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.

Special Events

CENTRAL FLORIDA FAIR

Through March 10: Celebrate community at the fair’s 112th anniversary with rides, live entertainment, midway games, livestock and culinary competitions. 4603 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando. 407-295-3247. centralfloridafair.com 

FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

Through March 10: It’s not all about the strawberry shortcake; there’s a youth livestock show, rides, festival foods, exhibits of commerce and live entertainment. 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 April 7: It’s time for beads, bands and beignets as Universal’s Mardi Gras bash rolls with dancers, stilt-walkers and street performers. Indulge in Cajun delights and sample cuisine inspired by Carnaval celebrations from around the world. Included with regular admission to Universal Studios Florida. 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando. 407-363-8000. universalorlando.com

Courtesy of The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Winter Park, Florida.

MORSE MUSEUM LECTURE SERIES

Through April 17: The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art’s 2024 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 27: Collecting Inspiration—Tiffany & Co.’s Edward C. Moore, with Medill H. Harvey.

April 17: An Illuminating Look at Tiffany Lighting, with Lindsy R. Parrott.

GLASS IN FLIGHT 2

Through May 5: Glass and steel take flight as 28 much-larger-than-life, hand-crafted insects alight among the 50 acres of gardens. Included with admission. Gardens are open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, except Thursdays, when they close at 8 p.m. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org

SEAWORLD SEVEN SEAS FOOD FESTIVAL

Through May 19: Embark on a voyage of taste as you sip and sample your way around the world. Enjoy live entertainment while deciding your favorites among more than 50 global food offerings, 75 wine and cocktail selections and 75 craft brews. SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando. seaworld.com

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN FESTIVAL

Through July 5: 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. disneyworld.disney.go.com

ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL

March 4-10: One of the biggest draws on the PGA tour and a proving ground for its biggest names. Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, 9000 Bay Hill Blvd., Orlando. 407-876-2888. arnoldpalmerinvitational.com

LIVE AOK INTERNATIONAL

March 14-17: The ultimate outdoor equestrian entertainment experience draws over 200 horses from more than 20 countries and brings in top-level competitors. Spectators will witness show jumping and combined driving competitions. 2215 SW 110th Ave, Ocala. info@liveoakinternational.com. liveoakinternational.com

JIMBO’S DRAG CIRCUS WORLD TOUR 2024

March 15: Jimbo, from RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8 and Canada’s Drag Race, rolls into town with the weirdest show on Earth, featuring outrageous characters and adult humor. 18 and up. 8 p.m. The Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando. 407-228-1220. plazaliveorlando.org

March brings with it one of the nation’s largest outdoor art shows, the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival. Photo by Roberto Gonzalez

THE 65TH  WINTER PARK SIDEWALK ART FESTIVAL

March 15-17: One of the nation’s largest and most-prestigious outdoor art festivals, drawing more than 350,000 visitors each year, the Winter Park festival features a wide variety of fine arts and crafts. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 407-644-7207. wpsaf.org

LEGO BRICK CONVENTION

March 16-17: One of the largest LEGO fan events on Earth! Meet LEGO masters, and professional artists, explore massive displays, retired LEGO sets, a LEGO city and more. 10 a.m. Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee. 321-697-3333. ohpark.com

MOUNT DORA SPRING FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND CRAFTS    

March 16-17: More than 250 vendors display an eclectic mix of art, collectibles and crafts on the streets of downtown Mount Dora. There will also be face painting, wine tasting, festival foods and beverages and live entertainment. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 341 Alexander St., Mount Dora. 352-217-8390. mountdoraspringfest.com

FLORIDA WILDFLOWER & GARDEN FESTIVAL

March 23: 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

TASTE OF OVIEDO

March 23: The 30th 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. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd., Oviedo. 407-365-6500. owsrcc.org

59TH DELAND OUTDOOR ART FESTIVAL

March 23-24: More than 135 artists will compete for thousands of dollars in prizes. Festival foods, live entertainment and drawings 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., DeLand. delandoutdoorartfest.com

DOG DAY IN THE GARDENS

March 30: Doggo family members are invited to stroll Leu Gardens and enter fun contests, with prizes being awarded for Best Dressed, Most Talented and Best Kisser. 9 a.m.-noon. General admission applies, along with a fee of $5 per dog. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org