Residents planning to attend the National Lighthouse Day celebration on Friday, Aug. 7, at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park need to grab free tickets on Eventbrite before showing up.

The event, organized by Friends of Cape Florida, runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at 1200 Crandon Blvd. Admission to the celebration is free, but registration is required. The standard $8-per-vehicle park entry fee still applies.

As we reported July 31, the evening marks three milestones at once: the 200th anniversary of the Cape Florida Lighthouse's first lighting, the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 35th anniversary of the Village of Key Biscayne.

What's on the program

The Key Biscayne Community Foundation's event listing lays out the full schedule:

Live poetry: KB Poetry Share and O,Miami will perform readings, with poems on display as guests arrive and writing opportunities throughout the evening.

Keeper's Cottage Museum: The newly reopened interpretive museum inside the keeper's cottage features a touch-screen exhibit called "Cape Chronicles," with AI-generated historical vignettes depicting stories from Cape Florida's past. A "Meet & Mingle with Cape Chronicle Celebrities" segment brings living-history characters to life.

Lighthouse tower tours: Guests can climb the 95-foot brick tower for views over Key Biscayne, Miami and Stiltsville.

360-degree virtual tour: A mobile museum kiosk offers a virtual lighthouse experience for those who prefer to stay on the ground.

Artist-guided crafts: Projects for all ages and abilities, including lighthouse sketching, led by artist Jimena Gutierrez-Gratteri and Studio Hosford.

Research and conservation tables: Staff from the Bird Banding Station, Turtle Program and Coral Research will share their work. Membership and Lighthouse Ambassador sign-ups are also available.

A recognition ceremony is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Before you go

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park closes once it reaches capacity, with no re-entry for at least two hours. Arriving early is worth the effort, especially on an event evening. Free Eventbrite tickets can be reserved at eventbrite.com; search "Bill Baggs National Lighthouse Day 2026."

The Eventbrite listing also shows paid tiers up to $28.45 for optional membership or ambassador sign-ups. General admission remains free with registration.

Coming up

The Biscayne Nature Center hosts a seagrass adventure on Saturday, Aug. 8.