The 2026 Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival is just around the corner, and we’re gearing up for an exciting weekend of conservation, community, and creativity this April! This event combines hands-on invasive lionfish removal with local art, science, and education. Here’s a look into what to expect:
April 23 - Kick-off Party & Captain’s Meeting (5-7:30 PM)
Derby teams will meet at Sharkey’s Sharkbite Grill in Key Largo for the required Captain’s Meeting. We’ll be talking about the lionfish invasion, safe collection and handling practices, derby rules, and permitting requirements. A virtual attendance option is also available. The public is welcome and encouraged to stop by and join in on the celebration!
April 24–25 - Lionfish Hunting
From sunrise to sunset on Friday and Saturday, teams will be out on the water removing invasive lionfish from Florida reefs. Prizes will be awarded to teams who collect the most, largest, and smallest lionfish.
April 26 – Derby & Arts Festival (12-4:00 PM)
Celebrate the derby’s impact at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center in Key Largo! This free, family-friendly festival highlights the intersection of art, science, and conservation. Enjoy educational activities, interactive games, live music, lionfish scoring, fillet and dissection demos, tastings, local artisan vendors, food trucks, craft beer, and the culminating Derby Awards Ceremony honoring participating teams.
Learn more about competing in the Derby and explore Festival details.
The 2026 Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival is proudly supported by our premier sponsors, the Ocean Reef Conservation Foundation and the Monroe County Tourism Development Council.