Whether it’s tacos, seafood or barbecue, it’s festival season in Orlando and there are plenty of reasons to eat and drink while standing near big ass tents. Here are some of the best festivals that involve food and booze coming to the Orlando area this spring.
Through April 15
Seven Seas Food Festival
Sip and sample your way around SeaWorld with special food and drink offerings along with live concerts, entertainment and more. SeaWorld, 7007 SeaWorld Drive; price of admission; 407-363-2613; seaworld.com.Photo viaSaturday, March 3
Eat Local, Sip Local Stroll Wine and food stroll with locally sourced produce, meat, cheese, beer, wine and spirits. 2-5 pm; Audubon Park Garden District, East Winter Park Road and Corrine Drive; $25-$35; audubonparkgardens.com.Photo via ShutterstockSaturday, March 3
Sonny’s Smokin’ Showdown Invitational
Barbecue festival with competitions between pitmasters from across the nation, tastings, and live music from Rodney Atkins and more. 11 am; Camping World Stadium, 1 Citrus Bowl Place; $15; 407-423-2476; sonnysshowdown.com.Photo viaSaturday, March 10
Orlando Whiskey Festival Sample almost 100 different whiskeys, speak with industry professionals and enjoy live entertainment. 7-10 pm; Mercedes-Benz of Orlando, 810 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $50-$245; 407-645-4222; orlandowhiskeyfestival.com.Photo viaSaturday, March 10
Rockin’ Robinson Block party in the Milk District with live bands, food, drinks and more. 4 pm; The Milk District, East Robinson Street and North Bumby Avenue; $10; rockinrobinson.com.Photo via ShutterstockWednesday, March 21
Winter Park Wine & Dine
A food, wine and music festival with bites from 35 of the area’s restaurants. 6:30-9:30 pm; Winter Park Farmers Market, 200 W. New England Ave., Winter Park; $39-$290; winterparkevents.com.Photo viaSaturday, March 24
International Wine Festival
Sample wines from around the globe at booths along Church Street. 2-7 pm; Downtown Orlando, Church Street, Orange Avenue and Church Street; $10-$95; winefestorlando.com.Photo via ShutterstockSaturday, March 24
United We Brunch
Enjoy brunch offerings, mimosas, Bloody Marys and cocktails from dozens of local restaurants including Tapa Toro, Maxine’s, K, the Ravenous Pig, Chela, Foxtail Coffee Co. and more, along with an open bar, live entertainment, giveaways and more. Noon-3 pm; The Orchid Garden and Ballroom, 122 W. Church St.; $45-$70; brunch.orlandoweekly.com.Photo viaSaturday, March 24
Mexican food festival
Celebration of Mexican fare presented by the Mexican consulate of Orlando. 1-6 pm; Gaston Edwards Park, 1236 N. Orange Ave.; $10-$15; orlandoweeklytickets.com.Photo viaSaturday, March 24
Arts & Craft Beers
Enjoy a walk down Orange Avenue while sipping on delicious local beer and looking at art made by local artists. 1-5 pm; Ivanhoe Village Main Street, Orange Avenue between New Hampshire and Princeton streets; $15; 407-730-7942.Photo via ShutterstockSaturday, March 24
Wine & Seafood Festival
Enjoy wine, beer and seafood specialties along with live music and entertainment. 10 am; Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards, 19239 N. U.S. Highway 27, Clermont; $10; 800-768-9463; lakeridgewinery.com.Photo viaSunday, March 25
Arab Fest
Arab American cultural festival with food, music, vendors, kids activities and more. 11 am; Lake Eola Park, East Central Boulevard and North Eola Drive; free; aaccflorida.org.Photo viaSaturday, March 31
Fork & Wine Food Truck Rally
Food truck pod with live entertainment, vendors, a wine tasting and more. Noon-4 pm; Cork & Olive of Lake Mary, 4247 W. Lake Mary Blvd., Lake Mary; $2-$60; 407-323-0555.Photo via ShutterstockMonday, March 26
Taste of Lake Mary
Gourmet food and wine tasting alongside live entertainment. 5:30-8 pm; Orlando Marriott Lake Mary, 1501 International Parkway, Lake Mary; $50-$95; 407-995-1100; tasteoflakemary.com.Photo viaFriday, April 6
Bands & Brew Music Festival
Benefit for the American Cancer Society with live bands, food, craft beer, raffles and vendors. 7 pm; Deadly Sins Brewing, 750 Jackson Ave., Winter Park; $20-$30; 407-900-8726; deadlysinsbrewing.com.Photo via ShutterstockApril 6-7
APC National Pie Championships
The country’s best professional and amateur bakers put their pie recipes to the test.
