Winter Garden Heritage and Music Festival

Celebrating City’s 120th Anniversary

Established in 1903, the City of Winter Garden commemorates its heritage with a free 120th anniversary extravaganza for the community on Saturday, February 11, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm. The Winter Garden Heritage & Music Festival in historic downtown will include 30+ entertainment acts across six stages, strolling performers, a kids’ zone area, history walking tours, heritage activities, and more! The event is fun for all ages.

For entertainment and event schedule, click here.

LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT AND A KIDS’ ZONE

Simultaneous and continuous performances will be held at various outdoor stages throughout downtown stretching from Central Avenue to Dillard Street. The entertainment kicks off at 11:00 am and continues nonstop through 10:00 pm. 

A few of the many high caliber performances include Selwyn Birchwood, L & G Live Duo, Flight Scene, Big Ron Betts, and Michael Andrew & Swingerhead.

As part of the Festival, the First Baptist Church of Winter Garden (125 E. Plant Street) is celebrating its 135th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of its Old Sanctuary building with a host of “Back to the Future” activities and entertainment. Guests will enjoy the nostalgic stage show with Doc, Marty McFly, and a DeLorean, as well as live music and special guest Blippi, a popular children’s entertainer and educator. Visit the large kids’ zone area and hop on board the children’s train. In addition, fifteen 1920 vintage cars will be on display and there will be tours of the Old Sanctuary as well as historical displays. Hot dogs, popcorn, cakes, and pretzels will be available at roll back prices.

HISTORY WALKING TOURS, SPECIAL HISTORICAL EXHIBITIONS & PRESENTATIONS 

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a great way to learn about the history of downtown is by taking a walking tour. The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation will host guided Walking Tours at 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 1:00 pm.

The Winter Garden Heritage Museum and its Heller Hall, the SOBO Art Gallery, and City Hall’s Art in Public Places Gallery will all host special historical exhibitions.

The Central Florida Railroad Museum, bursting with amazing historical railroad artifacts and memorabilia, will host a special presentation on the history of local railroads at 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm.  

Come celebrate your hometown’s momentous 120th anniversary brought to you by the City of Winter Garden, the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, and other generous partners. 

Saturday, February 11 | 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Historic Downtown | Free

Riverdance as you’ve never seen it before.

A powerful and stirring reinvention of this beloved favorite, celebrated the world over for its Grammy award-winning score and the thrilling energy and passion of its Irish and international dance.

Composer Bill Whelan has re-recorded his mesmerizing soundtrack, while producer Moya Doherty and director John McColgan have completely reimagined the ground-breaking show with innovative and spectacular lighting, projection, stage and costume designs.

Immerse yourself in the extraordinary power and grace of its music and dance—beloved by fans of all ages. Fall in love with the magic of Riverdance all over again. For over 25 years, nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance.

January 20–22, 2023 | Walt Disney Theater | 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Click Here to learn more!

ILLUME: A TRANSFORMATIVE WORKSHOP FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS

STARTS JANUARY 13, 2023 @ 6:00PM , ENDS JANUARY 15, 2023 @ 4:00PM

This weekend workshop will provide a supportive space for all-stage breast cancer survivors to process and explore their experiences through engagement with creative practices. Participants will engage in creative projects, group discussions, gallery tours, and other reflective activities. The workshop will offer a framework and support system as well as tools for continued independent exploration. You do not have to be an artist to take part in this program! FREE, pre-registration is required.

NOTE: Participants should place to attend all weekend dates. A lunch break will be offered during the Saturday session, but lunch will not be provided. Please plan accordingly. Participants will receive an art kit at the beginning of the weekend. Additional material are not required. Casual, comfortable clothing, sweaters or light jackets are recommended.

This program is sponsored by the Isermann Family Foundation.

SCHEDULE

Friday, January 13, 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Saturday, January 14, 10:00am – 4:00pm

Sunday, January 15, Noon – 4:00pm

Participation is required for all three days of this weekend program.

Please call 407.896.4231 ext. 258 to register or email education@omart.org.

Click here to learn more!

Get Hook’d Fishing and Seafood Tournament

Friday Jan. 6th
6:00pm – 8:00pm Captains Meeting

All fishing teams must come to register for the tournament at the captains meeting to be able to fish in the tournament on Saturday. Anglers are required to stay for the entire captains meeting. An overview of the contest and rules will be given by the tournament director followed by Q & A for anyone with questions. Anglers must register by signing waiver and review rules and regulations. Rulers only for new anglers registering for CF Shad and Crappie Derby.

Fringe ArtSpace

Orlando Fringe will open “Fringe ArtSpace,” a year-round performing arts venue, in downtown Orlando on Jan. 11, 2023. The 9,100 square foot space will include two performing theatre spaces: a main stage with 166 seats and a black box with 40-60 seats. The programing will feature a mix of traditionally programmed theatre and concerts as well as a studio series with weekly, monthly and pop-up events like workshops, classes, readings, performances and artistic explorations.

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

We are throwing a Grand Opening Bash and we want you there! This event is free and open to the public. Join us in the Plaza on Church Street for a dance party, and then be one of the first to tour the new Fringe ArtSpace!

What is ArtSpace?

Fringe has been asked by the City of Orlando to activate a 9,100 sq. ft. performing arts space at 54 W Church St. in downtown Orlando.

The space will now be called Fringe ArtSpace and be focused on building a dynamic, inspiring community of artists and arts lovers with the purpose of providing artists a safe environment to create, experiment, collaborate, and showcase their creations.

The type of programming in the space will be a blend of the following:

• Full theatrical runs with a commitment to a transparent application process that promotes diversity and inclusion
• An accelerator program that fosters and mentors emerging local arts groups
• Touring shows that set us as a destination
• Education programming that invests in and expands on Fringe’s unique educational experiences for artists and patrons of all ages
• Programming as part of the Orlando Fringe Festival and Winter Mini-Fest
• The community will have access to rehearsal and performance space
• Activation of the plaza to help integrate arts into our downtown atmosphere

RVSP here!