US National Holidays & other notable dates
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| 14th |
Valentines Day - see Theme Park Events below for more details |
| 16th |
Presidents Day - George Washington's birthday (the hero of the American War of Independence) used to be celebrated on February 22 each year and most states also celebrated Abraham Lincoln's birthday (president during the Civil War) on February 12 |
| 24th |
Mardi Gras - see Parades and Carnivals below for more details |
Theme Park Events
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| January 12th to April 19th |
Busch Gardens Africa are hosting their Let's Dance Featuring Burn The Floor contemporary ballroom dancing show in the Desert Grill (www.buschgardens.com). |
| February 14th onwards |
The American Idol Experience Grand Opening is scheduled for Valentines Day, Saturday February 14 at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park where guests can take part in a special edition of American Idol in front of a live audience |
| February 27th to March 1st |
The ESPN The Weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios lets you get close up to star athletes in a Hollywood-style motorcade, plus ESPN entertainment, ESPN telecasts and interactive experiences for both sports fans and families.
Amongst the athletes scheduled to take part are Tedy Bruschi, Joba Chamberlain, Steven Jackson, Brandon Jacobs, Misty May-Treanor, Warren Moon, Charles Tillman and Hines Ward.
ESPN personalities include Jay Crawford, Peter Gammons, Mike Greenberg, Mike Golic, Colin Cowherd, Dana Jacobson, Al Jaffe, John Kruk, Karl Ravech, Skip Bayliss and Trey Wingo (espn.go.com).
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Parades and Carnivals
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| selected dates |
This year Mardi Gras is on February 24 and there are special Mardi Gras celebrations throughout the State including Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando® every Saturday night from February 7 and April 18. See the Mardi Gras celebrations page for more details. |
Sporting Events
|
| 1st |
One of America's biggest annual sporting events, the American football Superbowl comes to Florida. Superbowl XLIII (43) between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals takes place at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Next year, the Superbowl returns to Florida, when Superbowl XLIV (44) is played at the Dolphin Stadium in Miami (www.nfl.com).
|
| various dates |
As well at the Daytona 500 (see below) there are several other events at the Daytona International Speedway this month. The Budweiser Shootout and Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 take place on February 7, qualifying for the Daytona 500 on February 8 and the Gatorade Duel race is on February 12. These two 150 mile qualifying races determine the starting lineup for the Daytona 500 (www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com). |
| February 14th to April 14th |
The Atlanta Braves are due to start their Spring training at the Champion Stadium at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex from mid February through to early April as the nations baseball teams head south for Spring training in Florida or Arizona. Their first game in on February 25 when they play the Houston Astros. See the Spring Training page for more details of the all the teams training in Florida in 2009. |
| 15th |
This year sees the 51st anniversary running of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway (www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com). |
| 20th to 22nd |
The 122nd Silver Spurs Rodeo of Champions and Xtreme Bulls Series takes place in the purpose built climate-controlled 8,300 seat Silver Spurs Arena located at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee.
This is the largest rodeo in the Southeast with more than 60 of the top professional rodeo riders competing for more than $100,000 in prize money. You can watch bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronco riding, steer wrestling and barrel racing as well as the world famous Silver Spurs Quadrille horseback team (www.silverspursrodeo.com).
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| 20th to 22nd |
The 71st Brighton Field Day Festival & PRCA Rodeo is held at the Fred Smith Arena on the Brighton Seminole Reservation.
As well as the rodeo there is also Indian dancing and alligator wrestling (www.rezrodeo.com).
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| 28th to March 1st |
The Orange Blossom Festival and Rodeo is at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie (www.davieprorodeo.com). |
Concerts
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| various dates |
Busch Gardens Africa continue their Real Music Concert Series in the Stanleyville Theater including The Harry James Orchestra with Fred Radke (February 4 to 7), Paul Revere & The Raiders (February 11 to 14), Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone (February 18 to 21) and The Osmond Brothers (February 25 to 28) (www.buschgardens.com). |
| various dates |
It is a busy month at Historic Bok Tower Sanctuary. On February 1 there is a special Dedication Day Concert to commemorate Edward W. Bok's gift to the American people on February 1, 1929.
At the Pinewood Estate there is also a piano concert from Classic to Jazz with Dr. Judith Alstadter.
There are carillon concerts every day at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm but on February 14 there is a Valentine's Day Carillon Concert with traditional romantic favourites plus a "Be My Valentine" Romantic Evening with Dinner at the Pinewood estate. On February 16 it is Presidents Day with a patriotic musical selection.
