10 Popular Festivals In Orlando, Florida

festivals in orlando
Louise
Louise 
Updated
| 5 min read

Nestled in the heart of Florida, Orlando is a stunning city that boasts a multitude of gorgeous theme parks and charming recreation areas. Because of this, it has become a melting pot for tourists around the world. People who long for fun vacation and bonding time with their loved ones come to this city. Here, you can relive your childhood memories as you explore the magical Disney World or fulfill your wizarding fantasies and unleash your inner Potterhead in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Florida. If you are a hardcore partygoer and social butterfly, this lovely city has a lot in store for you. For your guidance, here is a list of popular festivals in Orlando, Florida that you should definitely check out when you visit the city. Feel free to browse below.

1. Orlando Brunch Festival [Last event in 2019]


If you are planning an exciting family vacation or a romantic getaway with your special someone in Florida, you might want to experience the fun at Orlando Brunch Festival. This delightful annual tradition is a gathering of the best local restaurants and breweries that will take participants into a sumptuous culinary adventure. Lots of delicious specialties and a wide array of premium drinks will be served to fill your tummy and heart with good food, drinks, and so much joy. Don’t be confused as the name may sound like an early morning buffet, but the party lasts up to six in the evening.

Orlando Brunch Festival

Address: Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

Website: Orlando Brunch Festival

Takes place: February

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2. Orlando Water Lantern Festival


Have you seen the Disney movie Tangled? Were you captivated by the magical scene when they made thousands of lanterns float and soar in the air? Orlando offers an experience that is similar to that. Be captivated by the enchanting Orlando Water Lantern Festival. According to the organizers, the event is not as simple as just making lanterns float, but it is their way of bringing the community together to reflect, give thanks, or pray for a loss. This will surely be a fun activity to experience with your family and friends.

Orlando Water Lantern Festival

Address: Orlando Watersports Complex, 8615 Florida Rock Rd, Orlando, Florida 32824

Website: Orlando Water Lantern Festival

Takes place: July

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3. Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (22044605943)
Source: Photo by user Lotzman Katzman used under CC BY 2.0

Another fantastic festival that will surely bring out the foodie in you is the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival that is held in Epcot - Walt Disney World. This is a well-curated, family-friendly event, and the attractions will overwhelm you with various sumptuous cuisines, premium alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, lots of live entertainment, photo booths, cooking shows by world-renowned chefs, and a lot of interactive activities and programs. Plus, you can bag home some souvenir items before leaving the festival.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Address: Epcot - Walt Disney World, 200 Epcot Center Dr, Orlando, Florida 32830

Website: Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Takes place: July to November

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4. Orlando Film Festival

festivals in orlando | orlando film festival
Source: instagram

Whether you are a film student, a movie junkie, or a regular Tom who happens to be in Orlando in October, you are welcome to witness and participate in the annual Orlando Film Festival. This interesting event screens celebrated films from the present time, and the organizers invite famous directors, producers, actors, and other relevant people in the film industry to share their knowledge and craft. Part of the festival is the awarding of personalities who have excelled in this field. To top it all off, there are after-parties where guests can unwind and unleash their inner social butterfly.

Orlando Film Festival

Address: 155 S Orange Ave (9,102.48 mi), Orlando, Florida 32801

Website: Orlando Film Festival

Takes place: Usually held in October

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5. Orlando Whiskey Festival


Are you a hardcore whiskey drinker? Do you fancy social gatherings and mingling with people who may turn out to be important in the future? If so, add the Orlando Whiskey Festival to your calendar and come to the city in March. Spearheaded by Whiskey & Bizz, LLC and considered the first-ever whiskey festival in the whole of Florida, the event serves drinks from various brands, including local and international. In total, almost a hundred whiskey types and brands are showcased here, and festivalgoers can meet successful distributors and whiskey makers to get interesting tips and tricks about the business. Plus, live entertainment makes the event more fun.

