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This year, Labor Day is on Monday September 7 so look out for special Labor Day celebrations but expect large crowds over the preceding weekend as families make the most of the long weekend.
By now, most students will have returned to school after their summer break so some of the theme park crowds should tail off a little, once Labor Day weekend is over.
All the major theme parks kick off their halloween celebrations in September/October including Walt Disney World, Universal and Busch Gardens, see Halloween events for more details.
At the Kennedy Space Center there are the possibilities of two launches in September though as usual, they are all subject to change.
A United Launch Alliance Delta 2 Rocket is scheduled to launch a tracking technology demonstrator for the Missile Defense Agency as part of a ballistic missile defense system (Space Tracking and Surveillance System) on September 15.
On September 30, 2009, a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 Rocket will launch the third of five Wideband Global SATCOM satellite (WGS) for the US military.
As well as all the Florida events for September 2009 listed on this page, why not also check out our Florida Things to Do pages for more great ideas of what to do on your Florida vacation.
US National Holidays & other notable dates
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| 7th |
Labor Day is on September 7 this year. |
Theme Park Events
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| May 23rd to September 7th |
SeaWorld continue their summertime SeaWorld AfterDark entertainment with Shamu Rocks, the high energy Shamu show/rock n roll concert plus Shamu Rocks Dinner Buffet, the night time Bayside Ski Jam with stunt kites and fireworks, Mistify fireworks, laser and water show and Sea Lions Tonite where Clyde and Seemore plus friends parody other SeaWorld shows (www.seaworld.com). |
| 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.
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| September 4th to November 1st |
The Annual Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party runs on selected nights from 7 pm to midnight. This is a separately ticketed event.
Dates are September 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29, 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 October 31st |
Universal’s 19th Annual Halloween Horror Nights, Ripped from the Silver Screen runs on selected nights from 7 pm to midnight. This is a separately ticketed event.
Dates are September 25, 26, October 1 to 4, 8 to 11, 15 to 18, 21 to 25 and 28 to 31.
This year features Saw, Chucky and The Wolfman (www.halloweenhorrornights.com).
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| September 25th to October 31st |
Busch Gardens are running their Annual Howl-O-Scream on selected nights from 7 pm to midnight. This is a separately ticketed event.
Dates are September 25, 26, October 1 to 3, 8 to 10, 15 to 17, 22 to 24 and 29 to 31 (www.houseofvayne.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.
Starting off the concerts are Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on September 25 to 27, followed by Richard Marx on September 28 to 29, Starship, Starring Mickey Thomas on September 30 to October 3, En Vogue on October 4 to 6, Better Than Ezra on October 7 to 8, Sister Hazel on October 9 to 11, Kool & The Gang on October 12 to 13, Spyro Gyra on October 14 to 16, Jon Secada on October 17 to 18, Sister Sledge on October 19 to 20, Vanessa Carlton on October 21 to 22, Taylor Dayne on October 23 to 25, Boyz II Men on October 26 to 28, John Waite on October 29 to 31, 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 it's annual maintenance. Blizzard Beach will remain open during this time. |
Concerts
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| various dates |
At The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, they conclude their 24th annual SummerJazz on the Gulf concert series with Big Night Out on September 19 (www.naplesbeachhotel.com). |
| various dates |
This month at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, there is a concert by the Decemberists on September 29 (www.staugustine.com). |
| 11th to 13th |
Universal Studios host Rock the Universe from 4 pm to 1 am where the biggest names in Christian rock including Switchfoot, David Crowder Band, Jeremy Camp, Third Day, Casting Crowns, tobyMac, Barlow Girl, Group 1 Crew and pureNRG take the stage. This year there are also bonus Sunday concerts.
Admission is by separate ticket and advanced ticket prices are $49.99 plus tax for one night and $79.99 plus tax for both nights. A two night plus three days park admission ticket is also available for the same price as the two night ticket. A Rock the Universe Express pass is valid from 4:00 pm to 1:00 am for an additional $15 plus tax (www.rocktheuniverse.com).
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| 11th to 12th |
On the same dates, Disney are also featuring Christian Pop, Rock, Urban and Gospel music at their annual Night of Joy at the new venue of Disney's Hollywood Studios from 4:00 pm to 1:00 am. Artists include Newsboys, Flyleaf and P.O.D, MercyMe, Chris Tomlin and Skillet.
Admission is by separate ticket and advanced ticket prices are $49.95 plus tax for one night and $84.95 plus tax for both nights. Day of event tickets are $54.95 plus tax if available (disneyworld.disney.go.com).
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| 14th |
To honour Bok Tower's first carillonneur, there will be a Anton Brees' Birthday Carillon Concert featuring some of his favourite tunes (www.boksanctuary.org). |
| 27th |
Bok Tower hosts the 8th Annual Live at the Gardens Summer Music Series with Mustang Sally & the Hamjos who will perform toe-tappin' old time music and traditional folk music featuring Appalachian tunes, hornpipes and reeds from the Celtic tradition, plus Gospel and secular vocal harmonies (www.boksanctuary.org). |
Airshows and Rocket Launches
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| various dates |
The US Navy Blue Angels will be continuing their 2009 season practice sessions at their home base at the Pensacola Naval Air Station and admittance is free. Provisional dates are September 1, 2 and 9 with autograph signings on September 2 and 9 www.navalaviationmuseum.org). |
| 26th to 27th |
The inaugural The Last Big Splash takes place at Fantasy of Flight and combines seaplanes and skydiving www.fantasyofflight.com). |
County Fairs & Festivals
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| 25th to 27th |
The 32nd Annual Pensacola Seafood Festival takes place in the Seville Square area of historic downtown Pensacola. It is the perfect excuse to sample seafood dishes from over 20 different vendors and live outdoor entertainment in Fountain Park and at the Gazebo in Seville Square (www.fiestaoffiveflags.org). |
| 22nd to 26th |
The Annual Holmes County Fair takes place at Bonifay and features animal shows and a midway. |
Museums, Parks & Zoos
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| 23rd to 27th |
The 11th Annual Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival takes place at Curry Hammock State Park, Marathon, where you will have the opportunity to spot up to 17 different raptor species that migrate through the Keys including Peregrine Falcons, Short-tailed Hawks and Swainson's Hawks. There is also live entertainment, garden and park tours, kayak trips and an all-day birding excursion to Dry Tortugas National Park (www.keysbirdingfest.org). |
Also, why not download our free monthly Florida Desktop calendar/wallpaper to remind yourself of a Florida vacation past or yet to come and subscribe to our free monthly Florida newsletter which brings you all the latest news from the Sunshine State on the first of every month. |