Finally on February 21, there is an Acoustic Eidolon in Concert at Visitor Center which combines Celtic, folk, bluegrass and Latin music with guitarist Joe Scott and cellist Hanna Alkire (http://www.boksanctuary.org).
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| various dates |
SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Africa are holding their annual Bud & BBQ over three weekends starting February 14 and ending March 1 with the country’s hottest stars and classic rock bands.
On Saturdays at SeaWorld you can see Kenny Rogers (February 14), Daryl Hall & John Oates (February 21) and Jason Aldean (February 28).
Meanwhile on Sundays at Busch Gardens you can watch Gretchen Wilson (February 15), Miranda Lambert (February 22) and Gary Allman (March 1).
All washed down with ice-cold Anheuser-Busch beers and southern style smokin' barbecue ribs and chicken (www.budandbbq.com).
|
| various dates |
Silver Springs are also running a series of music concerts including Eddie Money and Rick Springfield (February 7), Soap Stars, Hunks of Daytime TV (Valentines Day, February 14), Mark Chesnutt (February 21) and George Jones (February 28) (www.silversprings.com). |
| 19th to 22nd |
The Mount Dora Music Festival features live entertainment from jazz, classical and big band musicians including The Association, Billy Kirsch, Georgia Middleman, Tony Haselden, Wes Hamrick, Suzy Park, Lipbone Redding & The Lipbone Orchestra, Livingston Taylor, the Central Florida Youth Big Band and the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra with soloist Guy St. Clair (www.mountdoramusicfest.com). |
Art and Film Festivals
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| 7th to 8th |
The 34th Annual Mount Dora Arts Festival features nearly 300 artists from around the world displaying their exhibits in the downtown area (www.mountdora.com). |
| selected dates |
The 17th Annual Renaissance Festival and Crafts Village at Quiet Waters Park, Fort Lauderdale each weekend between Saturday February 7 and Sunday March 8 allows you to travel back in time to the Middle Ages and cheer on jousting knights, play games and learn the proper etiquette of the day (www.ren-fest.com). |
| 7th to 8th |
The 15th Annual Pigeon Key Art Festival is held in Marathon Community Park and features food, music and a children's corner as well as art and craft exhibitions (www.fla-keys.com). |
| 7th to 8th |
The inaugural Rockledge Art & Craft Fair at Rockledge in conjunction with the Classic Car Cruise On In at McLarty Park features over 175 crafters and artists, a food court, children's amusement area (www.cocoavillage.com). |
| 21st to 22nd |
The 44th Annual Old Island Days Art Festival is an art show held in the historic old town at Key West (www.fla-keys.com). |
| 21st to 22nd |
The 47th Annual Art Fiesta takes place in the Old Fort Park, New Smyrna Beach, where you can see exhibits from 250 artists from around the state (www.nsbfla.com). |
Car, Motorcycle and Boat Shows
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| February 27th to March 8th |
The 68th Annual Bike Week takes place in and around Daytona with a number of events taking place including the SuperCross by Honda and Daytona 200 by Honda motorcycle races at Daytona International Speedway (www.officialbikeweek.com). |
Airshows and Rocket Launches
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| 16th to February 25th |
The Collings Foundation concludes the Florida portion of their Wings of Freedom tour with their Boeing B-17 Fortress, Consolidated B-24 Liberator and North American B-25 Mitchell World War II bombers plus a two-seater North American P-51 Mustang fighter.
If you fancy seeing or even flying in one of them, head over to Boca Raton Airport (January 28 to February 1), Vero Beach Municipal Airport (February 2 to 4), Pompano Beach Airpark (February 4 to 6), Keystone Heights / Keystone Airpark (February 20 to 23) and finally Panama City-Bay County International (February 23 to 25).
