What Events Are Happening Near Orlando in January 2026?

Your Go-To Orlando Event Guide to festivals, races, parades, and more

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

January in Central Florida feels like a collective exhale. Locals know it means cooler mornings, and so much to do around Orlando and its surrounding communities. It's one of our favorite months to get out and explore. From races and cultural festivals to neighborhood gatherings and outdoor celebrations, January offers a taste of day-to-day life here. Not rushed. Not sleepy. Just active in the right ways.

Below is a curated look at some of the top January 2026 events happening across Orlando, Winter Garden, Oakland, Celebration, Disney, and nearby areas. The kind of events locals plan weekends around, and newcomers often stumble into and remember.

Festivals & Cultural Celebrations

January 11 | Three Kings Day | Old Town Kissimmee | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | A traditional celebration with music, cultural performances, and family activities.
January 16 - 18 | Vietnamese Community Festival | Central Florida Fairgrounds | A cultural festival showcasing Vietnamese food, performances, and traditions.
January 17–18 | 2026 Central Florida Scottish Highland Games | Central Winds Park | A lively celebration of Scottish heritage with athletics, music, and clan culture.
January 19 | Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration | Downtown Winter Garden | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | A community event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a parade, entertainment, and kids' activities.
January 18–19 | 24th Annual Unity Heritage Festival & Open House | Westside Winter Park | A cultural heritage festival celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. through music, food, and presentation of the Annual Heritage Award.
January 30–February 1 | 2026 ZORA!® Festival Season: Outdoor Festival of the Arts | A 3-day festival filled with music, art, and celebrating heritage and culture.

Food, Wine & Community Lifestyle Events

January 17 | Celebration’s Pups & Pints | Celebration Lakeside Park | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM | A dog-friendly event pairing local brews with a relaxed lakeside setting.
January 31 | Town of Oakland Heritage Day | Downtown Oakland, Speer Park | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | A small-town celebration highlighting Oakland’s history with food, music, arts & crafts vendors, and plenty of community spirit.
January 31 | Windermere Wine & Dine | Windermere Town Hall | 6:00 PM | A community gathering featuring food, wine, and local connections.

Sports, Races & Active Events

January 7–11 | Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend | Disney | A multi-day race weekend drawing runners and spectators from around the world.
January 10 | Monster Jam® | Camping World Stadium | 7:00 PM | High-energy motorsports entertainment featuring iconic monster trucks.
January 31 | Orlando Magic 5K & Kids’ Run | Kia Center | 7:30 AM | A family-friendly race event benefiting local causes.

Arts, Entertainment & Performances

January 15 | Royal Philharmonic Orchestra | Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts | 7:30 PM–10:00 PM | A live orchestral performance in downtown Orlando.
January 16–February 23 | EPCOT® International Festival of the Arts | EPCOT® | A multi-week celebration of visual, culinary, and performing arts.
January 24–31 | Harry Potter and the Cursed Child | Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts | Times Vary | The acclaimed stage production continues its Orlando run.
January 31–February 1 | 51st Annual Mount Dora Arts Festival | Downtown Mount Dora | A juried fine arts festival featuring artists from across the country.

January has a way of making Central Florida feel smaller in the best way. A familiar face at a festival. A conversation that runs longer than expected. A neighborhood that starts to feel less like a place to visit and more like a place to belong.

For anyone considering a move in the new year, events like these offer an easy way to experience the lifestyle of different communities. Sometimes finding home starts with showing up and seeing what feels right.

*Dates/Event Info subject to change, please contact event hosts for details.

Posted by Jen Durben on January 1st, 2026