Visit Disney Springs for a special Kids Club event each Saturday in January, featuring interactive family fun. Photo courtesy of Disney
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Discover artwork, dazzling entertainment, and palate-pleasing cuisine at the Epcot International Festival of the Art, which kicks off this weekend. Photo courtesy WDW
Discover artwork, dazzling entertainment, and palate-pleasing cuisine at the Epcot International Festival of the Art, which kicks off this weekend. Photo courtesy WDW
1/14/26 - 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! Experience tributes to the civil rights icon in downtown Orlando, Groveland, Kissimmee, and Eatonville on Saturday; Winter Park on Sunday and Monday; and Ocoee, Oviedo, Apopka, 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's International Festival of the Arts. Plus, delve into Scottish culture at the Central Florida Scottish Highland Games in Winter Springs, enjoy a Star-Spangled Celebration in St. Cloud, and indulge in the Get Hook'd on Lake Monroe Fishing Tournament & Seafood Festival in Sanford. Discover details on these weekend events and more below!

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Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend with Kids

Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo

Sanford
Final Weekend! Through Sunday, January 18, 2026
This holiday season, the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens will glow once again as it hosts the Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild. Wander the three-quarter-mile pathway filled with all-new, handcrafted lantern scenes, each glowing with thousands of LED lights. Ocean-inspired landscapes meet mythical creatures, from graceful ice dragons and unicorns to a new twist on our beloved showcase dragon. READ MORE

Epcot International Festival of the Arts

Lake Buena Vista
Opening Weekend! January 16 - February 23, 2026
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

Friday Night Funk and Blades at Barber Park

Orlando - FREE
Friday, January 16, 2026
Dust off your roller blades and skates! Barber Park's inaugural FREE Friday Night Funk and Blades for all ages at the roller hockey rink is set for Friday, January 16. Participants must bring their own roller skates. Enjoy roller-skating fun with music, DJ, skate games and select food trucks.  READ MORE

Central Florida Vietnamese Lunar New Year

Orlando - FREE
January 16-18, 2026
The Vietnamese New Year Festival is the largest cultural event in Orlando, and it promises to be an exciting and vibrant celebration of Vietnamese traditions. READ MORE

Paranormal Cirque at Oviedo Mall

Oviedo
January 16-19, 2026
Prepare to step into the shadows when Paranormal Cirque SPECTER brings its dark, horror circus to Oviedo Mall this January. This is not your typical circus experience. Paranormal Cirque is an intense fusion of fear, mystery, and jaw-dropping performances that pushes the limits of live entertainment. READ MORE

Cardboard Canoe Regatta at Kelly Park

Apopka
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Kelly Park's annual Cardboard Canoe Regatta returns! As part of your park admission fee, you can watch participants as they build canoes from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., using only cardboard and duct tape provided by the park's staff on event day. READ MORE

Downtown Orlando Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

Orlando - FREE
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Visit downtown Orlando for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 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.  READ MORE

Eatonville Martin Luther King Jr. Parade & Celebration

Eatonville - FREE
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Celebrate unity, history, and community spirit at the annual MLK Parade in the Historic Town of Eatonville. This event brings people together to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy with music, colorful floats, and lots of fun. READ MORE

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

Sanford - FREE
Saturday, January 17, 2026
This annual fishing tournament and seafood festival includes more than 30 vendors, live entertainment, conservation/education zones, and more. READ MORE

Groveland's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

Groveland - FREE
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This family-friendly celebration will feature activities, opportunities for community engagement, and a moment to reflect on Dr. King’s vision of equality, service, and unity. READ MORE

Kissimmee Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Celebration

Kissimmee - FREE
Saturday, January 17, 2026
This annual community celebration features live music, delicious food, the KUA Kids Power Zone, children's art village, and an inspirational photo area.   READ MORE

Maitland Movie in the Park

Maitland - FREE
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Maitland's Movies in the Park presents a monthly family-friendly movie under the stars at Independence Square Park next to City Hall. READ MORE

Sami's Star-Spangled Celebration

St. Cloud - FREE
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Enjoy patriotic crafts, a live DJ, inflatables, face painting, and much more. READ MORE

Central Florida Scottish Highland Games

Winter Springs
January 17-18, 2026
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

Repticon Orlando

Orlando
January 17-18, 2026
At Repticon, adults and kids get up-close animal interactions with several live reptiles. There are also animal-related seminars throughout the two-day event. READ MORE

Jurassic Jog 5K

Oviedo
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Roar into the new year with Oviedo Mall's most dino-mite event, the Jurassic Jog 5K! Dust off your running shoes and dig out your best dinosaur costume because this is one prehistoric race you won't want to miss. READ MORE

Pets on the Promenade

Kissimmee - FREE
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Furry friends and their humans are invited for a day out at the 6th Annual Pets on the Promenade event for a tail-wagging good time. The afternoon will be packed with activities, including live music with DJ K1X, street performers, and special offers for your furry best friend. READ MORE

Unity Heritage Festival

Winter Park - FREE
January 18-19, 2026
This annual festival celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and promotes community and family heritage. Sunday entertainment features music by local gospel bands and Monday includes a special program honoring Dr. King with ongoing musical artists. Special activities include children’s games, career booths, as well as retail and local food vendors. READ MORE

Apopka Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade

Apopka - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
The South Apopka Ministerial Alliance hosts its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. This year's theme is "The Dream Marches On." READ MORE

MLK Sanford Parade & Festival

Sanford - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
The Annual MLK Parade has a diverse and vibrant lineup. The grand marshal, local school bands, dancers, bikers, and other participants will join the festivities. Parade begins at 10am, followed by a festival in the park at 11am. READ MORE

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

Ocoee - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
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

Orange County MLK Day of Service

Orlando - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
Martin Luther King famously said, "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve". Through a partnership with U.S. Hunger, Orange County is honoring his penchant for public service by bringing all walks of life together for a great cause: packing one million healthy meals in a single day to feed local families in need. READ MORE

Oviedo MLK Day Parade & Celebration

Oviedo - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
The City of Oviedo's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration begins with a parade at 10am. The event is followed by a Community Fun Day in the Park starting at 11am at Center Lake Park with live entertainment, vendors, food, and kids activities. READ MORE

St. Cloud MLK Day of Service

St. Cloud - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy by giving back. Join the City of St. Cloud for a community clean-up and beautification project. Help beautify Peghorn Nature Park and enjoy hands-on gardening. READ MORE

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

Winter Garden - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
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
The first weekend of each month is free for Bank of America cardholders at the Orlando Science Center. Photo by author
The first weekend of each month is free for Bank of America cardholders at the Orlando Science Center. Photo by author

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With Orlando's amazing weather and views, there's a ton of fun outdoor things to do! Photo by author
With Orlando's amazing weather and views, there's a ton of fun outdoor things to do! Photo by author

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Places featured in this article:

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Central Florida Fairgrounds
Rock Springs at Kelly Park
Kissimmee Lakefront Park
Central Florida Fairgrounds
Orange County Convention Center

About the Author

Charlotte Blanton
Charlotte Blanton, a Central Florida native and mom of three, holds a business degree from the University of Florida (Go Gators!). After a career in corporate finance, she pivoted to stay home with her kids and found her passion for writing through Mommy Poppins. She loves exploring local theme parks and discovering fun activities for families in Central Florida.
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