To many, Orlando, Fla., is a place to enjoy the sun, a seemingly endless coastline and a family trip to Disney World and Epcot Center. But there's much more to Orlando than this, as locals and smarter travelers well know. One way to get a taste for Orlando culture, including good food, great music and the right way to party, is to attend some of the annual festivals and craft shows
Enjoying art and music is an essential component of Orlando culture and a fantastic way to get the most of your vacation. First held in 1935, the annual Bach Festival held in Orlando's Rollins College campus in February celebrates Johann Sebastian Bach. Held in January, the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities draws more than 100,000 people toward a celebration of music, gospel, poetry and dance. The Florida Film Festival is in Orlando, right after Sundance in March.
Sounds of Summer occurs June through August, with select musicians performing at the Harry P. Leu Gardens. In September, look out for the New Smyrna Beach Jazz Festival, with performances, wine tasting, fashion shows and more. The Orlando International Fringe Festival takes more than 10 days in May to celebrate Scottish roots through theater and performing arts.
Fairs are a great way to have fun ... simple as that. There are several fairs to choose from for rides, games and pure entertainment in Orlando. Just because it's July, Lake Eola in Orlando will have a Picnic at the Park, an annual celebration of games and entertainment. The Central Florida Fair is the place to get your carnivals rides on at the Central Florida Playgrounds in March. The Orlando Carnival is staged every year around Memorial Day, for two days of Caribbean-style fun.
Have a Fiesta in the Park--in November--at popular Lake Eola Park, open year-round. Taste of Celebration brings the spirit of sharing food and festivity to downtown Orlando during the winter.
Orlando boasts its share of artists and craftspeople through a wide selection of craft shows throughout the year. Enjoy the International Flower Festival at Epcot Center in the summer months. Just northeast of Orlando in Port Orange, the Port Orange Arts and Craft Show attracts craftspeople and artists in May and December. Crème de la Craft is a daylong fair downtown, with arts, crafts, and plenty of entertainment in October. Holidays aren't complete with locally made crafts to purchase for your loved ones--try the Buckler's Holiday Craft Fair in nearby Daytona Beach.