Orlando Whiskey Festival

Address: 810 Orlando Avenue (9,097.64 mi), Maitland, Florida 32751

Website: Orlando Whiskey Festival

Takes place: March

Price: from 75 USD

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6. Orlando Beer Festival

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Something like Oktoberfest but held in November, Orlando Beer Festival is an unmissable annual event for adults who like to party and who are huge beer drinkers. Happening at Orlando Festival Park, festivalgoers will be exposed to the music of local and international bands as they chug pints of premium beer. Aside from beer, wine and cocktails are also served at the event, and there are programs and other fun-filled games to amp up the party experience.

Orlando Beer Festival

Address: Orlando Festival Park, 2911 East Robinson Street, Orlando, Florida 32803

Website: Orlando Beer Festival

Takes place: November

Price: 20 USD

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7. Dragon Parade Lunar New Year Festival

Lion Dance parade. · · #Repost IGer @liondancenation #liondance #parade # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Posted by Dragon Parade Lunar New Year Festival on Wednesday, 27 November 2019

Influenced by the Chinese, Orlando celebrates the Chinese New Year by holding an astonishing Dragon Parade Lunar New Year Festival. For everyone who has no Chinese ancestry or any idea about the Chinese New Year, it is celebrated in February. Just like a typical New Year celebration, a lunar New Year Festival involves lots of extravagant fireworks and loud music, as it is believed to banish bad energy. Plus, a dragon parade will pass through North Thornton Avenue as one of the highlights of the celebration. Expect other types of entertainment, games, and delicious Chinese delicacies.

Dragon Parade Lunar New Year Festival

Address: 728 N Thornton Ave, Orlando, FL 32803

Website: Dragon Parade Lunar New Year Festival

Takes place: February

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8. SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival

SeaWorld San Diego
Source: Photo by user Jeremy Thompson used under CC BY 2.0

Can’t get enough of all the culinary festivals in Florida? Well, your escapade won’t be complete without experiencing SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival. Conducted in the magical theme park of SeaWorld Florida, festivalgoers will be indulging in mouthwatering masterpieces from various cuisines. Aside from food, there will be high-energy concerts, amazing shows, and water exhibitions of friendly sea animals. Plus, you can always take advantage of the exciting rides in the captivating theme park whenever you please.

SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival

Address: 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando, Florida 32821

Website: SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival

Takes place: March to May

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9. Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival


Florida is remarkably popular for its Dragon Boat Festival, and Orlando is the venue for this sporty and exciting event. Conducted at Bill Frederick Park, everyone is welcome to join the contest and be hailed as the best team or watch and cheer as part of the audience. Roughly 70 teams join this event, and some of them come from outside the US. Aside from the competition, festivalgoers can browse through the trade fair and enjoy some live entertainment. Plus, taste the local specialties by sampling delicious delights from various food trucks.

Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival

Address: Bill Frederick Park At Turkey Lake, 3401 S Hiawassee Rd, Orlando, Florida 32835

Website: Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival

Takes place: October

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10. Downtown Food and Wine Fest

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Planning a trip to Florida in February? You will be thrilled to know that the annual Downtown Food & Wine Fest is held in that month. So aside from sightseeing and shopping in downtown Florida, why not indulge in all of the pleasures this event offers its attendees? This fantastic gathering is where food, entertainment, and fun converge. Local restaurants and distilleries unite to provide a unique culinary experience worth remembering. Plus, a festival will not be complete without high-energy music from local and international bands.

Downtown Food and Wine Fest

Address: Robinson Street (9,102.43 mi), Orlando, Florida 32801

Website: Downtown Food and Wine Fest

Takes place: February

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Fall in love with Orlando, Florida

Orlando is a stunning city in the heart of Florida that is a favorite destination for tourists. Its abundance of theme parks is what draws people from all over the world to this captivating city. Not only that, but it also offers wonderful festivals that showcase the vibrant party scene of the city. For your guidance, use this list when planning an itinerary for your next Orlando visit.

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Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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She is a lover of life and a very optimistic person. She thinks of herself as a vessel of a billion possibilities, which can harness limitless potential. Trying new experiences, going places she's...Read more

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