10 Things to Do in Orlando in February
Did you know that one of the best months to travel to Orlando is February? This month of the year is much cooler than in summer and the lower number of visitors will allow you to better enjoy all the city's attractions.
The city of Orlando stands out for its theme parks, beaches and nature reserves of great interest that you can visit during your trip. In February, you'll also find festivals such as Mardi Gras, food festivals and an incredible rodeo.
The wide range of things to see and do in Orlando makes it necessary to organise your time well. To do this, there is nothing better than having information about what you will find in the city.
1. Experience the biggest party in Florida at Universal Studios with Mardi Gras.
This event takes place during the first and second week of February at Universal Studios. During these days you will be able to taste food from approximately 13 different places around the globe and sample around 70 exquisite foods from different cultures.
At Mardi Gras, you'll enjoy plenty of entertainment as they throw a big party known as the Big Easy, where you'll be amazed by the energetic dancers on stilts and in flashy outfits, accompanied by bands.
You can also go to the shop in honour of Mardi Gras, which will be open for the entire duration of the event and buy brand new merchandise.
2. Bring the little ones to enjoy Disney Springs
If you're looking for things to do in Orlando with kids and want to leave the city for a few hours, Disney Springs may be the best solution. It is a complex located near a lake and has entertainment attractions, restaurants and shops that are located outdoors.
If you eat at one of the restaurants, remember not to get too crowded so you can have a delicious ice cream at a shop known as Ghirardelli for dessert or for the kids to have a snack after a ride on the attractions. One advantage of travelling in February is that the heat won't be too hot for your rides.
On the other hand, if you're a little tired of Disney characters and prefer to get away from the city, the kids will also have a blast at the LEGO Imagination Center. Located 45 minutes from the city, this visit is considered one of the best excursions from Orlando. Here kids will be able to let their creativity run wild as they build with colourful bricks.
3. Run the Disney Princess Half Marathon as a family!
The Disney Princess Half Marathon is Disney's largest event in terms of the number of people who participate. It is usually held on the last Sunday in February and it is an activity you can do with your family during your visit to Orlando.
This race is inspired by all the Disney princesses, so its aim is to promote their kindness and bravery. The runners who participate dress up as princes and the women as princesses.
This event consists of a course of between 5,000 and 10,000 metres, and is not at all exclusive, it includes a virtual race mode for all families to enjoy and, in addition, has a yoga event in its planning.
4. Immerse yourself in SeaWorld's incredible Seven Seas food festival.
SeaWorld's SeaWorld water park features attractions related to the sea and its animals. However, a particularly recommended event is the food festival that takes place on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from the first week of February until the first week of May.
Here you can sample delicious dishes at the wide variety of open-air markets where you'll have a hard time deciding what to eat.
You'll see Asian, Latin, North American, European and many other dishes, as there are more than 200 options on offer.
During the festival you can enjoy live performances of country, pop, rock and Latin music.
5. Enjoy a day at EPCOT Festival of the Arts
Between the first and second week of February, this festival is held at EPCOT, one of the best theme parks in Orlando and part of the Disney complex.
In this festival you will enjoy three types of art, such as visual, scenic and culinary. The latter will give you the opportunity to travel through different cultures with its gastronomy, as you will be able to taste food from different parts of the world, such as France, Germany, Morocco and China.
On the other hand, the visual arts will fascinate you as an explosion of creativity suitable for the whole family. You'll see an exhibition of jewellery, art and photography and take part in many activities.
And finally, in the performing arts you'll enjoy a showcase of incredible performances from around the world, see Disney Broadway Concert musicals and learn how to draw animated characters at the Animation Academy from real-life animation artists.
6. Be amazed in Orlando with the annual Monster Bulls
The Monster Bulls is held on the second Saturday in February at the Silver Sours Arena in Kissimmee in the evening hours.
If you're looking for entertainment in Orlando at night, these well-trained riders are a real spectacle, at least for the 8 seconds or so that they ride.
For me, the most exciting and dangerous part of the whole rodeo is when these riders hold on to a rather furious bull weighing around 1000 kilos.
The professionals will fight to win the first place in this competition, in addition to the prize money they are awarded. As a curious and important fact, a fraction of the money that is raised goes to very important social causes, either for foundations or for scholarships for high-achieving students.
7. Spend a fun-filled day at the Osceola County Fair.
While Orlando has some truly impressive rides, such as the Ferris wheel at Icon Park, sometimes it can be good to attend events that are a little quieter. Such is the case with the Osceola County Fair, which is held every year for about 10 days in early February.
Its purpose is to bring together a large number of people for a celebration of family and community in a festive atmosphere. It is attended by around 200 exhibitors and over 10,000 visitors.
Its programme consists of various family activities, such as competitions, craft, art, industrial and agricultural exhibitions, and food tasting. You may also be able to see livestock shows and other fun-filled attractions.
8. Don't miss the Silver Spurs Rodeo.
The Silver Spurs Rodeo usually takes place in mid-February. It is one of the largest events of its kind in the country and is a major attraction for visitors to the city at that time.
It features people from all over the United States competing for the title of national champion in various forms. In short, this is a unique opportunity to witness live an activity that is so rare in Europe, but so popular in the USA.
9. If you like shopping, take advantage of the sales at the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets
If you're a shopper, there's nothing better than a trip to the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets. Located between Universal Studios and Disney parks, this place is known as one of the best outlets to go to in the state of Florida.
It is an open-air mall, so it is ideal for strolling around and looking for bargains. It has around 160 shops where you can find the most important brands on the market.
In Orlando you can also find other types of outlets that may be of interest to you, such as Premium Outlet International Drive, The Florida Mall and The Mall at Millenia Florida.
In February, you will also be able to find sales at your favourite brand shops as it is the low season. Another aspect to bear in mind is that the influx of visitors is much smaller than at other times of the year.
10. Visit Downtown Orlando without the crowds.
One of the areas not to be missed during your stay in Orlando is Downtown. The best thing to do in the afternoon is to explore the well-known Church Street District, more specifically the area around Church Street Station.
This area, full of Victorian-style buildings, is one of the best things to do in Orlando. Here you'll find a variety of shops, bars and cinemas, as well as a number of food trucks where you can try some of the city's typical dishes.
What to bring for Orlando in February?
It's important to consider what you might need on your trip to Orlando in February, so that you don't find yourself having to splash out on things you could have packed in your suitcase.
You'll want to pack a full body mackintosh and an umbrella, as Orlando's weather tends to be unpredictable and thunderstorms are relatively frequent. It is also important to bring sunscreen for those times when the sun shines brightly.
Although the weather during the day is usually warm, early in the morning and after sunset, temperatures drop significantly. It's best to pack clothes that will work for both times of the day and night.
Weather in Orlando in February
During the month of February, the weather forecast in Orlando is for sunny days accompanied by a few cloudy days. The average high temperature is around 23°C, while the average low temperature is around 14°C.
How busy is Orlando in February?
One of the advantages of travelling to Orlando in February is the low number of tourists at the various theme parks and other attractions. It is not for nothing that this month is considered to be one of those that form the low season.
However, it should be noted that during the weekends there may be slightly more visitors. Nevertheless, you will be able to enjoy the theme parks and the rest of the city's attractions with much more peace and quiet than at other times of the year.