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:
FREE Movie in the Park: A Minecraft Movie
- Friday, February 13: Parque Comunitario Dr. P. Phillips, 8249 Buenavista Woods Boulevard, Orlando. This fun movie (rated PG, 101 mins.) starts at 6:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and snacks, or purchase from food trucks (if available). Alcohol is not allowed in the park; pets are not allowed in the viewing area.
- Saturday, February 14: Bear Creek Recreation Complex, 1600 Bear Crossing Drive, Orlando. This fun movie (rated PG, 101 mins.) starts at 6:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and snacks, or purchase from food trucks (if available). Alcohol is not allowed in the park; pets are not allowed in the viewing area.
FREE Fort Christmas Barnyard Banter Programs
All ages are welcome to join in the Barnyard Banter program at Fort Christmas Historical Park on February 21: Building a Log Cabin, from 1-2 p.m.! Learn about the skills needed for building a pioneer home in Florida and try some woodworking tools. This is a FREE program, open to the public. 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:
- March 21: Archaeology
- April 18: Backyard Chickens
- May 16: Pioneer Folk Crafts
- June 20: Hunting, Trapping, Fishing
Apopka Loop Connector Trail Grand Opening, February 28
Join Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and District 2 Commissioner Christine Moore for the grand opening of the Lake Apopka Connector Trail on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 10 a.m., on the trail at the northeast corner of West McCormick Road and Ingram Road, Ocoee. This is a FREE event, open to the public. Questions? Email parks@ocfl.net or call Parks Marketing at 407-826-6257.
Clarcona Country: Country Music in the Park, February 28
Orange County Parks and Recreation presents the inaugural Clarcona Country: Country Music in the Park on Saturday, February 28, 2026, 1:30-5:30 p.m., at Clarcona Horse Park, 3535 Damon Rd., Apopka, FL 32703. This is a FREE event (no tickets or reservations required), with support provided by K92.3.
Performances in order:
Guests should bring lawn chairs and picnics, or purchase snacks from food trucks. Alcohol is not allowed in the park and pets are not allowed in the event area. Questions? Email parks@ocfl.net or call the park at 407-254-9010.
Dance the Night Away With The Crew, February 28
Dance the night away as you enjoy the beautiful music of The Crew on the last 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:
14th Annual Mayor's Jazz in the Park, March 7
Orange County Parks and Recreation presents the 14th Annual Mayor’s Jazz in the Park on Saturday, March 7, 2026, 12-6 p.m., at Cypress Grove Park, 290 Holden Ave., Orlando, FL 32839. This is a free event (no tickets or reservations required), emceed by jazz personality Yvonne Loggins Coleman, with support provided by WUCF 89.9 fm.
Performances by:
Guests should bring lawn chairs and picnics, or purchase from food trucks. Alcohol is not allowed in the park and pets are not allowed in the event area. Questions? email parks@ocfl.net or call Parks Marketing at 407-836-6257.
Hiring Strong Swimmers
- 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 Complejo Recreativo Fort Gatlin pool (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.
- To apply online, 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 if selected.
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.