The Florida Strawberry Festival returns to Plant City from Feb. 26 to March 8, 2026, for its 91st year with a concert lineup that spans country favorites, gospel performers and major touring artists. With the theme Still Growing, the festival once again brings nearly two weeks of music, agriculture and community traditions to the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.
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Founded and sustained by civic groups and volunteers, The Florida Strawberry Festival has long showcased the region’s agricultural strength. The celebration makes Hillsborough County one of the nation’s leading agricultural areas, from its 10,000 acres of strawberry fields to its wider farm production.
Each spring, the fairgrounds fill with exhibits, livestock shows, fine arts, crafts and parades, which continue the small-town traditions that have defined the event since 1930. The Florida Strawberry Festival remains one of the few major festivals operating without taxpayer funding, guided instead by a local board that preserves its heritage while helping it grow into a nationally recognized event.
Festival overview
The Florida Strawberry Festival blends agriculture, entertainment and community in a way few events still do. Visitors can move from horticulture displays and livestock barns to craft exhibits, youth competitions, parades and classic fair food centered on the region’s signature crop.
While the celebration of the strawberry harvest remains at its core, the festival now attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees and ranks among the Top 40 Fairs in North America. Even with that growth, it maintains the same community-driven structure and volunteer spirit that have shaped it for generations.
What’s new or notable this year
The 2026 entertainment schedule is one of the festival’s most varied, pairing longtime country acts with gospel performers, emerging artists and a rock headliner in The Offspring. Several evening slots remain to be announced, which leaves room for late additions that often draw strong interest.
This year’s theme, Still Growing, underscores ongoing improvements across the grounds and the effort to expand programming without losing the agricultural focus that defines the event. Advance ticket sales open Dec. 11 at 8 a.m. ET.
The lineup
The 2026 concert schedule opens on Feb. 26 with Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra in a free morning show, followed later that day by the Oak Ridge Boys and Alabama. On Feb. 27, Jo Dee Messina performs in the afternoon and Jamey Johnson headlines the evening. Feb. 28 features Lonestar in the afternoon and Ty Myers at night.
Riley Green, joined by Hannah McFarland, performs on March 1, while March 2 brings Gene Watson in the afternoon and an evening act still to be announced. On March 3, Sandi Patty appears ahead of a performance by Lauren Daigle, while March 4 pairs John Foster with Brantley Gilbert.
March 5 begins with a free morning show by Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets, followed by the Bellamy Brothers and Dierks Bentley. March 6 features the Marshall Tucker Band in the afternoon and Forrest Frank that evening. March 7 includes a to-be-announced afternoon act and a nighttime performance by The Offspring. The festival closes on March 8 with a final evening act still to be named.
Tickets for headline shows, along with advance gate admission, go on sale Dec. 11 at 8 a.m. ET.
What to know before you go
Crowds build quickly during the 11-day run, so early arrival helps avoid lines for parking and entry. Hotels in Plant City and the wider Tampa Bay area often book up once the concert schedule is released, so making reservations in advance is a smart move for out-of-town visitors. Gate admission covers access to exhibits, livestock shows, parades and many daytime performances, while headline concerts require separate tickets available starting Dec. 11.
With several lineup spots still open and the potential for additional artists, checking for updates in the weeks ahead is worthwhile. Beyond the music, the festival features strawberry shortcake, agricultural displays and family-friendly activities, so plan time to explore more than the concerts.
Jennifer Allen is a retired chef turned traveler, cookbook author and nationally syndicated journalist; she’s also a co-founder of Food Drink Life, where she shares expert travel tips, cruise insights and luxury destination guides. A recognized cruise expert with a deep passion for high-end experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations, Jennifer explores the world with curiosity, depth and a storyteller’s perspective. Her articles are regularly featured on the Associated Press Wire, The Washington Post, Seattle Times, MSN and more.
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