Fall is Festival Season in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach

By Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau on Aug. 15, 2025

Punta Gorda FAQs

We love fall—aka Festival Season—in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach because it means there's a happening for almost everyone, from kids to foodies to music lovers to art and craft collectors.

Explore below to plan your Festival Trail through our area:

September Festivals

Key Lime & Tropical Fest: September 19, 2026

The Key Lime & Tropical Fest at Fishermen's Village showcases live music and fun stuff for kids to do throughout the Village and all things Key Lime from sweet treats to drinks. We recommend capping the day off with a Sunset Cruise with King Fisher Fleet.

Punta Gorda Sullivan Street Craft Festival: late September

International Culture Fest Dancers Find treasures galore at the 2-day Punta Gorda Sullivan Street Craft Festival. This amazing and artful extravaganza has grown so much, it’s now held up to four times a year, which means four opportunities peruse a wide variety of artwork while enjoying all the other outdoor activities in the area, including boating, fishing, golf, and even the world's largest reptile zoo.

October Festivals

International Culture Fest: late October

Don't miss this spectacle and connection of the International Culture Fest at Fishermen's Village. Enjoy international dancers, vendors, flavors, crafts, and more! It's fun and educational for the whole family!

November Festivals

Fall Festival: early November

This family friendly fest by Kalin's Farmer's Market offers pony rides, hay rides, pumpkin painting, food, drinks, vendors and more!

Sullivan Street Thanksgiving Craft Festival: late November

Get a jump-start on your holiday shopping at the Thanksgiving iteration of the Sullivan Street Craft Festival, then reward your own efforts with a visit to any of the amazing independent restaurants within walking distance, as well as shops of all sorts. You may have to stay an extra day to see and experience it all!

Whenever you visit, we hightly recommend starting your planning with the help of The Flavor Coast, our new site showcasing the several of our great local restaurants. You'll also find tons of fun on our Punta Gorda Pub Crawl.

See you in the fall!

Punta Gorda FAQs

What does that big wooden head at the base of the bridge in Punta Gorda mean?

The big wooden head is Calostimucu, which was carved by Peter Toth in 1974 from an Elephant Ear tree that was damaged by lightening. The sculpture is part of Toth's “Trail of Whispering Giants” series, a nation-wide installation with at least one piece in each state. Calostimucu, according to the artist, is “…not just to honor Native Americans; it’s to represent all people who have suffered injustices.”

Explore more of Punta Gorda's charming eccentricities.

Is Punta Gorda a beach town?

Although Punta Gorda is a waterfront city, it sits along the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor, not the Gulf. Visitors typically head to Englewood Beach on Manasota Key, which is about 30–4 minutes north west.

Explore Beaches in the area

What is Punta Gorda known for?

Punta Gorda is known for being an historic, waterfront, walkable small city full of independently-owned businesses and restaurants with a focus on boating, fishing, and other outdoor sports. It boasts a slower pace than Florida’s other coastal cities.

Learn more about Punta Gorda and find fun things to do.

Author

Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau

The Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau was established in 1997. The Visitor & Convention Bureau supports local businesses by promoting Charlotte County as a premiere travel destination, domestically and internationally, to consumers, meeting planners, travel trade and sports-rights holders.
We advocate for and promote Charlotte County as a warm, welcoming, and beautiful destination with positive economic growth and a focus on the preservation of natural resources to build a sustainable future for visitors and residents alike.
Learn more on our About Us Page and visit our Events Page to stay up to date on happenings in the area.
Blog content is created and reviewed by our amazing staff, (locals of course!). Through our posts we share those “in the know” tips, the “where the locals go” info, and the “places not to miss” to inspire travelers to visit. We share our knowledge by highlighting activities and events, the area’s unique natural appeal, and our prioritizing of conservation, sustainability, and accessibility. Our social media, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube in particular, focus on all there is to do, see, and eat in the area. Social posts and videos are created and shared by the VCB, by visitors, and sometimes by sponsored travel writers (always disclosed).
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, the Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast is Florida’s premier ecotourism destination, free from crowds and off the beaten path yet still offering the comfort and amenities discerning travelers seek. Our location on Charlotte Harbor means endless miles of natural shoreline and outdoor assets like beaches, nature preserves, and waterways of all kinds. Visitors can find unlimited outdoor pursuits like sailing, boating, world-class fishing, paddling, birding, biking, dining and arts. Come find out why “Our Best Side is Outside℠.”