Strawberry Festival 2026: Your guide to the Florida Strawberry Festival

The strawberry festival 2026 returns to Plant City from Feb. 26 through March 8, offering entertainment, rides, agriculture exhibits, fine arts and food, including a "Make Your Own" shortcake booth. This edition — the festival's 91st annual iteration — lays out daily ticketing and wristband options along with several promotional voucher days that may affect peak attendance.

Strawberry Festival 2026 dates and hours

The event is scheduled to run Feb. 26 through March 8 in Plant City. Ticket gates and the main ticket gate are open daily; a box office will be available beginning Feb. 1 through March 8 at participating supermarket locations. Many midway ride offers and discounted wristband options are available during published midday and evening windows.

Tickets, wristbands and discounts

General admission and wristband deals are structured to provide multiple price points. Patrons age 60 and older may purchase a discounted gate admission for $10 during the noon–11: 00 p. m. window. A standard midway wristband is priced at $25 and covers most mechanical rides for the stated ride period. Promotions and vouchers can reduce that wristband price on specified days.

• Voucher days on Feb. 26 and March 5 offer $5-off wristband vouchers at an on-site display, lowering the listed price to $20 for that ride period.
• Other promotional receipts or presented items can reduce wristband prices to $20–$30 depending on the listed offer and time window.
• Single rides are offered at a low per-ride price during the noon–11: 00 p. m. period; details vary by day.

Special events, parade and family offerings

The festival schedule includes a grand parade that begins at 1: 00 p. m. and is expected to pass the festival grounds at approximately 2: 00 p. m. A Special Smiles Day is scheduled from 9: 00 a. m. to noon to serve visitors with special needs; all attendees and one companion are admitted free that morning at the designated gate. Children’s programming includes a scheduled kid workshop starting at 3: 00 p. m. near the Berry Big Wheel.

Food booths, attractions and featured offerings

Food and craft offerings are a central draw: the St. Clement "Make Your Own" Shortcake Booth is highlighted among on-site food options. Visitors can expect agricultural exhibits and fine arts displays alongside typical midway entertainment and rides. On-site displays will also distribute limited-time vouchers on specific dates that apply to ride wristbands.

Access rules and free-admission categories

Several groups receive free entry with valid proof: all active, reserve and retired military, law enforcement, first responders and healthcare professionals are admitted free with ID. Children through high school age are eligible for complimentary admission on designated voucher days; additionally, all kids up to age 17 are admitted free with a paid adult from noon–11: 00 p. m. Entry for Special Smiles attendees is free during the reserved morning.

Forward look: the combination of voucher days early in the run and on March 5 could drive concentrated midday attendance on those dates. If voucher redemption is heavy, expect longer lines at ticket booths during the listed voucher windows and around parade timing on the designated parade day.