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MLK Weekend 2024 in Orlando: 19 Best Things To Do With Kids

Learn about civil rights and have fun at downtown Orlando's Martin Luther King Jr. parade and performances. Photo courtesy of City of Orlando
Learn about civil rights and have fun at downtown Orlando's Martin Luther King Jr. parade and performances. Photo courtesy of City of Orlando
1/10/24 - By Charlotte B

Looking for the best things to do in Orlando this Martin Luther King Jr. weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Here's the scoop on the best family events in Orlando and the surrounding area this MLK weekend! Enjoy tributes to the civil rights icon in downtown Orlando, Kissimmee, and Eatonville on Saturday; Winter Park on Sunday and Monday; and Ocoee, Oviedo, and Winter Garden on Monday. It's the last weekend to enjoy the lights at the Asian Lantern Festival, and the first weekend to kick off Epcot International Festival of the Arts. There's also a wee bit of Scottish culture at the Central Florida Scottish Highland Games in Winter Springs, and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents The Greatest Show On Earth taking place all weekend long at the Kia Center.

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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents The Greatest Show On Earth this weekend. Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents The Greatest Show On Earth this weekend. Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment

Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend with Kids

Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo

Sanford
Final Weekend! Through Sunday, January 14
Experience the Zoo like you’ve never seen it before! See dozens of all-new, hand-constructed lantern displays illuminated by thousands of LED lights around the Zoo on a 3/4 mile path. Celebrate the art, beauty and wonder of traditional Asian lantern festivals. READ MORE

Story Time at Kasheta Farms

Apopka - FREE
Friday, January 12
Once a month, Kasheta Farms offers a special story time event featuring a book of the month, a craft, and ends with "putting the farm animals to bed" by feeding the goats and chickens and grooming a horse. READ MORE

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents The Greatest Show On Earth

Orlando
January 12-15
The reimagined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey invites guests to The Greatest Show On Earth, featuring new technology and a 360-degree environment. Witness acts on a diagonal trapeze, triangular highwire, extreme bicycle trampoline, and more. READ MORE

Epcot International Festival of the Arts

Lake Buena Vista
January 12 - February 19
This annual festival at Disney's Epcot includes a variety of performing arts (including a Disney on Broadway concert series), culinary arts, visual arts, and interactive fun for all ages. READ MORE

Downtown Orlando Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

Orlando - FREE
Saturday, January 13
Visit downtown Orlando for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Parade. The parade kicks off at the Downtown Orlando Courthouse and make its way to the beautiful Lake Eola Park. Celebrate the legacy of Dr. King with vibrant floats, marching bands and community groups. It's a day filled with unity, inspiration, and fun for all ages. READ MORE

Eatonville Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Celebration

Eatonville - FREE
Saturday, January 13
The community is invited to this annual event, which includes a parade, food, live entertainment, vendors and more. The 2024 theme is "Culture, Peace, and Awareness."  READ MORE

FESTN4 Kids

Orlando
Saturday, January 13
Join Fringezilla and the Kids Fringe team at ArtSpace for free crafts, activities, and dance parties in the lobby. The morning also includes a free 10:30am performance by Standley the Lemonade Stand who will take you on an adventure, and El Mago Astronauta, a magical musical journey through space, at 11:30am (cost $5). READ MORE

Kissimmee Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Celebration

Kissimmee - FREE
Saturday, January 13
This annual community celebration features live entertainment, food trucks, vendors, a unity garden, and a kids zone. READ MORE

Central Florida Scottish Highland Games

Winter Springs
January 13 & 14
The annual Scottish Highland Games include events such as archery, boulder boogie, kids games, Highland dance, piping & drumming, as well as arts and crafts and face painting for the kids. READ MORE

Get Hook'd on Lake Monroe Fishing Tournament & Seafood Festival

Sanford - FREE
January 13 & 14
This annual fishing tournament and seafood festival includes more than 30 vendors, live entertainment, conservation/education zones, and more. Kids can partake in a fishing rodeo on Sunday. READ MORE

Going Galactic Weekend at Brevard Zoo

Melbourne
January 13-15
Visit the Brevard Zoo and be transported into scenes from the Star Wars universe. Take photos with Star Wars characters, partake in themed arts and crafts, and enjoy galactic animal enrichment. READ MORE

Free Family Funday at the Mennello Museum

Orlando - FREE
Sunday, January 14
On the second Sunday of every month, the Mennello Museum offers Family Funday, with free admission, hourly docent-led tours, and a fine arts project. READ MORE

Latin Fiesta Nights at Luminary Green

Orlando - FREE
Sunday, January 14
This Latin festival includes Latin music with live DJs, arts, crafts, vendors, Latin cuisine, giveaways, and more. Luminary Green Park is the perfect place for this colorful and family-friendly festival. READ MORE

Music at the Casa - Casa Feliz Open House

Winter Park - FREE
Sunday, January 14
Music at the Casa features live performances and tours of the historic home museum from trained docents. READ MORE

Unity Heritage Festival

Winter Park - FREE
January 14 & 15
This annual 2-day festival celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and promotes family heritage. Sunday activities include career booths, children's games, vendors, and job training/readiness. Monday activities include kids activities, blues and jazz music, and food/retail vendors. READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Nationwide - FREE
Monday, January 15
On select days throughout the year, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee. Veterans Day marks the last freebie for 2024.  READ MORE

Ocoee Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Parade and Celebration

Ocoee - FREE
Monday, January 15
This annual parade starts at 10am on Clarke Road in Ocoee, and a celebration takes place at 11am in the food court area of the West Oaks Mall. READ MORE

Oviedo MLK Day Parade & Celebration

Oviedo
Monday, January 15
The City of Oviedo's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration begins with a parade at 10am. The event is followed by a celebration from 11am-2pm at Round Lake Park with live entertainment, vendors, food, and kids activities. READ MORE

Winter Garden's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Winter Garden - FREE
Monday, January 15
Celebrate the legacy of Dr. King with a parade along Plant Street, followed by a community celebration with kids' activities, food vendors, and live music. READ MORE
Some theme parks sponsor free preschool passes, like Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens
Some theme parks sponsor free preschool passes, like Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens

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