CARNAVAL MIAMI & CALLE OCHO –  Calle Ocho is the grand finale to Carnival Miami. It’s 23 city blocks long and filled with musical stages, street performers, youth activities, folkloric sites and a variety of food vendors. Other events Carnival events include: Carnaval on the Mile street fair, cooking contest, domino tournament, golf tournament and a 5K run.

Where: Various locations in Miami

Web: carnavalmiami.com

FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS BOCA – This annual eclectic 10-day event always features the finest in music, dance, film and authors.

Where: Mizner Park Amphitheatre and Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center in Boca Raton.

Web: festivaloftheartsboca.org

FLORIDA KEYS ISLAND FEST – Highlights include arts & crafts, live music, Taste of Islamorada (a culinary competition showcasing dishes from local restaurants), activities for kids and the All-American Road Vintage Cruisers Car show.

Where: Founder’s Park, Islamorada

Web: fla-keys.com

LGBT DOUBLE SHOT – In the beginning of the month there’s the Winter Party Festival in Miami and at the end of the month, there’s PrideFest of Lake Worth and the Palm Beaches. The former features more than 20 events, such as pool parties, dance parties and the grand finale known as the sexiest beach party on the planet. The latter has a full slate of exceptional live music, fine merchandise from booth vendors and a great selection of food from many local restaurants.

Where: Respectively, various locations throughout Miami and the Beaches; Bryant Park in downtown Lake Worth

Web: winterparty.com and compassglcc.com

MIAMI MUSIC MANIA – First up: Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival, featuring a lineup of world-class artists representing a dynamic mix of musical genres, including jazz, R&B, Neo-Soul and World Beat sounds. If electronic music is your thing, don’t miss the Ultra Music Festival, featuring top DJs and live entertainment from around the world.

Where: Respectively, Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens and Bayfront Park in Miami.

Web: jazzinthegardens.com and ultramusicfestival.com

SEAFOODIES TRIPLE HEADER – There are two on the left coast: the Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Parade & Festival and the Marco Island Seafood & Music Festival. On the right coast, there is the Original Marathon Seafood Festival. All feature mouthwatering straight-from-the-sea fare and so much more: live music, arts & crafts vendors and a whole bunch of activities for kids.

Where: Respectively, various locations in Fort Myers Beach, Marathon Community Park in Marathon and Veteran’s Community Park in Marco Island.

Web: fortmyersbeachshrimpfestival.com, marathonseafoodfestival.com and marcoislandseafoodandmusicfestival.com

DELRAY BEACH BACON & BOURBON FEST – Everybody knows that everything is better with bacon. And, when paired with an eclectic array of American bourbons, it’s like going to food and drink heaven. Pig out (pun intended!) on a wide-ranging menu developed by chefs exploring the boundaries of bacon and pork dishes, including, believe it or not, bacon ice cream. Seminars and great live music, too.

Where: Delray Beach Center for the Arts and Old School Square Park in Delray Beach

Web: delraybaconandbourbonfest.com

BROWARD COUNTY WATERWAY CLEANUP – Take an eco-break from your SoFla vacation and help clean up more than 30 locations around the county. You’ll feel good about helping haul away some of the 15 tons of trash. And, you don’t need a boat! Also includes the annual Trash Bash that features food, drinks, raffle prizes and live music.

Where: Various locations in Broward County

Web: miasf.org

OKEECHOBEE MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL – Three days of eclectic top national acts is just the beginning. Also included: a white-sand lakeside-swimming beach and bar, wooded VIP camping areas, immersive art installations, great food trucks, craft beer makers and yoga and meditation sessions.

Where: Sunshine Grove, Okeechobee

Web: okeechobeefest.com

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FAIR AND EXPOSITION – Known for years as The Youth Fair, this annual event offers nearly 50,000 exhibits, concerts, a circus, strolling entertainment, food, games and a 100-ride midway. Also includes an acrobatic equestrian show, an extreme motorcycle show and an amazing balloon stunt show.

Where: Fair Expo Center, Miami

Web: fairexpo.com

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW – The show features amazing military and civilian aircraft, some doing death-defying stunts performed by some of the best pilots in the world. Also, enjoy an expanded aircraft exhibit, a kids’ area and great refreshments.

Where: Punta Gorda Airport, Punta Gorda

Web:  floridaairshow.com

INTERNATIONAL ORCHID FESTIVAL – Choose from more than 10,000 orchid plants from world-wide vendors, explore the wonder of orchids during garden workshops and walking tours and marvel at rare orchid species in the American Orchid Society juried show. Good food and lots of entertainment, too.

Where: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables

Web: fairchildgarden.org

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TENNESSEE WILLIAMS! – Celebrate the great playwright’s and his life. Highlights include a series of classic movies adapted from his award-winning plays, a poetry contest, artist challenge, stage readings, letters & journals, a film forum and much more.

Where: Various locations in Key West

Web: twkw.org

PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW – You’ll see an amazing array of vessels – from Cigarette, Comanche, Super Cat, inflatables, cruisers, runabouts, fishing boats, high performance, bow riders and, of course, super yachts. Also: a full lineup of accessories and nautical fashions.

