SPECIAL EVENTS

ZORA! FESTIVAL

Through Feb. 2: This weeklong series of events celebrates the life of author and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston and her hometown of Eatonville. The 31st annual festival offers arts, cultural and humanities programs; museum exhibits; panel discussions; music; and the Outdoor Festival of the Arts. Most events are free and open to the public. Zora Neale Hurston National Museum, 227 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville. zorafestival.org

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

Through Feb. 24: The trifecta of fabulous with artistic cuisine, visual arts to see and become a part of, and live entertainment from local bands to Broadway musicals. Included with park admission. Walt Disney World Epcot Showcase, 200 Epcot Center Drive, Orlando. disneyworld.disney.go.com

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS MARDI GRAS

Feb. 1-April 2: The French Quarter comes to Orlando. Festive floats and spectacular performers parade through the streets each night where you can catch beads, hear tunes from authentic New Orleans bands and sample Cajun cuisine. Included with regular admission. universalorlando.com

45TH ANNUAL MOUNT DORA ARTS FESTIVAL

Feb. 1-2: Over 300 of the nation’s leading artists fill the streets of downtown Mount Dora to showcase their work. The funds raised during this event benefit the Mount Dora Center for the Arts’ year-round arts programming. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. mountdoraartsfestival.org

GLADDENING LIGHT—WILD SURRENDER

Feb. 6-9: Gladdening Light’s 2020 spiritual symposium presents Rabbi Rami Shapiro, mystic Mirabai Starr and storyteller Barbara Brown Taylor—all advocates of divine feminine wisdom. Check website for a complete schedule of events. Rollins College campus, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park. gladdeninglight.org

30TH ANNUAL WINEFEST

Feb. 7-9: Enjoy the fruits of last year’s harvest at Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards. Local artists and crafters display their works while guests listen to live music. Complimentary winery tours and tastings are offered, and food, wine and soft drinks are available for purchase. Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 19239 N. U.S. Highway 27, Clermont. lakeridgewinery.com

NUDE NITE

Feb. 13-15: This unique event brings together hundreds of artists for three evenings of visual art and live performances by a host of  unique characters—both in costume and out. 6 p.m.-midnight. Warehouse at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando. nudenite.com

WINTER WITH THE WRITERS

A festival of the literary arts, free and open to the public. Rollins College campus, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park. 407-646-2666. rollins.edu/winter-with-the-writers

Feb. 13: Kristen Arnett, queer fiction and essay writer and the New York Times bestselling author of the novel Mostly Dead Things. Master class workshop 4-5:15 p.m. SunTrust Auditorium. Reading and book signing 7:30-8:15 p.m. Bush Auditorium.

Feb. 20: Claudia Rankine, poet and playwright. Master class workshop 4-5:15 p.m. SunTrust Auditorium. Reading and book signing 7:30-8:15 p.m. Bush Auditorium.

Feb. 27: National Book Award Finalists. Master class with Kali Fajardo-Anstine 2 p.m. SunTrust Auditorium. Master class with Ilya Kaminsky
4 p.m. SunTrust Auditorium. Joint reading with both authors 7:30 p.m. Bush Auditorium.

WINTER PARK INSTITUTE AT ROLLINS COLLEGE

Feb. 18: Award-winning journalist and poet Jeffrey Brown presents “On the Value of the Arts and Culture in a Global Community.” 7 p.m. Tiedtke Concert Hall, Rollins College campus, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park. 407-646-2145. rollins.edu/wpitickets

POLASEK MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE

Feb. 14: In honor of sculptor Albin Polasek’s birthday—February 14, 1879—and Valentine’s Day, the museum is celebrating with a free open house. Tours of Polasek’s historic home, studio and chapel at 10:30 & 11:45 a.m., 1:30 & 3 p.m.

VALENTINE’S CONCERT

Feb. 14: Walk arm-in-arm with your sweetie through Leu Gardens’ 50 acres under a starlit sky. Bring a picnic supper and listen to the music of the Dave Capp Project, Slickwood, and Mud Rooster Blues. 7-10 p.m. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. leugardens.org

RENNINGER’S ANTIQUE EXTRAVAGANZA

Feb. 14-16: It’s one of the largest gatherings of antique dealers in the South, with over 1,500 dealers displaying and selling merchandise. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. U.S. Highway 441, Mount Dora. 352-383-8393. renningers.net

OSCEOLA COUNTY FAIR

Feb. 14-23: Grab your boots and celebrate the Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show’s annual fair. Gates open Monday-Thursday 5 p.m., Friday-Sunday noon. Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee. osceolacountyfair.com

ORLANDO WETLANDS FESTIVAL

Feb. 15: Celebrate Orlando’s 1,650-acre wetland park near Fort Christmas with guided bus tours, wilderness and guided photo hikes, live music, wildlife shows, birding, interactive children’s activities and bounce houses. Free. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 1300 N. Fort Christmas Road, Christmas. 407-568-1706. cityoforlando.net/wetlands/wetlands-festival

INDIE FOLKFEST

Feb. 15: Musicians, artists and crafters, food and more. Free. Noon-5 p.m. Mennello Museum of American Art Sculpture Garden, 600 E. Princeton St., Orlando. mennellomuseum.org/iff

DISNEY PRINCESS HALF MARATHON WEEKEND

Feb. 20-23: For all princesses, this weekend is for you, with shorter races and related events in addition to the Sunday half-marathon at Epcot. disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/disney-princess-half-marathon-weekend

