Orlando Sentinel 2023-24 Arts Season Preview: Festivals & Fun
⇒ IN THE SPOTLIGHT
ARTSY ANNIVERSARIES
Two signature Central Florida festivals reach milestone anniversaries this season. In October, the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival marks its 50th year, and next spring UCF Celebrates the Arts takes place for the 10th year at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Winter Park’s Chamber of Commerce presents the annual Autumn Art Festival on the second weekend of October each year and boasts it is “the only juried fine-art festival exclusively featuring Florida artists.”
Each day will feature musical entertainment, and Crealdé School of Art will present workshops for children at a special tent. Food and beverages are available from various vendors throughout the event, with a beer garden located right in front of the entertainment stage.
The Autumn Art Festival takes place 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 7-8 in Winter Park’s Central Park, along Park Avenue. For more information, go to winterpark.org/autumn-art-festival.
The 10th UCF Celebrates the Arts will take place April 1-14, 2024, as the University of Central Florida takes over the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando.
UCF doesn’t release the schedule until closer to the event, but previous festivals have included big-band, opera, jazz and vocal performances, alongside art exhibits, lectures, children’s activities and demonstration of arts-based technology (think video games and virtual reality).
One thing we do know: The festival’s major stage presentation will be a full-scale production of the beloved “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” In the musical, with story by Hugh Wheeler and music by Stephen Sondheim, a man falsely imprisoned teams with a mercenary pie-shop owner for a particularly bloodthirsty type of revenge on a corrupt judge. Yes, the musical deals with the serious concepts of class and justice and what a thirst for revenge does to the human soul — but the presentation is through macabre comedy.
Check arts.cah.ucf.edu/celebrates in the new year to see what else UCF Celebrates the Arts will have in store.
⇒ YOUR SEASON PLANNER
Schedules are subject to change, so always double-check before heading to an event.
AMWAY CENTER
The arena is at 400 W. Church St. in Orlando. More information: amwaycenter.com
DISNEY ON ICE: Sept. 1-3. “Magic in the Stars” skating tour features characters from “Cinderella,” “Aladdin,” “Toy Story,” “Cars,” “Encanto” “Frozen 2” and “Moana.”
RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS: Jan. 12-15, 2024. Circus artistry with performers on bicycles, the high wire, the trapeze and more.
APOPKA WOMAN’S CLUB
Proceeds from the Apopka Woman’s Club annual festival go to scholarships and charitable contributions to the community. The event takes place at Kit Land Nelson Park, 35 S. Park Ave. in Apopka. More information: apopkaartandfoliagefestival.org
62nd ANNUAL APOPKA ART & FOLIAGE FESTIVAL: April 27-28, 2024. Arts and crafts, plant doctors, children’s art area, entertainment, food and more.
BACH FESTIVAL SOCIETY OF WINTER PARK
The society’s musical events are centered on the campus of Rollins College, 1000 Holt Ave. in Winter Park. More information: bachfestivalflorida.org
BACH FESTIVAL: Feb. 2-March 3, 2024. For a complete schedule of the 89th monthlong festival, see the Music listings.
CREATIVE CITY PROJECT
A variety of events, all in celebration of creativity, take place at various locations in Central Florida. More information: creativecityproject.com
THE CARNIVAL: Aug. 25-27. Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra musicians play Camille Saint-Saëns’ “The Carnival of the Animals,” while Creative City Project curates a fantastical environment with high-energy acrobatic performances. At Cheyenne Saloon, 128 W. Church St. in Orlando.
HAPPY FRIGHTS: Sept. 29-Oct. 31. Family-friendly Halloween adventure through Orlando’s Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave. in Orlando, featuring live characters such as a dancing bridge troll, a maze, food and trick-or-treating.
HAUNTING NIGHTS: Sept. 26-Oct. 31. The scare factor is turned up in this adult-geared artful Halloween experience at Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave. in Orlando.
DAZZLING NIGHTS: Nov. 17-Jan. 4, 2024. A million lights fill Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave. in Orlando, with holiday cheer in this walk-through attraction filled with music and art.
D.T.O. JAZZ FEST
The festival takes place at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando. More information: dtojazzfest.org
D.T.O. JAZZ FEST: April 28, 2024. The third annual event celebrates the art form with multiple musical performances.
