What to do: Spring festivals and events in Central Florida

Whether you’re traveling to Orlando with your family for spring break, planning a weekend getaway with your partner, or simply craving a much-deserved staycation, spring is one of the best times to visit Central Florida. Offering an enchanting blend of sunshine, blossoms, and a myriad of festivals and events, the region’s temperate climate, with comfortably warm days and mild evenings, provides the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures and exploration.

In this blog, we provide a guide to the top spring festivals and events in Central Florida.

Popular spring festivals in Central Florida

Central Florida springs to life with an array of vibrant festivals during the spring season, offering locals and visitors alike an opportunity to celebrate the region's diverse culture, arts, and natural beauty.

Fiesta in the Park

The 35th Annual Spring Fiesta in the Park is on April 6 and 7, 2024. Lake Eola in downtown Orlando comes alive for the season with hundreds of talented artists and delectable food from local vendors. The free event is from 10am-5pm with over 200 artist, craft, and food booths plus a beer garden and kid’s zone. 

Spring Fever in the Garden

Also, on April 6 and 7, Bloom and Grow Society will host Spring Fever in the Garden in Downtown Winter Garden. The event will include a Chalkin’ It Up art contest, live entertainment, a Kid Zone, and over 200 vendor and sponsor tents. If you visit on Saturday, you can also take advantage of the Winter Garden Farmers Market. Every Saturday year-round from 8am-1pm in the Downtown Pavilion more than 100 vendors offer local produce, baked goods, pet supplies, artisan crafts, and more. 

Sun ‘N Fun Aerospace Expo

From April 9-14, 2024, you can attend the Sun ‘N Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida. The expo takes place at Lakeland Linder International Airport and showcases all things aviation, including unique aircraft, historical memorabilia, and educational seminars. However, one of the main attractions is the impressive airshow. Throughout the event, spectators are treated to breathtaking aerial displays featuring a diverse array of aircraft, including vintage warbirds, aerobatic performers, experimental aircraft, military jets, and helicopters.

Annual Florida Film Festival

The 32nd Annual Florida Film Festival, taking place from April 14-23, is an Oscar-qualifying festival, celebrating independent filmmaking and international cinema. Set against the backdrop of picturesque Winter Park at the beautiful Enzian Theater, the festival showcases a diverse selection of films, including feature films, documentaries, shorts, and animated works. This year, more than 160 films will be presented, and attendees have the opportunity to attend special events and mingle with filmmakers and celebrities. 

Folk & Urban Art Festival

Visit the 15th Annual Folk & Urban Art Festival on April 27, 2024 in Winter Park in Shady Park across from the Hannibal Square Heritage Center. The free festival honors diverse cultures through activities like Hannibal’s Trek: Let’s Go Trekking through Shady Park, storytelling, live music, and artwork. 

Annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival

The longest-running Fringe in the United States, the 33rd Annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival takes place May 14-27, 2024. The essence of the fringe festival lies in its celebration of unconventional and experimental forms of theater, dance, music, and other performing arts. It provides a platform for artists of all backgrounds and levels of experience to present their work in a non-juried, uncensored environment. During the festival, multiple venues across Orlando, including theaters, outdoor stages, and unconventional spaces, host a packed schedule of performances, and 100% of ticket sales go to the artists.

Fun outdoor spring activities in Central Florida

Central Florida offers a wealth of fun outdoor spring activities that capitalize on the region's sunny weather and natural beauty. From exploring national parks and crystal springs to embarking on scenic tours, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Blue Spring State Park

Located in Orange City, just 40 minutes outside of Orlando, Blue Spring State Park is a national park spanning over 2,600 acres of crystal blue, freshwater springs and cypress hammocks. During spring and summer months, locals and tourists come to the park to swim, hike, kayak, paddle board, and camp. 

King’s Landing and Rock Springs

Located along the Wekiva River in Apopka, Florida, King's Landing is a popular destination for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. It offers a serene setting with calm waters, lush vegetation, and abundant wildlife. Visitors can rent kayaks or bring their own and embark on a leisurely paddle down the river, exploring the winding waterways and enjoying the tranquil surroundings.

