US National Holidays & other notable dates
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| 11th |
Veterans Day is celebrated every year on November 11 to commemorate all of all Americas war dead. In Europe it is known as Armistice Day and originally commemorated the end of the Great War (First World War) in 1918. |
| 26th |
Traditionally on Thanksgiving Day, Americans will get together with their families and many will take the following day, the Friday, as holiday as well to make it a long weekend. Expect large crowds at the theme parks. |
Theme Park Events
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| early July to November 30th |
The former Virgin Megastore at Downtown Disney has become the temporary home of DIANA-The People's Princess exhibit presented by The People's Princess Charitable Foundation, Inc. and features one of the largest collections of royal dresses and rare artifacts from the late Princess Diana.
Tickets are $14.50 (adults) and $5.00 (children ages 3-9). Opening hours are 11 am to 11 pm daily and it closes at the end of November.
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| September 4th to November 1st |
The Annual Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party continues on selected nights from 7 pm to midnight. This is a separately ticketed event.
Dates from October are October 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 and November 1 (disneyworld.disney.go.com).
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| September 25th to November 8th |
The 14th Annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival offers a range of activities for the whole family.
There are over 25 international food and wine marketplaces. This year, the festival will spotlight tastes from cities on six continents, including Bologna in Italy, Bangkok in Thailand, Wellington in New Zealand, Santiago in Chile, Marrakesh in Morocco, Shanghai in China and New Orleans in the USA.
For a small fee ($2 to $7) you can sample cuisine from around the world. Each year this event attracts over 1 million visitors (admission included with the standard Epcot ticket).
There are also special exhibits featuring fabulous cuisine and wine, culinary demonstrations, gourmet dining experiences and the Eat to the Beat concert series.
Continuing the concerts are Taylor Hicks on November 1 to 2, Billy Ocean on November 3 to 5 and finally Los Lobos on November 6 to 8 (disneyworld.disney.go.com).
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| November 1st onwards |
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon water park is closed for its annual maintenance. Blizzard Beach will remain open during this time. |
| from November 10th |
Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom in transformed into Castle Dreamlights with over 100,000 fairy lights. |
| selected dates between November 10th to December 18th |
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party runs on selected nights at Disney's Magic Kingdom where you can watch live Disney Character stage shows, spectacular firework displays and see snow on Main Street, U.S.A (separately ticketed event). |
| 13th to 15th |
The 34th Festival of the Masters takes place in the Downtown Disney Area where you can see artwork from over 200 artists on the Downtown Disney West Side or let the kids have fun at the Children's Activity Centers and Chalk Art displays in the Marketplace (disneyworld.disney.go.com). |
| November 13th to January 3rd, 2010 |
At SeaWorld, the Wild Artic ride is converted into The Polar Express Experience based on the Warner Bros. Pictures film starring the character voiced by actor Tom Hanks. Riders will board the 'train' to take them to North Pole which is specially decorated with a Christmas tree, sleigh and Santa Claus himself (www.seaworld.com). |
| 21st to 22nd |
SeaWorld welcome back celebrity animal expert Jack Hanna for a Jack Hanna Weekend at the Nautilus Theater where Jack introduces both his feathered and furry friends (www.seaworld.com). |
| November 27th to January 3rd, 2010 |
Disney's Animal Kingdom puts on a special festive Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade throughout the holiday season plus you can visit Santa Goofy's Wild Wonderland. |
| October 26th to January 3rd, 2010 |
Disney's latest princess, stages a new 15 minute musical production called "Tiana's Showboat Jubilee!" on board the Liberty Belle riverboat at Disney's Magic Kingdom. Princess Tiana comes from the Walt Disney Pictures' animated film "The Princess and the Frog". |
| November 10th to January 4th, 2010 |
The spectacular The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights lights up New York Street every night at Disney's Hollywood Studios with millions of twinkling lights set to holiday music. Included in standard admission. |
| November 27th to December 30th |
Epcot celebrate the Holiday season with Holidays Around The World every day until the end of the year. As well as a breathtaking Candlelight Processional and a specially themed finale to the nightly IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth fireworks and laser show there is also the retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator each evening accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and mass choir.
The narrators for November are Isabella Rossellini (November 27-29) and John O'Hurley (November 30-December 2).
