Most events along the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor are wonderful for people of all ages. Here is a list of some of the featured events best suited to children. For more information on kid-friendly planning, see the Kid-Friendly Tour Suggestions. Seldom is an event inappropriate for children in some way on this byway, so just check into other events to see if they are appropriate to bring your kids.
Second Thursday of Every Month Street Festival in Sanford with art, music and food.
Every 4th Friday of the Month, 6-9 PM in historic downtown Sanford. On the fourth Friday of each month, multiple venues in Sanford’s downtown historic district host the Sanford Art Walk, showcasing local and visiting artists. The event is free.
Enjoy springtime at this outdoor art festival where hundreds of award winning artists gather. There are also fine crafts for sale, an antique car show, food and live entertainment.
DeLand Outdoor Art Festival
Earl Brown Park, DeLand
Family-friendly festival with hands-on demonstrations, off-site field trips, children’s activities, wildflower and gardening vendors and entertainment.
Florida Wildflower & Garden Festival
Downtown, DeLand
At Spirits in Sanford, we honor the hand made and the heart felt. We know that fans of Halloween art march to the beat of their own drum and we have lined up a cadre of artists who do the same! We have taken great care to select artists with a unique spin on Halloween. With a penchant for details and a sense of the slightly off beat and wacky, the artists represented will cast their spell on you!
Spirits in Sanford
Downtown Sanford
The DeLand Historic Mural Walk presents a history of the community when viewed in chronological order. Each of the 12 murals tells a story, vividly portraying the arrival of Henry DeLand, the great St. Johns River, steamboats,statesmen, wildlife, first hotels, the Spanish sugar mill, the DeLand Naval Air Station, the citrus industry, the traditional African-American settlement (Red City), and more moments, places and characters from the community’s past. Featuring the work of six artists, the murals act as illustrated pages of a history book with cleverly placed hidden elements to discover.
Alive with the sights and sounds of eclectic entertainment, multicultural cuisine and a variety of activities including arts, crafts, music and dance to captivate young and old alike, Spring Fest is a celebration of cultural heritage. And kids love the face painting, make-and-take art and the variety of slides and attractions.
Deltona Spring Fest
Dewey O. Booster Sports Complex, Deltona
Expect an entire day of family fun entertainment! Presented by the Volusia County Cattlemen’s Association, this rodeo has been around for 61 years and features bull riding, barrel racing, calf roping, sack sled races and greased pig races for the kids. Admission includes a homemade BBQ dinner.
Cracker Day Rodeo
Volusia County Fairgrounds, DeLand
More than 180 professional musicians performing folk, Celtic, bluegrass, blues, country and more. There’s a jam tent, pioneer demonstrations, a Contra/barn dance, children’s activities, arts and crafts and food. Bring your instruments and join in!
Selected fine-artists demonstrate the creative process at arts-education venues located throughout the festival. Music, food and drink along festival route.
St. Johns River Festival of the Arts
First Street, Park Ave, Palmetto Ave., 2nd Street, Sanford
A two day event with a Pirate Pub Invasion and a Street Party. The pirates invade the bars of downtown Sanford. Live music, beverages, and more shenanigans than a wee-hearted scallywag can take.
Pirate Festival
Downtown Sanford
Featuring more than 100 crafters, live musical entertainment, hands-on demonstrations, cool kids’ play area and great food. Downtown DeLand
This family event draws competitors from all over the U.S. The public determines the winning chili. Live entertainment, children’s games, and art & craft vendors.
Great Bowls of Fire – Chili Championship Cook-off
Downtown DeLand
Every October the West Volusia Historical Society sponsors this cemetery walk at dusk in which the tourists get to hear from the spirit’s of DeLand’s past as actors play the part of colorful local (deceased) characters.
Voted ‘Best Florida Outdoor Fine Arts Festival’ by Florida Living Magazine, it’s a great way to start the holiday shopping season. This is a juried show featuring over 200 national and international artists of various mediums so you will find the best of the best. Enjoy live entertainment, exceptional food, and hands-on art workshops for children.
Fall Festival of the Arts
Downtown DeLand
Pints N Paws is a pet friendly, craft beer festival held in downtown Sanford. Bring your pet to this fun event – all proceeds go to animal charity.
Known for their friendly nature and intelligence, manatees are fascinating to watch as they frolic in the warm spring waters. You’ll enjoy an arts & crafts show, live music and dancing, children’s area, exotic animals, K-9 show, environmental displays and festival food.
Florida history and folk culture come alive through more than 100 historical demonstrators, re-enactors, artisans and trades people. Continuous performances by 150 Florida musicians, historical exhibits, storytelling, hands-on children’s activities, and Florida Cracker style food transport you back in time.
Fall Country Jamboree
Pioneer Settlement, Barberville
St. Johns River Christmas Boat Parade Here in West Volusia the holidays wouldn’t be complete without our boat parade. Limited only by imagination, each of the themed entries sparkles with thousands of lights.
St. Johns River Christmas Boat Parade
Ed Stone Park, DeLand
Voted one of the best county fairs in Florida, it has all the staple ingredients, hair-raising rides, tricky carnival games, yummy fair food, traditional livestock shows, and a variety of entertainment.
Volusia County Fair
Volusia County Fairgrounds, DeLand
Winding through Sanford’s beautiful historic downtown, the Illuminated Night Parade is quickly becoming a favorite among audiences of all ages. With fabulous floats lighting up the night sky, music and dancing, the parade provides an enchanted, fun-filled evening for everyone.
Annual Illuminated Christmas Parade
Downtown Sanford
Celebrate “A Florida Christmas Remembered,” a quaint event focusing on a kinder, gentler past. There will be holiday treats, hands-on activities, food, music, and a visit from Santa.
Florida Christmas Remembered
Barberville Pioneer Settlement for the Arts
You have never seen anything like this parade! Dogs of all sizes and breeds, more than 30,000 in fact, parade down MainStreet in their Mardi Gras finery. After the parade, chow down on some Mardi Gras food, visit the kids’ area and enjoy the live music.
The 156-mile River of Lakes Heritage Corridor is a Scenic Highway which unfolds along the magnificent and historical St. John’s River in Central Florida.
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