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Best Things to do in Orlando in February 

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If your family has been meaning to plan a vacation but just hasn’t gotten around to it yet, then visiting Orlando might be the next thing to put on your bucket list. The pleasant weather during the start of springtime causes Orlando Florida in February to serve as a respite for northerners fleeing from the cold and a fun getaway from the scalding heat of the warmer states. It’s really the slim chance of rain, however, that seals the deal and makes attending events, fests, and outdoor activities in Orlando during February practical and enjoyable! 

It’s true, Orlando in winter is the best time to enjoy all that the city has to offer, from its park events and concerts, to its food festivals, and of course, its world-famous Disney events! With the holiday rush over, things in February slow down. Schools are typically on break too which means parents and students get to enjoy a well-deserved holiday together. 

That’s great news because there is no shortage of things to do in Orlando in February. There really is something for everyone, and yes, that includes the parents! We have made sure our extensive list of winter activities in Orlando Florida covers them all, so let’s go!

Best Things to do in Orlando in February
Best Things to do in Orlando in February

Walt Disney World

Many would agree that Disney’s EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is the main attraction during the month of February. It brings together culinary, performing, and visual arts to entice and give you a wondrous experience with the kids.

The Culinary Arts Festival offers visitors the chance to take a journey through various culinary experiences. Drop by to taste food and drinks from different cultures and cuisines like France, Morocco, Germany, and China! Check out the family friendly restaurants too!

The performing arts portion of the festival features a display of captivating performances from all over the world. The main events and attractions you do not want to miss are the Disney Broadway Concert musicals, Chalk art, and Animation Academy, where you will learn how to draw Disney characters from real-life animation artists!

The Visual Arts Festival is yet another diverse and entrancing show of creativity at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. Parents and kids alike will be dazzled by the photography, art, sculptures, and jewelry up on display. The best part is that there are lots of opportunities to get in on the action, participate in the creative process and watch your own ideas come to life too! With events for all ages and primarily for families and groups, the Epcot Festival is most certainly a “must-visit” when visiting Orlando in February.

While visiting Epcot, another thing for families to do is participate in the Disney Princess Half Marathon held on the last weekend of February every year. This half marathon is not only the largest event in Disney World but also the largest women’s only race in North America. Inspired by Disney Princesses who portray courage and kindness, runners are encouraged to don their favorite prince and princess costumes to tackle the 5k or 10k run. The marathon also hosts a yoga event as well as virtual races to ensure that every kind of family has a fun time!

Universal Studios Florida Sign
Mardi Gras at Universal starts in February until the first few days of April

Mardi Gras

Every spring, fun, and excitement (yes, even more than usual) make their way to Universal Orlando Resort for an authentic celebration that completely transforms Universal Studios Florida into a family-friendly version of the famous New Orleans street party. There’s no questioning it, Universal Studios Orlando is the place to be during Mardi Gras

The popular festival begins in early February, lasts for nearly two months, and includes colorful parades, concerts, themed merchandise stores, star-studded entertainment, and international cuisine. Popularly known as “Florida’s Biggest Party,” Mardi Gras Orlando comprises 14 concerts, 1.7 million beads, and a spectacular parade, all of which are family-friendly!

SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival

Expect to be met with an “ocean” of fun and flavor when you visit SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival at Bayside Stadium. Whether you are a solo foodie or a family, this food festival has tasty delights for everyone. It brings a wide range of outdoor markets offering a delicious mix of Asian, Latin, European, Polynesian, North American cuisines, and more. Held back to back every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday starting early in February, it features over 200 offerings. This includes 75+ brews, 50+ unique food items, 75+ wines, seltzers, and cocktails!

Kids and parents will also witness enthralling musical performances that cover everything from country, rock, and Latin music to 90s pop while chowing down on their tasty treats. Bayside Stadium has everything from local bands and artists stationed around the park to live concerts. A great mix of food and music, this is one festival you don’t want to miss!

Osceola County Fair

The Osceola County Fair is held every year for 10 days starting on February 2nd and aims to bring people together to celebrate community and family in a festive atmosphere. With a yearly turnout of over 10,000 visitors and over 200 exhibitors, it’s safe to say it’s a pretty big deal! The fair includes numerous family-friendly events, including competitions, arts and crafts, food, and exhibits on agriculture and industry. You can expect fun rides, livestock shows, delicious food, and informative exhibits among other family-friendly classic fair attractions. 

The Annual Bach Festival

An experience of a lifetime is what a concert at the Annual Bach Festival in Orlando will be for someone who loves orchestral music. Every year crowds travel from all over the country to attend beautiful performances by the 180+ singers from across Florida and the orchestra of 50 members.

Held on multiple dates in the month of February, this festival pays homage to Johann Sebastian Bach through ensembles, solos, community events, and concerts. It is mainly aimed at inspiring the human spirit through great music and powerful choral performances in celebration of Bach’s legacy.

Black History Month in Orlando

Celebrating Black History Month: 1619 Fest

The name 1619 Fest comes from the event in history that marks the arrival of African captives in America. Held at the beginning of February, the powerful event is conducted in celebratory remembrance of the years of struggle African Americans faced and is meant to highlight the end of slavery as well as celebrate Black history month.

It’s a great way to introduce little ones to important and weighty topics related to the American Civil Rights Movement without overwhelming them or having them compromise on a good time. Open and free to the public, this fest includes art displays, performances, and tons of other family-friendly activities. 

Rodeo in Orlando

Silver Spurs Rodeo

One of the highlights of February in Orlando is the Silver Spurs Rodeo, which takes place in the middle of the month and is one of the oldest and most cherished traditions in the county. The Silver Spurs Rodeo in February draws contestants nationwide competing to be national champions in a variety of events. These include seven traditional rodeo events: bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, and barrel racing.