Where: Lake Worth lagoon in downtown West Palm Beach

Web: showmanagement.com

MARCH MADNESS, ARTS & CRAFTS VERSION – You can’t swing a paint brush without hitting a great arts or crafts fair in SoFla in March. Here are some of them: Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Craft Festival, Downtown Venice Art Classic, Coral Springs Festival of the Arts, Marco Island Festival of the Arts, Delray Beach Marketplace Art & Craft Festival, Downtown Naples Festival of the Arts, Downtown Sarasota Art & Craft Festival, Rotary Key Biscayne Art Festival in Miami and Las Olas Art Fair, Part II in Fort Lauderdale.

Web: For more info, let your fingers do the walking through the internet.

SARASOTA FOLK FESTIVAL – With three stages of all-day music and a “jam tent” for aspiring musicians, this festival keeps folk music alive and fun for children and adults of all ages. Head to the workshop tent for pointers on honing your own skills, or head to the vendor tables to admire the works of painters, jewelers and craftsmen.

Where: Oscar Scherer State Park, Osprey

Web: sarasotafolkfestival.org

BIG CYPRESS SHOOTOUT – Watch Seminole warriors and U. S. soldiers go at it as they reenact a battle form the Second Seminole War, circa 1835-42. Also: Native American food, live music, alligator wrestling, snake show, Seminole stomp dancing and much more.

Where: Billie Swamp Safari at Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in the Florida Everglades

Web: bcshootout.com

SOUTH FLORIDA UKULELE FEST – You’ll be strummin’ and hummin’ and diggin’ the pickin’ at this two-day affair featuring world famous ukulele artists and teachers. Also: workshops, hula lessons, good food and an all-star concert jam grand finale.

Where: ArtServe in Fort Lauderdale

Web: southfloridaukulelefest.com

FLORIDA WINEFEST AND AUCTION – The highlight of this four-day fundraising event is undoubtedly the massive amounts of food served among various restaurants and banquet halls spread throughout Sarasota. There’s a street party featuring seafood and meat dishes, a lunch tasting, a brunch tasting and several wine tastings, including the final soiree, Wine on the Water.

Where: Sarasota

Web: floridawinefest.org

SARASOTA JAZZ FESTIVAL – This yearly event always attracts some of the best jazz artists from around the country. And it always features the popular Jazz Trolley Pub Crawl.

Where: Various locations in Sarasota

Web: jazzclubsarasota.org

MIAMI HOME DESIGN & REMODELING SHOW – It’s the largest home-improvement and design event in the Southeast. Thousands of products and services for upscale residential decorating, remodeling and home improvements will be featured.

Where: Miami Beach Convention Center

Web: homeshows.net

FUZZY YELLOW BALL, DIMPLED WHITE BALL – The best in the world at hitting them will be in Miami, as the pro tennis and golf tours come to town for the Miami Open and the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship.

Where: Respectively, Crandon Park Tennis Center and Trump National Doral.

Web: miamiopen.com and worldgolfchampionships.com

DUELING COUNTY FAIRS – You can’t go wrong with either of these two annual events: the Collier County Fair or the Sarasota County Fair. All the county-fare staples are included: livestock shows and competitions, arcade games, carnival rides, live music, kids’ activities, and all the cotton candy you could ever want.

Where: Respectively, Collier County Fairgrounds in Naples and the Sarasota County Fairgrounds.

Web: colliercountyfair.com and sarasotafair.com

BACARDI MIAMI SAILING WEEK – Teams representing countries from all over the world will compete against the backdrop of beautiful Biscayne Bay. The marquis event is the Star Class race for the prestigious Bacardi Cup.

Where: Regatta Park, Coconut Grove

Web: miamisailingweek.com

ARCADIA ALL-FLORIDA CHAMPIONSHIP RODEO –All the rodeo staples are included: saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, calf roping and bull riding. There are kids’ events, too: mutton bustin’, calf scramble, barrel racing and steer and bull riding.

Where: Rodeo Arena, Arcadia

Web: arcadiarodeo.com

KEYS WOOFSTOCK – Take a “paws” from your Keys vacation and visit this far-out and fur-friendly festival.  Who knows, you might even wind up adopting a Keys four-legged critter. In addition to adoptions, there will also be live music, food and beverages, goodie bag give-aways, vendor booths and doggie competitions.

Where: Islamorada

Web: keyswoofstock.com

SEAFOODIES TRIPLE HEADER – There are two on the left coast: the Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Parade & Festival and the Marco Island Seafood & Music Festival. On the right coast, there is the Original Marathon Seafood Festival. All feature mouthwatering straight-from-the-sea fare and so much more: live music, arts & crafts vendors and a whole bunch of activities for kids.

Where: Respectively, various locations in Fort Myers Beach, Marathon Community Park in Marathon and Veteran’s Community Park in Marco Island.

Web: fortmyersbeachshrimpfestival.com, marathonseafoodfestival.com and marcoislandseafoodandmusicfestival.com

FLORIDA KEYS WILDLIFE REFUGES OUTDOOR FEST –Enjoy four action packed days of outdoor adventures and hands-on activities, including guided birding tours and nature walks, history-themed bike rides, kayak excursions, art and photography workshops and more.

Where: National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key and Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge on Key Largo

Web: favorfloridakeys.org

ASIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL – This annual gathering features Asian crafts, art, exotic music and dance and a tasty selection of Far Eastern cuisine.

Where: Fruit and Spice Park, Homestead

Web: fruitandspicepark.com

 MIAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL -- Year after year, it’s a film fan’s delight and includes world and state premieres and top actors and directors. Don’t forget the “after” parties!

Where: Various locations in Miami-Dade County

Web: maimifilmfestival.com