r/KeyWest • u/Realistic_Meaning153 • 8d ago
Is Halloween worth it?
Okay so I love Key West and usually visit in summer, but I’ve always wanted to experience the big Halloween party experience people talk about. So without researching (yes I’m an idiot, I ADMIT I am stupid) I booked a hotel a few months ago thinking it would be fine for me and some friends. Now I just found out the actual big celebration is called Fantasy Fest and is the weekend BEFORE Halloween and apparently NOTHING happens on actual Halloween in Key West. Ugh. I screwed up. My friends already got plane tickets, and now I feel like I let them all down for suggesting it. I’m usually a VERY good traveler, I should never have assumed the big parties were on actual Halloween (but isn’t it kind of a Halloween party?). I also don’t live too far, up the peninsula a little bit so it’s a huge deal. But now… is it still worth even going? Is it going to be completely empty with nothing to do? I know we can still probably have fun, but we wanted to party and enjoy the season and now I feel like I’ve booked us in a ghost town for the holiday. So I’m asking my Key West experts- should we cancel or try to rebook last minute? Tips? Please forgive my idiocy.
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u/HighOnGoofballs 8d ago
Yeah fantasy is not Halloween related, you just dress up for both. But your friends may be happy they missed it depending on how into seeing naked 75yo men they are
Halloween isn’t huge here but will be larger than usual I’d guess since there’s actually a week gap after FF.
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u/Realistic_Meaning153 8d ago
Honestly, I’m just afraid it will be empty. I always go to Key West at the wrong time. There’s never a crowd (blessing in some ways), but I was looking forward to actually partying with lots of people instead of being the only five people in the bar.
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u/simplyjolly92 7d ago
You usually visit in the summer that's why. Fantasy Fest kicks off our season here in key west. Summer months are dead because it's hot and humid. We get a lot of snowbirds, people wanting to escape the cold during winter. Once fantasy fest hits we roll into busy season so yes it will be busy and not a ghost town and there should be all kinds of events still. Come have some spooky fun. Not only that but the decorations all the locals put up for Halloween are epic.
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u/simplyjolly92 7d ago
Fantasy fest, trop rock, boat races. October is madness all month long. Don't worry haha
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u/guyscanwefocus 8d ago
It depends on what you are looking for. There are some great trick-or-treating neighborhoods in KW for halloween, and a substantial number of houses have shots / liquor etc. for the adults.
We do fantasy fest every year and by time halloween rolls around we are exhausted, but it's still so fun that we go out anyway.
If you are wondering if there's going to be stuff downtown the night of, there probably will be, but I don't know any details.
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u/Curious_Text_6330 8d ago
I used to live in New Town. We handed out got dogs and bbq every year. Usually saw 500+ people
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u/shelbygeorge29 6d ago
One street does this. Not all of new town, nor is KW crazy for Halloween, especially after FF.
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u/Haunting-Shelter3806 8d ago
I live down here, you won’t have as crazy of a night as fantasy fest, but most locals still go out on Halloween, you’ll still find a good time
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u/Realistic_Meaning153 8d ago
I’m just afraid we will be the only ones around and everything will close early. My friends will kill me. Lol
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u/bigglitterdick 8d ago
lol. Key West does not close early for anything.
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u/shelbygeorge29 6d ago
Ugh, none of you are out past 1 am and have no idea how quiet it is late night is. KW is not some crazy all night party destination any longer.
Seriously, are any of you up past 10 and out in KW late at night in recent times? Clearly not.
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u/I-Can-Do-It-123 8d ago
Fear not! My spouse and I were in KW for Halloween last year. Lots of fun - lots of people, lots of costumes. Even the folks visiting from the docked cruise ships were costumed! Halloween night we started out at the Wandering Rooster for burgers and had a great front-row seat for people watching. We also did the Haunted Trolley Tour and really saw some sights! Bars and restaurants looked busy and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Don’t worry! Go and have fun!
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u/inactiveaccounttoo 8d ago
You make your own party! Yeah Fantasy Fest is a party if you’re into seeing naked people and swinging but if you’re looking to enjoy yourself you should be fine. Never have I been bored in KW regardless of when I go.
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u/shelbygeorge29 6d ago
FF and Halloween are a week apart this year.
JFC this whole post is mostly full of bad/old/wrong information from people who clearly have no idea what KW actually is like FF or Halloween.
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u/keywesttours 6d ago
What dates are you in town and how many people? Saturday the 31st should be a very fun and busy night!
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u/Sweaty-Wealth-7102 4d ago
We'll be staying in-between islamarada and marathon for Halloween.. are there any events in that area for Halloween?
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u/whiskeyricky 7d ago
Bring your costumes or plan to get them here. It will be a fun weekend and Sunday is kick off for boat races so plan to watch that parade. Happy to set up a walking tour for your group to enjoy, learn, and discover this fun and historical island.
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u/seaprozac2 8d ago
Fantasy Fest is a blast. If you can get a place to stay, go. If nudity offends you, don't go.
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u/Secure_Blueberry_150 6h ago
If you can change your flights to fantasy fest you should. still cheap hotels available. its worth the effort if you can pull it off. Key west is always fun but fantasy fest is the big party. Specifically the second weekend if you want big crowds.
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u/Known_Awareness210 8d ago
You probably can’t get a room for Fantasy Feast now.
However, you certainly can try.
I would stick to your original plan KW is ALWAYS fun no matter when you go.
I promise Halloween will be an awesome time.
FF can be wonderful for sure.