While witnessing and participating in this rodeo may seem out of the ordinary for some, families that enjoy roughhousing and monkeying around together will know it’ll be a blast! Be sure to make it a day trip if you and the kids want to witness the Silver Spurs Quadrille team square dance on horseback.

Down The Rabbit Hole

With its unique and creative interpretation of Alice in Wonderland, this magical adventure invites you to follow Alice through the Mead Botanical Garden for an unforgettable journey. Accompany your kids as they meet all their favorite characters from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland under the theatrical lighting and special effects.

This immersive experience will appeal to children, but will also be interesting to adults because of the way they present the story and the mediums they use as they take you through it.

Otronicon Interactive Tech Expo

Otronicon Interactive Tech Expo is a science and technology-based learning event that hosts various competitions and features exhibits, workshops, panels, and more. Those interested in technology get to interact with professionals and learn from their experiences and ideas about how the field might progress in the future.

Beginning in the second week of February and lasting four whole days, the conference takes learning outside of the textbook and brings it into the real world. Watch as interactive sessions using virtual reality, robots, and simulators show your kids how exciting learning about technological advancements can really be! 

Something especially compelling to look forward to for the year 2022 and onwards are the changes that are being made with the focus to promote underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. This includes Black Architects of Innovation in the Works, Black Orlando Tech, and the Society of Women Engineers.

Kayaking near Orlando with kids

Orlando Kayaking Tour

During the springtime, the river Econlockhatchee in Florida is a great place to explore. One can enjoy the unique ecosystem in and around the river on a 5-hour Kayaking tour that starts from Orlando. Enjoy paddling through the scintillating clear water and keep a curious eye out for turtles, hawks, alligators, and bald eagles. A must-visit in February for adventurous families!

Tacos anyone?

Orlando Taco Festival

With a focus on one of the city’s most beloved food items, the taco, this highly-anticipated food festival held in the middle of February showcases over 25 restaurants and food trucks that serve finger-licking good tacos. Make sure your family saves space in their tummies to try out all of their signature dishes and of course, for adults, the boozy delights that are served as accompaniments!

To make the event even more enjoyable for families, the festival also includes fun games and activities for all age groups. Enjoy the most delectable food alongside live entertainment, a fun zone for kids, taco-eating competitions, and much more. It’s a no-brainer; come February, the Orlando Taco Festival is the place to be!

Annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities 

Zora, a festival named after writer and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, first began in 1990 and has since taken place over several days late every February. The event takes place primarily in Eatonville, about 10 miles north of downtown Orlando and throughout Orange County. It is a multi-disciplinary, intergenerational event consisting of public talks, exhibitions, theatrical productions, and programs that all culminate in art and education, as well as a two-day outdoor “Festival of the Arts.”

Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds 

Attend Three Little Birds, a musical based on the popular children’s book by Bob Marley’s daughter Cedella Marley featuring songs from the legendary artist himself. Adapted for the stage by Michael J. Bobbitt, this medley of music, theater, and fun is entertaining to both children and adults so book your tickets before they run out!

Mount Dora Festival

February sees the Town of Mt. Dora getting in the celebratory spirit with their festival that can only be described as an “Antiques Extravaganza” as well as their annual Scottish Highland Festival. Held in the stunning and picturesque lakefront district of Mount Dora, the former displays the largest gathering of antique dealers in the south with over 800 dealers attending.

At the Scottish Highland Festival, visitors get to enjoy Scottish Bands and musicians performing all throughout the weekend. Expect music, exhibits, a raffle, and lots more fun at Mt. Dora in the month of February!

Ribs on The Ridge ( Haines County)

This is a great place to be in the middle of February for both amateur and professional grilling enthusiasts! The event presents various cook-offs and contests where participants get to showcase their mettle on the grill while enjoying hearty family get-togethers. An hours drive away to Haines County, this event is approved through the Florida BBQ Association.

Guests get to treat themselves to the best BBQ in the city as well as taste traditional sweet treats and snacks that are also available at the venue. Tacos, sliders, strawberry Oreos, and deep-fried goodies are all for the taking. A fun-filled event with great music and great company – what gets better than that?

Free things to do in Orlando in February

Now, don’t get in a fluster if you’re looking for things to do in Orlando in February that are easy on the pocket because there’s tons of free fun that awaits you too! Lake Eola, for instance, has multiple themed annual events in Orlando February due to it being Valentine’s month! And that’s not even including the super popular Orlando Farmers Market that is held there during February. 

Paws in the Park, benefiting Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, Orlando’s largest pet festival is another free event to attend with the family. It’s a festival that will have your kids squealing with delight. No guarantees you won’t come away with a new member of the family, however! 

Drop by Central Park in Winter Park on one of the days when there’s a free outdoor movie screening! It’s the best chance to pack a picnic and make it a movie night with the family. Stopping to explore the Valentine’s themed open-air market at the Faith Arts Village that features unique gifts and handcrafted artisanal items, local food trucks and vendors, live music, and more is yet another free family-fun-time activity.

Visit Southern Hill farms to go strawberry and sunflower picking alongside some live music and beers for some free-spirited frolicking in the sun. You can even spend your Sunday morning on a stroll through the beautiful Cranes Roost Park with the chance to shop for unique gifts, artisanal goods, home decor, and more.

Whether you choose to take a hike, go camping, go on a boat trip, or just lay back and relax at the park, the city of Orlando has a lot to offer families in February, so get packing and make the most of it!

Things to do In Orlando with Kids Month by Month Guide

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