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| 19th to 21st |
At Silver Springs, the Native American Festival gives you the opportunity to see members of tribes from both North and South America performing ceremonial dances in traditional costume, telling centuries-old stories and demonstrating arts and crafts. There is also a Seminole hunting camp and canoe displays (www.silversprings.com). |
| selected dates between November 27th to January 3rd, 2010 |
The 17th Annual Festival of Lights takes place at Silver Springs on selected dates and features more than a million twinkle lights throughout the park plus neon displays, local choirs, strolling carolers, musical stage shows, a lighted boat parade, shopping, a Holiday Buffet with all the trimmings and of course Santa (www.silversprings.com). |
| November 17th to December 24th |
The shops at Downtown Disney celebrate the Festival of Seasons with special holiday window displays, live entertainment with carollers, musical acts and holiday variety performers plus the chance to have a photo taken with Santa (disneyworld.disney.go.com). |
| November 28th to January 3rd, 2010 |
The Holy Land Experience celebrates Christmas with their own Come To The Manger - A Bethlehem Christmas musical plus a host of other celebrations including Light the Lights! - The Story of Hanukah, The Mysteries of the Magi, KidVenture - The True Story of St. Nicholas, Talebearers, Ye Olde Christmas Carols and Christmas Southern Gospel (www.holylandexperience.com). |
| November 27th to December 25th |
SeaWorld is specially decorated for the holiday season.
The evening Shamu show is transformed into Shamu's Christmas: Miracles, where singers and musicians combine with the killer whales and trainers and Clyde and Seamore present "Clyde and Seamore's Countdown to Christmas".
An all new "A Sesame Street Christmas" musical show sees Elmo, Big Bird and other Sesame Street characters explaining the true spirit of Christmas to Abby Cadabby.
Another new show for 2009 is "Winter Wonderland on Ice" at the Bayside Stadium where ice skaters perform in front of water fountains and fireworks (www.seaworld.com).
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| November 21st to January 3rd, 2010 |
Busch Gardens holds their Christmas Celebration from the week before Thanksgiving on November 21 until the New Year on January 3.
The park takes on a festive holiday look and in the Christmas Celebration which features song and dance you get to see snowmen, reindeer, toy soldiers and a visit from Santa and his elves.
At the Stanleyville Theater there is "Christmas on Ice" and at the Marrakesh Theater you can listen to live gospel and spiritual music at the "Christmas from the Heart" show.
New for 2009 is a Christmas breakfast at the Desert Grill where you can join Santa and his merry elves (www.buschgardens.com).
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Parades and Carnivals
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| October 23rd to November 1st |
If you cannot wait for Mardi Gras, then Fantasy Fest 2009 on the streets of Key West may be the answer with food, live entertainment, street parties, toga parties, pyjama and lingerie parties, wet t-shirt contests, tattoo contents and various masquerades where just about anything goes including the clothing optional rooftop bar at the Garden of Eden ! (www.fantasyfest.net). |
| November 28th to December 6th |
More than 150 pirates invade Key West and Fort Taylor for the Pirates in Paradise Festival with tall ships, sea battles, arts and crafts stalls, live entertainment and a living history encampment. You can also celebrate the end of America's Hurricane Season Party at the Mohawk's Truman Annex Pier on November 30 (www.piratesinparadise.com). |
Sporting Events
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| October 23rd to November 1st |
The 4th Annual Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival takes place along 100 miles of canoe and kayak paddling trails between Bonita Springs and Pine Island Sound/Charlotte Harbor. Events include fishing tournaments, races, tours and the Bonita Springs River Fest and Pine Island Blueway Fest (www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com). |
| 9th to 15th |
The 39th Disney Golf Classic, The Children's Miracle Network Classic PGA Tour play is held at Disney's Palm and Magnolia Golf Courses (disneyworld.disney.go.com). |
| 6th to 8th |
The final event of the annual Redbone Trilogy is the Mercury Redbone Celebrity Tournament at Islamorada where anglers catch and release bonefish and redfish (www.redbone.org). |
| 8th to 15th |
The 29th Annual Key West World Championship Offshore Powerboat Race is expected to draw over 60 boats in various classes with some of the top machines reaching speeds approaching 200 mph from 4,800 hp engines (www.superboat.com). |
| 20th to 21st |
The Citrus Stampede Rodeo rodeo is at Inverness (www.rodeoattitude.com). |
Concerts & Music Festivals
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| 5th to 8th |
The Riverhawk Music Festival & Camping is held at the Sertoma Ranch in Brooksville (www.lindentertainment.com). |
| various dates |
At the Historic Bok Sanctuary there is the 8th Annual Sunset & Symphony concert with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra on November 7 at 6 pm.
