U-Pick Strawberry Farms & Festivals season is officially right around the corner here in Florida, and here is our Ultimate Guide to satisfy all your strawberry needs! Typically the prime strawberry picking time can start as early as February and go until April, but weather conditions and the amount of rainfall we received during the year can always impact exactly when the crops will be ready (or run out!). Many of the farms are located just outside of Jacksonville and make for a fun day trip with the kids.
Before you set off on your strawberry picking or festival adventure, there are a few things to remember to make your day a perfect success: Apply sunscreen and bug spray before you go. Bring cash; many farms don’t take credit cards. Consider packing a snack and drink to keep little ones from getting cranky. Lastly, and most importantly, contact the farm ahead of time to make sure there are berries available and to confirm their hours.
Farms In & Around Jax
BROWN’S FARM
Brown’s Farm is located approximately 90 minutes southwest of Jacksonville. They’ve been in business for almost 80 years and boast an impressive 500+ acres. You are sure to enjoy the great produce, friendly service, and affordable prices. U-pick strawberries are scheduled to open in mid to late March.
ADDRESS: 18120 NE State Road 26 Hawthorne, FL 32640
CONTACT: 352.475.2015
CROSSROADS FARM & APIARY
Formerly Rogers Farm, Crossroads Farm & Apiary is located approximately an hour south of Jacksonville, just north of Gainesville, and offers strawberry picking in late winter and early spring, as well as a fall festival in October. Throughout the year they have a working apiary providing honey for sale, bee sales, and pollination services. The farm store is open at various times throughout the year for seasonal produce, honey, and farmhouse decor. They also offer group field trips and are committed to offering a space for our community to gather and learn about agriculture.
ADDRESS: 3831 NW 156th Ave. Gainesville, FL 32609
CONTACT: 386.462.2406
MERCK FARMS
Merck Farms is a locally owned farm located on the St. Mary’s River in Kingsland, GA, that provides seasonal fruits and vegetables to the local community. For seasonal U-Pick and We-Pick hours, location, ordering, and other information, please visit the website or send them an email.
ADDRESS: 4745 Clark’s Bluff Road Kingsland, GA 31548
CONTACT: 912.674.0197
OAK HAVEN FARMS & WINERY
Oak Haven Farms & Winery is located in Sorrento, Florida, about 2 hours south of Jacksonville. It all began as a 20-acre strawberry farm in 1996. The iconic oak tree is positioned in the heart of the farm which serves as a landmark and is celebrated on their wine logo. The farm slowly expanded over time to include a country kitchen that offers u-roast hot dogs, soda + chips and home-style strawberry shortcakes, and ice cream sundaes on weekends during the strawberry season (late December through mid March).
ADDRESS: 32418 Avington Road (Formerly Bird Road), Sorrento, FL 32776
CONTACT: 352.735.1996
SWEET BERRIES OF CRAWFORD FARMS
Sweet Berries of Crawford Farms is located about an hour southwest of Jacksonville in Lawtey. They offer u-pick strawberries as well as other fruits and vegetables for sale. Arrive early and check their Facebook page for availability! Since crop availability can vary, please be sure to contact the farm before heading out to pick strawberries. Remember to bring your own bucket lined with a plastic bag for weighing.
ADDRESS: 21175 NW 43rd Ave Lawtey, FL 32058
CONTACT: 904.545.5688
TOWERS FAMILY FARMS
Towers Family Farms is family-owned and operated since 2013. In 2014 they planted 10 acres of blueberries, which has since grown to 20 acres, all of which are USDA certified. In 2020 they added a small U-Pick strawberry patch to the farm and are in the process of building a brand new 6,000 sq. ft. event venue. Please check out the events page for the latest information about U-Picks and local availability in Jacksonville. The farm is open daily from 11am to 4pm, and closed Monday and Thursday.
ADDRESS: 487 Millican Rd. Palatka, FL 32177
CONTACT: 904.955.FARM
Festivals In & Around Jax
BRADFORD COUNTY STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
This annual event takes place in Starke Florida, just an hour south of Jacksonville! each year and offers live music, arts & crafts, a kid zone, and of course, strawberries.
DATES & TIMES: March 25, 2023, Saturday: 9 am – 6 pm, March 26, 2023, Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm
ADDRESS: Bradford County Fairgrounds – 2300 N. Temple Ave. Starke, FL 32091
CONTACT: 904.964.5278
CLAY COUNTY STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
Head out for a day trip of family fun & festivities, including art & crafts, delicious food, bounce houses, live entertainment, pony rides, face painting, pie eating contest, petting farm, train rides, and of course, all things strawberry!
DATES & TIMES: March 4, 2023, Saturday: 10am-5pm, March 5, 2023, Sunday: 10am-5pm
ADDRESS: Clay County Fairgrounds – 2497 SR 16 W Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
CONTACT: 386.860.0092
FLORAL CITY STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
The Floral City Strawberry Festival is held annually the first weekend in March at Floral Park in Floral City. The festival celebrates its tasty name sake with a full weekend of fun that has been a local tradition for generations. The 36th Annual Floral City Strawberry Festival will feature over 200 vendors, food trucks, kid zones, a beer & wine garden, non-stop live entertainment, including the Prince & Princess Strawberry Pageant and ever popular pie eating contests.
DATES & TIMES: March 4, 2023, Saturday: 9am-5pm, March 5, 2023, Sunday: 9am-4pm
ADDRESS: 9530 S Parkside Ave. Floral City, Florida 34436
CONTACT: 352.795.3149
FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
The Florida Strawberry Festival represents a piece of Americana, a time in American history when fairs and festivals brought communities together through celebrations of their harvests. It has continued to grow in popularity year after year through the preservation of this heritage. Central to its focus, the Festival continues to preserve and enhance the agricultural and historical legacy of the Florida strawberry.
DATES & TIMES: March 2-12, 2023
ADDRESS: 303 BerryFest Place Plant City, FL 33563
CONTACT: 813.754.1996
LIVE OAK FESTIVAL
Head out for a day trip of family fun & festivities, including art & crafts, delicious food, bounce houses, live entertainment, pony rides, face painting, pie eating contest, petting farm, train rides, and of course, all things strawberry!
DATES & TIMES: February 25-26, 2023, 10am-5pm
ADDRESS: Suwanee County Fairgrounds – 1302 11th St. SW Live Oak, FL 32064
CONTACT: 386.860.0092
MELBOURNE ANNUAL STRAWBERRY FEST
Head out for a day trip of family fun & festivities, including art & crafts, delicious food, bounce houses, live entertainment, pony rides, face painting, pie eating contest, petting farm, train rides, and of course, all things strawberry!
DATES & TIMES: February 19-20, 2023, 10am-5pm
ADDRESS: Wickham Park – 2500 Parkway Dr. Melbourne, FL 32935
CONTACT: 386.860.0092
PALM COAST STRAWBERRY FEST
Head out for a day trip of family fun & festivities, including art & crafts, delicious food, bounce houses, live entertainment, pony rides, face painting, pie eating contest, petting farm, train rides, and of course, all things strawberry!
DATES & TIMES: March 11-12, 2023, 10am-5pm
ADDRESS: Central Park in Town Center – 975 Central Ave. Palm Coast, FL 32164
CONTACT: 386.860.0092
Don’t forget Hoover’s Family Farm in Live Oak, Fl! Super sweet, fresh berries and a farm stand with other veggies as well!