Note that the North American B-25 Mitchell does not participate in the Florida tour except for Keystone Heights (www.collingsfoundation.org)
|
| 21st |
The 3rd Annual Valkaria Air Fest 2009 is hosted by the EAA Chapter 1288 at Valkaria Airport and includes performances by Gene McNeely, John Black, Fred Cabanas, Leapdogs Parachute Demo Team and Skydive Sebastian and a host of fly-bys including a P-51 Mustang and various homebuilts (www.eaa1288.org) |
| 27th |
The Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-119) ISS 15A is due to lift off on the 28th mission to the International Space Station to deliver the Starboard 6 truss segment which is the fourth and final set of power-generating solar wings. Launch date is subject to change. LAUNCH HAS BEEN DELAYED UNTIL MARCH - Read more on all launches.... |
County Fairs & Festivals
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| January 16th to February 1st |
The annual South Florida Fair runs for 17 days at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach and this year's theme is "A World of Fun". There are over 80 rides, games and attractions at the Wade Shows midway carnival plus Rosaire's Racing Pigs and the Arctic Olympic Games Penguin Show (www.southfloridafair.com). |
| 5th to 15th |
The Collier County Fair, 10 miles east of I-75 (exit 111) includes a number of livestock shows, demolition derby, bull riding rodeo, pig races, pony rides, petting zoo, a midway provides by Reithoffer Shows plus Old-Time music with Ed and Geraldine (www.colliercountyfair.com). |
| 5th to 16th |
This year the 105th Annual Florida State Fair, Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa features live music from We the Kings and Team Blackout at the Ford Amphitheatre (www.floridastatefair.com). |
| 6th to 16th |
The Charlotte County Fair takes place in Port Charlotte (www.thecharlottecountyfair.com). |
| 13th to 21st |
The 50th anniversary Martin County Fair and Youth Livestock Show in Stuart attracts over 70,000 visitors and this year features The Dreamers, Jamey Johnson, Confederate Railroad, the Anastasini Circus, Kandu Magic Show, a whip cracking contest, Miss Martin County Fair Pageant and livestock show (www.martincountyfair.com). |
| 13th to 22nd |
The Osceola County Fair & Livestock Show (Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show and Fair), Kissimmee has been going since the early 1940's and features a range of livestock exhibitions plus a midway and live entertainment (www.osceolacountyfair.com)/ |
| 14th to 22nd |
The Hardee County Fair is held in Wauchula and features a rodeo, livestock shows, pageants and a midway (www.hardeecountyfair.org). |
| 16th to 22nd |
The 62nd Annual Pasco County Fair features pageants, the Pasco County Fair Championship Rodeo, demolition derby, Nojoe's Clown Circus, Fearless Flores Thrill Show, Robinson's Racing Pigs, livestock shows and a midway provided by Wade Shows.
There is live entertainment from Southern Star Bluegrass Band, The Lewis Family, Down East Boys, The Greenes and Ron Diamond (www.pascocountyfair.com).
|
| 20th to 22nd |
The 26th Annual St. Coleman's Italian Festival, Pompano Beach allows you to enjoy great Italian food plus a midway from Hildebrand's Midway of Fun, arts and crafts and live entertainment including Chris MacDonald, Jimmy Stowe, Fabulons, Amber Leigh and Mark Zaden (www.italianfest.org). |
| 22nd to March 1st |
The Southeastern Youth Fair, Ocala features students from Marion County and includes lamb shearing and tractor driving. (www.seyfair.com). |
| 26th to March 8th |
At the 73rd Annual Florida Strawberry Festival you can enjoy fresh strawberries plus agricultural shows, midway courtesy of Belle City Amusements, parades and contests at the appropriately named Plant City.
Every day, there are concerts from well known country artists including George Jones, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kellie Pickler, Jake Owen, Third Day, Rodney Atkins, Taylor Swift, Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius, Randy Travis, Marty Stuart and Connie Smith, Travis Tritt, Brenda Lee, Ray Stevens, Mel Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, Ronnie McDowell, Jeff Foxworthy, Mark Lowry, Kool & the Gang, Julianne Hough and Jessica Simpson (www.flstrawberryfestival.com).
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| 27th to March 8th |
The 44th Annual Saint Lucie County Fair, Ft. Pierce features a midway, live musical entertainment plus concerts by John Anderson and Bellamy Brothers (www.stluciecountyfair.com). |
| 27th to March 7th |
The Sumter County Fair at the Fair Grounds near Bushnell includes pageants, livestock, demolition derby, wrestling and concerts featuring the Bellamy Brothers (www.sumterfair.net). |
| 27th to March 8th |
The 85th Annual Southwest Florida and Lee County Fair, Ft. Myers includes livestock exhibits, a petting zoo and a midway (www.leeciviccenter.com). |
| 28th |
The 10th Annual Florida African American Heritage Celebration is held at the Heritage Village at Pinewood Country Park, Largo to celebrate African-American culture through live music, dance, storytelling and art (www.pinellascounty.org). |
| 28th to March 1st |
The Grant Seafood Festival takes place in Grant, just south of Melbourne. Over 50,000 visitors are expected to enjoy live entertainment, sample local seafood and see over 100 artists and crafters from across the country exhibiting their handmade crafts plus live entertainment from Blox Electric, Cactus Jack & The Cadillacs, Vintage, Clockhand’s Strangle and Medusa www.grantseafoodfestival.com. |
Other Events
|
| 13th to 15th |
There is a Civil War Heritage Festival which highlights events in Key West during the Civil War with re-enactments and tours of Key West's historic Civil War–era Fort Zachary Taylor (www.forttaylor.org). |