On November 11, the daily carillon concerts at 1 pm and 3 pm present a special Veterans Day Concert to salute the nation's veterans and current members of America's armed forces
Finally on November 26, the daily carillon concerts celebrate Thanksgiving Day (www.boksanctuary.org).
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Arts, Crafts and Film Festivals
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| October 23rd to November 11th |
The 24th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival features over 175 movies from around the world being shown in theaters from Boca Raton to Miami (www.fliff.com). |
| 6th to 8th |
The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival in held in Pensacola's historic Seville Square and features more than 200 of the nation's best painters, potters, sculptors, jewellers, graphic artists, craftsmen and mixed-media artists plus live music and performing arts (www.ggaf.org). |
| October 31st to November 1st |
The 35th Annual Micanopy Fall Harvest Festival in the quiet town of Micanopy features over 200 local artists, crafters and musicians as well as other artists from across the southeast (www.afn.org). |
| 7th to 8th |
The 15th Annual Mount Dora Plant & Garden Fair takes place at Simpson's Cove on the Downtown Lakefront in Mount Dora and features over 12,000 plants including orchids and native species, butterfly-attracting perennials, herbs, roses, camellias, begonias plus a complete selection of rare and unusual tropical plants from Central Florida's top growers (www.mountdora.com). |
| 7th to 8th |
The 38th Annual Festival of the Arts around Courthouse Square in downtown historic Inverness attracts over 100 exhibiting artists (www.inverness-fl.gov). |
Car, Motorcycle and Boat Shows
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| 7th |
The 12th Annual Corvette Show at Silver Springs plays host to over 300 early and late model Corvettes (www.silversprings.com). |
| October 29th to November 2nd |
The 50th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is your opportunity to see over three billion dollars worth of superyachts, boats and accessories from all the major marine manufacturers worldwide.
The show is spread over six locations - Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel and Yacht Club, Hyatt Pier 66 Hotel & Marina, Hall of Fame Marina and Las Olas Marina (www.showmanagement.com).
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Airshows and Rocket Launches
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| 14th |
The Experimental Aircraft Association are holding their free EAA Marathon Aviation Day at Marathon Airport where you can see historic warbirds and home-built airplanes as well as new commercial aircraft (www.eaamarathon.com). |
| 14th to 15th |
The 2009 Visiting Nurse Association Air Show at Stuart Field features the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team with four AT-6G Texan trainers, US Army Special Ops "Black Daggers" Parachute Team, USAF Heritage Flight, John Klatt in his Staudacher S-300D, USAF F-16 (Viper East) Demo Team, A-10 East Demo Team and Neil Darnell and his Jet Truck/Flash Fire (www.vnaairshow.com). |
| 8th to 9th |
Fantasy of Flight are holding Roar N' Soar which brings together classic racing machines of yesteryear on land, water and in the air plus hot air balloons, water skiing and kids entertainment. One free child ticket available with the purchase of each adult admission for advanced ticket sales (www.fantasyofflight.com). |
County Fairs & Festivals
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| October 22nd to November 1st |
The 75th Annual Pensacola Interstate Fair is billed as the Big Fair and features musical artists including Saliva, Josh Gracin, Colgate Country Showdown State Finals, SpongeBob SquarePants & Patrick, Cowboy Troy, LoCash Cowboys, The Bar-Kays, Stephen Cochran, Lady Antebellum and Joe Nichols
There is also the Welde's Big Bear Show & Grizzly Falls and the Nerveless Nocks Stunt & Thrill Show (www.pensacolafair.com).
