Deering Seafood Festival

It’s 20 years of “reel” good seafood. Set on the picturesque grounds of the Deering Estate in Palmetto Bay, Deering Seafood Festival presented by the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board takes place on Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Beyond heaps of fresh seafood, expect a festive 20th anniversary party with flowing drinks, chef demos, family-friendly activities and music that’ll transport you to the islands, plus plenty of Miami flair.

With its palm-lined walkways overlooking Biscayne Bay, the historic 400-acre estate and nature preserve owned by industrialist Charles Deering in the 1920s makes a stunning setting for this beloved annual event. Get ready for your visit to the 2026 Deering Seafood Festival with our guide below, including information on the chef and music lineup, tickets, parking and more must-know tips.

Top Chefs and Dishes at Deering Seafood Festival 2026

The star of the festival is always fresh, local seafood, and you’ll find it prepared almost any way you can dream of along the festival's “Seafood Alley.”

Participating seafood restaurants include Golden Rule Seafood, Sports Grill, Popos Seafood, Conch Mania, Mr. Cobbs BBQ, Rodbenders Raw Bar and Grill and Pubbelly Sushi, along with Chef Winston Catering, Antigua Barbuda and Catering by Les. Guests can also enjoy desserts from Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream and Nothing Bundt Cakes. Beverages will be provided by Eagle Brands, frozen drinks by Don Q Rum, whiskey by Cairlinn Bay Irish Whiskey and wine from Bonterra Winery.

A highlight of the festival is the Chef Demo Tent, where 6 South Florida chefs present 45-minute seafood cooking demonstrations. This year’s lineup includes student chefs from Miami Springs Senior High School, Kenneth Molyneaux from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, Michael Altman of Kitchen 57, Damien Gilchrist of Card Sound Golf Club, Dewey Losasso of Puff 'n Stuff Luxury Events and Catering, and the student winner of the annual culinary competition at Florida International University College of Culinary Arts.

If you want to whet your appetite before the festival, the more intimate 7th Annual Chef’s Table On The Bay takes place on April 10, 2026, with celebrity chef Kenneth Molyneaux from the British Virgin Islands, Fernando Salazar of Platea Miami and Cindy Hutson of Sun Cuisine running the culinary show under the stars.

Family-Friendly Fun at Deering Seafood Festival

Families will find plenty of activities to enjoy throughout the Deering Seafood Festival. Guests looking to get out on the water can take guided Pelican Skipper pontoon boat rides (for an additional fee) from the historic Deering Estate to nearby Chicken Key. Back on land, visitors can stroll through Artists Lane to browse handmade paintings, photography, crafts, jewelry and other unique creations by local artisans.

Presented by Kiddos Magazine, the festival’s Spring Fun Kid’s Zone offers a full lineup of family-friendly entertainment, including arts and crafts, a DJ, games, kid-friendly food, raffles, a magic show and a toddler play area. Kids can also explore Deering Discovery Cove, which features interactive and educational activities.

Live Music at Deering Seafood Festival 2026

One of the highlights of Deering Seafood Festival is the live music, and this year features a vibrant lineup of bands and DJs from Greater Miami & Miami Beach and the Caribbean islands. Dance to the rhythms of Code Red, a high-energy Jamaican band, and the Razor Blades, a popular group from the British Virgin Islands known for playing the island’s traditional fungi music (think instruments like banjo and the triangle).

Also on the lineup: Reggae royalty in the form of I-Threes Next Generation. These are the daughters of the original I-Threes trio, who were the iconic female back-up singers for Bob Marley and the Wailers in the 1970s. The high-energy, Miami-based band Caribbean Music Farm will also belt out music from the islands, while DJ SoSo keeps the beats going in between acts.

Top Tips For Enjoying The Event

The Deering Seafood Festival is always a popular event, and you’ll want to arrive early for prime parking. This event is outdoors, so dress appropriately in lightweight clothing and comfortable shoes. Bring along bug spray and sunscreen so you can enjoy the day in the sun.

Pets are not allowed, as well as items like coolers and ground umbrellas. Keep in mind: the historic museum homes will not be open during the festival.

Festival Parking

In addition to street and area parking, guests can hop on a free park-and-ride shuttle bus that will take festival-goers from Westminster Christian School and Palmetto Bay Village Center to Deering Estate. Those shuttles go back and forth every 15 minutes. If you’re riding your bike, there’s a courtesy bike valet from the Heritage House.

Tickets

A limited number of advance tickets are available for $25 per adult (plus fees); tickets are $30 on the day of the festival. Tickets for children ages 4 to 14 are $7 in advance (plus fees) and $10 on the day of the event.

A one-day flash sale on Friday, March 20, 2026 offers special ticket pricing: $20 for adults and $5 for children ages 4 to 14.

Entrance is free for members of the Deering Estate Foundation, though tickets must be reserved online in advance.

Tickets include entrance to the festival, but food, drinks and some activities are not included. All proceeds will benefit the Deering Estate Foundation and are used to provide funding, advocacy and support for Deering Estate and its initiatives.

By: Angela Caraway-Carlton | March 6, 2026