ENZIAN
The independent movie house is at 1300 S. Orlando Ave. in Maitland. More information: 407-629-1088 or enzian.org
NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: Sept. 2. The UK’s National Theatre presents “The Best of Enemies,” a fictionalized retelling of the 1968 TV debates between William F. Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal.
CATVIDEOFEST 2023: Sept. 16.
MEET THE FILMMAKER: Sept. 17. Georg Koszulinski with “Red Earth” & “New Mexico Deathwish Diatribe.”
MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL: Oct. 2.
29th ANNUAL SOUTH ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL: Oct. 7-9.
BOOK TO BIG SCREEN: Oct. 21. Featuring “Battle Royale.”
KIDS’ HALLOWEEN PARTY: Oct. 22. Featuring a screening of “Hotel Transylvania 2.”
NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: Oct. 28. “Good.” In the play, filmed in London, David Tennant (“Doctor Who”) stars as John Halder, an intelligent German professor who finds himself pulled into a movement with unthinkable consequences in the runup to World War II.
25th ANNUAL CENTRAL FLORIDA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL: Nov. 4-7.
31st ANNUAL BROUHAHA FILM & VIDEO SHOWCASE: Nov. 18-19.
NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: Dec 2. “Othello.” Shakespeare’s drama of devotion, jealousy, rage and death.
LETTERS TO SANTA: Dec. 3. Family holiday program.
SUNDANCE SHORTS TOUR: Jan. 2, 2024.
33RD ANNUAL FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL: April 12-21, 2024.
FALL FIESTA IN THE PARK
Get more information about this annual celebration in Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St. in Orlando, at fiestainthepark.com
52ND ANNUAL FIESTA IN THE PARK: Nov. 4-5. Free admission, with more than 300 artists, craftspeople and food vendors.
FUSIONFEST
The annual celebration of Central Florida’s diverse cultures takes place in downtown Orlando between the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and City Hall on Orange Avenue. More information: FusionFest.org
FUSIONFEST: Nov. 25-26. A celebration of global cultures with food, music, art and more.
GLOBAL PEACE FILM FESTIVAL
The annual film fest features movies with cultural implications in the areas of diversity, ecology and more topics with the goal of making the world a better place. More information: PeaceFilmFest.org
IN-PERSON FESTIVAL: Sept. 18-24.
ONLINE FESTIVAL: Sept. 25-Oct. 1.
HANNIBAL SQUARE HERITAGE CENTER
The center, run by the Crealdé School of Art, is at 642 W. New England Ave. in Winter Park. See the art listings for exhibit details. More information: 407-539-2680 or hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org
21st UNITY HERITAGE FESTIVAL: Jan. 14-15, 2024 at Hannibal Square in Winter Park. The two-day festival includes live music, children’s activities, career booths, vendors and a special program honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
14th ANNUAL HANNIBAL SQUARE HERITAGE CENTER FOLK AND URBAN ART FESTIVAL: April 27, 2024. Featuring the works of more than 25 folk and urban artisans, the festival celebrates Central Florida’s diverse culture through artwork, educational entertainment, live music, storytelling, soul food and more.
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION IN HANNIBAL SQUARE: June 15, 2024. Subtitled “Remembering, Knowing and Shifting the Narrative,” the event commemorates the end of slavery.
INDIE FOLK FEST
The annual event takes place at the Mennello Museum of American Art, 900 E. Princeton St. in Orlando. More information: mennellomuseum.org
INDIE FOLK FEST: Oct. 28. Art, music and food in the gardens of the Mennello Museum.
LAKE MARY-HEATHROW FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
The annual event takes place at Colonial Towne Park on the H.E. Thomas Jr. Parkway, County Road 46A, in Lake Mary. More information: lakemaryheathrowarts.com
FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS: March 2-3, 2024. National and international juried artists; music and dance, Kids Creative Village and food.
LEU GARDENS
The Harry P. Leu Gardens are located at 1920 N. Forest Ave. in Orlando. More information: leugardens.org
MOVIE NIGHT: Sept 7 (“Top Gun: Maverick”) and Nov. 3 (title TBA).
JAZZ ‘N’ BLUES CONCERT: Sept. 9. With performances by Dave Capp Project, Betty Fox Band and Derek Trull. Bring your own picnic.
STORY TIME: Oct. 2, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4. An indoor activity by Orange County Public Library for children age 5 and younger.
HOLIDAY BLOOMS: Nov. 24-Jan. 7, 2024. Poinsettia displays.
