CONNECT TO THE ARTS ANDCULTURAL EVENTS THIS WEEKDecember 17 - 24
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Dive with Scuba Santa
Tuesday December 16 Rainbow Reef dock 100 Ocean Drive, Mile Marker 100, Key Largo
Looking
for something fun to do on the water next week? Dive with Scuba Santa
and explore the reefs with the History of Diving Museum and Rainbow Reef
Dive Center
Merry Divemas
Wednesday December 17, 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. History of Diving Museum 82990 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada
Photos with Santa, cookie decorating, holiday Crafts and more.
Sunday, December 21, 11 - 3 p.m. Conch Republic Seafood Company parking lot 631 Greene St, Key West
Please bring an unwrapped toy for Monroe County Domestic Abuse Shelter. VOTE
for the “Peoples Choice” award for: BEST sports car, pick up, engine,
interior, original & custom, pre & post 1950, Best in Show. See classic cars from every era decked out for the holidays! Run by the Florida Keys Southernmost Car Club, honoring founder Dick Moody.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING SPOTS
Walk on White
Thursday December 18, 6 - 9 p.m. White Street Gallery District, Key West
There
will be performances by the KWHS Conchettes at 6:00 PM at City Hall and
at 6:45 PM at Fausto’s. Not to mention pictures with Santa and Mrs.
Claus from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at City Hall. Also enjoy
exhibition opening receptions, open artist studios, pottery-throwing
demos, locally-made art, special events, promotions, and complimentary
libations from local galleries, studios, and over 25 art-loving
businesses.
Sunday December 21, 4 p.m. Key West United Methodist Church 600 Eaton St., Key West
The
community is invited to come together and celebrate the Christmas
season through music performed by the island’s most talented young
musicians. The students will also be joined by Key West’s own Joe Dallas
and Skipper Kripitz ,Music Room alumni and some very special
guests.
Christmas on the Keys! Piano Concert with James T. Slater
Tuesday December 23, 7 p.m. Williams Hall 729 Fleming St., Key West
Join
us for Christmas on the Keys, a joyful, high-spirited piano concert
featuring the incredible James T. Slater—two-time Grammy-nominated,
piano-playing, bilingual singer-songwriter of Bolivian American descent.
Signed to BMG Music Publishing/Nashville, James will be performing hits
recorded by legends from Carrie Underwood, and Kenny Chesney, to Tim
McGraw and Willie Nelson, to Keith Urban and Enrique Iglesias...as well
as songs off his latest album, Shrimp Boat Sessions, recorded LIVE on
the piano at Jimmy Buffett's Shrimp Boat Studio here in Key West.
Through December 20, 7:30 p.m. Waterfront Playhouse 407 Wall St., Key West
A
stunning revue of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most treasured songs,
this elegant theatrical presentation brings five performers into a world
of timeless music — from backstage intimacy to full-stage splendor. A
heartfelt tribute to the golden age of Broadway.
Through January 3, 7:30 p.m. Red Barn Theatre 319 Duval St., Key West
A
hilarious mash-up of Dickens and Shakespeare when a theater company is
left to come up with a replacement show for their Shakespeare production
when all their actors call out sick. Can they save their theater by
coming up with a show in a couple of hours? It’s a very funny collision
of everything Christmas and everything Shakespeare.
Saturday December 20, 7 p.m. Tropic Cinema 416 Eaton St., Key West
Spotlight
Series Special Holiday Presentation funded by the Florida Council of
the Arts, The Tropic Cinema Spotlight Series proudly features the Key
West High School Conchettes, the school's dance and drill team. The
Conchettes will introduce the film and warmly welcome the audience into
the Tropic, celebrating local youth and community spirit.
Thursday December 18, 5 - 7 p.m. Underwater Photography Gallery, 22627 La Fitte Drive, Cudjoe Key
The
exhibit features marine life of the Florida Keys, behavior and
photography techniques. Mike and Suzanne Lombard have been diving and
photographing underwater around the world for over 40 years. They
support ocean conservation and recovery of threatened/endangered species
such as manatees, turtles, sharks, dolphin, and other rare/ endemic
aquatic life.
Friday December 19. 5 - 6 p.m. Ron Levy Aquatic Center, the Community Room, and Village Hall Village of Islamorada 87000 and 86800 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada
A
celebration of our first-ever Art in Public Buildings exhibition.Toast
the 14 Islamorada artists whose works are on display in the Ron Levy
Aquatic Center, the Community Room, and Village Hall!
LECTURE
Aquaculture in the Keys with Ken Nedimyer
Wednesday December 17, 7 p.m. History of Diving Museum 82990 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada
Ken
Nedimyer is the founder of Reef Renewal International, and the
Technical Director for Reef Renewal USA, a Florida Keys based company
focused on restoring coral reefs of the Florida Keys and also helps
manage an international business called Reef Renewal Foundation
International, which is focused on developing coral nursery and coral
replanting programs in the Caribbean.