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| 4th to 8th |
The Greater Hillsborough County Fair has moved to the new Fairgrounds located east of Brandon at the intersection of Hwy 60 and Sydney-Washer Road and features carnival rides, food, Youth livestock shows, Arts & Crafts competitions and live entertainment (www.hillsboroughcountyfair.com). |
| 4th to 15th |
The Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair at Jacksonville features live entertainment from Fast Ryde, Jake Owen, Official Hot Mess, David Nail, Justin Moore, Amy Hendrickson & The Prime Directive, Pat Green, Bucky Covington, Pat Travers, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Natural Truth, Yesterdayze and Upright '09 (www.jacksonvillefair.com). |
| 5th to 15th |
The 23rd Annual Space Coast State Fair at the Cocoa Expo Center will feature a Monster Truck Show, Demolition Derby, Space Coast Bull Riding Bash, hundreds of rides and live entertainment (www.cocoaexpo.com). |
| 5th to 15th |
The Annual Volusia County Fair and Youth Show at the Volusia County Fairground in DeLand and features a midway, livestock shows and live musical entertainment including Lee Greenwood, The Hoppers and Keith Anderson in concert (www.volusiacountyfair.com). |
| 6th to 7th |
The 46th Annual Florida Seafood Festival is in Battery Park in historic Apalachicola at the mouth of the Apalachicola River and is Florida's oldest maritime festival. The festival features seafood, oyster shucking and oyster eating contests, arts and crafts exhibits, live entertainment from Trafton Harvey and Tracy Lawrence, a festival parade, a 5k (5000 meter, 3.1 mile) Redfish Run road race and a Blessing of the Fleet (www.floridaseafoodfestival.com). |
| 3rd to 8th |
The Northwest Florida Fair at the North West Florida Fairgrounds features Reithoffer Shows, one of the largest midway shows with over 100 rides, the Joseph Bauer International Circus Maximus, Fine Arts show, food and entertainment (www.nwffair.com). |
| October 30th to November 7th |
The 55th Annual Columbia County Fair at Lake City includes midway rides, live entertainment and livestock shows (www.columbiacountyfair.org). |
| 5th to 15th |
The 68th Annual North Florida Fair in Tallahassee features the James E. Strates midway, a livestock show, petting zoo, pageants and live entertainment, Show Me Swine Racers, Wild World of Animals, K9 Kings Flying Dog Show, Fearless Flores Thrills Show and Jeff Robbins (www.northfloridafair.com). |
| 14th to 15th |
The 34th Annual Homosassa Seafood Festival in Old Homosassa features fresh seafood, Southern delicacies, arts and crafts, art shows, exhibits and holiday gifts (www.homosassaseafoodfestival.com). |
| 14th to 16th |
The St. Johns County Agricultural Fair at The St. Johns County Fairgrounds in Elkton has a midway, agricultural and livestock shows, plus live entertainment from The Robinson Family, The Morse Family Band, Cailin Nicole Eadie, The Restless Kind, Battersby Duo and the Doctor Magic Show (www.stjohnsfair.com). |
| 20th to 29th |
The 33rd Annual Broward County Fair is at the Fort Lauderdale Stadium in Fort Lauderdale (www.browardcountyfair.com). |
Other Events including Holiday Season
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| October 3rd to end of November |
An unusual attraction is Scott's Corn Maze at Long & Scott Farms, about 30 miles northwest of Orlando which is open weekends. This year the maze covers 6.5 acres and the theme is "Fishing for Kids" and there is also an adventure park with a 60 foot slide and hayrides (www.longandscottfarms.com). |
| November 21st to January 31st, 2010 |
The 16th annual Nights of Lights in St. Augustine is decorated with two million tiny white lights adorning the palm trees and buildings of the city's historic district (www.getaway4florida.com). |
| November 14th to January 3rd, 2010 |
Florida's answer to global warming has to be the 7th Annual ICE! at Gaylord Palms !!. Experience the 9 degree Fahrenheit winter wonderland walkthrough attraction made from nearly two million pounds of ice.
This year you encounter Old Man Winter, then through an arctic forest and a Christmas Carnival, complete with a life-size carousel. There is also Santa's ornament room and the chance to climb onto his oversized knee and watch as he and reindeer take flight. (www.gaylordhotels.com).
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| November 27th to January 3rd, 2010 |
Historic Bok Sanctuary kick off the holiday season with Christmas at Pinewood: A Jolly Jazzy Holiday Home Tour in Pinewood Estate's 1930s Mediterranean Revival mansion plus parties, concerts, family days, Santa visits and Shop at Bok night events (www.boksanctuary.org). |
| 28th |
Nearly 2 million sparkling lights are used to Light Up Mount Dora in Donnelly Park and Downtown Mount Dora with a Community Choir, Ballet, Soloist, Singalongs and Santa (www.mountdora.com). |
