A famous Florida author, art and Florida wildlife are the focal points of festivals in Lake County and nearby. Here’s what’s happening this weekend, as well as other upcoming events in Lake and Sumter counties (and nearby).
50th annual Mount Dora Arts Festival
This nationally ranked fine arts festival attracts about 300 artist vendors from all over the world, displayed throughout historic downtown Mount Dora, luring hundreds of thousands of visitors, on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entertainment, beer, wine, cocktails, music and food vendors round out the milestone weekend for Mount Dora Center for the Arts. Details and event map: mountdoraart.com/mount-dora-arts-festival
Bay Street Players’ Shakespeare revamp offers BOGO on tickets
William Shakespeare’s “King Lear” is one of his most famous tragedies, timeless in its scope, exploring power, corruption, and how power-hunger corrupts family, long before the HBO series “Succession.” The crew at Bay Street Players say that “nowhere in his canon does he create a richer or more complex set of characters.” The play follows King Lear and when he divides his kingdom among his three daughters, setting in motion a wave of violence that sends lear into madness. Runs Jan. 29-Feb. 8. The play is at the historic State Theatre, 109 N. Bay St., Eustis. Tickets and BOGO deals available at eustisstatetheatre.org
Howey Artisan Market at Mission Resort + Club
Featured on the last Saturday of each month, the Howey Artisan Market at Mission Resort & Club offers fresh produce vendors, local purveyors, and fun, family friendly activities. Takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, on the clubhouse lawn of the Mission Resort and Club in Howey-in-the-Hills. Details: missionresortandclub.com
Free crochet Olympics at Leesburg Library
The first Crochet Olympics will take place on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Leesburg Public Library (Meeting Rooms A & B), located at 100 E. Main St., Leesburg. The free community event features unique competitive challenges, including a Symbol Identification quiz, Yarn and Hook Tosses, and a “Fanciest Toss” judged on creativity and flair.
Attendees are also encouraged to bring a homemade item for the “Fan Favorite” display. For registration forms or additional inquiries, participants can visit Gary Lee Sligh Fabric Arts in downtown Leesburg or contact the library directly; you may also visit the official Crochet Olympics Facebook page for more information.
Umatilla Black Bear Fest offers exploration and fun
Held annually in Lake County’s “Gateway to the Ocala National Forest,” the Umatilla Black Bear Festival is a free, family oriented community event that has been taking place for more than 25 years. This year’s event can be enjoyed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 1 Cassady St., Umatilla. The fest not only celebrates the Florida black bear but also has live music, food trucks, and arts and crafts, and teaches us about habitat preservation with interactive, hands-on activities, including educational exhibits from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
A festival must-do includes guided, in-depth bus tours of the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway and field trips into the forest at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Experts offer insights into natural bear habitats. Make sure you book in advance by emailing Jim Thorsen at thor1505@aol.com with the subject line “FBBSB Tour Reservation – Bear Festival.”
If you stay put, the fest also features library activities in tandem with the event, which features a “Book Nook,” archery, and the “Come Be a Bear” interactive journey for children. Presented by the Umatilla Chamber of Commerce, the city of Umatilla, and various wildlife organizations. Details: 352-669-3511 or umatilla@umatillachamber.org
Free family picnic in Wildwood
Enjoy free snacks, story time, crafts, winter-themed activities and games, and a visit from the snow queen from 10 a.m. to noon. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the event lawn of Wildwood Community Center, 6500 Powell Road, Wildwood. Details: facebook.com/WildwoodParksRecEvents
Eatonville fest salutes legendary author
Celebrate famed author Zora Neale Hurston with art, culture, music and more at the ZORA! Festival, an annual celebration hosted in Hurston’s historic childhood hometown of Eatonville, the community that inspired the setting of Hurston’s “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” The ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts (Jan. 30 – Feb. 1). Additional lectures, art exhibitions and more take place throughout the year. Details: ZORA! Festival
IceHouse’s ‘The Cottage’ continues madcap run in Mount Dora
The talented thespians at IceHouse usher in 2026 with laughs by way of a witty comedy, “The Cottage,” by Sandy Rustin. The production runs Thursday, Jan. 16, through Sunday, Feb. 8, at the Sonnentag Theatre, 1100 N. Unser St., Mount Dora. The play’s plot involves a crazy love quadrangle with the misunderstandings and tropes of a daytime drama, starring Christie Duffer, Jackie Prutsman, Christopher Fahmie, John Gracey, Aspen Thompson and Britton Hollingsworth.
