November is a busy month… with lots of events going on for foodies – including another week or so of Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, some live NBA games at the Amway Center, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving, and then the run-up to Christmas and the holidays begins… so lots to do!
Here’s my pick.
November 2015
Connecting to Cuba: from 1 November. The Osceola County Welcome Center is a wonderful free museum with some fascinating local history exhibits. Recommended for a cheap day out with kids between the theme parks. Throughout November and December, the museum has a special temporary exhibit which will explore the relationship between the US and Cuba throughout the 20th and 21st Centuries.
Tough Mudder Florida. 2-3 November. We’re proud to host some participants of this obstacle course challenge in Ellis Exclusive Villa’s homes in Orlando. This year’s Central Florida event is at River Ranch.
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend: 6-7 November. A night-time half marathon around Epcot, in the company of Disney characters, a 5K Jingle Jungle run through Disney’s Animal Kingdom and a selection of children’s races culminate in a finish-line party at Epcot’s food and wine festival.
The Fancy Flea: 6-7 November. If you love a bargain, then this up-market flea market with vintage décor, furniture, clothes, garden and crafty goods is a wonderful opportunity to trawl through some unique and unusual items and maybe pick up a few Christmas gifts.
Mary J Blige: 7 November. The Queen of RnB performs live at the CFE Arena in Orlando for one night only as part of an international tour.
Fall Fiesta in the Park: 7-8 November. More than 400 artists and crafters will show off their wares in Orlando’s beautiful lakeside Lake Eola park over two days. Expect a relaxed atmosphere with food vendors and street entertainers also in attendance.
Sarasota Medieval Fair: 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22 November. Expect jousting, jesters, feasting, birds of prey, medieval tournaments plus face painting and food trucks. There will be plenty of kids’ activities and entertainment to enjoy too. Plus, strangely, you’ll also get an opportunity watch the Scottish rout the English through the medium of human chess with a battle of Bannockburn theme.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party: 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20 and 29 November. On selected evenings through November and December, Magic Kingdom will put on a little extra Yuletide magic courtesy of Mickey and friends. Buy your tickets through Ellis Exclusive Villas for special discounted rates.
Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella: 10-15 November. This TONY-award-winning production has a five-day run at the Dr Phillips Center for the performing arts in downtown Orlando. A lush production with incredible orchestra, this contemporary take on the classic tale will delight.
Watch the Orlando Magic: 11, 13 and 18 November. The Orlando Magic play the Los Angeles Lakers on November 11, the Utah Jazz on November 13 and Minnesota Timberwolves on November 18. Watching a live NBA game is a rare treat and there’s three opportunities at the Amway Center this month. You can book tickets through Ellis Exclusive Villas.
Food Truck Friday: 13 November. Every second Friday of the month, you can sample the delights from a variety of gourmet food trucks outside Celebration Town Hall from 5.30pm. You can bring your own chairs and blankets and the refreshments continue until 9pm.
Light up UCF: from 13 November. Florida University’s CFE Arena on Knight’s Plaza starts getting festive from 13th November. Until the 4th January it will play host to Orlando’s largest ice skating rink, an ice slide, holiday movies under the stars (on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights) and other rides and attractions.
RibFest: 13-14 November. Vinnoy Park in St Petersburg will play host to two stages of musical acts plus the smoky aroma of ribbers from all over the US competing for the top prize. Family activities make it an opportunity for the whole family to enjoy tasty ribs and more.
Plum Palooza: 14 November. Fans of Janet Evanovitch’s fiction will love this all-day festival-like event held in Osceola Heritage Park to celebrate the release of her latest Stephanie Plum novel.
24th Annual Pioneer Day: 14 November. You can explore the Pioneer village at Shingle Creek for free and on 14th November there’s an opportunity to hear the stories behind them, plus special pioneer day activities for kids.
Arts, Crafts and Seafood festival: 14-15 November. A great opportunity to explore the historic district of Old Homasassa in this Florida fishing town while browsing the work of artists and exhibitors and sampling the seafood and other local specialities.
Festival of Trees: 14 -22 November. Orlando Museum of Art offers you the chance to Jingle All the Way through its halls filled with extravagant, designer-decorated trees, breath-taking displays of wreaths and table-top trees, gingerbread masterpieces. Get an early start on your holiday shopping, visit the special children’s area or get tickets to the Reindeer Romp children’s party on Wednesday 18th.
Mixon Fruit Farms Harvest Festival: 21-22 November. A weekend of circus acts, craft stalls, a climbing wall, a bouncy castle, bungee jumping, thrill shows, cars, food and activities laid on by one of the State’s best-known citrus farms and country stores.
ICE! At Gaylord Palms: from 23 November. This year the hotel and convention centre is creating a ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas themed walk-through experience with more than two million pounds of ice sculptures and four ice slides.
Daytona Turkey Run: 26-29 November. More than 6,000 classic cars and trucks will be on show and for sales at Daytona International Speedway Infield over Thanksgiving weekend.
Holidays Around the World at Epcot: from 28 November. Epcot’s annual celebration of the wonder of Christmas explores Christmas traditions in 11 countries through food, costumes and special events and entertainment. Book your Epcot tickets through Ellis Exclusive Villas to secure special discounted rates.
Now Snowing in Celebration: from 28 November. I love Celebration. Where else can you experience four guaranteed nightly snowfalls in Florida? As well as the Christmas kitsch of regular snowfalls, Celebration will lay on an ice skating rink, strolling Christmas Carollers and a truly festive atmosphere.
Home For The Holidays: 28 November. The Orlando Philharmonic will perform two shows, a matinee and an evening performance, on November 28. Something of an Orlando holiday institution, expect a show full of family favourites and Christmas classics at the Bob Carr Theater located at 401 W. Livingston Street, Orlando.
We still have some availability this November so if any of these events have tickled your fancy, then please give me a call and I can help you find a great villa to stay in while you make the most of these fantastic Central Florida events. Please call me on 0333 332 1411.
