Spring in Orlando is an exciting time of year to be out an about- as the weather gets warmer and people are in good spirits, more people are going to be out and about. This April, there an overflow of things to do with friends, partners and the family. If you are new to Central Florida or have a desire to explore, the city is your oyster.
Story Time At Leu Gardens
April 1: The Orange County Library System comes to the gardens to share stories and songs with infants at 10 a.m., toddlers at 10:20 a.m., and preschoolers at 10:40 a.m. Free. 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org
Wednesday Lecture Series At The Morse Museum
April 3: Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen discusses “American Art Pottery–The Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art” with a reception following. Free. 2:30 p.m. Jeannette G. and Hugh F. McKean Pavilion, 161 W. Canton Avenue, Winter Park. 407-645-5311. morsemuseum.org
First Thursdays at OMA
April 4: Mingle with local artists and view their work, enjoy live music and walk through the galleries of the Orlando Museum of Art. Food and drink available for purchase. This month’s theme: “Florida Grown.” 6-9 p.m. Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando. omart.org
UCF Celebrates The Arts
A week of artistic events hosted by the university at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets required. Some events are free, others require a small charge with reserved seating. 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 844-513-2014. arts.cah.ucf.edu/schedule
Sculptures and Exhibits
April 5-14: Sculptures created by UCF students, plus a curated selection of costumes and 13 years of winning entries from UCF Library’s annual book arts competition will be on display throughout the lobbies and staircases of the Dr. Phillips Center.
Eatonville Crafts & Culture Market
April 7: Experience the history, heritage and culture that is the historic Town of Eatonville with storytellers, performers, reenactments, local merchants and more. Free. 1-5 p.m. 100 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville. eatonvillechf.com
Winter Park Institute
Apr. 11: Dr. M. Sanjayan, global conservation scientist, presents “Stories from the Natural World” for this series presenting noted authors, historians and experts. 7:30 p.m. Bush Auditorium, Rollins College, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park. rollins.edu/rollins-winter-park-institute
Thornton Park 2nd Thursday Art and Wine Walk
April 11: Artists display works for sale along the streets and inside local businesses. Free, but $15 gets you a glass (pay and pickup at Olde Town Brokers) and a map of participating businesses. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Summerlin Avenue and Washington Street. thorntonparkdistrict.com
Art and Music in the Park
April 12: Artwork and live music in the park between Casselberry City Hall and Lake Concord. Food trucks and other vendors on site as well. 6 p.m. Free. Casselberry City Hall, 95 Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry. 407-262-7700, ext. 1507.
Florida Film Festival
April 12-21: Over 180 films premiering the best in current, independent and international cinema, plus first-class events where film lovers can mingle with filmmakers and celebrities. Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland. floridafilmfestival.com
Jazz N Blues Concert
April 13: Enjoy some music under the stars with Dave Capp Project, Buddy Blues Band and Matt Sams Band. Pack a picnic dinner and bring chairs or blankets. 7 p.m. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org
Reading Between The Wines
April 17: Pulitzer Prize-winner and best-selling author Gilbert King headlines this fundraiser for the Adult Literacy League. The event includes food and wine offerings from some of Orlando’s top restaurants. 6-9 p.m. Orlando Science Center, 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando. 407-422-1540,
ext. 111. adultliteracyleague.org
Taste of Winter Park
April 17: Sample all the best food that Winter Park has to offer. Restaurants and caterers bring out their top noshes and drinks. 5-8 p.m. Winter Park Farmers Market, 200 W. New England Ave., Winter Park. 407-644-8281. winterpark.org
3rd Thursday Gallery Hop & Art Walk
April 18: Visitors converge on the core of Orlando’s Downtown Arts District to browse the galleries and nontraditional art venues that spotlight the best of established and emerging Orlando-based artists. 6 p.m. Rogers Kiene Building, 39 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 3rdthu.com
Evening Exchange
April 19: Every third Friday, meet at East End Market for interactive workshops and a chance to browse wares from over 30 artisan makers, plus culinary demonstrations, specialty cocktail bars and food specials. 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando. 321-236-3316. eastendmkt.com
Central Florida Earth Day
April 20: Vegetarians of Central Florida hosts the largest and longest-running Earth Day festival in the area, with educational exhibits, speakers, live music and family activities. This is a free, vegan, dog-friendly and smoke-free event. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Lake Eola Park, Orlando. cfearthday.org
Winter Park Paint Out
April 21-27: Artists paint outdoors at locations throughout Winter Park; completed works are displayed and available for purchase at the Polasek, whose museum and gardens are open free to the public the entire week. 407-647-6294. Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, 633 Osceola Ave., Winter Park polasek.org
Hannibal Square Heritage Center Folk & Urban Art Festival
April 27: Celebrate Central Florida’s diverse culture through artwork and music, featuring the works of more than 25 folk and educational artisans, including members of the original Florida Highwaymen. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 642 W. New England Ave., Winter Park. 407-539-2680. cityofwinterpark.org/events
Earthfest 2019
April 27: A day for environmental awareness with free tree giveaways, workshops, earth-friendly vendors, kids activities and live music provided by Beth McKee and Swamp Sistas. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Lake Concord Park, 95 Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry. Free. 407-262-7700, ext. 1507. casselberry.org
Science of Wine
April 27: More than 150 wines from all over the world are paired with gourmet foods for a tasty learning experience. 7-10 p.m. Orlando Science Center, 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando. osc.org