Directed by Darlin Barry, the production features scenic design by Buddy Fales, lighting design by Diego Ford and Philip Lupo, and costume and sound design by Barry. Tickets are $27 for adults with group rates and other discounts. “The Cottage” is rated “PG-15” for “grown-up humor and situations.” More details at icehousetheatre.com
Have a ‘berry’ good time at Amber Brooke Farms
The Eustis Amber Brooke Farms location is kicking off 2026 with country fair fun and u-pick strawberries priced at $4.95 a pound, hand-picked zinnias for $2 a stem, live music and family entertainment. It’s where you can get cozy with fire pits, s’mores and hot chocolate, and cavort with the kids playing games and participating in fun activities. Highlights include Slide Hill, Jump Pillows, playgrounds, Barrel Train, Sunflower Express and the Ball Zone.
The event runs Thursdays through Sundays through Feb. 8, and a more jam-packed annual strawberry festival is planned mid-February in time for Valentine’s Day, after the Strawberry U-Pick events end. Admission prices vary by day. Amber Brooke Farms is located at 36111 N. CR 44A, Eustis. Details and tickets: amberbrookefarms.com
A LOOK AHEAD …
First Friday Eustis doubles as pre-GeorgeFest
Join the city of Eustis for the Georgefest Pre-Party First Friday on Friday, Feb. 6, from 6-9 p.m. in Downtown Eustis. The pre-fest First Friday will feature live music by Esh x Schief, food trucks and craft vendors. Details: Eustis.org
Black History Month in Tavares & Leesburg
The Tavares African American Heritage Festival Weekend, Feb 6-7, is a celebration of culture, history, and community. Enjoy an After Hours Concert: Willie Green and Soul Therapy Band at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Tavares Public Library. The concert kicks off African American History Month with a “Legacy of the Black Cowboy” theme. Later on in February, Leesburg’s Black-owned art gallery Artist with a Purpose will be featured in the Harlem Fine Arts Show in New York during Black History Month (more coming soon). Orisirisi African Folklore (Feb 20) puts on an interactive performance featuring drumming, dance, and song at the Leesburg Library. Find out more at lakecountyfl.gov/calendar
Grand opening of Friendly Grounds Cafe in Clermont
Central Florida Dreamplex presents the official launch of the Friendly Grounds Café at The Friendship Place, a new vocational training café staffed by adults with special needs and disabilities through real-world job skills and inclusive employment opportunities. The café will officially open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, on National Latte Day, at 2400 S. U.S. 27, Clermont. Those interested in attending should RSVP at cfldreamplex.com/friendly-grounds-grand-opening.
Chinese New Year celebrated in Groveland
Usher in the Chinese New Year in Groveland at the city’s February Second Friday Block Party. Never mind that it’s on Friday, the 13th. Leave that medieval superstition at the door and opt for a far more ancient tradition that goes back more than three millennia. Instead, celebrate the Year of the Horse from 5 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 13 at Lake David Park with a fashion show, live music, food trucks, vendors, and festive performances. Admission is free. The park is located at 450 S. Lake Ave., Groveland. Details: groveland-fl.gov
Free movie at Leesburg baseball stadium
Take the kids to see a free movie Feb. 20 as part of the Home Run Flicks series in Leesburg. The screening is part of a family movie night series with free films on the big screen at Pat Thomas Stadium, home of the Leesburg Lightning, located at 240 Ball Park Road, Leesburg. The next movie is “Mufasa: The Lion King.” Movie starts at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 20. Proceeds go to Leesburg Arts Center. Bring blankets & chairs. Details: facebook.com/leesburgspecialevents
Sak brings top-notch improv to Lake County
Prepare to laugh at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, when the improvsters of Orlando’s SAK Comedy Lab bring spontaneous, audience-interactive comedy to the Clermont Performing Arts Center. The show is suitable for all ages and performed by a Central Florida favorite for more than 25 years.
