Welcome to Orange County Parks and Recreation's Special Events Page!
Follow us on Twitter: @OrangeCoParksFL
and on Orange County, Florida Government’s Facebook events.
Orange County Parks and Recreation has the following fun events and community meetings:
Todas las instalaciones de Parques y Recreación del Condado de Orange estarán CERRADAS del 24 al 25 de diciembre por las fiestas. All sites will re-open on December 26.
Dance the Night Away With The Crew, December 27
Dance the night away as you enjoy the beautiful music of The Crew on the fourth Saturday of the month, from 6-9 p.m., at Centro Renaissance para Ancianos's ballroom! The event is open to adults ages 18 and older, cost: $20 exact cash per person at the door. Come enjoy a cool atmosphere of dance, fun and live music provided by The Crew. Light refreshments will be available while supplies last. Questions? Call Renaissance Senior Center at 407-254-9070 or email parks@ocfl.net.
Here's the monthly event schedule:
- 31 de enero de 2026
- Febrero 28, 2026
Lifeguard Job Fairs: Hiring Strong Swimmers
Apply online and attend one of these job fairs: December 30, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Fort Gatlin Rec Complex pool; January 5, 1-4 p.m. at Fort Gatlin Rec Complex pool; January 21, 12-6 p.m. at Kelly Park Rock Springs; February 4, 12-6 p.m. at Kelly Park Rock Springs; and February 18, 12-6 p.m. at Kelly Park Rock Springs. Questions? Email parks@ocfl.net.
- Help keep guests safe in the water! Orange County Parks and Recreation is hiring strong swimmers who are responsible individuals ages 16 and older for summer lifeguard positions at Fort Gatlin Recreation Complex (2009 Lake Margaret Dr., Orlando, phone 407-254-9820) and Kelly Park's Rock Springs (400 E. Kelly Park Rd., Apopka, phone 407-254-1902). Salary starts at $16.88/hour. Free lifeguard certification class provided to selected candidates
- Apply online prior to the event, click "Apply" then "External Applicants"; complete your information for Lifeguard - Fort Gatlin #383835 or Kelly Park #38384. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and bring their I.D. and swim attire to complete the swim test.
Swim test includes the following:
- 1. Swim 150 yards continuously using front crawl, breaststroke or combination of both. Transition into a two-minute tread only using the legs, and finish with a 50-yard swim. All three steps must be done without rest periods in between. Must demonstrate breath control and rhythmic breathing during the swim.
- 2. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface, and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface in order to breathe. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps. Timed event: complete within 1 minute and 40 seconds.
Register Through January 9 for Kelly Park’s Cardboard Canoe Regatta
The Carboard Canoe Regatta returns on Saturday, January 17! Registration is open through Friday, January 9, 2026, at 5 p.m., for teams of five who will build and race a cardboard and duct tape canoe in the 68-degree water of Rock Springs on event day. Space is limited to 16 teams. Cost is $50/team, pre-registration is required. Register in person at Kelly Park or call the office at 407-254-1902.
"Boat artists" younger than the age of 12 are not included in the team member count but cannot race. Artists and participants ages 12 or older are included in the team member count. On Saturday, January 17, all canoes must be built from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., using only cardboard and duct tape provided by the park's staff. Teams of two will race their canoes in Rock Springs beginning at 1 p.m., with prizes awarded to Race Winner, Crowd Favorite and Most Spectacular Sinking! Activities will take place throughout the day, including giveaways, games and music. The event is free to watch and is included in park admission so bring a picnic and watch the races. Details tinyurl.com/OCKellyPark. Questions? Questions? Email KellyCamping@ocfl.net.
FREE Friday Night Funk & Blades on Friday, January 16
Bring your skates or roller blades to Barber Park on Friday, January 16, 5:30-9 p.m. for this free Friday Night Funk and Blades! Or just come to enjoy the live performance by jazz saxophonist Dayve Stewart from 6:30-8:30 p.m. (he will be headlining our 14th annual Mayor's Jazz in the Park on March 7). Participants must bring their own roller skates. Enjoy roller skating fun with skate games and food trucks for purchases. NOTE: The covered, outdoor open-air hockey rink for this event has a concrete surface, not wood. Questions? Email parks@ocfl.net.
FREE Fort Christmas Barnyard Banter Programs
All ages are welcome to join in the Barnyard Banter program at Fort Christmas Historical Park on January 24-25: 4-H Eastside Barnyard Bash Clinic/Practice Show, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.! Orange County 4-H youth will demonstrate how they prepare for a 4-H (Head, Heart, Hands, Health) show through a learn-by-doing approach. Enjoy crafts for children, a steer-roping game and a history exhibition. Visite Parque Histórico Fort Christmas for more information. Questions? Email parks@ocfl.net or call the park's staff: 407-254-9310.
Here's the monthly event schedule:
- February 21: Building a Log Cabin
- March 21: Archaeology
- April 18: Backyard Chickens
- May 16: Pioneer Folk Crafts
- June 20: Hunting, Trapping, Fishing