Lake County Florida Events You Don't Want to Miss

There's More Happening Than You Think

Lake County has more going on than people realize. Sure, everyone knows about the Mount Dora Craft Fair. But what about the midweek run club that takes over downtown? Or the Saturday morning farmers markets where you'll find the best local honey and fresh bread within fifty miles?

From massive festivals that shut down entire streets to laid-back weeknight trivia at your favorite brewery, Lake County's event calendar stays full year-round. The trick is knowing where to look — and knowing which ones are actually worth your time.

We put this guide together to cover the recurring events, the big annual festivals, and the seasonal highlights that make this part of Florida feel like home. And if you want the week-by-week version delivered straight to your inbox, The Lake Life newsletter has you covered every Thursday.

Weekly Recurring Events Worth Marking on Your Calendar

Some of the best things happening in Lake County aren't one-off festivals — they're the weekly traditions that give this area its rhythm. These are the events that locals build their weeks around.

• Saturday Farmers Markets — Both Downtown Leesburg and Downtown Mount Dora host Saturday morning farmers markets with local produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, and live music. Mount Dora's is especially walkable, with the market flowing right into the downtown shops.
• Just Keep Rolling Run Club — Every Tuesday at 6:30 PM in Mount Dora. A growing group of runners and walkers takes over downtown for a casual few miles, usually ending at a local spot for drinks. All paces welcome, no sign-up needed.
• Lakeridge Winery Tours — Weekends in Clermont. Florida's largest premium winery offers free tours and tastings with views of the rolling hills. It's one of the most popular recurring things to do in Lake County for good reason.
• Open Mic Nights — Several venues across Lake County host weekly open mic nights, including spots in Mount Dora and Tavares. Expect local singer-songwriters, the occasional poet, and a genuinely supportive crowd.
• Trivia Nights — From breweries in Clermont to pubs in Eustis, weeknight trivia has become a staple. Grab a team, grab a table, and test your knowledge of anything from pop culture to Florida history.

These weekly events are free or low-cost, family-friendly (mostly), and a great way to meet people if you're new to the area.

Major Annual Events That Draw Huge Crowds

Lake County punches well above its weight when it comes to annual festivals. Several events here draw visitors from across the state and beyond. If you're planning your year, these are the ones to circle.

• Mount Dora Craft Fair (October) — This is the big one. More than 300,000 visitors descend on for one of the largest craft fairs in the entire Southeast. Hundreds of juried artisan vendors line the streets, and the whole town turns into one giant open-air market. Book your parking early — or better yet, arrive before 9 AM.
• Mount Dora Art Festival (February) — A juried fine art show that brings painters, sculptors, photographers, and mixed-media artists from around the country. The downtown lakefront setting makes it one of the most scenic art festivals in Florida.
• Leesburg Bikefest (April) — One of the largest motorcycle rallies in the Southeast. Downtown Leesburg fills with bikes, live music stages, food vendors, and thousands of riders. Even if you don't ride, the people-watching alone is worth the trip.
• GeorgeFest in Eustis (February) — One of Florida's oldest community festivals, celebrating George Washington's birthday with parades, carnival rides, live entertainment, and a whole lot of small-town charm. Eustis takes this one seriously, and it shows.
• Blueberry Festival (April, Mount Dora) — Everything blueberry: pies, jams, cobblers, smoothies, and fresh-picked baskets. It's a sweet, family-friendly festival that celebrates one of Lake County's signature crops.
• Seafood Festival (March, Mount Dora) — Fresh seafood, cold drinks, and live music on the waterfront. This spring festival is a local favorite and a great excuse to eat your weight in shrimp.
• Chain of Lakes Boat Parades (Clermont, December) — Holiday-decorated boats cruise the Chain of Lakes in Clermont, lighting up the water. It's a uniquely Lake County way to kick off the holiday season, and the lakeside viewing spots fill up fast.

Most of these events are free to attend, though food and parking can add up. We cover all of them in detail in The Lake Life newsletter as they approach — including the tips that don't make it into the official event pages.

What to Expect Season by Season

Lake County's event calendar shifts with the seasons, and each one brings something different to look forward to.

Spring (March – May)

This is peak festival season. The weather is perfect — warm days, cool evenings, low humidity. The Seafood Festival, Blueberry Festival, and Leesburg Bikefest all land in spring. Outdoor markets expand, and the farmers markets hit their stride with fresh strawberries and spring produce. If you only visit Lake County once a year, make it spring.

Summer (June – August)

The big festivals take a breather, but the lakes come alive. Weekends are for kayaking, paddleboarding, and waterfront dining. Splash pads open across the county for the kids. Evening events pick up — outdoor movie nights, sunset concerts, and the weekly run club stays strong despite the heat. Summer in Lake County is quieter but far from boring.

Fall (September – November)

The crown jewel of fall is the Mount Dora Craft Fair in October. But the whole season has a rhythm to it: cooler evenings, harvest events at Lakeridge Winery, pumpkin patches, and the return of comfortable outdoor dining. The snowbirds start arriving, and the towns start buzzing again.

Winter (December – February)

Lake County winters are mild — highs in the 60s and 70s — which means the events keep rolling. Holiday boat parades light up the lakes in December. Downtown Mount Dora and Leesburg host holiday markets and tree-lighting ceremonies. January and February bring the Art Festival and GeorgeFest. While the rest of the country hibernates, Lake County is outside enjoying 72-degree afternoons.

Where to Find Lake County Events

One of the most common questions we get is: "How do I actually find out what's going on this weekend?" Fair question. Lake County events are spread across a dozen cities, and there's no single calendar that catches everything. Here are the best places to look.

• The Lake Life Newsletter — Every Thursday, we send a curated roundup of the best events, new openings, and local stories. It's free, it's quick to read, and it saves you from scrolling through five different Facebook groups.
• City Websites and Facebook Pages — Mount Dora, Leesburg, Clermont, Eustis, and Tavares all maintain event calendars on their city websites. Their official Facebook pages tend to be more up-to-date for last-minute additions.
• Local Chambers of Commerce — The Mount Dora, South Lake, and Leesburg chambers are particularly active in promoting local events. Their websites and email lists are solid secondary sources.
• Visit Lake County (Tourism Site) — The official Lake County tourism website aggregates events from across the county. It's useful for planning trips but can sometimes miss the smaller, hyper-local happenings.

If you want a single source that pulls the best stuff together without the noise, that's exactly what we built The Lake Life to do.

The Easiest Way to Stay in the Loop

Here's the honest truth: keeping up with Lake County events shouldn't feel like a part-time job. But between scattered Facebook posts, city websites that haven't been updated since last month, and word-of-mouth that moves faster than any calendar — it kind of does.

That's why we started The Lake Life newsletter. Every Thursday, we send one email with the events worth knowing about, the hidden gems worth visiting, and the local stories worth reading. No spam. No fluff. Just the good stuff from someone who actually lives here.

Whether you're a longtime Lake County resident who wants to get out more, or someone who just moved to the area and doesn't know where to start — this is the simplest way to stay connected to what's happening around you.

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