Special Events
The Florida Strawberry Festival is an 11-day community event celebrating the strawberry harvest of Eastern Hillsborough County. Each year, over 500,000 visitors enjoy the festival’s headline entertainment, youth livestock shows, exhibits of commerce and, of course, its strawberry shortcake. Photo courtesy of Florida Strawberry Festival.
FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
Through March 9: It’s not all about the strawberry shortcake; there’s a youth livestock show, rides, festival foods, exhibits of commerce and live entertainment featuring The Beach Boys, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Nelly, The Oak Ridge Boys, Whiskey Myers, John Fogerty and more. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 303 BerryFest Place, Plant City. 813-754-1996. flstrawberryfestival.com
UNIVERSAL’S MARDI GRAS—INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS OF CARNAVAL
Through March 30: It’s time for beads, bands and beignets as Universal’s Mardi Gras bash rolls with dancers, stilt-walkers and street performers. Authentic parade floats come straight out of New Orleans. Included with admission to Universal Studios Florida. 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando. 407-363-8000. universalorlando.com
MORSE MUSEUM LECTURE SERIES
Through April 2: The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art’s 2025 free lecture series touches on many interests. 2:30 p.m. Jeannette G. and Hugh F. McKean Pavilion, 161 W. Canton Ave., Winter Park. 407-645-5311. morsemuseum.org
March 26: Elegant Containers—Commercial Displays at Nineteenth Century World’s Fairs, with Ethan Robey.
April 2: Louis Comfort Tiffany and Algeria, with Roberta A. Mayer.
SEAWORLD SEVEN SEAS FOOD FESTIVAL
Through May 4: Embark on a voyage of taste as you sip and sample your way around the world. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and Mardi Gras on select dates. Visit website for dates. SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando. 407-545-5550. seaworld.com
Buzz Lightyear topiary at Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN FESTIVAL
March 5-June 2: Take in enchanting topiaries and gather gardening tips while sampling seasonal foods from the outdoor kitchens found throughout the theme park. Included with regular admission. EPCOT World Showcase, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista. 407-939-5277. disneyworld.disney.go.com
LEU GARDENS SPRING PLANT SALE
March 8-9: Growers and vendors offer plants and outdoor accessories for sale to enhance your landscape and home in this 28th annual event. Experts on hand to help solve your landscaping problems. Bring a wagon for your purchases. Free admission. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org
The 84th Annual Daytona Beach Bike Week takes over the beach town for 10 days of racing, cruising, displays, gear and more.
84TH ANNUAL DAYTONA BEACH BIKE WEEK
Through March 9: That unmistakable rumble means the world’s top two-wheel speed and cruising machines have taken over the World’s Most Famous Beach town for 10 days of leisurely touring and exciting racing, including the Daytona Supercross, as well as bike buying and selling, high-end manufacturer displays, top-of-the-line gear and more. 386-255-0981. officialbikeweek.com
MIGHTY ST. PATRICK’S FESTIVAL
March 14-17: Celebrate everything Irish at Raglan Road. There’ll be Celtic face painting, free giveaways and live Irish music headlined by Screaming Orphans. Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Saturday-Monday, 10 a.m.-midnight. No cover charge except on March 17, when it’s first-come, first-served with a $20 cover for guests 18 and older. Disney Springs. 407-938-0300. raglanroad.com
KISSIMMEE HOME & GARDEN SHOW
March 15-16: Explore a home improvement marketplace offering the latest trends and take advantage of show-only deals to kickstart projects. Meet contractors and top regional garden experts. Saturday 10 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. Events Center, Osceola Heritage Park, 1901 Chief Osceola Trail, Kissimmee. 321-697-3333. ohpark.com
THE 66TH WINTER PARK SIDEWALK ART FESTIVAL
March 21-23: One of the nation’s largest and most-prestigious outdoor art festivals, drawing more than 350,000 visitors each year, the Winter Park gathering features a wide variety of fine arts and crafts. Booths are located throughout Central Park, along Park Avenue. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 407-644-7207. wpsaf.org
TASTE OF OVIEDO
March 22: The 31st annual festival features restaurants in the Oviedo area as well as live entertainment, Oviedo Roots Farmer’s Market, fine arts and crafts and family activities. Browse the more than 150 vendors and try dishes from more than 20 restaurants and food trucks along with beer, wine and specialty drinks. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd., Oviedo. 407-365-6500. owsrcc.org
The tradition of street painting can be traced back to 16th-century Italy. See chalk art on display at the Uptown Art Expo.
UPTOWN ART EXPO
March 28-30: Stroll the 45-acre Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs while browsing the works of more than 140 art and fine-craft exhibitors. Watch street artists create chalk masterpieces on the park’s sidewalks and stay for live entertainment at the amphitheater, including Absolute Queen on Friday night. Food trucks, craft beer and more all three days. 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs. 407-592-0002. uptownartexpo.com
FLORIDA WILDFLOWER & GARDEN FESTIVAL
March 29: Vendors line up along downtown DeLand’s West Indiana Avenue to offer gardening and nature-related items for sale and wildflower and gardening experts present educational talks. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 386-738-0649. mainstreetdeland.org
LEGO Display
LEGO BRICK CONVENTION
March 29-30: The LEGO fan event is back with twice as many displays as last year. Meet LEGO masters, explore massive displays, retired LEGO sets, life-size models and more, plus browse the wares of merchants and vendors. 10 a.m. Events Center, Osceola Heritage Park, 1901 Chief Osceola Trail, Kissimmee. 321-697-3333. ohpark.com
60TH DELAND OUTDOOR ART FESTIVAL
March 29-30: More than 135 artists will compete for thousands of dollars in prizes. Festival foods, live entertainment, drawings and more round out the schedule. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Earl Brown Park, 815 S. Alabama Ave. 386-626-7315. delandoutdoorartfest.com
THE ART OF WEDDINGS 2025 WEDDING TRENDS AND FASHION SHOW
March 30: Enjoy a runway bridal fashion show wth designs from The Bridal Finery and Leonardo 5th Avenue. There will also be an educational panel and reception. 3-7 p.m.; doors at 2 p.m. The Alfond Inn, 300 E. New England Ave., Winter Park. 407-998-8090. thealfondinn.com