Orlando Events and Festivals

(Orlando, Florida - FL, USA)

Orlando's calendar is packed with events and festivals that include all of America's most popular holidays, as well as others with more specific themes. Many of the events and festivals are hosted by Orlando's theme parks; although, events are not necessarily related in nature to the park where they are held. Calendar highlights include April's Fringe Festival and June's International Flower and Garden Festival. Independence Day is honored by most major theme parks in Orlando, with appropriate festivities and events on offer.

Orlando's numerous tourist information offices provide and invaluable source for current events and festivals in Orlando. Many of the events and festivals in Orlando attracts large crowds and offer tourists with a wide range of things to see and do whilst staying in Florida's exciting city of Orlando.

National Public Holidays

• 1st January - New Year's Day
• Third Monday in January - Martin Luther King Day
• 12th February - Lincoln's Birthday
• Third Monday in February - Washington's Birthday
• Last Monday in May - Memorial Day
• 4th July - Independence Day
• First Monday in September - Labor Day
• Second Monday in October - Columbus Day
• 11th November - Veterans Day
• 4th Thursday in November - Thanksgiving
• 25th December - Christmas Day

Orlando Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Festival of Orchestras - early January, celebration of music and life featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

February

• Epcot's Black Heritage Celebration - mid-February, features storytellers, artisans, music, cultural entertainment and food based on Afro American history and heritage

March

• Kissimmee Bluegrass Festival - early March, a four day event featuring bluegrass gospel music performances as well as arts and crafts booths and Southern food stalls
• Cypress Gardens Spring Flower Festival - mid-March to mid-May, besides stunning floral topiaries, birds and fish, this event features 30,000 floral bed annuals

April

• Orlando Fringe Festival - April, With 100 companies performing more than 50 shows on nine stages, the Fringe Festival has something to offer everyone

May

• Zellwood Corn Festival - late May, an entire festival based curiously enough around corn. Two hundred thousand ears of corn are consumed every year, some for pleasure and others in popular corn eating contests

June

• Florida Film Festival - June, presented by Universal Studios Orlando the Florida Film Festival is a showcase for the best independent American and foreign movies. With feature film screenings normally in excess of 50 and upwards of 70 short movies, there's plenty to keep visitors interested

July

• Lake Eola Picnic in the Park - July 4th, large scale Independence Day celebrations at Lake Eola comprising features games, activities, entertainment and spectacular fireworks

August

• The 'Pins Around Our World' Festival - mid-August, a festival aimed solely at collectors of Disney pins. Those attending can view and purchase rare pins from other collectors. Twenty new limited-edition pins are also released during the four days of the festival

September

• Annual Mexican Fiesta - September, held at Orlando Festival Park, Lake Eola, this festival commemorates Mexican Independence Day and celebrates Mexican traditions, food, arts, music and folklore

October

• Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival - mid-October to mid-November, this festival celebrates the culinary delights of over 30 nations. There are over 20 international food and wine displays where visitors can sample some of the world's finest edible products

November

• Annual Poinsettia Festival and Garden of Lights - November, held at Cypress Gardens this holiday orientated festival features over 400,000 dazzling lights in a maze of illuminated gardens, giant twinkling topiaries and animated holiday scenes

December

• 'Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party' - late November to December, a colorful Christmas themed festival featuring one of the most spectacular fireworks displays of the year as well as two performances nightly of 'Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade'