The best festivals in Florida

Interested in outdoor partying? Interested in carnivals and celebrating? These are the places for you!

Top places to go for a day full of fun!!

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Gasparilla Pirate Fest late January Tampa, Central West Florida

Attracting more than half a million visitors each year, the Gasparilla Pirate Fest, one of the main Central Florida events, includes everything from an invasion by fully working pirate ships, a parade with more than 100 floats led by the 164-foot-tall Jose Gasparilla pirate ship, as well as the subsequent downtown street festival, various other festivities and more pirate themed entertainment.

For more information about the Gasparilla Pirate Fest visit: http://gasparillapiratefest.com\

Florida State Fair February Tampa, Florida

One of the top 20 Central Florida USA Events and Festivals, and a tradition since 1904, the annual Florida State Fair, held in Tampa in February, is a celebration of the state's best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement. The Florida State Fair attracts about 500,000 visitors each year. The music, programs, exhibits, rides and games offer amusement and entertainment for people of all ages and interests.

For more information about the Florida State Fair visit: http://www.floridastatefair.com

Mount Dora Art Festival early February Orlando, Central Florida

“Ranked in the Top 100 art shows in the nation, the Mount Dora Art Festival attracts more than 300,000 visitors each year to the two-day street festival that features some of the nation's leading artists and talented experts in fine art, including oil painting, watercolors, acrylics, clay, sculpture and photography, all vying for over  $21,000 in awards. The event also offers local and regional musical entertainment and a wide array of festival food.

For more information about the Mount Dora Art Festival visit: http://www.mountdoracenterforthearts.org

Orlando Mardi Gras Saturdays and select nights – early February to late April Universal Studios – Orlando, Florida

Claiming to be the best celebration of Mardi Gras beyond the absolute original in New Orleans, and now regarded as one of the main Central Florida events, the Universal Studios Mardi Gras in Orlando features fun for the whole family, from live concerts and nationally renowned musical acts, a dazzling Mardi Gras parade, colorful street performers, authentic Cajun food like jambalaya and shrimp gumbo, and beads by the handfuls!

For more information about the Universal Studios Mardi Gras visit: http://www.universalorlando.com/Events/Mardi-Gras

Daytona 500 late February Daytona Beach, Florida

This internationally known event regarded as one of the Top 20 Central Florida USA Events and Festivals, features over 40 of the world’s top drivers competing in what is often referred to as “NASCAR's biggest, richest and most prestigious motorsports event” or “The Great American Race” at the enormous 480-acre motorsports venue known as the Daytona International Speedway. The Daytona 500 is regarded as the most important race on the NASCAR calendar.

For more information about the Daytona 500 event visit: http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com

Strawberry Festival beginning March Plant City, Central Florida

Ranked as one of the top 40 fairs in the USA, the Strawberry Festival in Plant City celebrates more than just strawberries. This annual event, popular for over 80 years, exhibits a wide variety of attractions and events, from top-grade entertainment, float parades, and marching bands, as well as fine arts and crafts to items and displays of agriculture, livestock, and horticulture interest. The main focus of the event, of course, is the 10,000 ares of strawberries growing in the local area.

For more information about the Strawberry Festival visit: http://www.flstrawberryfestival.com

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival mid March to mid May Walt Disney World – Orlando, Central Florida

The annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival features every thing from themed flower and garden displays, interactive areas for kids and the popular Flower Power Concert Series featuring live performances from popular hitmakers of the 1960s and 1970s.

For more information about the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival visit: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/epcot-international-flower-and-garden-festival

Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In & Expo early to mid April Lakeland, Florida

Recognized as one of the top air shows in the world, Florida’s Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In & Expo in Lakeland has been a popular event for nearly 40 years. Showcasing a wide range of air displays by military stunt teams, aviation exhibitions and skilled solo pilots, this increasingly popular air show also features a wide range of exhibits from all over the world including the latest planes on the market.

For more information about the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In & Expo in Lakeland visit: http://www.sun-n-fun.org/FlyIn.aspx

MacDill Air Fest mid April Tampa, Central West Florida

Attracting more than 750,000 “air” and aircraft enthusiasts, the two-day MacDill Air Fest is one of the largest air shows in the USA hosted by a variety of civilian and military aerobatics demonstration teams highlighting the missions, traditions and heritage of the military services. 

For more information about the MacDill Air Fest visit: http://www.macdill.af.mil

Florida Film Festival mid April Orlando, Central Florida

The official focus of the annual Florida Film Festival is on three things – films, food and fun. Every year the Florida Film Festival premieres the best in current independent and foreign cinema.

