Sip, savor and celebrate at springtime food festivals throughout Orlando, including the EPCOT® International Flower & Garden Festival at WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort (pictured / ©Disney).
Coming to Orlando this spring? Bring your appetite, because some of our most fantastic foodie festivals will be in full bloom. From the theme parks to downtown, get ready for a savory springtime when you visit the country’s No. 1 tourism destination in 2023.
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Spring Foodie Events Throughout Orlando
International Vegan Food Festival (Jan. 21, 2023)
If you’re looking for incredible vegan cuisine in Orlando, a food festival hosted by Orlando Bearded Vegan is a great place to start. The all-new International Vegan Food Festival, hosted in Wall St. Plaza in the heart of downtown Orlando, brings 50 vendors together in one convenient place, making it easy to sample all that Orlando has to offer. Plus, enjoy live music, international drinks, family-friendly games and more. If you miss this event, no worries — Orlando Bearded Vegan hosts vegan events throughout the year.
Science on Tap (Jan. 21, 2023)
Hop over to the Orlando Science Center, located in Loch Haven Cultural Park near downtown Orlando, for an afternoon of brews, food and science. Sample the latest and greatest from over 30 Central Florida breweries and enjoy live music, outdoor games and interactive science demos. Beer samples from all participating breweries are included with your Science on Tap ticket, with full pours and food truck fare available for purchase onsite.
Discover: Orlando Breweries
Florida S.M.a.S.H. Beer Festival (Jan. 28, 2023)
Beer lovers, this one’s for you. Try something entirely new at the Florida S.M.a.S.H. Beer Festival, a creative event that challenges local brewers to think outside the box and concoct a unique beer made from the same single malt and single hop. Stop by to sample roughly 80 beers, including one-off brews from every participating brewery.
Celebrate Lunar Festival (Feb. 4, 2023)
Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with this unforgettable cultural event in Lake Nona, an innovative, tech-forward Orlando neighborhood located minutes from Orlando International Airport (MCO). The Lunar New Year celebration features mouth-watering cuisine from Asian and Pacific Islander businesses and restaurants across Central Florida, along with traditional lion dancing, Tai Chi, kung fu and taekwondo performers, live music with taiko drums and K-pop dance, kids carnival games, a traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean gown fashion show, and so much more.
Discover: Multicultural Festivals in Orlando
Orlando Taco and Margarita Festival (Feb. 4 – 5, 2023)
The Orlando Taco and Margarita Festival returns to Camping World Stadium for its second year. Sample chef-crafted signature tacos and margarita pairings from some of Orlando’s most popular taquerias, restaurants and food trucks. This family-friendly event also includes live DJs and musical performances, a taco-eating competition, a local artisan marketplace, face painting, carnival games and more to keep everybody entertained.
Orlando Whiskey Festival (Mar. 17, 2023)
Orlando’s premier whiskey festival, now in its 8th year, has something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a single-malt purist or a relative newbie, you’re sure to find something to love as you sample your way through nearly 100 whiskey brands. Hosted at the Orlando Science Center, the Orlando Whiskey Festival includes unlimited tastings of fine single malt scotch, bourbon, rye and flavored whiskey, as well as menu samplings from some of Orlando’s most popular restaurants. Relax in an outdoor cigar lounge, enjoy live entertainment, and indulge in specialty cocktails, beer and wine available for purchase.
Orlando Wine Festival and Auction (Mar. 24 – 26, 2023)
For the ultimate in luxury, you can’t beat the Orlando Wine Festival and Auction, a three-day food and wine tasting extravaganza hosted at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. The Wine Festival, just a small part of the event, includes exceptional wine, cooking demonstrations by local and celebrity chefs, live music, and auction displays. Exquisite vintner dinners, an online auction and tickets to an Orlando Magic basketball game are included in all packages.
Discover: Orlando Wineries & Wine Bars
Taste of Baldwin Park (Apr. 6, 2023)
Savor a delicious night out at Taste of Baldwin Park, adjacent to Orlando’s charming Audubon Park Garden District. This annual, all-inclusive foodie festival features unlimited tastings of wine, craft beer, food and specialty cocktails, plus live music to keep the party going.
Science of Wine (Apr. 22, 2023)
For those who prefer the finer things in life, Science of Wine is a dynamic wine tasting odyssey through the world’s most important wine regions, featuring samples of over 150 fine wines paired with fresh Central Florida fare. Hosted at the Orlando Science Center, this sophisticated event also features presentations on the various aspects of wine growing and tasting.
Beer ‘Merica (May 20, 2023)
Beer-lovers won’t want to miss Beer ‘Merica, which celebrates American Craft Beer Week by pairing more than 100 craft brews with delicious food and live music. With tickets starting at $30, the event takes place in Gaston Edwards Park in the Ivanhoe Village Main Street District, about 10 minutes north of downtown Orlando.
Discover: Spring Events in Orlando
Spring Foodie Events at Orlando’s Theme Parks
Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld® Orlando are all cooking up something special at springtime food festivals. These delicious celebrations are all included with theme park admission — dig in during your next visit.
Save on discount tickets: Orlando Theme Parks
EPCOT® International Festival of the Arts at Walt Disney World® Resort (Jan. 13 – Feb. 20, 2023)
Food is just one aspect of the EPCOT® International Festival of the Arts, which pairs art-inspired cuisine with dazzling live performances, bustling artisan marketplaces and more hands-on fun to delight the senses. Indulge in colorful fare from 16 unique Food Studios where food imitates art, and join a tasty trek around EPCOT on The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine, where you can try up to seven delectable dishes and collect a tasty prize.
