Annual Orlando events you don't want to miss
MARCH
Great Orlando Mixer
The swinging-est party in town, featuring 1920s-themed costumes and music, and drinks from the best mixologists in Orlando.
March 26, Cheyenne Saloon, 128 W. Church St., thegreatorlandomixer.com
APRIL
Florida Film Festival
Whether you're a fan of dramas, comedies, documentaries or shorts, the Florida Film Festival has it all.
April 10-19, Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-629-1088, floridafilmfestival.com
Fiesta in the Park
Wander around Lake Eola and check out food, live music, and arts and crafts from tons of vendors.
April 11-12, Lake Eola Park, North Eola Drive and East Washington Street, fiestainthepark.com
Florida Music Festival
A downtown music festival geared toward artists looking to break into the major-label industry.
April 16-18, downtown Orlando, multiple venues, floridamusicfestival.com
MAY
Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival
Thespians from all over the world descend on the theater complex at Loch Haven for two weeks of performances.
May 13-26, Loch Haven Park, 777 E. Princeton St., orlandofringe.org
JUNE
Bite30
A monthlong celebration of the best food Orlando has to offer, with special prix fixe menus at each participating restaurant.
June 1-30, multiple locations, bite30.com
Gay Days
Organized trips to Walt Disney World Resort during the day, themed parties every night.
June 2-8, multiple locations, gaydays.com
JULY
Fireworks at the Fountain
Nothing says patriotism like the "oohs" and "ahhs" elicited by this annual firework and light show at Lake Eola.
July 4, Lake Eola Park, North Eola Drive and East Robinson Street, cityoforlando.net
Best of Orlando
Annual party in honor of our Best of Orlando winners. If you snag a ticket to this exclusive party, congratulations: We like you.
July 30, The Beacham, 46 N. Orange Ave., orlandoweekly.com
AUGUST
Orlando Nerd Fest
This event brings in video game music composers and nerdcore luminaries like Nobuo Uematsu and MC Frontalot.
Aug. 7-10, venue TBA, orlandonerdfest.com
SEPTEMBER
Artlando
A day in the park that features all kinds of art, from choirs to puppets to painting to dance and everything in between.
September (date TBA), Loch Haven Park, 777 E. Princeton St., artlando.com
Halloween Horror Nights
Over a month of special haunted houses and scare zones. Bring your heart medication.
Sept. 18-Nov. 1, Universal Studios, 6000 Universal Blvd., halloweenhorrornights.com
OCTOBER
Orlando Indie Comedy Fest
Check out some of the country's best underground comedians at intimate venues like Bull & Bush and Will's Pub.
October 2015 (date TBA), multiple locations, orlandoindiecomedyfest.com
Come Out With Pride
A week of LGBT events and our favorite downtown parade party.
Oct. 5-11, multiple locations, comeoutwithpride.com
NOVEMBER
Winter Park Harvest Festival
A festival that focuses on local agriculture and sustainable harvests.
November 2015 (date TBA), Central Park, North Park Avenue and West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park, alocalfolkus.com/wphf
Florida Blue Florida Classic
Annual football game between Bethune Cookman University and Florida A&M.
November 2015 (date TBA), Orlando Citrus Bowl, 1 Citrus Bowl Place, floridaclassic.org
DECEMBER
Christmas in the Park
The Morse Museum decorates Central Park with stained glass windows and the Bach Festival Choir performs a Christmas concert.
December 2015 (date TBA), Central Park, North Park Avenue and West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park, morsemuseum.org
Grandma Party
Handmade crafts from local artisans and live music from local bands make this our favorite stop for holiday shopping.
December 2015 (date TBA), Stardust Video & Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Road, stardustie.com
JANUARY
Zora! Festival
Eatonville's most famous writer gets a festival in her honor every year featuring live music, arts and educational activities.
January 2016 (date TBA), downtown Eatonville, zorafestival.org
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl
The Citrus Bowl plays host to one of the BCS games every New Year's Day.
Jan. 1, 2016, Orlando Citrus Bowl, 1 Citrus Bowl Place, buffalowildwingscitrusbowl.com
FEBRUARY
Puppy Love
This annual tribute to man's best friends (hosted by yours truly) has treats and games, live music and all the butt your pooch can sniff.
February 2016 (date TBA), location TBA, puppylovefestival.com
Ralphfest
This DIY festival pays tribute to slain Orlando musician Ralph Ameduri and tends to reunite some of Orlando's bygone bands for special sets.
February 2016 (date TBA), multiple locations, ralphameduri.com
Lunar New Year Dragon Parade
Formerly taking place in Mills 50, this Lunar New Year celebration got so big that it had to move to the Fashion Square Mall in 2015.
February 2016 (date TBA), Fashion Square Mall, 3201 E. Colonial Drive, centralfloridadragonparade.com
