Summer may be over, but Orlando’s fall events are just starting to heat up. Autumn is a prime time to visit Orlando, not only for the world-class theme parks and attractions, but also the wide range of festivals and events for foodies, film buffs, fashionistas and more.
Fall Festivals
For visitors seeking art and culture, the 40th Annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival (Oct. 12-13) features work by outstanding Florida artists, live entertainment and food provided by local restaurants. The Orlando Film Festival (Oct. 16-20) includes events in and around the heart of Orlando, where patrons enjoy great films in exciting venues while experiencing Orlando’s downtown lifestyle. Central Florida’s largest Hispanic festival is Festival Calle Orange (Oct. 27), where people of many nationalities, religions and backgrounds come together to enjoy food, music and dancing in the streets of downtown. More than 200 award-winning artists display their diverse creations at the 38th Annual Festival of the Masters (Nov. 8-10) at Downtown Disney West Side. The event includes live entertainment, hands-on children’s activities and chalk art displays. Winter Park Concours d’Elegance (Nov. 10) is one of the most highly-regarded, judged exotic car shows in the United States, featuring more than 120 rare automobiles on display and an exotic car parade.
Fall Shopping
Orlando’s diverse shopping options include unique boutiques, theme park retailers, museum and art gallery shops, antique stores, farmers markets, as well as 12 malls and outlet centers. Each year, the trendy area north of downtown Orlando, Winter Park hosts Park Avenue Fashion Week (Oct. 13-19). The event includes luxurious runway shows, trunk shows and designer meet-and-greets. For those visitors looking for fantastic deals, Black Friday is the best time to shop. The day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 29), many stores, malls and even Orlando’s outlets open early or stay open late to offer extreme discounts.
Foodie Events
Orlando has evolved into a culinary hot spot with James Beard-nominated chefs, celebrity restaurateurs and farm-to-fork cuisine. During the fall, foodies can indulge in a diverse array of culinary delights. At the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (Sept. 27 – Nov. 11) at the Walt Disney World Resort, guests can sip, sample and savor treasures from some of the world’s most famous wineries and celebrated chefs as they circle World Showcase. Food & Wine Weekends (Sept. 27 – Nov. 9) at Waldorf Astoria Orlando celebrate fine wine and culinary arts. Taking place on a series of weekends, the events include a variety of chef created menus and pairings. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic (Oct. 18-19) features wines from around the world and a variety of culinary dishes prepared by award-winning chefs. Bacon lovers can sink their teeth into 30,000 samples of bacon-inspired treats, prepared by more than 30 Central Florida restaurants at the inaugural Festival of Bacon (Oct. 5).
Halloween Events
Halloween celebrations in Orlando are like nowhere else in the world. From bone-chilling haunted houses to costume parties with popular characters, the destination offers something for everyone. Little ones can enjoy tame fun at Walt Disney World Resort during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Sept. 10 – Nov. 1), where guests trick-or-treat throughout the Magic Kingdom, catch the “Boo-to-You” Halloween parade and bewitching “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks. SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular (Oct. 5-27) at SeaWorld Orlando invites youngsters to trick-or-treat among friendly sea witches, octopuses, mermaids and pumpkin fish in an underwater “fantasia.” For the braver souls seeking a scare, Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights (Sept. 20 – Nov. 2) at Universal Orlando Resort allows guests to face their deepest fears in themed haunted houses, “scare zones” and mazes inspired by critically-acclaimed movies and televisions series.
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