Welaka Golf Carts
Our Event

Cartoberfest

A free afternoon of golf carts on the river in Welaka, every October. Here is what it is, and how 2026 went.

Cartoberfest 2026 · October 3 · Welaka Lodge & Resort

Cartoberfest flier: Saturday October 3, 1 to 4 PM at Welaka Lodge and Resort in Welaka, FL, with live music by Colby Coldiron, free Mad Dog cart inspections, a canned goods drive and local vendors

Cartoberfest is our afternoon on the river. Golf carts, live music, local vendors and the Boat Bar at Welaka Lodge & Resort, free to attend, no ticket and no cover. It lands every October. Here is how 2026 went.

Watch the day

The photos

Teal street-legal golf cart parked on the riverfront at Cartoberfest in Welaka, Florida Vendor tents along the paver walkway by the river at Cartoberfest in Welaka Teal six-seater golf cart at Cartoberfest in Welaka Crowd at the Boat Bar at Welaka Lodge and Resort during Cartoberfest Colby Coldiron playing live music under a tent at Cartoberfest in Welaka The Welaka Lodge Boat Bar sign at the Cartoberfest venue on the river The Welaka Golf Carts table at Cartoberfest in Welaka A dad and child riding in a golf cart at Cartoberfest in Welaka Bins of canned goods collected for the Sugar Mill food pantry at Cartoberfest Guests browsing a vendor table at Cartoberfest in Welaka Funnel cakes vendor tent at Cartoberfest in Welaka A guest beside a golf cart at Cartoberfest on the St. Johns River in Welaka A guest and her dog relaxing among the golf carts at Cartoberfest Welaka T-shirts and drinks for sale by the river at Cartoberfest A guest on the riverfront walkway at Cartoberfest in Welaka Handmade art for sale at a vendor tent at Cartoberfest in Welaka A guest holding up a Welaka T-shirt at Cartoberfest Under the Boat Bar pavilion on the river during Cartoberfest in Welaka

What happens at Cartoberfest

  • Golf carts on the river. Front Street is designated for carts end to end, so people drive in and park wherever carts end up, which on that afternoon is most places.
  • Live music. In 2026, Colby Coldiron played the afternoon.
  • Free cart inspections by Mad Dog Premium Carts. Bring your own cart and have somebody who knows what they are looking at look at it.
  • Local vendors through the afternoon, from funnel cakes to handmade art to Welaka shirts.
  • A canned goods drive. Friends of Welaka collected for the food pantry at Sugar Mill.

Presented by Welaka Lodge & Resort, Mad Dog Premium Carts and Welaka Golf Carts.

When is Cartoberfest?

Every October, on Front Street at Welaka Lodge & Resort. The exact date moves year to year. Watch this page and our Welaka events page for next year's date, or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

Want a cart for next Cartoberfest?

If you want one, book early. It is a golf cart event in a small town and we are a small fleet. The two-day minimum lines up with a Friday-to-Sunday, which gives you the rest of the weekend on the river.

Book online. Staying outside Welaka? Call (386) 603-0295 first to confirm we can deliver to you.

Read next: What's Happening in Welaka This Season and Things to Do in Welaka by Golf Cart