You probably already know the #1 reason why families seek out Orlando, Florida for their vacation destination (but if you aren’t aware, here’s a hint). Plus we've told you how Orlando is a great place for cultural experiences thanks to fantastic art museums and galleries. Now we're sharing why art lovers will appreciate the great variety of fabulous art fairs and festivals in Orlando.

Some of the more interesting elements of these Orlando art fairs include unique access to local Florida art and artists, delicious food, professional chalk artists, jazz festivals, and live artist demonstrations. The month of March is a popular time for fairs in Orlando, but you can find other seasonal fairs and festivals as well. So if you're planning a fun family getaway or just want to visit a great place for the visual arts, consider the timing of some interesting and engaging art fair options to enhance your Florida experience.

Community Art Fairs in Altamonte Springs

Creating a wonderful sense of community, these fairs feature a majority of local artists and provide significant community benefits in Altamonte Springs, a northern suburb of Orlando.

Uptown Art Expo

The chalk art at the Uptown Art Festival is one of the "biggest draws" (see what we did there) to the event. Thanks to a front-row view of the art in action, festival-goers can watch Cranes Roost Boulevard being transformed into a giant canvas for mesmerizing street art.Of course, visitors aren't limited to chalk art as 140 carefully juried artists are selected to participate in the Expo each year exhibiting a range of types and styles of artwork. The options are endless including jewelry, fine crafts, photography, and sculpture by regional and local artists.

THE WHEN AND THE WHERE: A gorgeous waterfront open space at 274 Cranes Roost Blvd, Altamonte Springs, FL where the Expo takes place annually in late March

MORE INFORMATION: https://www.uptownartexpo.com

Altamonte Art, Craft and Wine Festival

Sponsored by the Seminole County South Rotary Club, the art festival is held in the beautiful Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs. The park provides a lovely setting for participants to sip vino while taking in the art by approximately 150 talented artists. For the younger set attending the art and craft expo, there is a "kidzkorner" with engaging activities such as chalk art.

As the name implies, it's not just a fabulous art and fine crafts event. Visitors can experience live music during the two-day event, as well as wine tasting as part of the wine stroll. Proceeds from the annual gathering are used to fund scholarships for local college-bound high school seniors.

THE WHEN AND THE WHERE: The festival takes place in November at Cranes Roost Park, located at 225 Newburyport Avenue

MORE INFORMATION: https://www.aacwf.com

Nationally Ranked Art Fairs and Festivals

These festivals consistently rank among the top 200 in the Sunshine Artist festivals list.

Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival

Well over 300,000 people attend the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival on average each year, and we can understand why. Located in the quaint community of Winter Park, the festival bills itself as one of the most prestigious outdoor art festivals in the country. Visitors can peruse works by approximately 900 artists from around the world.

The fine arts fair recently added a jazz festival as part of their entertainment lineup and offers a cross-section of live music opportunities.

THE WHEN AND THE WHERE: The festival takes place each year in mid-March in Central Park along Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL

MORE INFORMATION: https://www.wpsaf.org

Mount Dora Arts Festival

A short drive from Orlando proper, the art fair takes place in Mount Dora, in an extremely charming and historic lakefront setting. The two-day art fair includes artists from all over the United States and features food trucks and a variety of entertainment opportunities.

THE WHEN AND THE WHERE: Takes place annually in February, 138 E 5th Ave B, Mount Dora, FL

MORE INFORMATION: https://mountdoraart.com/mount-dora-arts-festival/

Ready for your trip to Orlando, FL? We hope these tips and recommendations have been helpful. You can also check out original art online, including works by Florida artists, on the UGallery website.