20 essential upcoming events that every Orlandoan should have on their calendar 

April

Fiesta in the Park

April 2-3, 2016, Lake Eola Park, North Eola Drive and East Washington Street, fiestainthepark.com

Wander around Lake Eola and check out food, live music, and arts and crafts from tons of vendors.

Florida Film Festival

April 8-17, 2016, Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-629-1088, floridafilmfestival.com

Whether you're a fan of dramas, comedies, documentaries or shorts, the Florida Film Festival has it all.

Florida Music Festival

April 21-23, 2016, downtown Orlando, multiple venues, floridamusicfestival.com

A downtown music festival geared toward artists looking to break into the major-label industry.

MAY

Orlando Fringe

May 18-30, 2016, Loch Haven Park, 777 E. Princeton St., orlandofringe.org

Thespians from all over the world descend on the theater complex at Loch Haven for two weeks of performances.

MegaCon

May 26-29, 2016, Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive, megaconvention.com

Central Florida's largest comic and media convention brings in big names from the worlds of television, film, comics and more for a huge celebration of pop culture.

JUNE

Gay Days

May 31-June 6, 2016, multiple locations, gaydays.com

Organized trips to Walt Disney World Resort during the day, themed parties every night.

JULY

Fireworks at the Fountain

July 4, 2016, Lake Eola Park, North Eola Drive and East Robinson Street, cityoforlando.net

Nothing says patriotism like the "oohs" and "ahhs" elicited by the choreographed firework and light show at Lake Eola each year.

AUGUST

Wizard World Orlando

Aug. 5-7, 2016, Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive, wizardworld.com

The traveling comic convention makes its first stop in Orlando this year, and brings celebs and creators for a weekend of panels and events.

SEPTEMBER

Halloween Horror Nights

Sept. 16-Oct. 31, 2016, Universal Studios, 6000 Universal Blvd., halloweenhorrornights.com

More than a month of special haunted houses and scare zones. Bring your heart medication.

OCTOBER

Spooky Empire

Oct. 7-9, 2016, Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive, spookyempire.com

This convention for horror fans descends on I-Drive every year, bringing actors, musicians, makeup specialists, tattoo artists and more for a ghoulishly fun weekend.

Come Out With Pride

Oct. 8, 2016, Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St., comeoutwithpride.com

Our favorite downtown parade party celebrates the LGBTQ community.

Central Florida Veg Fest

Oct. 22, 2016, Festival Park, 2911 E. Robinson St., cfvegfest.org

Chow down on some cruelty-free cooking at this event for vegetarians, vegans and open-minded omnivores. Learn about veg living and get an up-close look at some of the animals spared when you opt for a salad instead of a Baconator.

NOVEMBER

Winter Park Harvest Festival

November 2016 (dates TBA), Central Park, North Park Avenue and West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park, alocalfolkus.com/wphf

A festival that focuses on local agriculture and sustainable harvests.

Florida Blue Florida Classic

November 2016 (date TBA), Orlando Citrus Bowl, 1 Citrus Bowl Place, floridaclassic.org

Annual football game between Bethune-Cookman University and Florida A&M.

DECEMBER

Christmas in the Park

December 2016 (date TBA), Central Park, North Park Avenue and West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park, morsemuseum.org

The Morse Museum decorates Central Park with stained glass windows and the Bach Festival Choir performs a Christmas concert.

Grandma Party

Mid-December 2016 (date TBA), Stardust Video & Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Road, stardustie.com

Handmade crafts from local artisans and live music from local bands make this our favorite stop for holiday shopping.

JANUARY

Zora! Festival

January 2017 (dates TBA), downtown Eatonville, Kennedy Boulevard, Eatonville, zorafestival.org

Eatonville's most famous writer gets a festival in her honor every year featuring live music, arts and educational activities.

FEBRUARY

Lunar New Year Dragon Parade

February 2017 (date TBA), Fashion Square Mall, 3201 E. Colonial Drive, centralfloridadragonparade.org

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.

MARCH

Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival

March 2017 (dates TBA), Central Park, Winter Park, wpsaf.org

Browse through booths from tons of artists and vendors at one of the country's oldest, largest and most prestigious juried art festivals.

Art31

March 2017, multiple locations, art31.org

The Art & History Museums – Maitland sponsors this monthlong celebration featuring internationally acclaimed artists every year.