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1/15/25 - By Charlotte B

Looking for the best things to do in Orlando this Martin Luther King Jr. weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Here's the scoop on the best family events in Orlando and the surrounding area this MLK weekend! Experience tributes to the civil rights icon in downtown Orlando and Eatonville on Saturday; Winter Park on Sunday and Monday; and Ocoee, Oviedo, Apopka, and Winter Garden on Monday. It's the last weekend to enjoy the lights at the Asian Lantern Festival, and the first weekend to kick off Epcot's International Festival of the Arts. Plus, delve into Scottish culture at the Central Florida Scottish Highland Games in Winter Springs, and indulge in the Get Hook'd on Lake Monroe Fishing Tournament & Seafood Festival in Sanford, both happening Saturday and Sunday. Discover more details on these weekend events and more below!

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Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend with Kids

Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo

Sanford
Final Weekend! Through Sunday, January 19
Experience the Zoo like you’ve never seen it before! See dozens of all-new, hand-constructed lantern displays illuminated by thousands of LED lights around the Zoo on a 3/4 mile path. Celebrate the art, beauty and wonder of traditional Asian lantern festivals. READ MORE

Epcot International Festival of the Arts

Lake Buena Vista
Opening Weekend! January 17 - February 24
This annual festival at Disney's Epcot includes a variety of performing arts (including a Disney on Broadway concert series), culinary arts, visual arts, and interactive fun for all ages. READ MORE

Box Engineers at Alafaya Branch Library

Orlando - FREE
Saturday, January 18
Fuel your creativity with a cardboard box. Families will work together to design and construct an architectural marvel. READ MORE

Cardboard Canoe Regatta at Kelly Park

Apopka
Saturday, January 18
Kelly Park's annual Cardboard Canoe Regatta returns! As part of your park admission fee, you can watch participants as they build canoes from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., using only cardboard and duct tape provided by the park's staff on event day. READ MORE

Downtown Orlando Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

Orlando - FREE
Saturday, January 18
Visit downtown Orlando for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Parade. The parade kicks off at the Downtown Orlando Courthouse and make its way to the beautiful Lake Eola Park. Celebrate the legacy of Dr. King with vibrant floats, marching bands and community groups. It's a day filled with unity, inspiration, and fun for all ages. READ MORE

Eatonville Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Celebration

Eatonville - FREE
Saturday, January 18
The community is invited to this annual event, which includes a parade, food, live entertainment, vendors and more. The 2025 theme is "Illuminating Tomorrow Together."  READ MORE

Family Art Adventures: MLK Chalk Art

Orlando - FREE
Saturday, January 18
Work together with your family and the library community to create a collaborative art project. READ MORE

Maitland Movie in the Park

Maitland - FREE
Saturday, January 18
Maitland's Movies in the Park presents a monthly family-friendly movie under the stars at Independence Square Park next to City Hall. READ MORE

WUCF PBS Kids Community Book Bash

Orlando - FREE
Saturday, January 18
WUCF invites families to join the 2025 WUCF PBS KIDS Community Book Bash. This free, family friendly event features interactive story times with local authors, arts and crafts, sensory-friendly spaces, and a chance to meet Clifford the Big Red Dog, the beloved PBS Kids character. READ MORE

Celebrate Lunar 2025

Orlando
January 18-19
Celebrate Lunar boasts a blend of Asian cultures, with each bringing their own traditions, as well as a variety of Asian cuisine, artistic talents, performances, and experiences. READ MORE

Central Florida Scottish Highland Games

Winter Springs
January 18-19
The annual Scottish Highland Games include events such as archery, boulder boogie, kids games, Highland dance, piping & drumming, as well as arts and crafts and face painting for the kids. READ MORE

Get Hook'd on Lake Monroe Fishing Tournament & Seafood Festival

Sanford - FREE
January 18-19
This annual fishing tournament and seafood festival includes more than 30 vendors, live entertainment, conservation/education zones, and more. Kids can partake in a fishing rodeo on Sunday. READ MORE

Jurassic Jog 5K

Oviedo
Sunday, January 19
Roar into the new year with Oviedo Mall's most dino-mite event, the Jurassic Jog 5K! Dust off your running shoes and dig out your best dinosaur costume because this is one prehistoric race you won't want to miss. READ MORE

Pets on the Promenade

Kissimmee - FREE
Sunday, January 19
Celebrate your furry friends at the 5th Annual Pets on the Promenade at the always pet-friendly Promenade at Sunset Walk. Bring the whole family — both two-legged and four-legged — for an afternoon dedicated to Man’s Best Friend. READ MORE

Unity Heritage Festival

Winter Park - FREE
January 19-20
This annual festival celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and promotes community and family heritage. Sunday entertainment features music by local gospel bands and Monday includes a special program honoring Dr. King with ongoing musical artists. Special activities include children’s games, career booths, as well as retail and local food vendors. READ MORE

Apopka Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade

Apopka - FREE
Monday, January 20
The South Apopka Ministerial Alliance hosts its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. This year's theme is "Committed to Unity." READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Nationwide - FREE
Monday, January 20
On select days throughout the year, including January 20, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee.  READ MORE

Ocoee Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Parade and Celebration

Ocoee - FREE
Monday, January 20
This annual parade starts at 10am on Clarke Road in Ocoee, and a celebration takes place at 11am in the food court area of the West Oaks Mall. READ MORE

Oviedo MLK Day Parade & Celebration

Oviedo - FREE
Monday, January 20
The City of Oviedo's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration begins with a parade at 10am, with the Lake Mary Little League World Champions as the Grand Marshal! The event is followed by a Community Fun Day in the Park starting at 11am at Center Lake Park with live entertainment, vendors, food, and kids activities. READ MORE

Winter Garden's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Winter Garden - FREE
Monday, January 20
Celebrate the legacy of Dr. King with a parade along Plant Street, followed by a community celebration with kids' activities, food vendors, and live music. READ MORE

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Places featured in this article:

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Rock Springs at Kelly Park
National Parks - Multiple Locations
Dickey's Barbecue Pit Orlando - Lake Nona