley’s Country Store, 10655 Centerville Road. (850) 893-4742, bradleyscountrystore.com

NORTH FLORIDA FAIR The area’s largest agricultural fair includes Nashville stars, giant midway rides, games and food. Fee. North Florida Fairgrounds, 441 Paul Russell Road. (850) 878-3247, northfloridafair.com

DECEMBER

MARKET DAYS The Southeast’s largest curated arts and crafts show and sale, just in time for holiday shopping. An event by and for the Tallahassee Museum. Fee. North Florida Fairgrounds, 441 Paul Russell Road. (850) 575-8664, marketdays.org

THE NUTCRACKER The Tallahassee Ballet brings the treasured Christmas classic to life to delight all ages. Fee. Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, FSU Campus. (850) 224-6917, tallahasseeballet.org

WINTER FESTIVAL Celebrate the winter holidays by joining locals and guests downtown for the lighting of the oak trees, the Jingle Bell Run, a twilight parade, live music and wonderlands of fun. Free. Downtown in and around the Chain of Parks. (850) 891-3866, talgov.com/ parks/winterevents

Visit VisitTallahassee.com and the Council on Culture & Arts at TallahasseeArts.org for your local event needs.

Word of South