February offers many new, fun activities and adventures in the ORO area. Thanks to Dee Sordillo, we have the following list of local activities to explore in February:
- February: Love Your Shorts Film Festival (Sanford, FL)
- This annual film festival allows film fans to view films up to 30 minutes each in a variety of categories, and to attend film workshops.
- Feb 1-13: Nunsense
- This musical is the winter show at the Haines City Theatre. The show begins when a group of nuns discover that their cook has accidentally poisoned 52 of the sisters, and they are in dire need of funds for the burials. So what do they do? They put on a show.
- Feb 3, 5, & 7: Beethoven Unplugged
- This show features Stewart Goodyear on piano and Rimma Bergeron-Langlois on violin. The linked website lists the program and how to purchase tickets. Patrons will be asked to wear a face mask covering the nose and mouth at all times while in the venue unless actively eating or drinking. Patrons will also be required to provide proof of either a negative COVID-19 test or vaccination at the door.
- Feb 5-6: Mt Dora Arts Festival
- Join more than 250 artists at the 47th annual festival held on the streets of historic downtown Mount Dora, Florida. There will be a kid zone, wine tasting, music, and festival food to round out the amazing weekend. The event runs 9am-5pm on Saturday and 9am-4pm on Sunday, and is FREE to attend.
- Feb 10: Love Me Tender – A Rockin’ Valentine’s Bash
- Musician/Actor Scot Bruce celebrates Elvis and the magic that made a generation swoon. Along with his 4-piece band, Scot Bruce recreates the musical excitement of Elvis in his prime.
- Feb 10: Old-fashioned Ice Cream Social & Bob Ross Demonstration
- This event is with Certified Bob Ross Instructor, Ginger Godfrey. “No pressure. Just relax and watch it happen.” The event is 1-4pm and costs $5 for members, $10 for non-members.
- Feb 10-21: Florida State Fair
- The state fair is in the Tampa area at the fair grounds. The website refers to the fair as the fried food capital of Florida with endless entertainment and fun.
- Feb 12: Mardi Gras Party in the Street (Leesburg)
- The streets of downtown Leesburg come alive with the sights and sounds of Mardi Gras from 1 to 11 pm. Enjoy family-friendly fun with 3 parades, delicious food, live music, street performers, jugglers, and more.
- Feb 18: Best of ABBA (Mount Dora)
- This tribute act takes you back to the days when ABBA ruled the music world with their pop hits.
- Feb 18-27: Sister Act (Lakeland, FL)
- This show is the feel-good musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film. Featuring original music by Tony- and eight-time Oscar winner, Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors), this uplifting musical was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
- Feb 19: Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular (Lakeland, FL)
- Paramount presents this multimedia laser and light show that features the original master recordings of Pink Floyd. Get carried away on a mind-expanding journey, driven by cutting-edge effects, high-powered lasers, and large screen video projection choreographed to the masterful soundtrack of Pink Floyd. This immersive experience has you view the first half through 3D glasses featuring Dark Side of the Moon. The second half is viewed through prism glasses and features The Wall.
- Feb 19-20: Scottish Highland Festival (Mount Dora)
- Celebrate the Scottish Culture in Mount Dora with bagpipers, Highland Athletics, Celtic music, dancing, Society and Heritage Clan Village, Shortbread Contest, and more!
- Feb 26: Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s Rhapsody
- Celebrate the music of love from Beethoven to the Beatles. Cellist Sterling Elliott and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra perform a rhapsody of musical romance. This event is the inaugural gala to benefit Central Florida’s premier professional orchestra.
- Feb 26: Plant Market (Osceola Heritage Park)
- Visit this FREE annual Plant Market with unique plants, food vendors, vendors with horticulture related items for sale, and more.
- Feb 26: Sanford Porch Fest
- This FREE grassroots festival, the ultimate Porch Party, takes place on the fourth Saturday of every February in the historic residential downtown of Sanford, FL.
Ongoing Activities
- Kissimmee Parks and Recreation
- Kissimmee offers many recreational areas including the Lakefront Park and many trails and bike paths.
- Flat Island Preserve
- This botanical area south of Leesburg offers may hiking, biking, and paddling opportunities.
- West Orange Trail
- Enjoy more than 22 miles of paved trails from the Orange/Lake County line through downtown Apopka to Welch Road. Stop and enjoy the butterfly garden at the Tildenville outpost.
- Enzian Theater
- This single-screen cinema café strives to entertain, inspire, educate, and connect the community through film.
- Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
- The orchestra includes creative musicians and artists from around the world and annually presents many captivating performances. The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s vision is to enrich, inspire, and serve the Central Florida community through the transformative power of live music.
- Hamburger Mary’s
- Located in downtown Orlando, Hamburger Mary’s is a great place to eat, drink, and enjoy one of their weekly events, such as female impersonators.
- Wonder House (Bartow, FL)
- The Wonder House is a private residence in Bartow that offers historic tours by online, advance reservation.
- Historic Mount Dora Walking Tour
- The unique architecture of the historic homes and buildings provide insight into the development of downtown Mount Dora since the late 1800s. The walking tour is available on the free Distrx Mobile App and guides you through downtown with a narrated tour and a number of stops.
- Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team
- The ski team provides a FREE performance the third Saturday of each month.
- Albin Polasek Sculpture Garden & Museum
- By reservation only, explore the inspired world of internationally-acclaimed Czech sculptor Albin Polasek. You can tour his home, galleries, and sculpture gardens located in Winter Park on Lake Osceola.
- Scenic Boat Tour
- These tours use an 18-passenger boat to explore the pristine Winter Park chain of Lakes.
- Charles Hosmer Morse Museum
- This museum has the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933), including jewelry, pottery, paintings, art glass, leaded-glass lamps and windows, and more.
- Jacaranda Hotel (Avon Park)
- This historic hotel is available all week and the Grand Buffet is available on Sundays.
- Historic Tours at the Howey Mansion
- Enjoy these 1-hour tours to see the progress as they work tirelessly to restore William J. Howey’s prized mansion to its original grandeur! Reservations are required for these $20 tours.
- Lake Griffin Kayak & Canoe Tours
- These tours provide kayaks and canoes as part of their most popular program. Join them for a great paddle and an educational experience on the water!
- City of Clermont Senior Programs
- Clermont offers social activities, fitness classes, games, discussion groups, guest lectures, field trips, and more through its Champions for a Lifetime programming.
- Lunch with the Mayor (Clermont, FL)
- This lunch is offered on the first Monday of each month. For other opportunities and activities, see Clermont Events.
- Lake County Historical Society
- Enjoy an interactive tour from city to city to learn about the citrus history.
- Lake County Trails (Mt Pleasant)
- The trails connect to the Wekiva Trail System for multi-use with bathhouses and covered picnic areas.
- Lake Apopka Trail and Drive Guide
- This 11 mile wildlife and historic tour has an audio recording available for use.