Florida Manatee Festival (Third weekend of January (2026: January 17-18; 2027: January 16-17)). Annual two-day festival in downtown Crystal River produced by the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce. Features manatee tours, live entertainment, food, beer and wine garden, and arts and craft vendors. Adult admission…
Manatee Season (swim-with-manatees) (November 15 – March 31 (peak: December–February)). Florida West Indian manatees congregate in Kings Bay and Three Sisters Springs where spring water maintains a constant 72 degrees F year-round. Seven federal manatee sanctuaries are off-limits to human in-water…
Fort Cooper Days (March (annually; event dates vary — the 41st annual was held in March 2020)). Annual Second Seminole War living-history reenactment at Fort Cooper State Park in Inverness (Citrus County). Features battle reenactments, period artisans, and living-history demonstrations. Has run continuously for…
Bay Scallop Season (July 1 – September 24 (Citrus County / Crystal River zone)). Florida FWC officially permits recreational hand-gathering of bay scallops in Citrus County waters July 1–September 24. Daily limit: 2 gallons whole in shell per person / 10 gallons per vessel. Peak scallop populations…
Cootertober (formerly Cooterfest) (Month of October; launched October 1 with Cooter King and Queen Pageant). Month-long October celebration in nearby Inverness (Citrus County seat), named for the local freshwater cooter turtle. Originally 'The Great American Cooter Festival' (single weekend, founded 2004); rebranded as…
Stone Crab Jam Music Festival (First Saturday of November). Annual street festival in Historic Downtown Crystal River celebrating the opening of stone crab season. Recurring event (2025 edition was the 19th annual). Features fresh stone crabs, three-stage live music, craft…
Homosassa Arts, Crafts and Seafood Festival (Second weekend of November). 43rd annual as of 2025. Juried art show, true crafts, live entertainment, and local seafood (stone crab, grouper, shrimp) at the Homosassa Civic Club grounds in Historic Old Homosassa, adjacent to Crystal River.