The troupe was voted “Best Comedy” in the Orlando Weekly Reader’s Poll. Current and past SAK performers have gone on to write or appear on the Disney Channel, Showtime, HBO, Warner Brothers, Broadway and more, including Aaron Shure, writer and executive producer of “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “The Office”; Wayne Brady of “Let’s Make a Deal” and “Whose Line is it Anyway?,” and SAK founder Clare Sera and Karey Kirkpatrick, writers of the Warner Brothers animated musical, “Smallfoot.” Tix: tix.com
Strawberry Festival brings fun to Brown’s Adventure Farm
Enjoy some sweet and juicy fun at Brown’s Adventure Farm from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 21-22. The Oxford farm’s “Strawberry Festival — A Berry Sweet Weekend on the Farm.” Admission includes live music and entertainment, Legacy of the Wild West shows (three shows daily), candy cannon blasts, free face painting (select times), more than 30 attractions and activities, strawberry photo opportunities and festival backdrops, big giveaways (twice daily), and a strawberry pie eating contest with prizes.
Receive 20% off U-Pick strawberries with paid admission (when available; availability depends on field conditions). Festival food and sweet treats, including strawberry favorites, are available for purchase. Tickets are $17.95 online or $21.95 at the gate. The farm is located at 13940 N. U.S. 301, Oxford. Details: brownsadventurefarm.com
‘Camp GeorgeFest’ celebrates Washington’s birthday in Eustis
The city of Eustis has announced that the theme of the 124th annual Georgefest celebration will be “Camp Georgefest,” imparting a spirit of adventure with concerts, live shows, carnival rides, food, games and a variety of returning favorites and new additions. The oldest continuous annual festival in Lake County returns Feb. 21-28 at historic downtown Eustis and Ferran Park.
The eight-day, family friendly event celebrates George Washington’s bBirthday with daily activities designed to bring the community together. According to the city, “the event draws thousands of local attendees and an increasing number of out-of-state visitors each year. It is recognized as the longest continuously running celebration of George Washington’s Birthday in the nation.” Details: www.eustisgeorgefest.org
Red, White, & Blues-BQ in downtown Leesburg
Enjoy two quintessential American experiences: blues music and barbecue, and 250 years of America from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Red, White & Blues-BQ festival in downtown Leesburg. Dale Bandy &The Blue Cans and Sheba Queen of the Mississippi perform. Food from Hurt’s BBQ , Grandma’s BBQ and Shaws Ooh Wee.
St. Patrick’s Day rocks at Shamrockin’ Fest in Leesburg
The 13th annual Shamrockin’ BBQ & Beer Festival is getting Lake County’s Irish up again, returning to downtown Leesburg on March 13-14. The fun begins Friday, March 13, at 5 p.m. on the Shamrockin’ Stage, with music from the Black Thorn Brigade. Vendors and food trucks keep festgoers busy, along with the Shamrockin’ Chili Cook-Off and Whiskey Business tastings.
Following an Irish parade, the street party continues on Main Street until 11 p.m., with free live entertainment on multiple stages. On Saturday, the festival reopens at 11 a.m. with more live shows, including pub-style sing-alongs with Scuttered the Bruce and traditional music from the Nae Breeks South Pipe Band.
A major highlight is the Florida BBQ Association-sanctioned competition, where visitors can sample and vote for their favorite entries from over 25 top Southern teams. Guests can also relax in the new Wine & Beer Garden, offering curated flights and craft selections.
The festivities conclude Saturday night with a headline performance by Def Lepprechaun and more live music at McCracken’s Irish Pub. While festival entry and music are free, tasting tickets for food and spirits are required and can be purchased through the Official Shamrockin’ Fest Website. Hosted by the Firefighter Charity of Central Florida, this event serves as a vital fundraiser for the Florian Fund, providing support to local firefighters facing medical crises. Visit shamrockinfest.com for more information.
4th Street Art Experience returns in March
Postponed until March, see talented creatives turn downtown Leesburg into a “living canvas” at the 4th Street Art Experience, and you might even be able to join a dance party at a festive, creative block party from 5 to 9 p.m. on the fourth Friday of the month at Fourth Street off Main Street. “Whether you’re painting, vending, or enjoying the atmosphere — there’s no cost to attend and plenty of local talent to experience,” organizers say. Details: Artistwap.com
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Fun things to do this weekend in Lake County, plus a look ahead
Reporting by Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial / Daily Commercial
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