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This incredible homage to the creative arts also showcases live performing and visual arts, including incredible displays of strength, grace, acrobatics and agility on select weekend dates, as well as the nightly Disney on Broadway Concert Series at the America Gardens Theater. The series features some of Broadway’s brightest stars performing beloved Disney songs from their award-winning shows. Subject to change, the concert lineup includes:
- Jan. 13, 15 – 16 & 19 – 20: Kara Lindsey (Newsies) and Kevin Massey (Tarzan)
- Jan. 14, 17 – 18 & 21 – 22: Arielle Jacobs (Aladdin) and Adam Jacobs (Aladdin)
- Jan. 23, 25 – 26 & 29 – 30; Feb. 2 – 3: Patti Murin (Frozen) and Robert Creighton (The Little Mermaid)
- Jan. 24, 27 – 28 & 31; Feb. 1 & 4 – 5: Mandy Gonzalez (Aida) and L. Steven Taylor (The Lion King)
- Feb. 6, 8 – 9, 12 – 13 & 16 – 17: Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) and Michael James Scott (Aladdin)
- Feb. 7, 10 – 11, 14 – 15 & 18 – 19: Kissy Simmons (The Lion King) and Josh Strickland (Tarzan)
- Feb. 20: Extended finale featuring Ashley Brown, Josh Strickland, Kissy Simmons & Michael James Scott
On the visual arts front, witness art come to life in real time as talented artists paint Disney characters in mere minutes. Meet visiting artists at marketplaces and galleries throughout EPCOT, where you can browse unique art and gifts and even get some of your items signed by the artist. Don’t miss Drawing on Inspiration: Celebrating 50 years of Magic, a special gallery of beloved Walt Disney World attractions illustrated by Disney Imagineers — it’s all included as part of The World’s Most Magical Celebration at Walt Disney World.
Awaken your inner artist with creative hands-on activities, like learning how to draw Disney Characters at the Animation Academy. Or, grab a paintbrush and help bring a giant paint-by-numbers mural to life at World Nature. Other salutes to the visual arts include chalk art galleries and Artful Photo Ops — where you become part of some of the world’s most famous masterpieces.
Finally, the celebration will also be a blast for kids, thanks to a hands-on chalk art experience, Figment’s Brush With the Masters Scavenger Hunt, and the Green Landing Family Play Zone featuring Wall-E. This festival is already underway and only available for a limited time, so don’t miss out.
Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval (Feb. 4 – Apr. 16, 2023)
Held at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Orlando Resort’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval takes you beyond the bayou with an awesome party inspired by Carnaval celebrations from around the world. Foodies will be particularly interested in the festival’s cornucopia of Cajun and Creole dishes available for purchase, including jambalaya, beignets and much more.
And the party doesn’t stop there. Channel your wild side during the Mardi Gras parade, which loops through the park on select nights with festive floats, stilt walkers, dancers and street performers, while confetti flies through the air and countless beads are tossed to the crowd. You can even join the parade and toss a few beads of your own when you book the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience, which includes a three-course meal and a reserved spot on a parade float.
Prefer a more laid-back experience? Unwind Big Easy-style in the French Quarter Courtyard, a faithful reproduction that transforms the park’s New York area into New Orleans. Plus, you’ll find themed food and decor at many of Universal Orlando’s hotels.
Of course, you can’t have a world-class celebration without world-class music, and Mardi Gras delivers by hosting some of the biggest names in pop, country, rock, R&B and more on select nights at the Music Plaza stage. You’ll also be able to catch live performances of Louisiana jazz, blues and zydeco bands throughout the festival’s run, including:
- Feb. 4: Patti LaBelle
- Feb. 10: JVKE
- Feb. 11: Goo Goo Dolls
- Feb. 18: Maren Morris
- Feb. 19: WILLOW
- Feb. 25: 3 Doors Down
- Mar. 4: Sean Paul
- Mar. 5: Lauren Daigle
Stay tuned for more updates about Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval as they become available.
Seven Seas Food Festival at SeaWorld® Orlando (Select Dates, Feb. 3 – May 7, 2023)
At SeaWorld® Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival, dive into internationally flavored dishes inspired by popular cuisine from Asia, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and South America, not to mention an ocean of local craft beers, all available for purchase. Available on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, this event offers tasty delights and distinct offerings for everyone from foodies to families. Plus, enjoy even more diverse entertainment and surprises at special times like Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo.
On select weekend dates, you can look forward to live concerts from hit-making rock, country and Latin musicians.
Stay tuned for more updates about SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival as they become available.
EPCOT® International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World® Resort (Spring 2023)
Seasonal flavors, sights and sounds will bloom this spring at the EPCOT® International Flower & Garden Festival. In keeping with the garden theme, the event’s Outdoor Kitchens will offer a cornucopia of refreshing dishes, including many made with herbs and produce grown onsite in raised-bed or in-ground gardens. You can even learn about growing your own healthful foods at the Outdoor Kitchens and the “How To” garden.
Thousands of bedding plants will bedeck the landscape with every color of the rainbow, while floating mini-gardens will adorn World Celebration and World’s Discovery’s east and west lakes. Delight in gorgeous themed gardens and topiaries featuring cherished characters like Buzz Lightyear, Elsa and Anna, Mickey Mouse, and more.
Last but not least, the Garden Rocks Concert Series will serve live music from top artists at the America Gardens Theatre, seven days a week.
Stay tuned for more updates about the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival as they become available.
Map of Spring Food Festivals in Orlando For 2023
Use this interactive map to track down the spring food festivals coming to Orlando in 2023, including those featured in this blog. (Click here if you found us via Google and don’t see a map or images.)
Can’t make it this spring? We have plenty of fall foodie events, too. And no matter when you arrive, you can dig into more than 6,000 restaurants, including celebrity chef eateries and local favorites, ensuring a delicious experience every time you visit Orlando. Be sure to check out our Event Calendar for even more fantastic foodie events throughout the year.
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