MOUNT DORA CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Mount Dora’s annual art festival is presented this year by G3 Development. More information: mountdoraart.com/mount-dora-arts-festival
MOUNT DORA ARTS FESTIVAL: Feb. 3-4, 2024. Juried art show with food, drink and entertainment on the streets of downtown Mount Dora.
ORLANDO FRINGE
The organization’s main festival is in Orlando’s Loch Haven Park; the smaller winter festival is at 54 W. Church St. in downtown Orlando. More information: orlandofringe.org
ORLANDO FRINGE WINTER MINI-FEST: Jan. 11-14, 2024. Juried theater selections.
ORLANDO FRINGE FESTIVAL: May 14-27, 2024. Along with performances, the festival has free outdoor musical entertainment, an art show, food vendors and free children’s activities
ORLANDO MUSEUM OF ART
The museum is located in Loch Haven Park, at 2416 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando. More information: omart.org
FESTIVAL OF TREES: Nov. 10-19. The Council of 101 presents the 37th edition of its holiday festival of artistic Christmas trees, wreaths and other decor with food and music.
ORLANDO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Because of construction at the Plaza Live, this season’s Resonate festival is expected to take place at the Winter Park Events Center, 1050 W. Morse Blvd. in Winter Park. More information: orlandophil.org
RESONATE: Jan. 30, Feb. 1, 3 and 5, 2024. Pianist and composer Aaron Diehl headlines the four-day fest, which includes concerts such as “Art in the Time of War,” “Blues on Bach,” “Celebrating American Music” and “All That Jazz.”
ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER
The center is located in Loch Haven Park, at 777 E. Princeton St. in Orlando. More information: osc.org
SPARK STEM FEST: Feb. 16-19, 2024. The popular Otronicon festival evolved into this event, which features fast-paced learning and activities.
ORLANDO SHAKES
The theater company is located in the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St. in Orlando. More information: orlandoshakes.org or 407-447-1700
PLAYFEST: Oct. 27-29 and Nov. 3-5. Join the creative process by giving feedback on brand-new works, which are given staged readings by professional actors and directors.
UCF CELEBRATES THE ARTS
Events staged by University of Central Florida students, faculty and guests take place at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. More information: arts.cah.ucf.edu/celebrates/
10TH ANNUAL UCF CELEBRATES THE ARTS: April 1-14, 2024. Events include a full production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” along with jazz, orchestra and opera performances, visual art, high-school invitationals, inclusive concerts and lectures.
UPTOWN ART EXPO
The annual festival is at Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd. in Altamonte Springs. More information: uptownartexpo.com
11th ANNUAL UPTOWN ART EXPO: March 22-24, 2024. More than 140 artists, chalk street paintings, festival foods and live music.
WINTER PARK AUTUMN ART FESTIVAL
The fest is hosted by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce in Central Park, along Park Avenue. More information: winterpark.org/autumn-art-festival
50th WINTER PARK AUTUMN ART FESTIVAL: Oct. 7-8. Paintings, ceramics, drawings and graphics, fine crafts and jewelry, all by Florida artists, along with entertainment.
WINTER PARK PLAYHOUSE
The theater is at 711-C Orange Ave. in Winter Park. More information: winterparkplayhouse.org or 407-645-0145
FLORIDA FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS: June 20-23, 2024. Readings of new musical works by professional actors and musicians, followed by question-and-answer style discussions.
WINTER PARK SIDEWALK ART FESTIVAL
The organization holds its free annual event throughout downtown Winter Park. More information: wpsaf.org
65TH ANNUAL WINTER PARK SIDEWALK ART FESTIVAL: March 15-17, 2024. More than 200 artists will participate, with live entertainment, food and drink, children’s activities.
ZORA! OUTDOOR FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
The festival, presented by the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, takes place each year in Eatonville, onetime home to author Zora Neale Hurston. More information: zorafestival.org
CELEBRATING ZORA NEALE HURSTON’S BIRTHDAY: Jan. 7, 2024. A prelude to the annual festival celebrating the acclaimed author at the Orange County Library, 101 E. Central Blvd. in Orlando.
ZORA! FEST: Jan. 26-28, 2024. Music, food, art and more all in celebration of Hurston, author of “Their Eyes Were Watching God” and other works of the Harlem Renaissance.
— Listings compiled by Matthew J. Palm
