Join Eatonville’s annual celebration of its most famous daughter with music, food and more.
More than a half century before Walt Disney World® Resort debuted, celebrated author Zora Neale Hurston grew up in historic Eatonville, just 30 minutes from Orlando’s entertainment districts. One of the country’s first self-governing Black communities, Eatonville honors Hurston with the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts and the annual ZORA!® Festival Season — both of which will be at the forefront of the historic town’s milestone 140th anniversary celebration in 2027.
Discover: Black American Travel Guide
This edition of ZORA! Festival will include the signature Outdoor Festival of the Arts (Jan. 29 – 31, 2027) and many other ways to join in. Here’s what you can expect from this months-long celebration of music, art, scholarship and heritage, where everyone is welcome.
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ZORA!® Festival Season
Launched in 1990, ZORA! Festival Season is a multi-disciplinary, intergenerational series of celebrations, public talks, conferences, movie screenings, food, education and more. Taking place in Eatonville and throughout Orange County, the season kicks off on Hurston’s birthday (Jan. 7), which will be commemorated with a virtual celebration in 2027. Her best known novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, is set in Eatonville and is celebrating its 90th anniversary of publication.
Discover: Orlando Events
More activities follow in January, including the season’s main celebration — the ZORA!® Outdoor Festival of the Arts — with still more to come throughout the year. See what’s been announced and make plans now to join the fun!
ZORA!® Outdoor Festival of the Arts
Held in the heart of Eatonville, the ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts is where you need to be for the ultimate cultural experience of 2027. Starting Jan. 29, the three-day celebration will feature incredible live performances and much more. Immerse yourself in interactive art, shop from scores of vendors, take a journey through history, dig into delicious eats, and enjoy family-focused STEAM activities.
The first day is always free and ticket packages are available for Saturday and Sunday, including multiday and VIP options. Check back for more details as they become available.
More to Do in January
You can also look forward to the following ZORA! Festival Season events, plus a wealth of educational programming, in January and February 2027. Check with ZORAFestival.org for complete details about these and other activities.
Jan. 23: Opening Exhibition — Athena Scott, Muralist
At the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts in Eatonville, this award-winning interdisciplinary artist will speak about her work, which delves into history, culture and her personal experiences. Her exhibit will be on display at The Hurston from February through May 2027.
Jan. 30: An Evening Out — Dinner & Social in 1950s Eatonville
Don attire and hairstyles of the 1950s for an evening of dinner and socializing that celebrates Black life in Eatonville during the segregation era.
Additional ZORA!® Festival Season Events
ZORA! Festival organizers and the Town of Eatonville keep the celebration going with other events throughout the year. Check back for more details as they are announced.
Aug. 13 – 14, 2027: Heritage Concert Series
Held at UCF’s Addition Financial Field, this premier live entertainment experience will feature two nights showcasing the soundtrack of a culture and the genius of a people.
Eatonville, The Hurston Museum & More Black History
If you can’t make it to Orlando during ZORA! Festival, note that historic Eatonville and The Hurston are worth visiting whenever you’re in town. Downtown Orlando’s Parramore District and the City of Winter Park also have much for anyone interested in Orlando’s Black history.
Discover: Local History
Eatonville was one of hundreds of communities founded by and for Black Americans in the southern U.S. between the 1880s and 1930s, and the oldest still remaining. Covering about 20 acres, the town is home to several buildings that were constructed between 1882 and 1946.
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Beyond honoring its namesake, The Hurston provides information about the community and displays work by legendary and emerging artists of African descent. Also available from the museum are tour brochures for the Zora Neale Hurston Trail, which ties Hurston’s writing to 16 sites related to Hurston’s life and 10 markers with her writing.
Discover: Juneteenth Celebrations
Built in 1921, the Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture started as a hotel that catered to Black guests during the segregation era, including several famous musicians. It’s part of the Parramore District in downtown Orlando, close to the Kia Center and Inter.co Stadium. A nearby restaurant, The Monroe, is named after the building’s founder, Dr. William Monroe Wells.
Discover: Things to Do in Parramore
Finally, Hannibal Square was originally designated as the Black section of Winter Park when it was founded in 1881 — and became the site of one of the country’s earliest Civil Rights marches in 1887. You can explore the district’s history and other Black American milestones at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center, which is operated by the adjacent Crealdé School of Art.
Discover: Things to Do in Winter Park
Discover more ways to celebrate local culture in the Theme Park Capital of the World, and take advantage of our free planning resources ahead of ZORA! Festival Season. We hope to see you there!
ZORA!® Festival Season FAQs
What is ZORA! Festival Season?
ZORA! Festival Season is an annual celebration of music, art, scholarship and heritage honoring author and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston. Presented by the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, the multidisciplinary season includes exhibitions, talks, conferences, film programming, live entertainment and the signature ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts.
When is ZORA! Festival Season 2027?
The 38th annual ZORA! Festival Season runs from January through September 2027. It begins with a virtual celebration of Zora Neale Hurston’s birthday on Jan. 7, followed by exhibitions, scholarly programming, concerts and other cultural experiences throughout the year. The Outdoor Festival of the Arts will take place Jan. 29 – 31, 2027.
When is the 2027 ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts?
The 2027 ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts is scheduled for Jan. 29 – 31 along East Kennedy Boulevard in Eatonville. Related scholarly programming begins Jan. 28 with the Placemaking Conference.
Where does ZORA! Festival Season take place?
Most signature events take place in historic Eatonville, the Central Florida town where Zora Neale Hurston grew up. Some programs are held elsewhere in the Orlando area or presented online, so confirm the location of each event before making transportation plans.
What is the ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts?
The ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts is the signature weekend of ZORA! Festival Season. The three-day street festival brings live music, art, vendors, food, educational experiences and cultural programming to East Kennedy Boulevard in the town Zora Neale Hurston called home.
