There are so many great festivals and events to get involved with in Florida, mainly centered in Orlando, and are a great source of alternative entertainment if you’re looking for something extraordinary. There’s so much fun to be had in eclectic ways, some geared nicely towards different budgets.
The Florida Film Festival runs from the 27th March to 5th April and features short films, documentaries, independent offerings, and even film-making lectures for those who think they have the director’s stamina or a cameraman’s eye. It takes place across various locations in Orlando and central Florida, and is well worth looking up if you’re visiting at this time. It’s an annual event, so if you miss it this time round, try again next year.
In May, the Florida Music Festival offers a huge range of different types of music, from acoustic to hardcore, making this a great opportunity to sample some genres you might not usually listen to, and watch live bands both popular and unknown. If you’re in the music biz, here’s where you should come to get in some networking with industry professionals and other bands. There are also two extra mini-festivals added onto this, with the Indie film Jam, a competition for music video makers, and the Rock Walk Art Exhibition, which shows interesting arts and crafts inspired by music. There’s a lot to pack in with this event but there are usually multi-day passes for sale.
Maybe musical theatre is more to your aural tastes? If so, you could pop into the Mad Cow Theatre for a few performances as part of the Orlando Cabaret Festival, also in May.
Start training, because in September you could take part in the Downtown Orlando Triathlon, where competitors take part in relays, group races, swimming, cycling and running. This is a huge event and attracts sportsmen from all over the world, however if just the mere thought of this makes you sweat, being a spectator is great fun too and won’t cost you a penny. Alternatively, get involved in a very different sport by taking a trip to the United States Dance Championships, an exciting and exhilarating dance event with contestants from all over the world and individual and group entries to enjoy.
If you’re visiting in November, head to the Silver Springs area to take in some real American culture and history by attending the Native American Festival. You can enjoy traditional dances and foods, and watch live entertainment. This is not only a great day out but also a great opportunity to learn more about America’s origins.
