Seminole County Events and Festivals

Porch concerts, Highland games, a county fair and holiday lights through the year.

Most of the county's events are community festivals rather than big ticketed productions, and many are free. The busiest season runs from late fall through spring, when the weather is mild: Highland games and porch concerts in winter, the county fair in spring, and arts festivals and holiday parades from November through December. Summer is quieter, apart from Independence Day celebrations.

Downtown Sanford also hosts recurring street events organized by Sanford Main Street, and the Central Florida Zoo stages seasonal evenings such as a Halloween event and a lantern festival. Dates change each year, so confirm on the organizer's site before you plan a trip around an event.

Annual Festivals and Events

Central Florida Scottish Highland Gamesusually January · Central Winds Park, Winter Springs

A two-day gathering of Scottish clans with heavy athletics, pipe bands, dancing and food.

Sanford Porchfestusually late February · Sanford historic residential district

A free one-day festival with dozens of bands playing on the porches of historic homes south of downtown.

Seminole County Fairusually late March into April · Sanford

A ten-day county fair with midway rides, fair food, livestock and live entertainment.

Red Hot and Boomaround Independence Day · Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs

Altamonte Springs' Independence Day celebration at Cranes Roost Park, with live music and fireworks.

Zoo Boo Bashusually October · Central Florida Zoo, Sanford

A Halloween event at the zoo with costumes and treat stations for children.

Asian Lantern Festivalusually mid-November into winter · Central Florida Zoo, Sanford

Large illuminated lantern sculptures along the zoo's paths on evenings through the holiday season.

Longwood Arts and Crafts Festivalusually the weekend before Thanksgiving · Longwood

A long-running outdoor festival of arts, crafts and food in Longwood's historic district, now past its fiftieth year.

Light Up the Holidaysusually December · Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs

The city's holiday celebration around the lake, with lights and entertainment on the floating stage.

Holiday in the Parkusually early December · Central Park, Lake Mary

Lake Mary's tree lighting with Santa, music and activities for families.

Oviedo Winter Parade and Tree Lightingusually December · Oviedo

An evening parade down Oviedo Boulevard that ends at Center Lake Park, followed by the city tree lighting.

Sanford Avenue Block Partyseveral times a year · Sanford

A street party on Sanford Avenue with vendors, music and food, organized by Sanford Main Street.

Dates move from year to year — confirm on the organizer’s site before you plan around an event.

Official Event Calendars

Do Orlando North eventsThe county tourism office's listing of festivals, concerts and sports events across Seminole County. Sanford Main Street eventsStreet parties, markets and downtown happenings in historic Sanford. City of Altamonte Springs calendarConcerts and city events at Cranes Roost Park and Uptown Altamonte. City of Lake Mary calendarDowntown concerts, markets and seasonal events in Lake Mary.

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Seminole County Events — FAQ

What is Sanford Porchfest?

Porchfest is a free one-day music festival held in Sanford's historic residential district, usually on a Saturday in late February. Bands play short sets on the front porches of historic homes, and visitors walk from porch to porch.

When is the Seminole County Fair?

The fair usually runs for about ten days from late March into early April at the fairgrounds in Sanford. Check the fair's website for the current dates and ticket prices.