It's the most wonderful time of the year in eastern Hillsborough County — Strawberry Festival season. The 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival runs February 26 through March 8 at the festival grounds at 303 BerryFest Place in Plant City, and it's shaping up to be another record-breaking year.

For Valrico and Brandon residents, the festival is practically in our backyard — about a 20-minute drive east on SR 60. Here's everything you need to know before you go.

Dates, Hours, and Admission

• Festival dates: February 26 - March 8, 2026 (11 days)
• Gate hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
• Box office hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Adult admission: $15
• Children (ages 6-12): $5
• Children under 5: Free with an accompanying adult

Headline Entertainment

The 2026 concert lineup spans country, rock, and contemporary Christian music. Some of the biggest names on the slate include:

• Alabama — The legendary country group
• Dierks Bentley
• Riley Green
• Lauren Daigle
• Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

Concert tickets are purchased separately from gate admission and vary by artist and seating section. Pit access ranges from $30 to $135 depending on the performer. Buy early — the popular shows sell out.

The Food: Beyond the Shortcake

Yes, the strawberry shortcake is the star. But the food scene at the festival has grown well beyond that one iconic dessert.

Shortcake locations for 2026:

• St. Clement Make Your Own Shortcake Booth
• Transforming Life Church inside the Entenmann's Strawberry Tent
• East Historical Society Shortcake Booth near Pioneer Village

New food items for 2026 include a Strawberry Dubai funnel cake (inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate bar trend), strawberry-inspired chocolate slushes, and creative spins on the berry theme from dozens of vendors.

Of course, the classic festival food is all there too — turkey legs, corn dogs, funnel cakes, lemonade, and everything else you'd expect.

Tips for Valrico Residents

Best route from Valrico: Take SR 60 (Brandon Boulevard) east. It's the most direct route, but traffic gets heavy near the festival grounds, especially on weekends. Allow extra time.

Best time to go: Weekday mornings are the sweet spot. The crowds are manageable, the lines are shorter, and you can actually enjoy the exhibits without being shoulder-to-shoulder with 100,000 of your closest friends. Weekends and evenings are packed.

Parking: The festival has multiple lots, but they fill up fast on busy days. Consider carpooling or using one of the overflow lots with shuttle service.

Budget tip: Gate admission plus food plus rides adds up fast. For a family of four, plan on $100-$150 minimum for a basic visit, more if you're adding concert tickets.

More Than Just Food and Music

Don't overlook the agricultural side of the festival. The youth livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, and Pioneer Village are genuinely interesting — especially if you have kids. This is one of the last places in the Tampa Bay area where kids can see real working agriculture up close.

The festival draws more than 650,000 visitors across its 11-day run, making it one of the largest events in Florida. It's been running since 1930 and is deeply woven into the identity of eastern Hillsborough County.

Bottom Line

Whether you go every year or you're a newcomer to the area, the Strawberry Festival is one of those experiences that makes living in this part of Florida special. Grab your shortcake, catch a show, and soak it in.

More info and tickets at flstrawberryfestival.com.