What’s Happening Across Central Florida
From Orlando festivals and Winter Park art shows to Lake Mary concerts and family-friendly Saturdays in Clermont, there’s always something happening across Central Florida. Browse our calendar below to find your next favorite outing — and if you want deeper stories on the music, arts, and entertainment scene, visit our sister site EventsCFL.com.
Got an upcoming event you’d like us to feature? Email us the details and we may include it in our calendar or magazine.
November
16octAll Day28jan"Color, Form, and Space" Dorothy M. Gillespie
Event Details
Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs and the Dorothy M. Gillespie Foundation, in collaboration with the
Event Details
Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs and the Dorothy M. Gillespie Foundation, in collaboration with the Public Art Review Board, present “Color, Form, and Space,” the works of Dorothy M. Gillespie, in the Chambers Gallery at the Orange County Administration Center. An opening reception will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026. The exhibit will be on display through January 28, 2027. The Administration Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
Dorothy Gillespie was an American painter and sculptor whose seven-decade career helped pave the way for women artists during the feminist art movement of the 1960s and 1970s. She was known for her vibrant, expressive sculptures and installations. Gillespie’s work spanned abstract expressionism, decorative abstraction, public art, and site-specific installation. She passed away in 2012 at the age of 92.
WHEN:
Opening reception on October 16, 2026
Doors open at 5 p.m.
Program begins at 5:45 p.m.
Display continues through January 28, 2027
WHERE:
The Chambers Art Gallery
Orange County Administration Center
201 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando, FL 32801
HOW:
Admission to the reception is free; advance registration is requested.
For information visit HERE.
Time
Location
Orange County Administration Center
201. S. Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
13novAll Day10dec"Tomorrow Comes: A Journey of Strength" Orlando Health Arts in Medicine
Event Details
Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with Orlando Health’s Arts in Medicine program,
Event Details
Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with Orlando Health’s Arts in Medicine program, presents “Tomorrow Comes: A Journey of Strength” in the Orange County Administration Center. An opening reception will be held in the Atrium Art Gallery on Friday, November 13, 2026, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the program begins at 5:45 p.m. Admission to the reception is free, but advance registration is requested.
For 30 years, artists have connected with Orlando Health cancer patients through the Arts in Medicine program, whose mission statement is: Housed within the Orlando Health Cancer Institute’s Integrative Medicine Department, Arts in Medicine moves beyond clinical cancer treatment to provide patients with an outlet for creative expression. Including, but not limited to, acrylic paint, paper collage, drawing, and jewelry making, artists are able to offer a variety of media to participants. The Arts in Medicine program seeks to help every patient connect with their inner artist.
“Tomorrow Comes: A Journey of Strength” celebrates the resilience of current and past artists who have faced the difficult diagnosis of cancer. Many individuals must pivot their familiar routines and ask themselves, “Regardless of what comes tomorrow, how will I spend my time now?”. This exhibition is a testimony of their answers.
Thanks to generous donations to the Arts in Medicine program at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute, there is no cost to patients and caregivers in Central Florida for the materials, time, and expertise of the artist in residence, volunteers, and art interns provided. To help make this program possible, the Arts in Medicine program receives support from individuals and corporations who have a passion to bring art to every aspect of people’s lives.
For more information, please email [email protected], and the Integrative Medicine team will get back to you.
WHEN:
Opening reception on November 13
Doors open at 5 p.m.
Program begins at 5:45 p.m.
Display continues through December 10
WHERE:
The Atrium Art Gallery
Orange County Administration Center
201 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando, FL 32801
HOW:
Admission to the reception is free, but advance registration is requested. RSVP HERE.
Time
Location
Orange County Administration Center
201. S. Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
20novAll Day03janZoo Lights: Magic in the Wild
Event Details
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society welcomes back its signature holiday event with the most notable transformation in its history. Now in its eighth year, our holiday lights & festivities
Event Details
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society welcomes back its signature holiday event with the most notable transformation in its history. Now in its eighth year, our holiday lights & festivities reimagines the beloved tradition as a single, unified story. Zoo Lights: Magic in the Wild brings together everything guests love about the season. From Santa and twinkling lights to cocoa-and-cookies cheer and a polar projection experience, holiday magic meets the magic of the wild.
