Central Florida weekend events: Dragon Parade, Sanford Porchfest and more

Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel
·3 min read

With mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine, February in Central Florida is the perfect time for outdoor festivals and events. This weekend, there are a number of festivities to explore.

The Central Florida Dragon Parade is back in the City Beautiful, celebrating the Lunar New Year in the Mills 50 District on Sunday. It’s also a weekend filled with entertainment as Sanford Porchfest and the Winter Garden Music Festival will gather the community for live music — both festivals are on Saturday.

Family-friendly activities abound at the Big Bounce America (the world’s largest bounce house), which lands at Osceola Heritage Park this weekend, and the Longwood Pirate Days Festival. Dog lovers can explore pet-friendly offerings and vendors at the Windemere Pet Festival.

Here are ways to spend this mild winter weekend in Central Florida.

Central Florida Dragon Parade

The annual Dragon Parade celebrates the Lunar New Year this Sunday by bringing together Asian cultural organizations with the City of Orlando for a colorful, festive event. Asia Trend Magazine is partnering with Mills 50, R.E.A.C.H. (Recognizing, Experiencing Asian Cultural Heritage) and Y.E.S.S. (Youth Enrichment and Senior Services) to host the parade, which begins at the corner of Lake Highland Drive and North Mills Avenue, ending at North Thornton Avenue and Colonial Drive.

If you go: The 12th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade Lunar New Year celebration begins at 11 a.m. Feb. 25. The parade will head south down North Thornton Avenue and finish behind Tori Tori. More information: centralfloridadragonparade.org

Sanford Porchfest

Back for its 7th year, Sanford Porchfest gathers the community for a day of live music with more than 70 bands spread across 18 porches in the city’s historic residential area of downtown. The family-friendly and pet-friendly festival goes on all afternoon on Saturday and helps raise money for youth art programming and scholarships.

If you go: Sanford Porchfest is 11 a.m.-7:45 p.m. Feb. 24 in Sanford. The event is free and open to the public, but donations are encouraged. No motorized vehicles are allowed within the pedestrian footprint of the festival. More information, including a full schedule: sanfordporchfest.org

Winter Garden Music Festival

Presented by the City of Winter Garden, this free outdoor concert showcases more than 30 musical acts across six stages with a variety of genres on Saturday. Visitors can find a kids’ zone from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., outdoor dining at downtown restaurants and onsite beer and wine vendors.

If you go: The Winter Garden Music Festival is from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 24 at stages along Plant Street, Main Street and Lakeview Avenue. More information, including a full schedule: cwgdn.com

2 more events

  • Windermere Pet Fest brings vendors and activities geared toward pet parents this Saturday, complete with food trucks, doggie games, a kids bubble zone and the “best in fur awards.” Explore the free festivities from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 24 at 520 Main St. in Windermere. More information: town.windermere.fl.us

  • Longwood Pirate Days return for a fifth year with vendors, music, festival food, cocktails and a kid zone. The event features a pirate ship and an “authentic” pirate camp. Pets are not allowed. There is no entrance fee, but a “Crazy Bouncy House” area costs $5 for “all you can jump.” The festival is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 24 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 25 at 311 W. Warren Ave. in Longwood. More information: longwoodfestival.com

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.