If you're having trouble viewing this email, you cansee it online.
CONNECT TO THE ARTS ANDCULTURAL EVENTS THIS WEEKDecember 17 - 24
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Dive with Scuba Santa
Tuesday December 16 Rainbow Reef dock 100 Ocean Drive, Mile Marker 100, Key Largo
Looking for something fun to do on the water next week? Dive with Scuba Santa and explore the reefs with the History of Diving Museum and Rainbow Reef Dive Center
Merry Divemas
Wednesday December 17, 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. History of Diving Museum 82990 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada
Photos with Santa, cookie decorating, holiday Crafts and more.
Sunday, December 21, 11 - 3 p.m. Conch Republic Seafood Company parking lot 631 Greene St, Key West
Please bring an unwrapped toy for Monroe County Domestic Abuse Shelter. VOTE for the “Peoples Choice” award for: BEST sports car, pick up, engine, interior, original & custom, pre & post 1950, Best in Show. See classic cars from every era decked out for the holidays! Run by the Florida Keys Southernmost Car Club, honoring founder Dick Moody.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING SPOTS
Walk on White
Thursday December 18, 6 - 9 p.m. White Street Gallery District, Key West
There will be performances by the KWHS Conchettes at 6:00 PM at City Hall and at 6:45 PM at Fausto’s. Not to mention pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at City Hall. Also enjoy exhibition opening receptions, open artist studios, pottery-throwing demos, locally-made art, special events, promotions, and complimentary libations from local galleries, studios, and over 25 art-loving businesses.
Sunday December 21, 4 p.m. Key West United Methodist Church 600 Eaton St., Key West
The community is invited to come together and celebrate the Christmas season through music performed by the island’s most talented young musicians. The students will also be joined by Key West’s own Joe Dallas and Skipper Kripitz ,Music Room alumni and some very special guests.
Christmas on the Keys! Piano Concert with James T. Slater
Tuesday December 23, 7 p.m. Williams Hall 729 Fleming St., Key West
Join us for Christmas on the Keys, a joyful, high-spirited piano concert featuring the incredible James T. Slater—two-time Grammy-nominated, piano-playing, bilingual singer-songwriter of Bolivian American descent. Signed to BMG Music Publishing/Nashville, James will be performing hits recorded by legends from Carrie Underwood, and Kenny Chesney, to Tim McGraw and Willie Nelson, to Keith Urban and Enrique Iglesias...as well as songs off his latest album, Shrimp Boat Sessions, recorded LIVE on the piano at Jimmy Buffett's Shrimp Boat Studio here in Key West.
Through December 20, 7:30 p.m. Waterfront Playhouse 407 Wall St., Key West
A stunning revue of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most treasured songs, this elegant theatrical presentation brings five performers into a world of timeless music — from backstage intimacy to full-stage splendor. A heartfelt tribute to the golden age of Broadway.
Through January 3, 7:30 p.m. Red Barn Theatre 319 Duval St., Key West
A hilarious mash-up of Dickens and Shakespeare when a theater company is left to come up with a replacement show for their Shakespeare production when all their actors call out sick. Can they save their theater by coming up with a show in a couple of hours? It’s a very funny collision of everything Christmas and everything Shakespeare.
Saturday December 20, 7 p.m. Tropic Cinema 416 Eaton St., Key West
Spotlight Series Special Holiday Presentation funded by the Florida Council of the Arts, The Tropic Cinema Spotlight Series proudly features the Key West High School Conchettes, the school's dance and drill team. The Conchettes will introduce the film and warmly welcome the audience into the Tropic, celebrating local youth and community spirit.
Thursday December 18, 5 - 7 p.m. Underwater Photography Gallery, 22627 La Fitte Drive, Cudjoe Key
The exhibit features marine life of the Florida Keys, behavior and photography techniques. Mike and Suzanne Lombard have been diving and photographing underwater around the world for over 40 years. They support ocean conservation and recovery of threatened/endangered species such as manatees, turtles, sharks, dolphin, and other rare/ endemic aquatic life.
Friday December 19. 5 - 6 p.m. Ron Levy Aquatic Center, the Community Room, and Village Hall Village of Islamorada 87000 and 86800 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada
A celebration of our first-ever Art in Public Buildings exhibition.Toast the 14 Islamorada artists whose works are on display in the Ron Levy Aquatic Center, the Community Room, and Village Hall!
LECTURE
Aquaculture in the Keys with Ken Nedimyer
Wednesday December 17, 7 p.m. History of Diving Museum 82990 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada
Ken Nedimyer is the founder of Reef Renewal International, and the Technical Director for Reef Renewal USA, a Florida Keys based company focused on restoring coral reefs of the Florida Keys and also helps manage an international business called Reef Renewal Foundation International, which is focused on developing coral nursery and coral replanting programs in the Caribbean.
