All attendees must get their ticket in advance. Get your tickets online at the link below.
Since 1989, The Deering Estate Foundation has hosted renowned signature events, like the Deering Seafood Festival, to invite the South Florida community to engage with the historic Deering Estate, learn about the importance of environmental conservation and participate in a year-long calendar of fun-filled cultural, educational, and recreational experiences.
The Deering Estate Foundation looks forward to welcoming families of all ages to experience fresh seafood, chef demos, live entertainment and kid’s activities at the award-winning Deering Seafood Festival on Sunday, March 26, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission Cost, Non-Foundation Members: Adults (ages 15+) is $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event; children (ages 4-14), is $7 in advance and $10 the day of the event.
Admission Cost, Foundation Members: FREE; Reserve your Tickets below! While Deering Estate Foundation members are entitled to free festival admission, members must obtain a ticket for entry online. Members will be prompted to add their member number in the ticket link below to reserve their free tickets. No Member ID listed on your Foundation membership card or having an issue reserving? Call (305)235-1668, Option 4 (10am-4pm, weekdays).
Members are permitted to reserve up to the maximum number tickets that equally corresponds with their membership type/level, as specified below:
Student Membership = 1 Adult Ticket only (age 15+)
Individual Membership = 1 Adult Ticket only (age 15+)
Couple Membership = 2 Adult Tickets only (ages 15+)
Family Membership = 2 Adult Tickets only (ages 15+) & 4 Children’s Tickets only (ages 4-14)
Estate Friend Membership = 4 Adult Tickets only (ages 15+) & 4 Children’s Tickets only (ages 4-14)
Ticket prices includes entrance and select activities, but excludes food, drink, boat rides, and vendor purchases. All proceeds will benefit the Deering Estate Foundation and are used to provide funding, advocacy and support for Deering Estate and its initiatives.
Non-members also have the option of becoming a member at the ticket link below.
Food & Drink Vendors
At the Deering Seafood Festival, guests will be able to buy food and drink from some of South Florida’s best restaurants and suppliers. Participating seafood restaurants include Golden Rule Seafood, Sports Grill, Catering by Les, Chef Winston Catering, Antigua Barbuda, Popos Seafood, Mr. Cobbs BBQ, Rodbenders Raw Bar and Grill, Pubbelly Sushi, Paella Party, Conch Mania and Pub Grill. Other food vendors guests can get excited about are Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream and Sugar Boutique. Eagle Brands will be onsite selling Michelob Ultra and Stella Artois. For the first time ever, there will be a beer lounge provided by Veza Sur in a shaded area with tables and chairs.
Chef Demo Tent
Sponsored by the Deering Estate Foundation, the Chef Demo Tent is one of the highlights of the Deering Seafood Festival. It’s where six fabulous South Florida chefs present 45-minute cooking demonstrations of their favorite seafood dishes, many of which are from their restaurant menus. Five demos will be led by chefs from popular Miami restaurants, and the final demo will be completed by the student winner of our annual Deering Seafood Festival Culinary Student Competition, which will take place at Florida International University (FIU) College of Culinary Arts on March 9, 2023.
This year, the Chef Demo Tent will feature Eileen Andrade from Finka, Barbacoa by FINKA, and Amelia’s, Chef from Rusty Pelican, a Chef Duo from Suviche, and Michael Bolen from Lion & The Rambler, to name a few. Throughout the day, a team of FIU culinary students will serve as sous chefs to those leading the Chef Demonstration, helping them to prepare their dish and clean up the cooking area.
All cooking demonstrations are free with admission. Audiences are limited to 100 guests per demo, and spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees will enjoy samples of the food prepared by the chef, get a copy of the recipe and have an opportunity to ask him or her questions.
Entertainment & Activities
While Florida’s freshest fish and seafood are always the main event, nonstop entertainment will keep the family dancing all day long. The festival will kick off with a Bahamian Junkanoo band and Virgin Island stilt walkers parading through Deering Estate, followed by performances by Jah Steve and The Counter Act Crew, Xant, and Private Stock.
Guests who want to get out on the water can take guided Pelican Skipper pontoon boat rides (for an additional fee) from Deering Estate to Chicken Key. Back on land, arts aficionados can wander down Artists Lane and find handmade paintings, photography, crafts and jewelry by local artisans.
Pontoon boat ride info:
-Cost: $10 Adult (ages 15+) , $5 Youth (ages 4-14).
-Departures: 11:30 am, 12:45 pm, 2:00 pm, & 3:15 pm. Approximately 45 minute ride.
-Space is limited! Sign-up early (on-site, day of event).
Just for Kids
Presented by Kiddos Magazine, The Deering Seafood Festival will have a special “Spring and Easter Fun Shrimp Kid’s Zone” with arts and crafts, a DJ, interesting exhibits, games, kid-friendly food, raffles, a magic show, a toddler play area, a potato sack race and – of course – an appearance by the Easter Bunny! An Easter egg hunt will begin at noon, so all kids are encouraged to bring their Easter baskets and join in the fun.
Also at the festival, Deering Discovery Cove will return with fun, educational programming and activities pulled from Deering Estate’s environmental classes and camps! These programs attract more than 25,000 children throughout the year.
Transportation & Parking
In addition to street and area parking, a free “Park and Ride” will be available to all festival guests at Westminster Christian School and Palmetto Bay Village Center. Shuttle buses will go to and from the venue and Deering Estate every 15 minutes.
To the North: Westminster Christian School (6855 SW 152 St, Miami, FL, 33157)
To the South: Palmetto Bay Village Center (18001 Old Cutler Rd, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157)
For those wishing to ride their bikes to the festival, a courtesy bike valet will be available from Heritage House outside the main grounds located in the area between SW 168 Street & SW 167 Street along 72nd Avenue.
Rideshare pickup & drop-off location is at the north-east corner of the intersection at SW 168 Street & Old Cutler Road.