The Locals' Parade Has Two Starting Lines, and One Sits at the Corner of Fleming and White

On Friday, October 23, Fantasy Fest's Captain Morgan Masquerade March has two official starting points. The newer one, the Paparazzi Row Block Party, sets up at Fleming and White streets at 4 p.m. The march is known around the island as "The Locals' Parade." Keys Weekly's annual guide describes it as a costumed walk from the Key West Cemetery down to Duval. In 2024, the traditional start was on Frances Street at Truman Avenue. If you live east of White Street, one of the two starting lines is now on White Street instead of across the cemetery.

This year's other free daytime event on White Street sits at the far end of the same street. The Key West Artisan Market takes over Higgs Beach at 1707 White Street on Sunday, October 18. One street hosts both events, five days apart, while the ticketed parties stay on Duval.

A Second Front Door, Added in 2024

Keys Weekly reported the change in October 2024. Instead of one official start, the march would have two. The usual gathering spot that year was Frances Street near Old Town Wine & Spirits at the corner of Truman Avenue. From there the route ran up Frances, turned onto Fleming and continued to Duval. The new second start was a 4 p.m. pre-party on Fleming Street near Island House and Alexander's Guest House, with dance music, local photographers, photo booths and selfie stations. It too headed down Fleming to Duval.

Organizers described Paparazzi Row as a photo party. Their announcement doesn't say anything about easing crowds at the old start. Even so, the crowds are real. Keys Weekly estimated about 10,000 people walked the march in 2022 and described an Old Town procession with photo and drink stops at guesthouses.

The traditional start has moved over the years. For 2026, the official schedule puts the 5 p.m. queue at the corner of Frances and Petronia streets, where marchers line up with the Morganettes and the band. Paparazzi Row now sits right at Fleming and White, with a red carpet, a 360-degree selfie station and cocktails before the march.

Friday, October 23, Hour by Hour

Both groups set off at the same time and end up in the same place. Here is the evening based on the official 2026 schedule:

1. 4 p.m. Paparazzi Row Block Party opens at Fleming and White streets.
2. 5 p.m. The traditional queue forms at Frances and Petronia streets.
3. 5:30 p.m. The march steps off "sharp" and winds through Old Town, with free drinks at select businesses and guesthouses while supplies last.
4. After the march The route feeds straight into the Fantasy Fest Street Fair on Duval. That evening the fair's arts and crafts run until 10 p.m. and food is served until 2 a.m.
5. Later The official after parties are Captain Morgan's Pirate After Party at Kaya Emporium and the Friday Night Fever Party at Hog's Breath Saloon.

If you plan to walk over from home, 4 p.m. at Fleming and White is the easier start. You're there already, and you get a full hour and a half before step-off. For dinner first, White Street Pizza at 1110 White Street takes walk-ins.

The Fleming Street Stops, in Walking Order

The official 2026 route map lists participating stops by address. The Fleming Street stops run from the 1100 block down to the 600 block, which is the direction the march travels toward Duval.

The map also lists two stops off Fleming: Soul House at 600 Frances Street and Cafe Sole at 1029 Southard Street. The map's text gives the pre-party start time as 11 p.m., which conflicts with the 4 p.m. on the event page and the festival schedule. Go by 4 p.m. The map also notes that its information is "subject to changes & additions."

Most of the list is guesthouses, which matches how locals have known this march for years. Two stops are community groups: Habitat for Humanity on the 900 block and the Poinciana PTO at Williams Hall on the 700 block. Kava Culture's water station on the 900 block is the only stop on the map listed just for hydration.

The festival also reminds marchers that the route runs through residential streets. Costumes need to "cover all the essential bits," and people are asked to throw out trash properly and recycle. Anyone who would rather help run the evening can sign up through the event page to volunteer as a Masquerade Marshal.

What the City Has Said About Traffic, and What It Hasn't

As of today, October 4, the City of Key West has not posted a 2026 notice listing street closures or parking limits for the Masquerade March. The latest notice we could find for the march is from October 2023. It said streets on the route would not close that year but warned of traffic delays and suggested other routes. That was three festivals ago, and back then the route had only one start. Treat it as a guide, not a promise for this year.

The city has posted details for the next night. The Fantasy Fest Parade on Saturday, October 24, starts at Truman Waterfront Park and Southard Street, then follows Whitehead, Front, Duval and United before returning to Truman Waterfront. Duval Street closes at 6 p.m. and the city expects traffic delays. If your Saturday errands take you west of White Street, get them done before the evening.

The Rest of the Week, Starting From White Street

The week opens at the Atlantic end of White Street. The Key West Artisan Market at Higgs Beach runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, with makers, food vendors and live music. Admission is free.

On Wednesday, October 21, the Pet Masquerade takes place at Truman Waterfront Park. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. and is free to watch. The $25 entry fees benefit the Monroe County Sheriff's Office Animal Farm. On Thursday, October 22, the Key West Business Guild holds its 43rd annual Headdress Ball at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater, 21 Quay Road. The festival itself runs October 16 through 25. It goes back to 1979, when Tony Falcone, Bill Conkle, Joe Liszka and Frank Romano started it to bring business to the island in the off-season.

That puts two free events on White Street this year, one at each end. The Higgs Beach market is on the Sunday before. On Friday, Paparazzi Row sets up at Fleming and White and sends the Locals' Parade west along the 1100 block of Fleming toward Duval.

If you own near White Street and live off-island for part of the year, festival week is a good time to have someone local keeping an eye on your property. Whether you're planning around October 23 or thinking further ahead, Lori Langton knows these blocks and is glad to talk through what event week means for your home. Schedule a free consultation, and enjoy the march.