Running November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027, on select nights, the event leads guests from one
immersive section to the next, each featuring its own mood and sense of discovery. Tickets for
members go on sale September 15, 2026, and general sales will start October 1, 2026.
For more information, visit HERE.
Time
Location
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society
1301 Summit Blvd.
20novAll Day03jan2026 Dazzling Nights Orlando
Event Details
Orlando’s 50-acre Harry P. Leu Gardens will transform once again into a stunning, winter wonderland during “Dazzling Nights” – a holiday adventure that gives guests of every age the
Event Details
Orlando’s 50-acre Harry P. Leu Gardens will transform once again into a stunning, winter wonderland during “Dazzling Nights” – a holiday adventure that gives guests of every age the opportunity to embark on an unforgettable, mile-long, interactive holiday experience and make memories that last a lifetime! More than a light show, Dazzling Nights features world-class live music, immersive worlds, interactive experiences, unique play areas and fantastic food and beverage. Dazzling Nights continues to wow, and 2026 brings more holiday magic to Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando from November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027, including new immersive environments, large-scale light installations and more live entertainment throughout the journey, including a brand-new, high-energy dance show.
LOCATION: Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803
DATES: November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Timed entry will take place from 5:30pm-9:15pm.
TICKETS: Tickets start at $35 for adults and $33 for kids 4-12 (prices listed include fees, plus tax). Children 3 and under enter free. Tickets are purchased in advance for a specific time and date. Get the best available tickets by purchasing early at www.dazzlingorlando.com.
PARKING: All on-site parking this year is valet ($49). Guests can also ride the complimentary Sparkling Express Shuttle to and from Dazzling Nights and the off-site parking lot – complete with a brilliant light show set to music.
LEARN MORE: www.dazzlingorlando.com
Time
Location
Harry P. Leu Gardens
1920 N Forest Ave
Event Details
Celebrate the holiday season at Oranges & Ornaments: A Festival of Trees and Wreaths on November 20! Explore beautifully decorated, uniquely themed trees
Event Details
Celebrate the holiday season at Oranges & Ornaments: A Festival of Trees and Wreaths on November 20! Explore beautifully decorated, uniquely themed trees and wreaths while enjoying seasonal entertainment, a raffle, and more! All proceeds directly support the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation’s work to preserve and share the history, culture, and archives of West Orange County.
Time
Location
Downtown Winter Garden
426 W Plant St, Winter Garden, FL 34787
26nov10:59 am10:59 amSeniors First 37th Annual Turkey Trot
Event Details
Title: Seniors First 37th Annual Turkey Trot Location: Lake Eola Park, 227 N. Eola Dr. Orlando, FL 32801 Date/Time: Thursday November 26 at 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. Organization: Seniors First Event Schedule:
Event Details
Title: Seniors First 37th Annual Turkey Trot
Location: Lake Eola Park, 227 N. Eola Dr. Orlando, FL 32801
Date/Time: Thursday November 26 at 7 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Organization: Seniors First
Event Schedule:
- 7:00 AM: Costume judging begins by Track Shack registration tent
- 7:45 AM: Turkey Call judging begins by start/finish line
- 8:00 AM: 5K (3.1 miles)
- 9:15 AM: FREE Tot Trot
- $40 July 27 – October 31
- $45 November 1-21
- $50 Race week
- 17 & under and 65 & over $10 OFF
Seniors First is celebrating 60 years of service with a 37-year Thanksgiving tradition. Join more than 5,000 runners, joggers and walkers at the beautiful Lake Eola bright and early Thanksgiving morning and burn some calories before you feast! Many dressed in full costumes or Thanksgiving themed hats, hit the course for a morning of fun in this annual “Race to End Senior Hunger”, which raises money for Meals on Wheels and other programs that support seniors in our community.