Is the 2027 ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts free?
Friday’s Education Day is free and does not require a ticket. Admission for Saturday or Sunday is $20 per day, while a two-day weekend pass is $30. Children and students through grade 12 receive free admission with current identification. Ticket prices and policies are subject to change, so confirm them before attending.
What happens during Education Day at the ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts?
Education Day takes place Friday, Jan. 29, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The free opening day welcomes K–12 schools, families and other visitors to explore educational programming, vendors and the festival’s themed villages along East Kennedy Boulevard.
What happens during Family Day at the ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts?
Family Day takes place Saturday, Jan. 30, from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Programming includes festival vendors, cultural experiences and live entertainment, with Tony! Toni! Toné! and Cherrelle among the invited Main Stage performers announced for 2027. Performers and set times are subject to change.
What happens during the Day of Reflection at the ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts?
The Day of Reflection takes place Sunday, Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The day continues the festival’s celebration of music and heritage, with Dazz Band among the invited Main Stage performers announced for 2027 and additional acts expected.
Is ZORA! Festival Season good for families?
Yes. ZORA! Festival Season is designed as an intergenerational celebration, and the ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts includes Education Day and Family Day programming. Children and students through grade 12 receive free weekend admission with current identification, making the festival more accessible for families attending together.
What can I do at the ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts?
You can hear live music, explore art, shop for cultural merchandise and other goods, visit educational exhibits and sample food from participating vendors. The festival’s themed areas and Main Stage programming provide enough variety for visitors to shape the day around their own interests.
What kinds of vendors participate in the ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts?
Festival vendors can include food businesses, cultural merchandise sellers, fine artists, health and beauty brands, Eatonville residents and corporate, small-business and nonprofit exhibitors. Vendor applications and categories are managed through the official festival website.
Which ZORA! Festival Season event should I attend?
Choose the ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts for the broadest mix of music, food, shopping, culture and community. Consider the Placemaking Conference for scholarship and discussion, an exhibition or artist talk for visual art, or a ticketed dinner or concert for a more structured experience.
Can I celebrate Zora Neale Hurston’s birthday online?
Yes. Happy Birthday, Zora! is a free virtual celebration scheduled for Jan. 7, 2027, from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. The season kickoff will stream on YouTube and Facebook, inviting you to participate from a computer, television or phone.
What is the 2027 ZORA! Placemaking Conference?
The 2027 Placemaking Conference is a two-day scholarly program scheduled for Jan. 28 – 29 in historic Eatonville. Built around the theme “Placemaking in a Storm: Zora Neale Hurston, Eatonville, Struggle and Resistance,” it includes papers, panels and a Land Justice Lunch.
What is An Evening Out during ZORA! Festival Season?
An Evening Out: Dinner & Social in 1950s Eatonville is a ticketed event scheduled for Jan. 30, 2027, from 7 – 9 p.m. at Lias Hall at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. The evening celebrates Black life in Eatonville during the segregation era, with 1950s-inspired attire encouraged. Advance purchase is required, and seating is limited.
Do ZORA! Festival Season events require advance reservations?
Requirements vary by event. Friday’s Education Day needs no ticket, while weekend festival passes are sold separately and programs such as An Evening Out require advance purchase. Free exhibitions, talks and virtual events may still require an RSVP, so check each listing before arriving.
Can I visit historic Eatonville outside ZORA! Festival Season?
Yes. Historic Eatonville can be explored throughout the year for its Black American history, cultural landmarks, restaurants and connections to Zora Neale Hurston. The town was incorporated in 1887 and is the country’s oldest surviving self-governing, all-Black municipality.
What is the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts?
The Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts, also known as The Hurston, is a cultural museum at 344 E. Kennedy Boulevard in historic Eatonville. It presents work by established and emerging artists of African descent while helping visitors learn about Zora Neale Hurston and the surrounding community.
What can I see at The Hurston during ZORA! Festival Season 2027?
The Hurston will open a free exhibition featuring muralist Athena Scott on Jan. 23, 2027. The opening runs from 1 – 4 p.m., with an artist talk at 2 p.m., and the exhibition is scheduled to remain on view from February through May. An RSVP is required for the opening.
Can I take a Zora Neale Hurston walking tour in Eatonville?
Yes. The Hurston provides brochures for the self-guided Zora Neale Hurston Trail, which connects Hurston’s writing with 16 sites related to her life and 10 markers featuring her words. Guided walking tours are also available by appointment.
Why is Eatonville important to Black American history?
Historic Eatonville was incorporated in 1887 as one of the first self-governing, all-Black municipalities in the United States and is the oldest still in existence. The community also helped shape the life and work of Zora Neale Hurston, whose writing brought Eatonville’s people, stories and culture to readers around the world.
How far is Eatonville from Orlando’s tourism districts?
Historic Eatonville is approximately 25 to 30 minutes from Orlando’s main tourism districts, depending on your starting point and travel conditions. Allow additional time during the ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts, when increased attendance can affect travel and arrival plans.
What should I wear to the ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts?
Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes suited to an outdoor street festival. Check the forecast before leaving and plan for sun exposure or cooler January temperatures as needed. Ticketed dinners, conferences and other special programs may have different attire suggestions, so review individual event details.
How can I plan my first visit to ZORA! Festival Season?
Start with the ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts for the widest introduction to Eatonville’s music, art, food and heritage. Add one smaller program, such as the Athena Scott exhibition, Placemaking Conference or An Evening Out, then leave time for The Hurston and the Zora Neale Hurston Trail. That combination connects the celebration with the community and cultural legacy at its heart.
FAQs are based on this blog’s content, created in partnership with Microsoft Copilot, and edited by the real humans at Visit Orlando.
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