SILVER SPURS RODEO

Feb. 21-23: This Osceola County tradition features bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and more. Contestants compete for $100,000 in prize money. Check website for event times. Silver Spurs Arena, Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee. 321-697-3495. silverspursrodeo.com

Ongoing Events

Monthly happenings around town

EATONVILLE CRAFTS & CULTURE MARKET

Feb. 2: Experience the history, heritage and culture that is the historic Town of Eatonville with storytellers, performers, reenactments, local merchants and more. Free. 1-5 p.m. 100 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville. eatonvillechf.com

STORY TIME AT LEU GARDENS

Feb. 3: The Orange County Library System comes to the gardens to share stories and songs with infants at 10 a.m., toddlers at 10:20 a.m., and preschoolers at 10:40 a.m. Free. 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org

FIRST THURSDAYS AT OMA

Feb. 6: Mingle with local artists and view their work, enjoy live music and walk through the galleries of the Orlando Museum of Art. Food and drink available for purchase. This month’s theme: “Health & Wellness.” 6-9 p.m. Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando. omart.org

THORNTON PARK 2ND THURSDAY ART AND WINE WALK

Feb. 13: Artists display works for sale along the streets and inside local businesses. Free, but $15 gets you a glass (pay and pickup at Olde Town Brokers) and a map of participating businesses. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Summerlin Avenue and Washington Street. thorntonparkdistrict.com

SANFORD’S ALIVE AFTER 5 STREET PARTY

Feb. 13: Central Florida’s largest recurring street party, a monthly gathering with live music, local artists, and food and beverage samples. 5 p.m. 230 E. First St., Sanford. sanfordwelcomecenter.com

ART AND MUSIC IN THE PARK

Feb. 14: Celebrate Valentine’s day with artwork, hearts, flowers, chocolate and love songs in the park between Casselberry City Hall and Lake Concord. Food trucks and other vendors on site as well. 6 p.m. Free. Casselberry City Hall, 95 Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry. 407-262-7700, ext. 1507. casselberry.org

MOUNT DORA 2ND FRIDAY ART IN THE ALLEY

Feb. 14: Downtown galleries are open to the public while art exhibitors and musicians line Royellou Lane showcasing original works, handmade goods and acoustic sounds. Free. Galleries open 6-8 p.m. Sidewalk exhibitions until 9 p.m. 138 E. Fifth Ave., Mount Dora. mountdoracenterforthearts.org

WINTER PARK INSTITUTE AT ROLLINS COLLEGE

Feb. 18: Award-winning journalist and poet, Jeffrey Brown, presents “On the Value of the Arts and Culture in a Global Community.” 7 p.m. Tiedtke Concert Hall, Rollins College, Winter Park. 407-646-2145. rollins.edu/wpitickets

3RD THURSDAY GALLERY HOP & ART WALK

Feb. 20: Visitors converge on the core of Orlando’s Downtown Arts District to browse the galleries and nontraditional art venues that spotlight the best of established and emerging Orlando-based artists. 6 p.m. Rogers Kiene Building, 39 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 3rdthu.com

EVENING EXCHANGE

Feb. 21:  Every third Friday, meet at East End Market for interactive workshops and a chance to browse wares from over 30 artisan makers, plus culinary demonstrations, specialty cocktail bars and food specials. 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando. 321-236-3316. eastendmkt.com

World of Good

February Fundraisers

Feb. 1

TRASH 2 TRENDS, benefits Keep Orlando Beautiful. Local designers create runway looks from items headed to the landfill. SeaWorld Orlando’s Ports of Call conference center. cityoforlando.net

ADVENTHEALTH LADY TRACK SHACK 5K, benefits the AdventHealth Breast Cancer Care Fund. Loch Haven Park, Orlando. trackshack.com

ORLANDO OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALK, benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Central Florida Chapter. Lake Baldwin, Orlando. afsp.donordrive.com

Feb. 7

GO RED FOR WOMEN LUNCHEON, benefits the American Heart Association. Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. 407-481-6314. orlandogored.ahaevents.org

Feb. 15

RUN 4 LOVE 4 MILE, benefits the Track Shack Youth Foundation. Showalter East Field, Winter Park. 407-896-1160. trackshack.com

Feb. 20

ON THE ROAD AT CASA FELIZ, raises funds to support the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Casa Feliz, Winter Park. friendsorlandophil.org

Feb. 21-22

HANNAH’S BUDDIES CHARITY CLASSIC—THE ENCORE, raises funds for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Reunion Resort, Orlando. widespreadpanic.com/goodpeople/hannahs-buddies

Feb. 29

TASTE OF WINDERMERE, benefits the Central Florida Women’s League Foundation’s community grant and scholarship programs. Central Florida Women’s League, Orlando. facebook.com/CFWL.org

SEMINOLE STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION DREAM GALA, benefits the school’s student scholarships and programs. Orlando Marriott Lake Mary. 407-708-4567. seminolestate.edu/foundation/dream-gala

Coming Up…

March 21

WALK TO DEFEAT ALS, benefits the Florida chapter of the ALS Association. Lake Eola Park, Orlando. 813-637-9000, ext. 121. alsa.org

March 28

FIGHT FOR AIR CLIMB, raises funds for research, education and patient programs for people affected by lung disease, as participants climb the 512 stairs at 390 N. Orange Ave., Orlando. 407-425-5864. climborlando.org