Share your pics! #TurkeyTrotOrlando
Highlights of the Event:
- Finisher Medal
- Cozy Cotton Tee
- Best Costume Contest
- Best Turkey Call
- Oldest Participant Award
- FREE Tot Trot
Time
Location
Lake Eola Park
425 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
December
16octAll Day28jan"Color, Form, and Space" Dorothy M. Gillespie
Event Details
Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs and the Dorothy M. Gillespie Foundation, in collaboration with the
Event Details
Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs and the Dorothy M. Gillespie Foundation, in collaboration with the Public Art Review Board, present “Color, Form, and Space,” the works of Dorothy M. Gillespie, in the Chambers Gallery at the Orange County Administration Center. An opening reception will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026. The exhibit will be on display through January 28, 2027. The Administration Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
Dorothy Gillespie was an American painter and sculptor whose seven-decade career helped pave the way for women artists during the feminist art movement of the 1960s and 1970s. She was known for her vibrant, expressive sculptures and installations. Gillespie’s work spanned abstract expressionism, decorative abstraction, public art, and site-specific installation. She passed away in 2012 at the age of 92.
WHEN:
Opening reception on October 16, 2026
Doors open at 5 p.m.
Program begins at 5:45 p.m.
Display continues through January 28, 2027
WHERE:
The Chambers Art Gallery
Orange County Administration Center
201 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando, FL 32801
HOW:
Admission to the reception is free; advance registration is requested.
For information visit HERE.
Time
Location
Orange County Administration Center
201. S. Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
13novAll Day10dec"Tomorrow Comes: A Journey of Strength" Orlando Health Arts in Medicine
Event Details
Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with Orlando Health’s Arts in Medicine program,
Event Details
Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with Orlando Health’s Arts in Medicine program, presents “Tomorrow Comes: A Journey of Strength” in the Orange County Administration Center. An opening reception will be held in the Atrium Art Gallery on Friday, November 13, 2026, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the program begins at 5:45 p.m. Admission to the reception is free, but advance registration is requested.
For 30 years, artists have connected with Orlando Health cancer patients through the Arts in Medicine program, whose mission statement is: Housed within the Orlando Health Cancer Institute’s Integrative Medicine Department, Arts in Medicine moves beyond clinical cancer treatment to provide patients with an outlet for creative expression. Including, but not limited to, acrylic paint, paper collage, drawing, and jewelry making, artists are able to offer a variety of media to participants. The Arts in Medicine program seeks to help every patient connect with their inner artist.
“Tomorrow Comes: A Journey of Strength” celebrates the resilience of current and past artists who have faced the difficult diagnosis of cancer. Many individuals must pivot their familiar routines and ask themselves, “Regardless of what comes tomorrow, how will I spend my time now?”. This exhibition is a testimony of their answers.
Thanks to generous donations to the Arts in Medicine program at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute, there is no cost to patients and caregivers in Central Florida for the materials, time, and expertise of the artist in residence, volunteers, and art interns provided. To help make this program possible, the Arts in Medicine program receives support from individuals and corporations who have a passion to bring art to every aspect of people’s lives.
For more information, please email [email protected], and the Integrative Medicine team will get back to you.
WHEN:
Opening reception on November 13
Doors open at 5 p.m.
Program begins at 5:45 p.m.
Display continues through December 10
WHERE:
The Atrium Art Gallery
Orange County Administration Center
201 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando, FL 32801
HOW:
Admission to the reception is free, but advance registration is requested. RSVP HERE.
Time
Location
Orange County Administration Center
201. S. Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
20novAll Day03janZoo Lights: Magic in the Wild
Event Details
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society welcomes back its signature holiday event with the most notable transformation in its history. Now in its eighth year, our holiday lights & festivities
Event Details
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society welcomes back its signature holiday event with the most notable transformation in its history. Now in its eighth year, our holiday lights & festivities reimagines the beloved tradition as a single, unified story. Zoo Lights: Magic in the Wild brings together everything guests love about the season. From Santa and twinkling lights to cocoa-and-cookies cheer and a polar projection experience, holiday magic meets the magic of the wild.
