Discover why Mount Dora is the City of Festivals!
Mount Dora is a charming little city situated on a beautiful lake with a downtown area. It is perfect for strolling the quaint little streets and roaming in and out of the small, locally-owned stores. They have restaurants aplenty, both new and old, staples of the community. The town of Mount Dora is known as the City of Festivals, and this is ever so true as the town knows how to be a great host of events.
Mount Dora has become “the festival city” with a long history of hosting amazing festivals and events throughout the year. With a historic downtown area, home to buildings over a hundred years old, this charming little town is ideal for holding festivals.
Known as “someplace special,” the town’s festivals are even known nationally. Mount Dora is also “the bass capital of the world,” which plays in perfectly with their annual seafood festival.
Yearly Events by Month: Here is what is coming up in the City of Festivals!
October 2021
For cyclists, you definitely want to check out the Mount Dora Bicycle Festival held every year. This year’s event takes place October 7th through the 10th of the month, and this is Florida’s only 4-day premier cycling social. With Mount Dora long home to cyclists, this event is ideally suited for the cyclist’s enthusiast. Kids are even encouraged to ride along too! Make sure to register for this event!
The town host’s a craft fair at the end of October yearly. This year’s festivities will be held on October 23rd, and 24th on the historic downtown streets from 9 am to 5 pm. Sunshine Artist Magazine even named Mount Dora’s Craft Fair number one all-time favorite craft festival in America! With over 400 of the best exhibitors in the nation ready to sell their handcrafted goods. The streets of downtown Mount Dora come alive. Between the local art and craft vendors, live music, sidewalk sales, and festival food options, beer and wine tastings, and a free kid zone, this 36th annual event is not to be missed!
November 2021
In November, Mount Dora hosts the Plant and Garden Fair, which is held every year on the second weekend in November. Get your planting on and enjoy the beautiful flowers and plants perfect for purchasing to spruce up your garden. Held in Donnelly Park, this free event features vendors and nurseries from all over the state of Florida. Vendors sell a variety of native and exotic plants, garden ware, and festive crafts. There will also be experts on hand to assist with gardening advice and volunteers to help shoppers and attendees get their plants to their cars. This year’s 27th annual Plant and Garden Fair will be held Saturday and Sunday, November 13th and 14th. On Saturday the fair is open 9 am to 5 pm, and on Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm.
December 2021
December, though there is no actual festival, is filled with holiday events and festivities. From the Light Up Mount Dora held in Donnelly Park to the lighting of the incredible Christmas tree in Sunset Park, to the Children’s Christmas in the Park with real snow!!!
There is also the holiday-lighted boat parade, the Christmas tour of homes, and the ever-popular Christmas Parade featuring Santa. Unfortunately, the lighting of the tree celebration is canceled this year (2021) to keep from encouraging large gatherings during Covid. However, lights will be on through December and January on the magnificent tree regardless. The holidays in Mount Dora are magical and one that many local families from around the area enjoy visiting annually.
January 2022
Come January, celebrate your Scottish roots at the Scottish Highland Festival. For just $10 per adult and $5 for kids, attendees can take in festive bagpipers, special Highland Athletics, dancing, Celtic music, Scottish Reenactment Camps, Shortbread Contest, and much more! This is one well-thought-out and super fun festival with a Pipes and Drum performance, kids’ activities, tartan parade, food and beverage vendors, merchandise, and society tents. There are even Border Collie, and Sheep Demonstrations held on one of the festival days.
January also features the Florida Storytelling Festival. Held January 27th through the 30th in 2022 at the Lakeside Inn, Mount Dora’s adorable and historic inn located on beautiful Lake Dora features four days of storytelling performances and concerts by featured tellers. This event also features workshops, a members showcase, a Friday Night Fringe, and youthful voices.
February 2022
The 47th Annual Mount Dora Arts Festival, listed as a top festival in the country, will be held on February 5th and 6th of 2022, the first weekend of February. From 9 am to 5 pm, attendees can take in the picturesque lakefront and historic town while enjoying featured artists from across the nation. The festival is also host to several food trucks and entertainment, perfect for a fun-filled day out.
March 2022
The Mount Dora Spring Festival of Arts and Crafts takes place in March every year. This event takes place the third weekend of the month every March and is excellent for the whole family. With fabulous and unique finds and talented crafters, one can stroll along the historic streets and enjoy more than 225 exhibitors and artists who handcraft their creations. There will be a bounce house for the kiddies, wine tasting for adults, incredible festival food vendors, and fantastic live entertainment for all.
April 2022
The month of April brings the Earth Day Festival, held every year on the second weekend of the month. Located in Donnelly Park, this festival brings awareness to Earth Day and helps keep our environment green and clean. Attendees come to this festival to learn more about protecting the Earth and finding Earth-friendly and eco-friendly products and local goods that help provide alternatives to single-use plastic and other negative impact products. This is also a day where the community helps plant trees around town and learns ways to incorporate green year-round.
The Mount Dora Blueberry Festival is a favorite April event! Scheduled to be held on April 23rd and 24th of 2022. This is one event not to be missed… If you love blueberries, of course! Come hungry with food vendors offering special treats, including blueberry chicken, blueberry beer and blueberry wine, blueberry shortcake, and sausage with blueberry salsa! There is also a pancake breakfast, live music, crafters, blueberry bushes ready to be purchased and planted, a blueberry pie-eating contest; this free event is so much fun!
Celebrate your local blueberry farmers during the peak of blueberry season and enjoy local farms selling fresh blueberries and other blueberry-themed products. Local vendors and crafters will also be on hand selling their goods. This event is located in Donnelly Park and runs from 9 am to 5 pm on both weekend days.
July 2022
Mount Dora on the Water is an All-American festival featuring everything red, white, and blue. Held on July 3rd every year, visit Elizabeth Evans Park. With live music, kids’ activities, and fireworks set off at dusk; this event is great for the whole family to celebrate America.
September 2022
The Seafood Festival held the last weekend of September is one of their most popular festivals of the year. Head to Simpsons Cove near the Lighthouse and be prepared for an excellent time. There is usually an oyster shuck off, boat rides, pirate ship and village, mermaids, shark ride, rum tasting, and kid zone. The Seafood Festival also has lots of fantastic seafood options. If you love seafood, this festival is for you!
Mount Dora is a fantastic place to visit and is made even more special by all the festivals held around the year. These festivals are a great way to connect with the community and locals selling their handcrafted products. Check out the local shops and fantastic restaurants. From authentic German and Cuban food. To fresh-made crepes and a cheese shop to key lime pie on a stick. Mount Dora is a town to bring your appetite to regardless of what festival you are there for.
The Erica Diaz Team – Discover why Mount Dora is the City of Festivals!
Mount Dora is a charming little city situated on a beautiful lake. The city has a popular downtown area with many locally-owned stores and restaurants. It’s the perfect place for a stroll with family and friends. In fact, Mount Dora is known as the City of Festivals, and this is ever so true as the town knows how to be a great host of events.
The Erica Diaz Team loves a good festival. We love sharing about all the great festivities of Mount Dora. If you have questions about moving to Mount Dora, contact us today, we are ready to help you explore the charming city.
