Go PLAY

GO PLAY! Family Events Calendar

Compiled by Wendy Meyer

From the theme parks to your backyard, we want to share some of our favorite events to get out and discover Central Florida with the whole family.

THEME PARK FUN

MARDI GRAS: INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS OF CARNAVAL February 6–March 28

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS Mardi Gras served up a whole new way. Experience an international food fest with cuisine and entertainment inspired by international Carnaval celebrations. Plus enjoy spectacular floats on display, street entertainment, music, beads and more throughout the theme park. Valid park admission required. universalorlando.com

March 3July 5

SEVEN SEAS FOOD FESTIVAL

SEAWORLD

Select dates, February 5–May 9

Sip and sample your way around the world with exciting flavors, craft beer and wine selections, and more. Features live performances. seaworld.com

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS January 8–February 22

EPCOT Immerse yourself in the magic of art with this enchanting event that celebrates all things colorful and creative. disneyworld.disney.go.com

INTERNATIONAL FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL March 3–July 5

EPCOT Blossoming once again, this spring event is a fun-filled destination for guests of every age. Connect with nature while wandering through family-friendly exhibits and gardens geared specifically to kids. Valid park admission required. disneyworld.disney.go.com

FAMILY FUN SCAVENGER HUNT FEATURING MR. RICHARD AND THE POUND HOUNDS LIVE! February 13

MEAD BOTANICAL GARDEN Enjoy a day hunting around the gardens and stay to PLAY with Orlando’s beloved children’s entertainer, Mr. Richard and the Pound Hounds! mrrichard.net

Down the Rabbit Hole

FRONTYARD FESTIVAL Now through May

DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Music and performing arts bringing all the families to the yard! Enjoy socially distanced private box seating arrangements that will make you feel like a VIP every time you enjoy a performance at this 6-month festival of music, art and more. drphillipscenter.org/events/frontyard-festival

4TH ANNUAL SANFORD PORCHFEST February 27

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN SANFORD Get out and PLAY at the ultimate porch party! Sanford Porchfest is a FREE grassroots festival that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every February in the historic residential downtown of Sanford. Enjoy food, music, art and family-friendly fun! sanfordporchfest.org

OTRONICON February 12–15

ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER Enjoy this inspiring STEM expo that will have your whole family smiling. This annual event brings the best and brightest in the world of technology, science and engineering right to your fingertips! osc.org/otronicon

MEGACON 2021 March 18–21

ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER Four days of fun-filled, family-friendly fan culture! Don your favorite mask or cosplay with your face coverings and have a blast at this annual comic con! facebook.com/events/2470721126526161

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE Wednesdays through Sundays, February 6–March 14

MEAD BOTANICAL GARDEN The Creative City Project is at it again. Down the Rabbit Hole takes you and your whole family on an outdoor and interactive journey with Alice and the entire cast of characters we all know and love. Enjoy this innovative theatrical experience that brings storybook characters to life! PLAY TIP: You will need to walk quite a bit, so baby-wearing for your littlest loves may be better than lugging a stroller through non-paved surfaces. creativecityproject.com

VIRTUAL EVENTS

2021 VIRTUAL DISNEY PRINCESS HALF-MARATHON WEEKEND 2021 February 18–21

Your favorite marathon weekend looks a little different this year, and we are ready for some runDisney fun! Adventure awaits during the Virtual 2021 Disney Princess Half-Marathon Weekend. Join fan-favorite Disney princesses to celebrate the traits that embody runners: courage, strength and confidence! It’s an enchanting occasion for princesses and princes of all ages, featuring virtual events for all skill levels and coveted regal medals. rundisney.com/events

PRINCESS AND THE FROG STORYTIME Tuesday, February 16, 1 p.m.

Let’s go down to New Orleans and celebrate Tiana, Naveen, Louis and Ray with culture-inspired stories, songs and crafts. Recommended for ages 3–5. attend.ocls.info/event/4776004

KAMALA HARRIS: SUPERHEROES ARE EVERYWHERE Wednesday, February 17, 11 a.m.

There were superheroes everywhere in Vice President Kamala Harris’s life. Can you find them in yours? Recommended for ages 3–5. attend.ocls.info/event/4744677

MAYOR BUDDY’S BOOK CLUB END OF BOOK PARTY Thursday, February 18, 4 p.m.

Join Orlando Mayor Buddy’s Book Club to celebrate the completion of our latest book, Marcus Vegas Doesn’t Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya. Recommended for ages 8–12. attend.ocls.info/event/4754844

Through April 18

DINOSAUR INVASION

HARRY P. LEU GARDENS

January 18–April 18

The ever-popular Dino Invasion is back at Leu Gardens, and you really don’t want to miss this incredible family-friendly event! Wander through the Jurassic Gardens and encounter dinosaurs, chat with fossil experts and learn all about the time when these colossal creatures roamed the Earth. leugardens.org

THE PREGO EXPO March 14, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

THE ROSEN PLAZA The Prego Expo brings together all of the biggest names in the baby game under one roof for a special day designed just for expectant moms. With over 70 exhibitors, get answers to questions, try out products, attend informational seminars and enter to win prizes! VIP ticket-holders are guaranteed a signature swag bag and are entered twice for prize giveaways. VIPs and one of their guests (with purchase of general admission ticket) will be allowed early entrance 30 minutes before the expo doors open. Supplies limited. COVID-19 updates: Increased event space to allow for social distancing; reduced capacity; all staff, exhibitors and attendees required to wear face coverings throughout the event; increased cleaning and hand sanitizing stations. VIP: $60; General Admission: $16 in advance or $22 at the door; Children ages 4–12: $5 pregoexpo.com A Special

Day for Pregos to PLAY!