9 am; Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Drive; contact for price; piecouncil.org.Photo via ShutterstockApril 7-8
Spring Fiesta in the Park
Community block party with vendors, food, performances and more. 10 am-5 pm; Lake Eola Park, East Central Boulevard and North Eola Drive; free; fiestainthepark.com.Photo viaThursday, April 12
Second Thursday Art and Wine Walk Walk around Thornton Park to check out art and wine at various stops. 6:30 pm; Thornton Park, Summerlin Avenue and Washington Street; $15; thorntonparkdistrict.com.Photo viaSaturday, April 14
Cattle Baron’s Ball Western-themed benefit gala with gourmet food, a silent auction and live entertainment. 6 pm; Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, 9939 Universal Blvd.; $250; 407-996-9939.Photo viaSaturday, April 14
Chef’s Gala
Benefit gala with food and wine from chefs from Disney parks and restaurants. Epcot, 200 Epcot Center Drive, Lake Buena Vista; $325; 407-824-4321; chefsgala.org.Photo viaSaturday, April 14
Brews Around the Zoo Enjoy light fare from local restaurants, live music, special animal encounters and plenty of beer samples. 6-10 pm; Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, 3755 N. U.S. Highway 17-92, Sanford; $50-$90; 407-323-4450; centralfloridazoo.org.Photo viaSaturday, April 14
Beard in Baldwin Enjoy bites from 25 local restaurants, paired with wines. 7-10 pm; Baldwin Park, New Broad Street and Jake Street; $110-$175; beardinbaldwin.com.Photo viaThursday, April 19
Taste of College Park
College Park Rotary’s annual bash features food and wine from local chefs and vendors along with music and a charity auction. 6-9 pm; Dubsdread Country Club, 549 W. Par St.; $50-$60; 407-650-0100; collegeparkrotary.org.Photo viaFriday, April 27
Whiskey Business Sample whiskey and cocktails from top brands, speak with brand ambassadors and enjoy live entertainment. 6-10 pm; Cheyenne Saloon and Opera House, 128 W. Church St.; $40-$70; 407-839-3000; whiskeybusinessorlando.com.
Photo viaSaturday, April 28
Florida Puerto Rican Parade & Festival Parade and festival dedicated to Puerto Rico. 11 am-9 pm; Seneff Arts Plaza, 445 S. Magnolia Ave.; free; 844-513-2014; drphillipscenter.org.Photo viaSaturday, April 28
Germanfest Enjoy German food, beer, dancing and entertainment. Noon-10 pm; German American Society of Central Florida, 381 Orange Lane, Casselberry; $10-$15; 407-834-0574; orlandogermanclub.com.Photo viaApril 28-29
Cocoa Beach Uncorked Enjoy all-inclusive samples of dishes from the area’s most celebrated chefs, along with wine and beer. Noon-4 pm; Alan Shepard Park, 211 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach; $55-$75; cocoabeachuncorked.com.Photo viaSaturday, May 12
Smokin’ Brews, boats & Bbq
Festival with craft beer, powerboat races, and a barbecue competition. 10 am-9 pm; Lakefront Park Marina, 1104 Lakeshore Blvd., St. Cloud; free; 407-498-0008; stcloudmainstreet.org.Photo via ShutterstockSaturday, May 19
Beer ‘Merica American Craft Beer Week’s culminating event features more than 100 craft beers from several different brewers along with live music and delicious food. 3-7 pm; Gaston Edwards Park, 1236 N. Orange Ave.; $20-$40; beermericaorlando.com.Photo via