Rock Springs also located in Apopka, Florida. It is a natural spring where visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and tubing in the refreshing spring waters, which maintain a constant temperature of around 68 degrees year-round. The spring is known for its stunning underwater scenery, including limestone rock formations and colorful aquatic vegetation. 

Fruit picking at local farms

Spring is a particularly bountiful time for fruit picking in Central Florida, with various fruits ripening and ready for harvest. Several farms in the region offer do-it-yourself fruit picking during the season. Here are some of our favorites:

• Southern Hill Farms U-Pick Blueberries – Located in Clermont, Florida, Southern Hill Farms offers fresh blueberry, strawberry, and sunflower picking in early spring followed by Zinnia and peaches later in the season. Plus, visitors can enjoy a range of seasonal treats, including homemade blueberry lemonade, hot donuts and daily lunch specials. 

• Mick Farms U-Pick Strawberries – Located in St. Cloud, Florida, Mick Farms offers strawberry picking during the spring months. Mick Farms also has other activities, including hayrides and opportunities for children to pet and feed farm animals.

• Showcase of Citrus, Florida’s Fresh Air Attraction® - A family owned and operated 2,500-acre estate located in Clermont, Florida, Showcase of Citrus farms over 50 varieties of citrus and offers pick-your-own citrus until May. The estate also has fun activities for the whole family, including monster truck adventures, “treasure” mining, farm animals to pet and feed, and a unique souvenir and treat shop.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is renowned for its beautiful sandy beaches along Florida's Space Coast (just one hour away from Orlando). Plan a day trip to Cocoa Beach and enjoy sunbathing, swimming, surfing, beach volleyball, or simply strolling along the shoreline. The popular east coast beach town boasts a vibrant dining and entertainment scene, with a plethora of restaurants with fresh seafood, cafes, bars, and live music venues in a laid-back atmosphere. Don’t forget to visit the world’s largest surf shop! Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach is the flagship store with an adjacent Watersports store for beach rentals like surfboards, beach chairs, and more. 

Everglades tours

Many people are surprised to learn Orlando is home to the headwaters of Everglades National Park. While the main park is located several hours away in the southern tip of Florida, the headwaters of the Everglades can be accessed only a few miles from Orlando.

The Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge Complex is located just outside of Orlando, in Kissimmee, Florida. The sprawling nature preserve contains a vast network of forests, prairies, and wetlands with extraordinary wildlife, including over 360 species of birds,

panthers, manatees, and alligators. You can explore the headwaters via airboat tours or plan a hike on one of the many trails. 

Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

If you’re wanting a peaceful escape from the bustle of city life, the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour offers visitors a tranquil and picturesque journey through the natural beauty of Winter Park, Florida. As the boat glides along the pristine waters of the lakes, passengers are treated to stunning views of lush vegetation, towering cypress trees draped with Spanish moss, and beautifully landscaped waterfront properties. Knowledgeable guides narrate the journey, providing fascinating insights into the history, ecology, and wildlife of the area.

Catch an Orlando City Soccer Club game

Watching an Orlando City Soccer Club game is an electrifying experience for locals and tourists alike. From March to October, the Orlando City Soccer Club hosts matches at the Inter & Co Stadium in downtown Orlando, where spectators are immersed in the pulsating energy of professional soccer. The atmosphere is infectious, with supporters waving flags, beating drums, and singing in unison to rally behind their beloved Lions. Whether you're a die-hard soccer fanatic or a casual observer, attending an Orlando City game is an unforgettable experience.

Break away this spring with an unforgettable getaway to Caribe Royale Orlando

Nothing beats Orlando in the springtime. And Caribe Royale is the perfect place to escape this season. Enjoy sun-splashed pool days and beautiful weather. Dine al fresco and lounge in private cabanas with a cool drink in hand. Whether you’re craving a weekend getaway or planning your spring break vacation, Caribe Royale checks all the boxes for your springtime adventure. 

Plus, when you stay at Caribe Royale Orlando—a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotel—shuttle transportation to all four Disney Theme Parks and evening shuttle to Disney Springs® is included in your stay.

Paradise is calling. Book your escape to Caribe Royale Orlando here.