Running November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027, on select nights, the event leads guests from one
immersive section to the next, each featuring its own mood and sense of discovery. Tickets for
members go on sale September 15, 2026, and general sales will start October 1, 2026.
For more information, visit HERE.
Time
Location
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society
1301 Summit Blvd.
20novAll Day03jan2026 Dazzling Nights Orlando
Event Details
Orlando’s 50-acre Harry P. Leu Gardens will transform once again into a stunning, winter wonderland during “Dazzling Nights” – a holiday adventure that gives guests of every age the
Event Details
Orlando’s 50-acre Harry P. Leu Gardens will transform once again into a stunning, winter wonderland during “Dazzling Nights” – a holiday adventure that gives guests of every age the opportunity to embark on an unforgettable, mile-long, interactive holiday experience and make memories that last a lifetime! More than a light show, Dazzling Nights features world-class live music, immersive worlds, interactive experiences, unique play areas and fantastic food and beverage. Dazzling Nights continues to wow, and 2026 brings more holiday magic to Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando from November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027, including new immersive environments, large-scale light installations and more live entertainment throughout the journey, including a brand-new, high-energy dance show.
LOCATION: Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803
DATES: November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Timed entry will take place from 5:30pm-9:15pm.
TICKETS: Tickets start at $35 for adults and $33 for kids 4-12 (prices listed include fees, plus tax). Children 3 and under enter free. Tickets are purchased in advance for a specific time and date. Get the best available tickets by purchasing early at www.dazzlingorlando.com.
PARKING: All on-site parking this year is valet ($49). Guests can also ride the complimentary Sparkling Express Shuttle to and from Dazzling Nights and the off-site parking lot – complete with a brilliant light show set to music.
LEARN MORE: www.dazzlingorlando.com
Time
Location
Harry P. Leu Gardens
1920 N Forest Ave
05dec6:00 pm10:00 pmBubbles & Blackjack
Event Details
Company: Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Florida Location: Dr. Phillips House ( 135 N Lucerne Cir E, Orlando, FL 32801 ) Date: Saturday, December 5th, 2026 or 12/05/26 Times: 6:00 PM –
Event Details
Time
Location
Dr. Phillips House
135 N Lucerne Cir E
January
16octAll Day28jan"Color, Form, and Space" Dorothy M. Gillespie
Event Details
Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs and the Dorothy M. Gillespie Foundation, in collaboration with the
Event Details
Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs and the Dorothy M. Gillespie Foundation, in collaboration with the Public Art Review Board, present “Color, Form, and Space,” the works of Dorothy M. Gillespie, in the Chambers Gallery at the Orange County Administration Center. An opening reception will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026. The exhibit will be on display through January 28, 2027. The Administration Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
Dorothy Gillespie was an American painter and sculptor whose seven-decade career helped pave the way for women artists during the feminist art movement of the 1960s and 1970s. She was known for her vibrant, expressive sculptures and installations. Gillespie’s work spanned abstract expressionism, decorative abstraction, public art, and site-specific installation. She passed away in 2012 at the age of 92.
WHEN:
Opening reception on October 16, 2026
Doors open at 5 p.m.
Program begins at 5:45 p.m.
Display continues through January 28, 2027
WHERE:
The Chambers Art Gallery
Orange County Administration Center
201 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando, FL 32801
HOW:
Admission to the reception is free; advance registration is requested.
For information visit HERE.
