Free Activities in Orlando in January
It’s a new year of family fun in Orlando. The month after the holidays, we definitely need to make the entertainment budget stretch as much as possible. Free activities are a great way to get out and about with the kids, while still limiting your spend.
To keep up with latest news on free events and fun activities to do in the Orlando metro area, sign up for the Orlando Family Fun Magazine newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok.
Free Activities in Orlando in January
Here are some fun free activities to take the family to this month.
Wineart Marketplace at Downtown Lake Mary
Mark those calendars for WineArt Marketplace on January 5th from 5:30-8:30pm for the first WineArt of the New Year! Food Trucks, Live Entertainment, Arts and Craft Vendors, River City Catering Beer and Wine Garden, Free Balloon Creations and more! For information on how to become a vendor, food truck attendee or sponsor please contact: [email protected]
Date: January 5, 2022
Time: 5:30PM to 8:30PM
Location: Downtown Lake Mary, 101 N 4th St, Lake Mary, FL 32746
Fridays on the Plaza
Bring the entire family to downtown Winter Garden to enjoy live music every Friday evening during Fridays on the Plaza. This month enjoy patriotic music, country music, jazz and more.
Date: January 7, 14, 21, 28, 2022
Time: 7:00PM to 9:00PM
Location: Downtown Winter Garden, Centennial Plaza Gazebo
Sanford Seafood Festival
Watch as we celebrate the 3rd Annual Get Hook’d Seafood Festival right after the Fishing Tournament in beautiful Historic Downtown Sanford! Enjoy fresh and delicious seafood from some of Orlando’s best food trucks plus local restaurants such as The Old Jailhouse and our own Sushi & Seoul! There’ll be live music on a large outside stage, artisan vendors, product demos and kid zones.
Date: January 8, 2022
Time: 12:00PM to 6:00PM
Location: Historic Downtown Sanford, 118 Palmetto Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771
Waterford Lakes Free Outdoor Movie Series
Bring the family for free outdoor movies every Friday in January. Watch your favorite pet-themed movies on the big screen, located next to the Children’s Play Area behind The Porch. Bring a chair, grab some snacks from your favorite store or restaurant, and spend the night watching a movie underneath the stars.
Date: January 7, 10, 21, 28, 2022
Time: 7:00PM to 9:00PM
Location: Waterford Lakes Town Center, 413 N Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32771
Three Kings Day
The annual Three Kings Day celebration includes a visit from the Three Kings, free snacks, a bike giveaway, and a toy for kids under 11.
Date: January 9, 2022
Time: 10:00AM to 2:00PM
Location: Old Town, 5770 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, FL 34787
Horizon West Block Party
Grab the family and head over to the Horizon West Town Center for a monthly hang out. The block party features food trucks offering a variety of local eats, kids games and activities and giveaways and fun prizes.
Date: January 14, 2022
Time: 5:30PM to 9:00PM
Location: Lawn outside Cinepolis, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden, FL 34787
Orlando Home and Garden Show
The 13th Annual Orlando Home & Garden returns to the Orange County Convention Center on January 14-16! Admission is FREE courtesy of Spa Manufacturers.
Date: January 14, 15, 16, 2022
Time: 12PM to 6PM
Location: Orange County Convention Center West Concourse, 9800 International Drive, Orlando FL 32819
City of Kissimmee Unity Festival
The festival will include live entertainment, music and performers, a kids zone, food and merchandise.
Date: January 15, 2022
Time:11:00AM to 4:00PM
Location: Kissimmee Lakefront Park, 201 Lakeview Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade
The Southwest Orlando Jaycees and the Orlando Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission are excited to announce the Downtown Orlando Martin Luther King, Jr. parade. The theme of the parade is “It starts with you: Shifting priorities to create the Beloved Community.”
Date: January 15, 2022
Time:10:00AM
Location: Downtown Orlando, Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
City of Winter Park Annual Heritage Festival
Join the City of Winter Park at the Annual Heritage Festival at Shady Lane Park.
Date: January 16, 2022
Time:11:00PM to 5:00PM
Location: Shady Lane Park, 721 West New England Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
Family Fun Day in the Park- Oviedo Citizens in Action
Join the Oviedo Citizens in Action for a Family Fun Day in The Park immediately following the parade at Round Lake Park. There will be entertainment, food, vendors and kids activities.
Date: January 17, 2022
Time: 11:00AM to 4:00PM
Location: Lawn outside Cinepolis, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden, FL 34787
Cops ‘n Cars for Kids in Oviedo
Come out to the 16th Annual Car Show – one of the largest in Central Florida with over 200 vehicles on display. Free Admission for the Entire Family!
Something for everyone – Food, Vendors, Law Enforcement displays. Bring the kids to our interactive Kids Zone. We’d love to see you there! Check it out! www.copsncarsforkids.com
Date: January 22, 2022
Time: 10AM to 4PM
Location: Oviedo Mall, 1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd., Oviedo, FL 32765
Movie Under the Stars at Avalon Park
Join us on the 4th Friday of every month for a family-friendly movie under the stars. Bring your blanket or lawn chair to the park downtown and enjoy free popcorn, local vendors, and a different movie every month. Opening credits roll just after sunset.
Date: January 28, 2022
Time: 10AM to 4PM
Location: Avalon Park, 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd. Ste. 300, Orlando, FL 32828
Show Car Saturday Nights
The Promenade at Sunset Walk is home to Show Car Saturday Nights. All makes and models are welcome and displayed along Margaritaville Boulevard. Car enthusiasts will enjoy the music of DJ Scotty B while admiring an amazing collection of classic to modern automobiles. The best live bands also share the Promenade Plaza Stage nightly. Throughout the evening, find your favorite restaurants and shops at the Promenade at Sunset Walk.
Date: January 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2022
Time: 4PM to 11PM
Location: Promenade at Sunset Walk, 3251 Margaritaville Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL 34747
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
Approximate drive time: 2 hours
Known as one of the top three birding areas in the state, this 11-mile drive-thru wildlife sanctuary is FREE, open to the public, and a favorite among locals. Be ready to marvel at an abundance of sunbathing alligators and even the occasional otter or bobcat. There are several stops along the drive to pull over and stretch your legs, as well as portable restrooms and picnic pavilions at the pump house. An audio tour, birding checklist, and butterfly checklist can all be found on the LAWD website. The drive is open from Friday-Sunday, 7am-5pm, and on federal holidays. Vehicles must exit by 5pm, so plan on arriving no later than 3pm.
Date: January Fri-Sun
Time: 7:00AM-5:00PM
Avian Reconditioning Center
The Avian Reconditioning Center is a bird-of-prey rehabilitation facility dedicated to educating the community about Florida’s raptors. It is open to the public every Saturday (weather permitting) and offers free admission (donations are appreciated). It also offers several community events throughout the year.
Date: September M-Su, 2021
Time: 10:00AM-3:00PM
Location: Avian Reconditioning Center, 323 W Lester Road, Apopka, FL 32712
