Discovery Cove - Florida Residents Special
This all-inclusive day includes a swim with the dolphins, snorkel with the rays and tropical fish and then wind down on the lazy river and so much more. Then visit Seaworld or Busch Gardens for unlimited visits for 14 days valid either prior to or after your awesome dolphin experience.
Discovery Cove, Orlando
DiscoveryCove.com
Miami International Song Festival
Jan 1 - Aug 5
The songwriters contest will be open to songwriters throughout the world. Participants must submit original songs by June 15 with the festival on August 5.
www.miamiinternationasongfestival.com
Florida Strawberry Festival
March 4-14
This festival includes entertainment by performers such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bill Engvall, REO Speedwagon, Sara Evans, The Oak Ridge Boys and many more. Come for the entertainment but most of all - come for the many delightful strawberry delicacies.
Plant City
www.flstrawberryfestival.com
Universal Studios Mardi Gras
Saturdays and select nights thru April 17
Live concerts and fifteen years of bands, beads and good times.
Feb 6 - KC & The Sunshine Band
Feb 13 - Heart
Feb 14 - Kool & The Gang
Feb 20 - Blondie
Feb 27 - Dierks Bentley
Mar 6 - Akon
Mar 13 - Aretha Franklin
Mar 20 - Miranda Lambert
Mar 27 - 3 Doors Down
Apr 3 - The Beach Boys
Apr 9 - Sheryl Crow
Apr 10 - Flo Rida
Apr 17 - Chicago
Universal Studios, Orlando
Bike Fest
March 5, April 3
Come join motorcycle riders for a night that includes everything bikes.
Plant City
Weeki Wachee Swamp Festival
Sat & Sun March 6 & 7
This fun event includes arts & crafts, fub contests, exhibits, bingo, prize drawings and more. Lots of entertainment including folk and nostalgia music, country music, line dancing and other dancing, clogging and more. And not to be forgotten - Swamp food.
Linda Pedersen Park, Weeki Wachee
www.wwswampfest.com
Sarasota Folkfest
Sat & Sun March 6 & 7
This two day festival will feature local and statewide musicians playing, blues, folk, bluegrass, oldtime and Americana music.
Osprey
www.sarasotafolkfestival.org
Civil War Re-Enactment
Sat & Sun March 13 & 14
Over 500 re-enactors will portray soldiers from the North and The South. Roaring cannons and charging cavalry will recreate Civil War Battles as they were fought back in the day
Crystal River
www.crystalriverreenachtment.org
Marco Island Seafood Festival
Sat & Sun March 20 & 21
Fresh fish, shrimp, blue crab, fish chowder and stone crab as well as some non-seafood items are just some of the favorites on the menu at this two day seafood fest.
Marco Island
www.marcoislandseafoodfestival.com
Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Festival
Sat & Sun March 27 & 28
Over 200 artists from across the nation will be displaying their tallent and selling a wide variety of fine arts. Fun filled weekend filled with arts & crafts and much more.
Craig Park, Tarpon Springs
www.tarponspringschamber.com
Festa Italiana
Sun march 28
Authentic sights, sounds and tastes of Italy.
This annual event will benefit the Italian Club Restoration Fund
Ybor City
www.festaitalianatampa.com
Monster Jam
Once a year in February, the monster trucks converge on Raymond James Stadium and run thru the mud or over cars and trucks to the delight of many fans young and old alike.
Theme Parks and Amusement Parks
Florida is definately the home of theme parks and amusement parks with Orlando being host to such attractions as Disney - Magic Kingdom where fantasy comes alive. Seaworld where you are invited to join the undersea world. Busch Gardens and Lowry Park Zoo where you can see animals from all over the world. Lion Country Safari where you can drive amongst the lions, rhinos, giraffes, etc in your own car. Discovery Cove where you can swim with the magnificent dolphins. You can ride rollercoasters to your hearts content at the many amusement parks.
You can indulge your wild side if you dare.
Daytona 500
February
This prestigous 500 mile race kicks off NASCAR's Sprint Cup season with forthy-three of the finest stockcar drivers competing to take the checkered flag. Speedweek at Daytona also kicks off the season for the NASCAR's Nationwide Series and the Craftsman Truck Series. This superspeedway track is two and one half miles long and is one of NASCAR's most exciting tracks. The Gatorade Duels and a 24 hour race are also held during this time. Many NASCAR fans stay in campers on the infield for the duration of Speedweek.
Coke Dis Zero 400 (Previously Pepsi 400)
July
This race is NASCAR's favorite night race. This 400 mile race is usually held the weekend closest to Fourth of July. The fireworks on the track are followed with an awesome display of fireworks in the air.