Events · Putnam County
Florida Azalea Festival
Palatka's signature riverfront festival
- When
- Late February – early March
- Where
- Downtown Palatka riverfront
- Cost
- Free
- Official
- Details & dates ↗
Dates shift a little each year — confirm with the official source before you go.
The Florida Azalea Festival is Palatka’s signature event and one of the longest-running festivals in the state. Held on the downtown riverfront when the azaleas are in bloom, it fills several blocks with craft and food vendors, live music, a car show, and a children’s area — all free to attend.
The timing is no accident: the festival lines up with peak bloom at Ravine Gardens State Park, where hundreds of azaleas flower across two spring-fed ravines from late December into March. Make a day of it — the festival in the morning, the ravines in the afternoon.
Planning a visit? Browse local restaurants and places to stay in the Palatka directory to round out the trip.
Good to know
- When is the Florida Azalea Festival?
- It's held in late February or early March each year, timed to the azalea bloom at nearby Ravine Gardens State Park. Confirm the exact weekend with the organizers before you go.
- How much does it cost?
- Admission is free. Bring cash for food and craft vendors.
- Where is it held?
- Along the St. Johns River in downtown Palatka, spanning several blocks of the riverfront.