Top Orlando Festivals That You Should Not Miss

If you’re looking for Orlando Festivals that run from August to November, the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is something to look forward to as it features music, international cuisines, and a whole lot of entertainment from across the globe. There are food demonstrations, a scavenger-hunt for the entire family, dance parties every night and a whole lot more. Don’t forget to check out the “Eat to the Beat” concert series where various bands and newcomers will showcase their talent on stage.

Christmas is just around the corner, and what better way to add a bit of fun to your December vacation than by booking a ticket for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? Held at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, you’ll see the park in lights and decked out in Christmas decor. Favorite Disney characters come to life here with guests getting a chance to meet and greet their favorite childhood cartoon characters.

Praise Wave Music is coming back to SeaWorld Orlando this November. Sing favorite Christian songs together with their fabulous performers for an incredible music event.

Universal Orlando Resort has plenty to offer its guests who are searching for festivals in Orlando during their visit. For starters, Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is guaranteed to be a delightful and magical experience for fans of the franchise who can listen to muggle and magical carols being sung, not to mention sample the finest brews in Hogsmeade. If you’re looking for live entertainment, then the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular” is a must. This show is a live retelling of the Dr. Seuss popular holiday tale, plus you can get the chance to meet and greet the Grinch the following day over breakfast. You’ll need a special ticket for this, but it will be worth it.

It definitely is the season to be merry with SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. This seasonal event brings joy to young and old as the resort transforms itself into a winter wonderland. There’s plenty of entertainment to be seen and enjoyed like Winter Wonderland on Ice, Sesame Street Christmas Parade, and you’ll even get to meet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer along with his pals.

Another must-see festival that you should attend while you are in Orlando is the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. Here you’ll find different types of arts from visual, to culinary, to performing arts that are sure to satisfy your artistic nature. There are galleries that showcase carefully curated artworks and you’ll even get the chance to paint along with a Disney artist. You and your kids will not get bored as there are various activities available throughout the festival.

Music festivals in Orlando are quite exciting, and Rock the Universe is no exception. Immerse yourself in a weekend of fun and faith while joining the crowd belting out popular Christian songs that reverberate and resonate with all the guests. Various artists will be performing here like Switchfoot and TobyMac just to name a few.

This is probably one of the biggest Orlando festivals that you don’t want to miss if you are planning on visiting the city. Nightly parades, colorful costumes, captivating street performers, as well as beads flying all around makes this festival well worth experiencing. What’s even better about Mardi Gras is that admission to this special event is included in your annual pass or theme park admission.

Don’t forget to include this flower festival in your list of events to attend if you are planning a vacation to Orlando next year. One reason behind this is that this annual celebration brings together various displays of gardening prowess with whimsical topiary that are elaborately done. There are plenty of food and drinks available too, not to mention concerts held to entertain everyone. Even younger kids will still have fun here as there is a play garden that they can head out to while attending this garden festival.

Fall Fiesta at the Lake Eola Park features around 300 crafters, food vendors, artists, as well as live music and is open to everyone. This is a free and pet-friendly event with a massive area reserved as a children’s play area and others.

Foodies will not want to miss Waldorf Astoria’s Food and Wine weekends where you can sample mouthwatering dishes paired with exquisitely prepared wines.

Craft beers will be flowing in the 5th Annual Orlando Beer Festival, but this event offers more than flavorful beverage. There will be live music, wine tasting, interactive games and a whole lot more. You can even bring your pets with you so that nobody gets left out.

This festival will be held during Thanksgiving weekend and various cultural celebrations will be held here for everyone to enjoy for free. Aside from the gastronomical display of dishes from around the world, there will be contests as well as interactive experiences that are sure to make your time here all that much more fun. With around 160 various heritages on display here, you’ll learn and be entertained at the same time.

Art festivals in Orlando certainly draw the crowd with Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival being one of the most prestigious in the city. From sculptures to small artworks, there are plenty to see here that will amaze you. Of course, no festival would be complete without music and dining which this art festival has plenty of.

What other festivals in Orlando are worth checking out? If you are curious as to what food and drinks are available in the city, the Downtown Food and Wine Fest is a must-see event. More than 30 premier restaurants in Orlando will be attending this event with their best dishes and drinks that will make your mouth water for sure. There will be live music available too to accompany your food fest.

Celebrate farmers, home grown entrepreneurs, and more in Winter Park’s Harvest Festival. This is the perfect place for you to get fresh produce to use for your daily meals. There will be several activities here that are related to farming and everything in between, with meals and brews up for grabs.

What other Orlando festivals should you be checking out this year? Well, if you are curious as to what Japan has to offer, and cannot travel there yet, the Orlando Japan Festival is going to be the next best thing. This festival will be held at Lakefront Park in Kissimmee where live performances such as Iai, Koto, and Taiko drumming will be seen. This year, there will be a collaboration performance with Taiko drumming and ballet which is sure to be an amazing display of skills. There will be dozens of vendors, food carts, and more that will give you a taste of Japan while in Orlando.

Most of us visit Orlando just to go to theme parks and take part of all the adrenaline-rushing rides and amusement centers there. But there is more to Orlando than rollercoasters because there are plenty of festivals to be enjoyed here.

There are tons of music and art festivals in Orlando that will make you sing, dance, and appreciate different kinds of artworks, whether in galleries or on the sidewalks. Participate in food and wine weekends in hotels or go and attend the harvest festival to get your hands on the freshest produce in Central Florida. Immerse yourself in a culinary display of culture while satisfying your taste buds, and let’s not forget that craft, local, and imported beer will be flowing too. Who said that Orlando doesn’t have anything else to offer? If you are looking for a more laidback adventure the next time you visit the city, do check out these festivals to time your vacation appropriately. Whether you will be spending your Christmas here, or you want to experience the arts and culture in the city, these festivals are worth adding to your itinerary.

[1] Visit Orlando; Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
[2] Attraction Magazine; Brittani Tuttle, April 22, 2019.
[3] Disney World.com; A Celebration of Art, Entertainment, and Food.
[4] Universal Orlando.com; It's Florida's Biggest Party.
[5] Waldorf Astoria; A Celebration of Wine and Culinary Arts.
[6] Visitor Orlando; FusionFest 2019.
[7] DownTown Orlando; 10Th Annual Downtown Food & Wine Fest.
[8] Japan Association of Orlando; Orlando Japan Festival in Kissimmee 2019.