Where the Land Ends: The Remarkable History of Key West
Saturday, December 20, 1 - 2:30 p.m. Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden 5210 College Road, Key West
This
lecture explores the island’s complete story; how a remote coral island
became one of the most influential ports in the United States, survived
hurricanes and wars, and emerged as a cultural haven unlike anywhere
else in America.
Wednesday December 17, 1 p.m. Big Pine Library Winn-Dixie Plaza, Big Pine Key
All
styles and abilities are welcome. Participants may bring up to five
pages, double spaced, to read aloud. If you can, bring 5-7 copies to
share. The group offers feedback in a friendly, constructive way. Not
ready to share? Come to a meeting to get acquainted and offer feedback.
"Writers need readers!"
Old Town Literary Walking Tours Are Back
Wednesdays & Fridays, 10 a.m. Departs from Key West Public Library 700 Fleming St., Key West
Join
us each week for the Old Town Literary Walking Tour, a stroll through
downtown Key West, illuminating stories of writers that have called our
island home. Sponsored by the Key West Literary Seminar.
Tours
commence in front of the Monroe County Public Library and end near
Greene and Elizabeth Streets in Key West. Tours last approximately 90
minutes. Please be on time and wear comfortable shoes.
Mondays, 8:30 - 11:30 p.m. William Weech American Legion 803 Emma St., Key West
Accomplished
Key West Pianist Larry Smith has taken up residency in the newest
historic music venue in town, creating a Jazz Lounge at the William
Weech American Legion at 803 Emma Street on Monday nights. He
honors the legacy of music at the William Weech post while continuing
his long tradition of hosting open jams on Mondays. Smith’s jams
are legendary - they enjoy a long history of jam alumni - from talented
high schoolers - to grammy award winning star professionals from around
the world.
The
music for Larry's jams is never pre-determined as the set list is
spontaneously arrived upon depending on the “feel” of the audience, the
“mood" of the night, and the “fancy” of the musicians who are performing
that night. Aficionados of jazz from around the world have become
loyal followers. For more information or to join the jam contact us on
(305) 440-3714.
Sundays, 5-7 pm The Gardens Hotel 526 Angela St., Key West
Jazz Society
Thursdays, 4 p.m. Hemingway Social Club 201 Simonton St, Key West
CALLS TO ARTISTS
Art In The Park – Call for Submissions
Deadline: January 9, 2026 Marathon City Park
We
live in a beautiful place and everyone can create something that
relates to the Florida Keys. No categories, no specific theme. Artists
may enter 1 piece of original art, not to exceed 50 united inches
including the mat. There is no fee to enter your art.
The Chain: Connection in the Florida Keys – Call for Submissions
Deadline: January 18, 2026 Palm Heart Press
We
are seeking submissions of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for an
anthology that highlights the connections between community and the
natural environment of the Florida Keys. Selected works will be
published in the titled collection supported by the Florida Keys Council
of the Arts.
Calling All Poets: A Poetry Workshop: I Have Made an Elegy for Myself with Ishion Hutchinson
January 4 - 8 Key West
What
aspects of craft intensify our experience of mortal loss and
consolation? How do these techniques—cadence, space, rhythm, figurative
language—work together to create the necessary tension that makes absent
things present? These will be our guiding questions when discussing the
assigned readings and workshopping your own poems. Though the elegy is
central to our workshop session, we are not limited to it. In the fall,
students will be asked to send in two to three poems to be workshopped
in class. The instructor will provide written feedback and lead class
discussions on your material (while you experiment with writing elegy;
you’re not limited to submitting elegy-based poems). The class will be
both workshop-based and generative, and is open to writers at all levels
interested in deepening their poetic practice.
Financial
Assistance is available to those who would not otherwise be able to
attend—click here for guidelines and/or to apply for a Workshop
Fellowship Award. (Do not submit a regular application if you are
requesting financial aid.)
Daily 90 minutes prior to sunset The Dock at Mallory Square, Key West
Come watch the world-famous sunset! Meet the
local makers & purchase local arts & crafts. Experience
the music, mayhem & magic of our street performers and feast on
freshly prepared food & drinks.
"The Annex" - 804 White St. & "By the Bay" 3340 N. Roosevelt Blvd. #2, Key West
Classical
ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, tap, Latin, hip-hop, musical
theatre and more for children and adults, beginner to professional. Home
of the CoffeeMill Young Dance Collective student dance company
(performing group). Year ‘round workshops.
Sunday December 7, 3:30 p.m - 7 p.m, Key West Museum of Art and History 281 Front St., Key West
Join
us for Pop-Up Make and Create—a free, family-friendly art-making
experience that celebrates the rich art and history of Key West! Held on
the first Sunday of each month to coincide with Community Day, this
program takes place at one of the Key West Art & Historical
Society’s museum locations, rotating monthly to offer a fresh experience
each time.
Led
by our youth education team, each session features hands-on projects
inspired by the exhibits and stories of the Keys. Kids of all ages are
welcome, and no registration is required—just drop in and create!
It's
time to renew your membership or join. 100% of your membership supports
the artists & arts organizations living and working in the
Florida Keys. Thank you for supporting our vibrant, diverse
creative communities.
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