Where the Land Ends: The Remarkable History of Key West
Saturday, December 20, 1 - 2:30 p.m. Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden 5210 College Road, Key West
This lecture explores the island’s complete story; how a remote coral island became one of the most influential ports in the United States, survived hurricanes and wars, and emerged as a cultural haven unlike anywhere else in America.
Wednesday December 17, 1 p.m. Big Pine Library Winn-Dixie Plaza, Big Pine Key
All styles and abilities are welcome. Participants may bring up to five pages, double spaced, to read aloud. If you can, bring 5-7 copies to share. The group offers feedback in a friendly, constructive way. Not ready to share? Come to a meeting to get acquainted and offer feedback. "Writers need readers!"
Old Town Literary Walking Tours Are Back
Wednesdays & Fridays, 10 a.m. Departs from Key West Public Library 700 Fleming St., Key West
Join us each week for the Old Town Literary Walking Tour, a stroll through downtown Key West, illuminating stories of writers that have called our island home. Sponsored by the Key West Literary Seminar.
Tours commence in front of the Monroe County Public Library and end near Greene and Elizabeth Streets in Key West. Tours last approximately 90 minutes. Please be on time and wear comfortable shoes.
Mondays, 8:30 - 11:30 p.m. William Weech American Legion 803 Emma St., Key West
Accomplished Key West Pianist Larry Smith has taken up residency in the newest historic music venue in town, creating a Jazz Lounge at the William Weech American Legion at 803 Emma Street on Monday nights. He honors the legacy of music at the William Weech post while continuing his long tradition of hosting open jams on Mondays. Smith’s jams are legendary - they enjoy a long history of jam alumni - from talented high schoolers - to grammy award winning star professionals from around the world.
The music for Larry's jams is never pre-determined as the set list is spontaneously arrived upon depending on the “feel” of the audience, the “mood" of the night, and the “fancy” of the musicians who are performing that night. Aficionados of jazz from around the world have become loyal followers. For more information or to join the jam contact us on (305) 440-3714.
Sundays, 5-7 pm The Gardens Hotel 526 Angela St., Key West
Jazz Society
Thursdays, 4 p.m. Hemingway Social Club 201 Simonton St, Key West
CALLS TO ARTISTS
Art In The Park – Call for Submissions
Deadline: January 9, 2026 Marathon City Park
We live in a beautiful place and everyone can create something that relates to the Florida Keys. No categories, no specific theme. Artists may enter 1 piece of original art, not to exceed 50 united inches including the mat. There is no fee to enter your art.
The Chain: Connection in the Florida Keys – Call for Submissions
Deadline: January 18, 2026 Palm Heart Press
We are seeking submissions of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for an anthology that highlights the connections between community and the natural environment of the Florida Keys. Selected works will be published in the titled collection supported by the Florida Keys Council of the Arts.
Calling All Poets: A Poetry Workshop: I Have Made an Elegy for Myself with Ishion Hutchinson
January 4 - 8 Key West
What aspects of craft intensify our experience of mortal loss and consolation? How do these techniques—cadence, space, rhythm, figurative language—work together to create the necessary tension that makes absent things present? These will be our guiding questions when discussing the assigned readings and workshopping your own poems. Though the elegy is central to our workshop session, we are not limited to it. In the fall, students will be asked to send in two to three poems to be workshopped in class. The instructor will provide written feedback and lead class discussions on your material (while you experiment with writing elegy; you’re not limited to submitting elegy-based poems). The class will be both workshop-based and generative, and is open to writers at all levels interested in deepening their poetic practice.
Financial Assistance is available to those who would not otherwise be able to attend—click here for guidelines and/or to apply for a Workshop Fellowship Award. (Do not submit a regular application if you are requesting financial aid.)
Daily 90 minutes prior to sunset The Dock at Mallory Square, Key West
Come watch the world-famous sunset! Meet the local makers & purchase local arts & crafts. Experience the music, mayhem & magic of our street performers and feast on freshly prepared food & drinks.
"The Annex" - 804 White St. & "By the Bay" 3340 N. Roosevelt Blvd. #2, Key West
Classical ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, tap, Latin, hip-hop, musical theatre and more for children and adults, beginner to professional. Home of the CoffeeMill Young Dance Collective student dance company (performing group). Year ‘round workshops.
Sunday December 7, 3:30 p.m - 7 p.m, Key West Museum of Art and History 281 Front St., Key West
Join us for Pop-Up Make and Create—a free, family-friendly art-making experience that celebrates the rich art and history of Key West! Held on the first Sunday of each month to coincide with Community Day, this program takes place at one of the Key West Art & Historical Society’s museum locations, rotating monthly to offer a fresh experience each time.
Led by our youth education team, each session features hands-on projects inspired by the exhibits and stories of the Keys. Kids of all ages are welcome, and no registration is required—just drop in and create!
It's time to renew your membership or join. 100% of your membership supports the artists & arts organizations living and working in the Florida Keys. Thank you for supporting our vibrant, diverse creative communities.
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