Family Medical Guide

AdventHealth for Children

Supported by the strength, innovations and mission of the AdventHealth Care Network, AdventHealth for Children is committed to delivering world-class programs, extraordinary patient care and clinical excellence. Our flagship hospital in downtown Orlando is the heart of a children’s network that includes primary care pediatricians, specialty clinics, emergency care and kids urgent care facilities.

601 E. Rollins St., Orlando 407-303-5437 • AdventHealthforChildren.com

Lawton Orthodontics

For 48 years, Lawton Orthodontics has provided comprehensive orthodontic care for adults and children. We specialize in state-ofthe-art treatment, including 3-D x-rays and intraoral 3-D scanners (no more impressions!) while using industry-leading Damon braces and Invisalign. We are conveniently located in Winter Park and Oviedo.

201 N. Lakemont Ave., Suite 400, Winter Park 2984 Alafaya Trl., Suite 1010, Oviedo 407-644-8242 • LawtonOrthodontics.com

Nemours

At Nemours Children’s Health System, your family can get a full spectrum of pediatric care. We’re with you every step — from primary care for regular well-child visits and urgent care for life’s little mishaps to virtual, specialty, emergency and hospital care. Nemours is recognized as one of the nation’s safest pediatric hospitals — and our teams include some of the best doctors, nurses and support specialists around.

6535 Nemours Pkwy., Orlando 407-567-4000 • Nemours.org

Orlando Health Physician Associates provides you and your family quality care for a lifetime of health. Our doctors practice family medicine, internal medicine, pediatric medicine, podiatry, obstetrics and gynecology. We offer convenient locations and hours, including same-day and virtual appointments. And because we are part of Orlando Health, you have seamless access to an advanced network of care.

orlandohealth.com/physicianassociates

Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children has provided experienced, compassionate care to the children, teenagers and young adults of Central Florida for more than 30 years. Led by world-renowned doctors, and together with dedicated specialists and caregivers, Orlando Health Arnold Palmer offers a wide range of advanced pediatric services in an environment built just for kids.

92 W. Miller St., Orlando 321-843-KIDS (321-843-5437) ArnoldPalmerHospital.com

Orlando Pediatric Dentistry

Dr. Girardot is a board-certified pediatric dentist who provides dental services to infants, children, teens and special needs patients. Dr. Girardot strives to create a positive dental experience in a comfortable, fun and caring environment.

907 Outer Rd., Suite A, Orlando 407-898-5437 orlandopediatricdentistry.com

Pediatric Dental Care of Greater Orlando

Visit PDCOrlando.com or call 407-208-0288 for details. Consistent with the AAPD guidelines that dental visits should occur within the first year of life, the slogan at PDC is, “a healthy smile begins at birth.”

Oviedo: 7250 Red Bug Lake Rd., Suite 1024, Oviedo East Orlando: 11309 Lake Underhill Rd., Orlando 407-208-0288 pediatricdentalcareorlando.com

Tace Rico, M.D. | Pediatric Dermatologist

At AdventHealth for Children, we believe that all children should feel incredible. Dr. Tace Rico specializes in treating children with birthmarks, hemangiomas, port wine stains and scars. Recognized as the best pediatric dermatologist in Central Florida by Playground readers, Dr. Rico uses innovative treatments and is dedicated to helping your child feel incredible inside and out.

615 E. Rollins Ave., Suite 416, Orlando 407-303-1687 AdventHealthforChildren.com/dermatology

Dinosaur Invasion

They’re back! Leu Gardens is celebrating its 60th birthday with another epic adventure into the Jurassic Era. We checked out the new Dinosaur Invasion exhibit with our little explorers, and it's DINO-mite for all ages. You don’t want to miss this exhibit running now through April 18. This interactive experience immerses you into the world of dinosaurs using meticulously crafted replicas set amongst the lush gardens. You'll feel like you’ve stepped back in time!

leugardens.org

NEW Behind-the-Scenes Private Adventures at OSC

The new private experiences at Orlando Science Center (OSC) are more than tours, they’re fully hands-on adventures that allow you to shadow the OSC staff through a fun, educational journey into the inner workings of the Science Center!

You can choose the Keeper for a Day experience inside NatureWorks or join The Maker Movement at The Hive Makerspace for a 90-minute private program offered to your group of up to 10 guests. Playground’s publisher, Heather Reneau, was invited to bring her daughter to the Keeper for a Day experience, where she handled the animals, fed the reptiles and even made art using a monitor lizard’s tail and feet as paintbrushes! osc.org/private-experiences

XL Soccer World Lake Nona — Now Open!

The new XL Soccer World facility in Lake Nona is now open. With Central Florida being either too hot or too rainy for much of the year, indoor soccer in this fully air-conditioned space allows for year-round play. The relaxing bar/lounge area is incredibly family-friendly and a great place for soccer parents to relax and meet friends. This new facility offers all the existing programs that the Winter Park location offers, from toddler classes to adult leagues. One program that is completely unique to Central Florida is the full-time school (grades 6-12) for Elite soccer players hosted by a former English Premier League player, Alan Smith. XL Soccer World's programs help kids develop important life skills such as teamwork, motivation, endurance, fitness and mental wellness. xlnona.com

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Best Women’s and Newborn Care in Orlando

Motherhood is incredible. We know that taking the best care of your baby starts with taking the best care of yourself. Our health navigators make it easy to manage your care including finding the best doctor for you and your baby and scheduling appointments. Plus, U.S. News & World Report has named AdventHealth Orlando as one of the Top 50 hospitals in the nation for gynecology and AdventHealth for Children the Best Children’s Hospital for newborn care in Florida for the second year in a row. It’s world-class health care you can count on in one convenient network.