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Learn about civil rights and have fun at Downtown Orlando's Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and performances. Photo courtesy of City of Orlando
Learn about civil rights and have fun at Downtown Orlando's Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and performances. Photo courtesy of City of Orlando
1/11/23 - 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.

We have the scoop on the best family events in Orlando and the surrounding area on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend! Families enjoy tributes to the civil rights icon in downtown Orlando, Kissimmee, and Eatonville on Saturday; Groveland on Sunday; and Apopka, Ocoee, Oviedo, 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 International Festival of the Arts. There's also a wee bit of Scottish culture in Winter Springs, and dinosaurs stomping into the Amway Center this weekend at Jurassic World Live Tour.

Find all the fun happenings this month with the Best Things to Do in Orlando in January with Kids, and stay in the loop with Mommy Poppins for wonderful news and events you need to know about Orlando!

More Things To Do in Orlando this Week with Kids:

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Meet fan-favorite Bumpy, a friendly and food-motivated dinosaur, at Jurassic World Live. Photo courtesy Feld Entertainment
Meet fan-favorite Bumpy, a friendly and food-motivated dinosaur, at Jurassic World Live. Photo courtesy Feld Entertainment

Things to Do This Weekend in Orlando with Kids

Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo

Sanford - Last weekend! Through Sunday, January 15
The Asian Lantern Festival features more than 30 large, illuminated sculptures representing traditional Chinese elements. There will also be live entertainment, food, and authentic crafts. READ MORE

Going Galactic Weekend at Brevard Zoo

Melbourne - January 13-16
Visit the Brevard Zoo and be transported into scenes from the Star Wars universe. Take photos with Star Wars characters, partake in themed arts and crafts, and enjoy galactic animal enrichment. READ MORE

Jurassic World Live Tour

Orlando - January 13-16
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
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 Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

Orlando - Saturday, January 14
The theme of this year's annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade is "It Starts with Me: Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Break the Cycle of Injustice." READ MORE

Eatonville Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Celebration

Eatonville - Saturday, January 14
The community is invited to this annual event, which includes a parade, food, live entertainment, vendors and more. The 2022 theme is "Facing Today: Building Faith for Tomorrow."  READ MORE

Family Movie Night at Chick-fil-A Winter Springs

Winter Springs - Saturday, January 14
Bring a blanket & chairs for an outdoor movie night at Chick-fil-A in Winter Springs. Arrive early to join in on trivia for a chance to win free CFA. Visit the store's instagram page to vote on the movie. READ MORE

Hamlin Cruise-in

Winter Garden - Saturday, January 14
This 1950's style cruise-in is a free family-friendly event featuring food trucks, DJ, kids zone, vendors, and cars from 1950-1979. READ MORE

Kids Fringe Mini-Mini-Fest

Orlando - Saturday, January 14
Join Fringezilla and the Kids Fringe team for a morning of fun crafts, games, music, and performances. READ MORE

Kissimmee Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Celebration

Kissimmee - Saturday, January 14
This annual community celebration features live entertainment, food trucks, vendors, a unity garden, and a kids zone. READ MORE

Trefoil Cookie Chase 5K Fun Run/Walk

Orlando - Saturday, January 14
Enjoy a 5K run/walk around Lake Baldwin for the Girl Scouts Inaugural Trefoil Cookie Chase. After the race, enjoy a Girl Scout Cookie Party with music, games, and more. READ MORE

Central Florida Scottish Highland Games

Winter Springs - January 14-15
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

Groveland's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

Groveland - Sunday, January 15
Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Lake David Park. Activities include educational tributes, live performances, food, kids zone, vendors, and more. READ MORE

Unity Heritage Festival

Winter Park - January 15-16
This annual festival celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and promotes family heritage. Sunday activities include career booths, children's games, vendors, and job training/readiness. Monday activities include kids activities, blues and jazz music, and food/retail vendors. READ MORE

Apopka Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade

Apopka - Monday, January 16
The South Apopka Ministerial Alliance hosts its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. This year's theme is "Together, We Can Make a Difference." READ MORE

Chasing the Dream 5K -MLK Day Celebration

Orlando - Monday, January 16
Chasing the Dream 5K celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Proceeds benefit the New Image Youth Center, an after school and summer program for at-risk youth. Awards will be given per age group. READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Nationwide - Monday, January 16
On select days throughout the year, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee. READ MORE

Ocoee MLK Day Parade and Celebration

Ocoee - Monday, January 16
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

Oviedo MLK Day Parade & Celebration

Oviedo - Monday, January 16
The City of Oviedo's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration begins with a parade at 10am. The event is followed by a family fun day from 11am-3pm at Round Lake Park with live entertainment, vendors, food, and kids activities. READ MORE

Winter Garden's Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Winter Garden - Monday, January 16
Celebrate the legacy of Dr. King with a parade along Plant Street, followed by a community celebration with family-friendly activities, food vendors, displays, and live entertainment. READ MORE
Pick strawberries as a family at Oak Haven Farms in Orlando. Photo by author
Pick strawberries as a family at Oak Haven Farms in Orlando. Photo by author

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