For more information about the Florida Film Festival visit: http://www.floridafilmfestival.com/festival_info/about/

Orlando Fringe Festival mid May Orlando, Central Florida

Attracting performers from all over the world, the 13-day Orlando Fringe Festival, a proud member of the United States Association of Fringe Festivals (USAFF), features unjuried, uncensored, and easily accessible theatre, music, dance, and art for all types and ages. All charges to the general pubic are for the benefit of the artists within the Fringe.

For more information about the Orlando Fringe Festival visit: http://orlandofringe.org

Florida's Juneteenth Music Festival mid June Orlando, Central Florida

With a history of the presence of big names in music like Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, BB King and Ray Charles, Florida's Juneteenth Music Festival introduces students, visitors and residents to the jazz, blues and gospel music that was performed at the South Street Casino and the Wells’ Built Hotel from the 1930s through the 1960s.

For more information about Florida's Juneteenth Music Festival visit: http://www.downtownorlando.com/events/floridas-juneteenth-music-festival

Silver Spurs Rodeo late September Kissimmee, Florida

An Osceda County tradition since 1944, and now the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi, the Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee has been annually ranked as one of the top 50 events sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). The variety of events showcases bull riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, and barrel racing, daredevils, and cowboy clowns.

For more information about the Silver Spurs Rodeo visit: http://silverspursrodeo.com

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival October/November Walt Disney World – Orlando, Florida

This culinary celebration features cuisine and beverages from more than 25 countries. Appetizer-sized portions average in the $3 to $7 range and can be found in kiosks around the World Showcase at Epcot, Walt Disney World. It’s the perfect opportunity to try traditional cuisines from around the world. Your Epcot admission is all that’s needed to participate in this popular event.

For more information about the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival visit: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival/

Biketoberfest mid October Daytona Beach, Florida

Biketoberfest® is a fun-filled, family event that attracts 75,000 to 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts from throughout North America and Europe. Festivities include street festivals, concerts, charity rides, expos, seminars and celebrity appearances. Popular annual activities include motorcycle shows and rallies that showcase new, vintage and custom bikes, demonstration rides on the newest machines from top manufacturers, and on-track motorcycle action at the world-famous Daytona International Speedway.

For more information about Biketoberfest visit: http://www.biketoberfest.org

Orlando Film Festival mid October Orlando, Central Florida

Focussing on independent cinema, the Orlando Film Festival presents unique, diverse and free films created by independent filmmakers from around the world as well as featuring parties, festival bars and various events including an awards ceremony on the last day.

For more information about the Orlando Film Festival visit: http://orlandofilmfest.com

Guavaween late October Ybor City – Tampa, Central West Florida

Held in Ybor City, Tampa's Historic Landmark District, Gauvaween is an original event attracting more than 50,000 people every year, children and families, for a full day of Halloween fun featuring everything from a host of costumed revelers and multiple outdoor concerts, Mama Guava’s Stumble Parade, Spooky Story Time, and all sorts of costume contests.

For more information about Guavaween visit: http://www.ybor.org/node/1581

Halifax Art Festival early November Daytona Beach, Florida

A popular event for more than half a century, and considered one of the premier annual events in Central Florida, the Halifax Art Festival is the 2nd oldest continual art festival in the state of Florida. Attracting over 30,000 enthusiasts every year to view the works of more than 200 artists from all over the USA, and featuring a popular student art competition, the Halifax Art Festival also offers live entertainment and children’s activities.

For more information about the Halifax Art Festival visit: http://halifaxartfestival.com

Conga Caliente early November Tampa, Central West Florida

Heralded as Tampa’s number one family festival, the free Conga Caliente event is one of the largest Hispanic family festivals in Florida celebrating Hispanic Arts and cultures from around the world, featuring two stages of national and international Hispanic performers, an art village, beer garden, and plenty of traditional ethnic foods, attracting more than 40,000 visitors each year.

For more information about Conga Caliente visit: http://www.congacaliente.com

Florida Citrus Parade December 30 Orlando, Central Florida

Taking place at 10 am, the Florida Citrus Parade celebrates the two annual college football bowl games held in Orlando - the Russell Athletic Bowl and the Capital One Bowl - with elaborately magnificent floats adorned with citrus, marching bands from around the country and well known theme park characters.

For more information about the Florida Citrus Parade visit: www.floridacitrussports.com or http://www.floridacitrusparade.com/