4 Summer Beach Festivals That Aren’t Your Typical Music Festival

Check out these upcoming summer beach festivals for fun in the sun.

Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Festival

The annual festival in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, takes places May 20–21 this year. The festival takes place in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Lionfish Removal & Awareness Day Festival. The immersive outdoor festival spreads awareness on the invasive species of fish, removes fish from the area and features lionfish on local restaurant menus. Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Restaurant Week takes place the week leading up to the festival.

© Destin-Fort Walton Beach

JACKALOPE Fest

Held in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for the first time, the adrenaline-filled sports festival features three days of competitions and demonstrations from iconic athletes in skateboarding, BASE jumping, breakdancing and bouldering. The free event takes place at venues along the beach June 2–4.

© Virginia Beach

CayMAS

Head to the Cayman Islands for its annual CayMAS Carnival. The event features Caribbean music, costumed dancers, steel pan bands, floats and a parade. This year’s event takes place June 28–July 3. Book a stay at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa, located steps away from the Carnival action.

© Grenada Tourism

Spicemas

Grenada hosts its own Carnival celebration: Spicemas, celebrating the island’s famous spice production with six days of parades, live music and cultural events. This year’s event takes place Aug. 11–16.