If you’re planning a trip to Crystal River, Florida between November and March, you’re coming during one of the best times of year to visit Citrus County.

This is peak manatee season in Crystal River, but there is also a lot happening on land — seafood festivals, art shows, holiday events, live music, family-friendly festivals and some of the biggest annual events on Florida’s Nature Coast.

If you’re looking for things to do in Crystal River and Citrus County this winter, here are a few events worth putting on your calendar.

November 7, 2026 — Stone Crab Jam | Crystal River

Stone Crab Jam takes over downtown Crystal River with seafood, live music, vendors, beer, wine and plenty of people wandering around downtown.

It’s a fun weekend to stay in Crystal River because you can spend the morning on Kings Bay and then head downtown for the festival afterward.

November 7–8, 2026 — Inverness Festival of the Arts | Inverness

The Inverness Festival of the Arts is a long-running juried art festival held in historic downtown Inverness.

You’ll find artists, handmade goods, demonstrations, food and entertainment throughout the weekend. Inverness is only about 25 minutes from Crystal River, so it’s an easy addition to a Nature Coast weekend.

November 14–15, 2026 — Homosassa Arts, Crafts & Seafood Festival | Homosassa

If you want a little taste of old Florida, head down to Homosassa for the annual Arts, Crafts & Seafood Festival.

Expect local seafood, arts and crafts, live music, vendors and family activities. Homosassa is just south of Crystal River and makes a great stop if you’re exploring more of Citrus County.

December 4, 2026 — Candles, Carols & Carriages | Floral City

Floral City is one of those places that still feels like old Florida, especially underneath its huge oak trees.

During Candles, Carols & Carriages, the historic area is decorated with luminaries and holiday lights, creating a really unique small-town Christmas atmosphere.

December 5 & 12, 2026 — Citrus County Christmas Parades

Christmas in Florida looks a little different than it does up north — and that’s part of the fun.

The Crystal River Christmas Parade is December 5, followed by the Inverness Christmas Parade on December 12.

These are great local events if you’re visiting Citrus County during the holidays, especially with kids.

January 16–17, 2027 — Florida Manatee Festival | Crystal River

The Florida Manatee Festival is one of the biggest events of the year in downtown Crystal River.

For two days, downtown fills with food vendors, arts and crafts, live entertainment, kids’ activities and thousands of visitors celebrating the animal Crystal River is famous for.

January is also right in the middle of peak manatee season, so this is one of the best weekends of the year to combine the festival with a swim with manatees tour in Crystal River.

Our favorite way to do it is to book an early morning manatee tour, spend a few hours exploring Kings Bay, and then head downtown for the festival afterward.

Swim With Manatees in Crystal River

Winter is when Crystal River really earns its reputation as the Manatee Capital of the World.

As Gulf water temperatures drop, manatees move into the constant 72-degree spring-fed waters around Kings Bay. That makes November through March the most popular time of year for visitors hoping to see — and potentially swim with — wild manatees.

At River Ventures, our guided Crystal River manatee tours are designed around respectful, passive observation of wild manatees. Our captains and guides take guests onto Kings Bay, provide wetsuits and snorkel gear, and help guests experience the manatees while following U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service guidelines.

Because they are wild animals, no two trips are exactly the same — which is honestly part of what makes the experience so special.

If swimming isn’t your thing, you can also enjoy Crystal River from the boat on a wildlife cruise and still have a chance to see manatees, birds, springs and other local wildlife.

February 27, 2027 — Old Homosassa Mullet Toss | Homosassa

Yes, this is exactly what it sounds like.

The Old Homosassa Mullet Toss is one of those wonderfully quirky local events where kids and adults compete to see who can throw a mullet the farthest.

Add in food, drinks and live music and you’ve got a very Homosassa kind of afternoon.

March 6–7, 2027 — Floral City Strawberry Festival | Floral City

The Floral City Strawberry Festival is one of Citrus County’s biggest spring events.

There are strawberry desserts, vendors, entertainment, kids’ activities and plenty of fresh strawberries. It’s a great family-friendly event and usually brings a big crowd to Floral City.

March 22–29, 2027 — Citrus County Fair | Inverness

The Citrus County Fair wraps up March with a full week of classic county fair fun.

Expect livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, local 4-H and FFA programs, midway rides, games, fair food and entertainment.

If you’re visiting Crystal River with kids during spring break, this is definitely one to check out.

Make a Weekend of It in Crystal River

One of the best things about visiting Crystal River between November and March is that you can experience a lot in one trip.

You can swim with manatees in the morning, explore downtown Crystal River, grab fresh seafood, visit Homosassa or Inverness, and then finish the day at a local festival or event.

And while January and February are traditionally the heart of manatee season, every day on the water is different. Weather, tides and wildlife movement all play a part, which is why we always tell guests to come ready for a real wildlife experience — not a staged one.

If you’re planning a winter trip to Florida’s Nature Coast, check the local event calendar, book your Crystal River manatee tour early, and leave a little extra time to explore Citrus County beyond the springs.

There’s a lot more happening here than most people realize.

Winter Festivals & Events in Crystal River and Citrus County: 11/2026 – 03/2027