Orlando is home to all sorts of festivals and fairs during the year, and the upcoming fall and spring semesters are no different. Here are a few of the coming celebrations you can check out.
September
2016 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
When: Sept. 14-Nov. 14
Where: Epcot
Price: $113 (UCF student discount price)
This 62-day festival showcases some of the world's varied cuisine. Concerts, block parties, tasting events and more can be found day and night at this massive food festival.
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
When: Sept. 14-Oct. 31
Where: Magic Kingdom
Price: $72
This is a good way to combine your love of Disney with Halloween. This nightly event has you dressing up in your Halloween best and trick-or-treating inside the Magic Kingdom. You'll also see a parade and fireworks show.
Halloween Horror Nights
When: Sept. 16-Oct. 31
Where: Universal Studios
Price: various prices
The juggernaut of Orlando Halloween celebrations, Horror Nights consists of several haunted houses and scare zones designed to give you a fright. Last year's celebration was Horror Nights' 25th anniversary, and they've shelved the iconic clown Jack for his sidekick, the sadistic Chance. The Exorcist, the Walking Dead and the Texas Chainsaw Massacre are some of the announced houses so far, with more to come.
Global Peace Film Festival
When: Sept. 19-25
Where: Enzian Theater and Regal Cinemas Winter Park Village
Price: TBA
The goal of the Global Peace Film Festival is to promote, well, peace using the film medium. Films from all over the world are shown, activists speak about their work, and there are various educational and instructional panels.
Halloween at Old Town
When: Sept. 23-Oct. 31
Where: 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee
Price: free
This annual event has Old Town full of ghosts and ghouls just waiting to scare you. If you're lucky, you may find some zombies dancing to "Thriller."
October
Artlando
When: Oct. 1
Where: Loch Haven Park
Price: free
Orlando Weekly's one-day celebration of visual and performing art takes over the central lawn at Loch Haven Park with vendors, contests, performances from various arts groups and so much more.
Come Out With Pride
When: Oct. 8
Where: Lake Eola Park
Price: free
Already one of downtown's most popular parades and parties, expect Pride to be absolutely off the chain this year.
Freak Show Horror Film Festival
When: Oct. 21-23
Where: Premiere Cinemas, 3201 E. Colonial Drive
Price: TBA
The Freak Show Horror Film Festival is a great opportunity to catch some of the newest independent horror films being made by modern talent.
Orlando Zombie Ball
When: October, date TBA
Where: TBA
Price: TBA
All the Halloweenies come out to this massive costume party, which features a costume contest, live DJs, prizes and a horrifically good time.
Central Florida Veg Fest
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 22
Where: Festival Park, 2911 E. Robinson St.
Price: free
Dozens of vegan and vegetarian vendors come out for the Central Florida Veg Fest. You can expect speakers, concerts, food preparation demonstrations, and hopefully a new recipe or two.
College Park Jazz Fest
When: 6 p.m.-midnight Oct. 22
Where: Edgewater Drive, College Park
Price: TBA
The College Park Partnership shuts down Edgewater Drive to accommodate the thousands of people who come annually to take in live jazz on three different stages.
Calle Orange Festival
When: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 23
Where: Orange Avenue downtown
This massive Latin festival takes over several downtown blocks with numerous bands and food selections to keep you busy.
November
Fall Fiesta in the Park
When: Nov. 5-6
Where: Lake Eola Park
Price: free
Downtown Orlando's oldest arts and crafts festival is back this November. Food vendors, artists and craft-makers showing off their wares all across Lake Eola are some of the highlights to look forward to.
Orlando Beer Festival
When: Nov. 12
Where: Festival Park, 2911 Robinson St.
Price: $25-$55
This boozy festival has countless breweries and bars participating, so you'll have your fair share of spirits to choose from.
I Love College Park Art & Wine Stroll
When: 5-9 p.m. Nov. 19
Where: Albert Park, Edgewater Drive and Vassar Street
Price: $15
If you stroll down Edgewater Drive to Princeton with your wine card, you'll come across musicians and student artists, not to mention the 12 wine stops along the way. All of the proceeds go to the College Park Neighborhood Arts & Theater Center.
Festival of Trees
When: Nov. 12-20
Where: Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N. Mills Ave.
Price: TBA
This annual event turns the Orlando Museum of Art into a festive wonderland. Events include an opening night party, musical performances, and programs for seniors and children.
December
Florida Citrus Parade
When: Dec. 30
Where: Downtown Orlando
Price: free
If you've ever wanted to see a float made from fruit, this is the place to be. Floats are made from more than 100,000 oranges, tangerines and grapefruits, with more than 50 entries rolling by in a vitamin C-laden parade.
January 2017
Lake Apopka Wildlife Festival & Birdapalooza
When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 20-21
Where: Magnolia Park, 2929 S. Binion Road, Apopka
Price: free
A celebration of all things avian, Birdapalooza offers free tours through the north shore of Lake Apopka. Beyond that, you can enjoy the food vendors and live music, or go on a nature hike if you're feeling adventurous.
February
Orlando Chili Cook-Off
When: Feb. 18
Where: Festival Park, 2911 E. Robinson St.
Orlando's quintessential chili competition returns with more types and styles of chili than you can count. But there'll be plenty for you to sample and enjoy.
Orlando Food and Wine Fest
When: February, date TBA
Where: Lake Eola
Price: TBA
Food from dozens of Orlando's restaurants, domestic and international brands of wine, and music and other live entertainment is what you can expect from one of downtown's premiere festivals.
Lunar New Year Festival
When: February, date TBA
Where: Fashion Square Mall
Price: free
Ring in the Year of the Rooster at this annual celebration of the Lunar New Year that draws people from many cultures to celebrate Orlando's unique Asian heritage.
March
Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
When: March 1-May 29
Where: Epcot
Price: price of admission
Epcot's major spring festival has guests enjoying a variety of foods while walking through flower gardens specially decorated for the event.
Central Florida Fair
When: March 2-19
Where: 4603 W. Colonial Drive
Price: various prices
Check out rides, shows, games, music, livestock and entertainment at the multi-county fair.
April
Florida Film Festival
When: April, dates TBA
Where: Enzian Theater and Regal Cinemas Winter Park Village
Price: various prices
Orlando's longest-running film festival returns with impressive art and commercial flicks for you to enjoy, along with panels, filmmaker interviews, celebrities, parties and more.
