8. Pirates in Paradise Festival

The Buzz -- If traditional sensibilities don't leave you thinking about swashbucklers, wooden legs, Jolly Rogers and hidden treasure between Thanksgiving and Christmas – Well, matey, it's obvious you need to spend the first week of December in the Conch Republic, living it up during the annual Pirates in Paradise Festival. Folks really go overboard for this nine-day event, which features historical re-enactments, the Village Thieve's Market, literary presentations, a "walk the plank" contest and various parades.