Orlando - We Still Have Palm Trees In January
January is a great time to visit Orlando, Florida if you’re not a fan of crowds or oppressive heat. The humidity is usually next to nothing, and most of the holiday visitors have packed up and headed home. But there’s still plenty of things to do in Orlando in January.
7 Things To Do In January In Orlando
Disney Marathon in Orlando in January
1. Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 7 – January 10, 2010
Strap on your sneakers and run 26.2 miles through all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks. The weekend also features a half marathon, a family 5k run and races for the kids. Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo also runs all weekend long at the Wide World of Sports Complex and features celebrity athlete speakers, fitness seminars and a product expo for health and exercise fans.
Rescued Manatee at Blue Springs State Park
2. Blue Spring Manatee Festival – January 23 & 24, 2010
North of Orlando, in Volusia County’s Orange City, you’ll find a local festival offering crafts, face painting, games and rides. But the highlight of the event is the chance to catch a shuttle over to Blue Spring State Park to watch hundreds of manatee in their natural habitat.
Scottidsh Highland Games in January
3. Central Florida Scottish Highland Games – January 16 & 17, 2010
Hosted in Winter Springs, the Scottish Highland Games provides a truly unique festival experience. Watch (or participate in!) athletic events like the open stone put, hammer toss, and caber toss. The festival also includes a dance competition and a whisky tasting event. Tickets for the weekend are $20 for adults.
4. Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities – January 23 – 31, 2010
Taking place the last week of January each year in Eatonville and throughout Orange County, Florida, this multi-day, multi-disciplinary event celebrates the life and work of 20th century writer, folklorist and anthropologist, Zora Neale Hurston, as well as the cultural contributions of people of African ancestry across the world. The festival features writers’ forums, lectures by well-known novelists, art exhibitions and live music. January 30th is the festival’s Family Day and features an outdoor art festival. Event details available online.
5. Sunshine Regional Chili Cook-Off – January 17, 2010
Each year, Kissimmee, Florida hosts this International Chili Society sanctioned event at the Kissimmee Lakefront Park. The competition will offer more than $4,000 in cash/prizes, including $1,000 for the 1st place winner and airfare to attend the World Finals. Although pre-registration is required to compete, the public can watch, sample and vote as all the cooking is done on site. The event also features live entertainment, a beer garden, children activities, and, of course, food vendors.
6. Light Up UCF – January 1 – 10, 2010
Light Up UCF starts in November and continues on through the first week of January. Enjoy ice skating, a light show, film festival and live music. Visit the website for specific event information for each day.
7. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus – January 14 – 17, 2010
Run away to the circus in January
The circus is coming to Orlando’s Amway Arena this January. Catch the animals, the tight-rope walkers, the clowns and the motorcycle troupe. Beginning 90 minutes before each show, families can get up close with some of their favorite animal performers in the free Animal Open House. And then, starting one hour before the show, guests can join on the arena floor for the All Access Pre-show, free to all ticket holders. Tickets start at $25 and are available at www.ringling.com.
Of course, all of the amusement parks, museums and shopping malls are still open all over Orlando in January, too!
Photo Credits: Britt Reints, mighty-J, Britt Reints, Scottish Highland Games, Ringling Bros.
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2 Responses
Britt as a Florida resident I have to tell you that you blog is spot on. Well at least this post is. Haven’t quite gotten to the rest
But all that to say the events mentioned above truly are a big deal and my wife, child and I are attending at least three of the ones you mentioned. Cheers and keep up the good work.
I am planning my family of four’s vacation to Orlando. Since I am goign to college we have two options of when to go: The first two weeks in January, or the last two weeks in May. We have two adults and one 15 y/o and one 2 y/o
1. Out of these two times, when is it the least crowded and lest expensive at Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, ect.
2. About how many days do we need in Dinsey world to do everything?
3. About how many days do we need at Universal Studios/Islands Of Adventure do we need to do everything?
4. What else besides Sea World and the Kenedy Space Station would we want to do, that is not too expensive?
5. How do we go about getting the cheapest airline tickets? Somone told me they went there for only $115.00 Round Trip each.
6. Do we want to stay at the Dinsey World Resort while we are doing other things in Orlando after we are done playing at Disney World or do we want to get a differant Hotel somewhere in Orlando?
7. Any other tips?
Thank you.