The 91st Annual Florida Strawberry Festival is gearing up for one of its biggest years yet, and 2026 is all about what’s new. With a refreshed lineup that blends country legends, contemporary Christian stars and rock icons, plus updated ticket options and expanded digital sales, the festival is leaning fully into its 2026 theme: “Still Growing.”
The 2026 festival will run from February 26 through March 8, 2026, at the official fairgrounds in Plant City, Florida – known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. Tickets for the headline entertainment shows go on sale at 8 a.m. ET on Thursday, December 11, 2025, giving fans an early shot at some of the most in-demand seats of the spring.
Guests can buy tickets online via the official Florida Strawberry Festival website , through the festival’s mobile app, via the Etix ticketing portal linked from the site, by phone at 813-754-1996, or in person at the Amscot Main Ticket Office at 2209 W. Oak Ave., Plant City.
“We’re thrilled to welcome guests back for another extraordinary year,” said Florida Strawberry Festival President Kyle Robinson. “Each season, our entertainment offerings grow in exciting new ways, and this year is no exception.”
What’s New for 2026?
While the Florida Strawberry Festival has always mixed big-name acts with family-friendly fun, the 2026 edition doubles down on variety, generational crossover and digital convenience. Here’s what stands out:
- Fresh artist mix: Classic country groups like Alabama, The Oak Ridge Boys and The Bellamy Brothers share the bill with newer names such as Forrest Frank, alongside contemporary Christian star Lauren Daigle and rock heavyweights The Offspring.
- Stronger rock and crossover presence: The Offspring’s main-stage slot adds a louder, festival-style rock energy to the Wish Farms Soundstage, broadening the event beyond its traditional country base.
- Faith and pop in the spotlight: Forrest Frank’s growing profile in faith-inspired pop and Lauren Daigle’s arena-sized Christian hits highlight the festival’s push into younger, streaming-era audiences.
- Expanded online ticketing: Fans can buy both gate admission and concert tickets via the festival website, mobile app and Etix, making it easier to secure seats early and avoid long queues on-site.
- “Still Growing” theme: The 2026 theme reflects not just the strawberry harvest but the way the festival keeps scaling up its crowds, attractions and music lineup year after year.
Full 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival Concert Lineup
The headline shows will once again take place at the Wish Farms Soundstage, with a mix of free-with-admission morning concerts and separately ticketed afternoon and evening performances.
Thursday, February 26, 2026
- 10:30 a.m. – Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra (free with paid gate admission)
- 3:30 p.m. – The Oak Ridge Boys
- 7:30 p.m. – Alabama
Friday, February 27, 2026
- 3:30 p.m. – Jo Dee Messina
- 7:30 p.m. – Jamey Johnson
Saturday, February 28, 2026
- 3:30 p.m. – Lonestar
- 7:30 p.m. – Ty Myers
Sunday, March 1, 2026
- 6:30 p.m. – Riley Green (featuring Hannah McFarland)
Monday, March 2, 2026
- 3:30 p.m. – Gene Watson
- 7:30 p.m. – To Be Announced
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- 3:30 p.m. – Sandi Patty
- 7:30 p.m. – Lauren Daigle
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
- 3:30 p.m. – John Foster
- 7:30 p.m. – Brantley Gilbert
Thursday, March 5, 2026
- 10:30 a.m. – Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets (free with paid gate admission)
- 3:30 p.m. – The Bellamy Brothers
- 7:30 p.m. – Dierks Bentley
Friday, March 6, 2026
- 3:30 p.m. – The Marshall Tucker Band
- 7:30 p.m. – Forrest Frank
Saturday, March 7, 2026
- 3:30 p.m. – To Be Announced
- 7:30 p.m. – The Offspring
Sunday, March 8, 2026
- 7:30 p.m. – To Be Announced
For the latest updates to the schedule and newly added artists, fans can keep an eye on the local public radio coverage of the festival and the festival’s own social media channels.
Ticket Prices & Updated Options
Gate admission for the 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival is set at:
- $15 – Adults (ages 13+)
- $5 – Children (ages 6–12)
- Free – Children 5 and under (with a paying adult)
Discounted advance gate tickets are typically available through participating Publix Super Markets in Central Florida, often priced at $10 for adults and $4 for children. These discounts help regular festival-goers and families save on multi-day visits.
Concert tickets are sold separately for most headline shows and can vary depending on seating section, with options like pit access, floor seating and grandstand sections. All official ticketing starts from the festival’s own ticketing links and the Etix platform accessible via the Tickets page on the official site .
More Than Music: Food, Rides and Agriculture
While the concert lineup draws national attention, the Florida Strawberry Festival remains, at its core, a celebration of agriculture and community. The event highlights the strawberry harvest of eastern Hillsborough County and features:
- Youth livestock shows and 4-H/FFA competitions
- Exhibits of commerce, crafts and fine arts
- Homegrown produce and agriculture education displays
- Midway rides, games and family attractions
- Dozens of food vendors serving everything from classic fair snacks to “world-famous” strawberry shortcake
Visitors planning a trip from outside the region can also browse Visit Florida’s official tourism site for nearby hotels, road-trip ideas and other events around the Tampa Bay area.
Planning Your Visit
With crowds often topping 600,000 visitors over 11 days, it pays to plan ahead. Arriving early, especially on big concert nights or weekends, can make parking and entry much smoother. Many regulars build the festival into a long weekend around Tampa, Lakeland or the Gulf Coast beaches.
Whether you’re going for the music, the rides or simply to eat as much strawberry shortcake as possible, the 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival’s “Still Growing” theme reflects exactly what fans can expect: more shows, more flavors and more reasons to come back year after year.
Make Swikblog your go-to source on Google for reliable updates, smart insights, and daily trends.
