Orlando is a bustling city filled with excitement, so no matter what time of year you plan a visit, something is always going on. Whether you’re a fan of art, music, food, or sporting events, Orlando’s event calendar is packed with exciting experiences that draw visitors from all over. Check out these popular Orlando events and start planning your Orlando vacation with Global Vacation Rentals.
Have a spooky good time at Halloween Horror Night! Every year, from September through October, Universal Orlando puts on the best Halloween event in Orlando. From themed haunted houses, scare zones, rides, and live entertainment, everyone’s entitled to a good scare during the spooky season. Need a break from being scared? You’ll find many food and drink kiosks with Halloween-themed dishes and beverages.
Halloween Horror Nights is known to be intense, with loud sounds, low lighting, and sudden movements, so it’s recommended that children 13 and under not attend.
If Halloween isn’t your thing, we highly recommend visiting Orlando during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Every fall, this festival transforms Epcot into a culinary adventure. Walking through the theme park, you’ll find festival-exclusive kiosks serving dishes inspired by countries and cultures worldwide. From Far East noodle dishes to flavorful bites from Spain, your mouth will be watering for more. There is also a nightly concert series, so fill up on food and drinks and enjoy an evening of dancing and music!
This flavorful festival is included with your valid EPCOT admission. Depending on the admission type, a theme park reservation may be required.
Just a short drive from Orlando, the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is one of the country’s oldest and largest outdoor art festivals. The festival is held every March and draws up to 350,000 visitors annually. You’ll find a variety of mediums of art throughout the festival, including digital art, clay, painting, photography, jewelry, and more. The art pieces are entered in to win titles like “Best of Show” and “Morse Museum Award.”
Enjoy live music throughout the weekend, concessions, and merch to commemorate your weekend. Every year, a children’s workshop is held where kids can create their own artwork.
The Orlando Fringe Festival is the longest-running Fringe Theatre Festival in the United States and one of the most eclectic events in the city. Taking place every May, Orlando Fringe celebrates theater, music, dance, and art in all its forms, offering performances that range from the hilarious to the avant-garde. Held at various venues across Loch Haven Park, the festival offers something for everyone, from family-friendly performances to risqué adult-only shows.
For two weeks, you’ll enjoy live entertainment, unique theatre performances, kid-friendly shows and activities, and free outdoor concerts. It’s an experience that you’ll never forget!
For film buffs, the Orlando Film Festival is a chance to discover independent films from up-and-coming filmmakers and industry veterans. Held every October in the heart of downtown Orlando, the festival features screenings of feature films, shorts, documentaries, and animations. The event also offers workshops, Q&A sessions with directors, and networking opportunities for aspiring filmmakers. If you love movies and want to experience the future of film, this festival is a must-attend.
Orlando’s biggest electronic dance music festival, Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC.) Every November, world-renowned DJs head to Tinker Field for three days to celebrate love, life, music, and art. The event is known for its vibrant atmosphere, with festival-goers dressing in colorful, eccentric outfits and enjoying multiple stages of non-stop music.
EDC Orlando stands out for its immersive experience, blending music with carnival rides, art, and pyrotechnics. It’s a sensory overload of sight and sound, making it one of the most exciting and visually captivating festivals in the country.
The Mardi Gras spirit kicks into high gear from February to April at Universal Studios Florida. Universal Studios transforms its streets into a celebration of all things Mardi Gras, complete with live concerts, Cajun food, and floats in the Mardi Gras Parade. Visitors can catch beads from the floats, enjoy live performances from big-name artists, and sample traditional Mardi Gras treats like jambalaya and beignets.
The festival’s unique blend of family-friendly fun and authentic New Orleans flair makes it a must-see event, perfect for visitors looking to experience a little bit of the Big Easy in Florida.
From world-class food and music festivals to art and film showcases, Orlando’s annual events offer something for everyone. Book direct with Global Resort Vacation Rentals to receive the best rate for your stay and avoid additional charges from other Online Travel Agencies.
