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Celebrate the creation of art and cuisine at EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. Photo courtesy of Disney
Celebrate the creation of art and cuisine at EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. Photo courtesy of Disney
12/30/22 - By Charlotte B

Central Florida is starting the New Year with lots of fun things to do with your family in January. Don’t miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Orlando this January.

Grab tickets to take your little dinosaur fan to the Jurassic World Live Tour, coming to the Amway Center this month. At the theme parks in January, celebrate Elmo's Birthday and Sesame Street Kids' Weekend at SeaWorld and stroll the Festival of the Arts at Epcot. Join Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations in Kissimmee, Oviedo, Winter Garden, and a parade in downtown Orlando. Plus, enjoy the Scottish Highland Games in Winter Springs, a chili cook-off in Orlando, and so much more. Read on for all the details!

Find more top winter fun in our Winter Activities Guide, including where to pick strawberries, things to do beyond the theme parks, and more.

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently. Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters. Plus, be sure to follow us on Facebook!

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Jurassic World comes to life in an action-packed, live arena show January 13-16, 2023. Photo courtesy of the event
Jurassic World comes to life in an action-packed, live arena show January 13-16, 2023. Photo courtesy of the event

Top Things to Do in Orlando with Kids this January

First Day Hike at Florida State Parks

Multiple locations - Saturday, January 1, 2023
Take the family on a hike to celebrate the New Year. Several Florida State Parks host an annual First Day Hike on January 1. See website link below for participating parks. READ MORE

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

Sanford - January 7-8, 2023
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

Three Kings Day Osceola

Kissimmee - Sunday, January 8, 2023
The annual Three Kings Day celebration includes a visit from the Three Kings, free snacks, a bike and tablet raffle giveaway, and a toy for kids under 11. READ MORE

Jurassic World Live Tour

Orlando - January 13-16, 2023
Jurassic World comes to life in an action-packed, live arena show. Your trip to Isla Nublar takes a terrifying turn after the Indominus rex escapes and causes chaos in the park! The adventure continues as you join forces with a team of scientists to unravel a corrupt plan and save Jeanie, a Troodon dinosaur, from a terrible fate. Along the way, experience some of Jurassic World’s most iconic dinosaurs including Blue the Raptor, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex! READ MORE

Epcot International Festival of the Arts

Lake Buena Vista - January 13-February 20, 2023
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 - Saturday, January 14, 2023
The theme of this year's annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade is "It Starts with Me: Shifting the Cultural Climate Through the Study and Practice of Kingian Nonviolence." READ MORE

Eatonville Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Celebration

Eatonville - Saturday, January 14, 2023
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

Kissimmee Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Celebration

Kissimmee - Saturday, January 14, 2023
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 14 & 15, 2023
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

Oviedo MLK Day Parade & Celebration

Oviedo - Monday, January 16, 2023
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 - Monday, January 16, 2023
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

Just for Kids Weekend at SeaWorld Orlando

Orlando - January 21 & 22, 2023
During Just for Kids Weekend at SeaWorld Orlando, enjoy interactive activities, dance parties, photo opps with characters, and more. READ MORE

Rock the Universe Christian Music Festival

Orlando - January 27 & 28, 2023
Rock the Universe is back at Universal Studios, with two nights of concerts from Christian music stars. The event takes place from 4pm-1am each evening. Guests can also enjoy all the rides at Universal Studios. READ MORE

Fire In The Park Chili Cook-off to Cure

Orlando - Saturday, January 28, 2023
The 10th Annual Fire in the Park features a chili tasting, kids zone, music, raffle, games, and a corn hole tournament. READ MORE

National Night Out - Maitland

Maitland - Saturday, January 28, 2023
This free community event features games, vehicles, food, activities, prizes, police officers, vendors, and more. National Night Out is an annual event promoting police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. READ MORE

Orange County Heritage Day: Planes, Trains, & Automobiles

Orlando - Saturday, January 28, 2023
Visit the Orange County History Center for a fun-filled day of activities to celebrate the many decades of transportation history in Orlando. READ MORE

Central Florida Vietnamese Lunar New Year

Orlando - January 28 & 29, 2023
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a Year of the Dragon celebration featuring Vietnamese food, traditional dragon and lion dances, cultural performances, kids games, bounce houses, firecrackers, and more. READ MORE

Elmo's Birthday Celebration at SeaWorld Orlando

Orlando - January 28-February 3, 2023
Join Elmo's birthday celebration at SeaWorld Orlando, complete with character meet-and-greets, photo-ops, a DJ dance party, and more. READ MORE

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