Festivals and Events in Orlando

Orlando is the site of one of the country’s most prestigious film festivals, the Florida Film Festival. The 10-day event will be celebrating its 22^nd anniversary this April with more than 170 films and 100 filmmakers. The FFF is accredited as a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards in both the Live Action Short and Animated Short categories.

But that’s not the only festival celebrating the arts. The Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival is entering its 22nd year, and is dedicated to “100% accessible theatre, music, dance, and art to all types and ages.” The 13-day festival is considered “Orlando’s most unique cultural experience,” and is held in entirely in Loch Haven Park about seven miles south of EA Tiburon.

If you can’t make it to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, Orlando’s Universal Studios may be the next best thing. The park is hosting 14 of music’s biggest names from early February to mid-April. The Mardi Gras celebrations consist of a parade through the grounds, as well as authentic Cajun food such as jambalaya and gumbo. For those looking to extend their Fat Tuesday celebrations, Mardi Gras after-parties will be raging on CityWalk outside the park.