Time
Location
Orange County Administration Center
201. S. Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
20novAll Day03janZoo Lights: Magic in the Wild
Event Details
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society welcomes back its signature holiday event with the most notable transformation in its history. Now in its eighth year, our holiday lights & festivities
Event Details
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society welcomes back its signature holiday event with the most notable transformation in its history. Now in its eighth year, our holiday lights & festivities reimagines the beloved tradition as a single, unified story. Zoo Lights: Magic in the Wild brings together everything guests love about the season. From Santa and twinkling lights to cocoa-and-cookies cheer and a polar projection experience, holiday magic meets the magic of the wild.
Running November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027, on select nights, the event leads guests from one
immersive section to the next, each featuring its own mood and sense of discovery. Tickets for
members go on sale September 15, 2026, and general sales will start October 1, 2026.
For more information, visit HERE.
Time
Location
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society
1301 Summit Blvd.
20novAll Day03jan2026 Dazzling Nights Orlando
Event Details
Orlando’s 50-acre Harry P. Leu Gardens will transform once again into a stunning, winter wonderland during “Dazzling Nights” – a holiday adventure that gives guests of every age the
Event Details
Orlando’s 50-acre Harry P. Leu Gardens will transform once again into a stunning, winter wonderland during “Dazzling Nights” – a holiday adventure that gives guests of every age the opportunity to embark on an unforgettable, mile-long, interactive holiday experience and make memories that last a lifetime! More than a light show, Dazzling Nights features world-class live music, immersive worlds, interactive experiences, unique play areas and fantastic food and beverage. Dazzling Nights continues to wow, and 2026 brings more holiday magic to Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando from November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027, including new immersive environments, large-scale light installations and more live entertainment throughout the journey, including a brand-new, high-energy dance show.
LOCATION: Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803
DATES: November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Timed entry will take place from 5:30pm-9:15pm.
TICKETS: Tickets start at $35 for adults and $33 for kids 4-12 (prices listed include fees, plus tax). Children 3 and under enter free. Tickets are purchased in advance for a specific time and date. Get the best available tickets by purchasing early at www.dazzlingorlando.com.
PARKING: All on-site parking this year is valet ($49). Guests can also ride the complimentary Sparkling Express Shuttle to and from Dazzling Nights and the off-site parking lot – complete with a brilliant light show set to music.
LEARN MORE: www.dazzlingorlando.com
Time
Location
Harry P. Leu Gardens
1920 N Forest Ave
March
08mar2:00 pm5:00 pmSip & Stroll
Event Details
These events will take place in St. Cloud, so the Public is welcome to come out and support our Big Cats! WHO: Central Florida Animal Reserve (CFAR)
Event Details
These events will take place in St. Cloud, so the Public is welcome to come out and support our Big Cats!
WHO: Central Florida Animal Reserve (CFAR) will kick off its Spring Events Series that includes “Sip & Stroll” in March and “Big Cat Derby Day” in May 2026.
WHAT:
Sip & Stroll (March 8, 2026)– Imagine a Spring afternoon filled with fine wine and fierce beauty, where every sip supports a cause as powerful as the creatures it protects. John Siudut of Vintage Vino will be on-site to guide guests through a wine tasting and artisanal cheese journey, which includes a charcuterie table and bite-sized refreshments. Guests will have the opportunity to take a self-guided tour among the big cats just footsteps away and participate in the excitement of a silent auction. This will take place on Sunday, March 8th, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. General Admission is $65 per person (Members-$55 per person), and you must purchase tickets in advance on the website at http://sip.cflar.org or cflar.org/upcoming-event
WHERE: Central Florida Animal Reserve, 500 Broussard Road, St. Cloud, FL 34773
COST: $65 per person (Members $55), includes self-guided tour of CFAR and one complimentary cocktail and a silent auction – “Sip & Stroll” (March 8, 2026)
For more information, log on to reserve your tickets and learn about sponsorships TODAY – cflar.org/upcoming-events/
Time
Location
Central Florida Animal Reserve
500 Broussard Road
Looking for More?
EventsCFL is our entertainment-focused sister site — dig into music, arts, and feature coverage across the region. Hosting a community event? Let us know and we may include it in our calendar or an upcoming issue of the magazine.