What started in 1979 as a way to gin up tourism during slow fall months has turned into a “10-day Halloween celebration for grown-ups in paradise.”

The 2023 Key West Fantasy Fest’s theme — “Uniforms & Unicorns: 200 Years of Sailing into Fantasy” — salutes the bicentennial of the establishment of both Monroe County and Key West’s naval base.The festival runs from Oct. 20-29, starting with the crowning of the King and Queen of Fantasy Fest and the Goombay Festival in Bahama Village. The annual parade runs down Duval Street Oct. 28.

It’s a decidedly adult event. But there’s a Zombie Bike Ride planned that’s considered to be family-friendly.

• 6,538 Key West hotel and vacation rental rooms
• 75,000 Estimated Fantasy Fest attendance
• 25,816 Key West residents

Sources: U.S. Census, Fantasy Fest, Key West Chamber of Commerce