Orlando Events Calendar
This is the Orlando Events Calendar for kids and families in Central Florida. Orlando is the kid capital of the world and we never lack in things to do with kids in the greater Orlando area. It’s not all theme parks either! Check out what we’ve found to do today (and everyday) below. You can switch views, filter the results, change the dates, and anything you need to in order to find fun family events in Central Florida.
From indoor playgrounds, theaters, parks, theme parks, sporting events, community events and more, this calendar is maintained daily just for you. We will do all the work while you sit back and see what’s available. So we can drop ideas right into your inbox, please be sure to click and SUBSCRIBE to My Central Florida Family’s Weekly Fun-Letter.
Join Us!
The 9th Florida Kids and Family Expo is Orlando’s Ultimate Orlando event for kids and families. Join us August 17-18, 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center for a full day of fun and discovery with your family. With over 200 exhibitors, 10+ Fun Zones, 4 Live Performance Stages, and so much more, we hope you can join us! Click here for the details and tickets.
Be sure to double check all information, using the link(s) provided on each calendar event BEFORE heading out. Changes in event details, human error and cancellations can and will occur. If you would like to list an event on our Daily Calendar, please click here.
Please take a moment to check out our Orlando Events Calendar sponsors and click on them below. Without them, this calendar wouldn’t be possible.
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The Orlando Book Festival
May 18 @ 10:30 am - 5:00 pm
free
The Orlando Book Festival returns to the Orlando Public Library 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, with a day-long celebration of books. Attendees will hear from bestselling authors in panels, writing workshops and a keynote from Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage. Visit ocls.info/obf for a full schedule and more details.
Featured author panel discussions writing workshops for this year’s festival include:
10:30 a.m.
- Romancing the Book with Kim Karalius, Nina Crespo, Elle E. Ire. Romance is the best-selling literary genre in the world. Come chat with the authors that make readers swoon.
- Publishing Tell-All with Raquel Reichard, Thomas B. Cavanagh, David Pedreira. Authors share their behind-the-scenes knowledge and experience. Ask anything you want to know about the publishing process and industry.
11:30 a.m.
- Let’s Talk About Florida with Rebecca Renner, Tyler Gillespie, Annabelle Tometich. From exotic reptiles to Florida Man, what a weird, wacky state we live in. These authors will discuss their experiences writing about the Sunshine State.
- The Joys and Difficulties of Writing for Children with Amar Shah, José Pablo Iriarte, Taryn Souders. Learn how to write stories that will captivate young readers from three authors who write for children.
12:30 p.m.
- Drawn to Life with Peter Raymundo, Jerry Craft, Michael Regina. Three author-illustrators will discuss their processes, careers, and what draws them to creating for kids.
- Fact or Fiction: Researching History with Ana Veciana-Suarez, Vanessa Montalban, Luis Martinez-Fernandez. Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, learn how these writers research history to write their books.
2:00 p.m. – Keynote
New York Times best-selling author Tayari Jones is the author of four novels, most recently An American Marriage. Published in 2018, An American Marriage is an Oprah’s Book Club Selection and appeared on Barack Obama’s summer reading list and his year-end roundup. The novel was awarded the Women’s Prize for Fiction, Aspen Words Prize and an NAACP Image Award. It has been published in two dozen countries.
Registration is encouraged due to limited seating.
3:00 p.m.
- Book sales and signing with all authors
- Tayari Jones will be signing until 3:45 p.m.
Participating literary organizations include:
- Society of Childrens Book Writers & Illustrators – Florida Chapter
- Timucua Arts & Authentic Selves Poetry
- The Jack Kerouac Project of Orlando
- Writers of Central Florida or Thereabouts
- Orlando Area Poets
- Orlando Area Science Fiction Society
Registration is strongly recommended for all in-person events due to limited capacity. If you have any questions about the information shared below, call 407.835.7323. Visit us online at ocls.info to register, or to view a complete listing of both virtual and in-person library events.
