Embrace the changing season at the multitude of spring festivities and events this year at Florida’s famous theme parks. From blooming marvellous annual events to some fantastic concerts, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Seven Seas Food Festival at SeaWorld

Held on weekends (Friday to Sunday) between 9th February and 5th May, The Seven Seas Food Festival at SeaWorld is the first springtime event to mark on your calendar.

Attend the park during the event and you will have the chance to taste your way around the globe with a fantastic range of delicious regional drinks and street food created by the park’s chef, Héctor Colón and his team. Try out the local cuisine in the All-American Market, or spice things up in the Jamaican Market! Although entry to the event is free, if you want to taste the cuisine it will incur an extra cost.

The best way to be able to try out the menu and save is to buy either a sampling lanyard for 10 or 15 items, both of which are available on the SeaWorld website.

It won’t be a festival without music, and as well as performers playing whilst you dine throughout the park, there is a stellar main-stage line-up ready to get you in the party spirit this year! Dance and sing along to a range of musical acts from various genres, who will be performing at the heart of the park in Bayside Stadium, at 6pm (unless noted below) every Saturday and Sunday.

Although the line-up for this year hasn’t been fully announced, you can look forward to shows from the following acts:

• 16th February: Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
• 17th February: Little River Band
• 23rd February: Flo Rida
• 24th February: 98 Degrees
• 2nd March: Lifehouse
• 3rd March: Cole Swindell
• 9th March: Lee Brice with LOCASH (5pm start)
• 10th March: I Love the 90s featuring Coolio, En Vogue, Kid N Play, Rob Base, Tone Loc and Young MC (5pm start)
• 16th March: Bret Michaels
• 17th March: Gente De Zona

Keep an eye on SeaWorld’s website for further artist announcements! Although concert entry is included with your admission ticket, you may have to consider queuing around 30 minutes early to be able to get a good viewing position. If you are keen to get the best seats to see a particular act, it might be worth considering upgrading your ticket to buy reserved seating. Full details are available on the website.

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

If you love looking at flowers, or are a budding gardener, then a trip to Epcot has to be on your holiday itinerary this year! Between 6th March and 3rd June the Epcot International Flower & Garden show has promised to bring a stunning multi-sensory selection of plants and displays to Florida. Take your time exploring the gardens and exhibits, and watch as the kids have fun in the play areas!

You might be inspired to create your own spectacular garden, or even try your hand at a little topiary, after marvelling at the shrubs shaped like Disney characters, and looking at the how-to exhibits.

For an additional cost, you can even take guided tours of the festival, where you will be lead by one of the park’s knowledgeable horticulturists. Book a place on the three-hour Gardens of the World Tour, which will take you through the World Showcase Pavilions and look at the signature displays of the festival. If you want a more leisurely tour, then the Royal Tea Garden Tour might suit! Head through a traditional English tea garden, where you will learn about blending and growing teas. Afterwards you will be served a refreshing cuppa and scones at The Tea Caddy!

“Went to Epcot on my last Orlando trip and had no idea I'd stumble into the Flower and Garden Festival. It was incredible! Step into the park and be surrounded by all your favourite Disney characters made of shrubbery! The flowers and landscaping were absolutely gorgeous. They even had a butterfly garden you can walk through!”

After all of this exploring, don’t forget to grab a bite to eat at the World Showcase, where outdoor kitchens will tempt you with yummy dishes and refreshing drinks. You can even book a dining package at one of the park’s restaurants which will ensure you get seats for the evening concerts!

This year the Garden Rocks Concert Series promises to be bigger and better than ever! Expanded to run for a whopping 90-days-straight with a fantastic 270 concerts, you will get the chance to see some big name draws, such as Sister Sledge and Canadian rockers Simple Plan, as well as some new performers that you will be recommending your friends back home to check out!

Concerts are held three times a night over at the American Adventure Pavilion at 5.30pm, 6.45pm and 8pm. The full line-up can be found on the Disney World website.

Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival

2019 sees the fifth annual food and wine festival over at Busch Gardens. On weekends between 16th March and 28th April, get your fill of delicious dishes as well as some amazing craft beers, wines and cocktails. You might want to avoid going on the roller coasters directly after filling-up on the cuisine available at a range of cabins, each of which feature specially-designed dishes that are inspired by different regions of the US!

"This food and wine festival was so great we went twice! The variety of food and wines, with the amazing concerts are just simply a good time. The music, the food, and the rides and play area for my son made for a great family funday!”

Why not head to Northern California for some indulgent Grilled Lamb Chops served up with Duck Fat Truffle Fries, before heading to New England and the Atlantic coast to munch on a Lobster Roll? With so much to choose from, you won’t know where to start! As with the Seven Seas Festival over at the sister theme park SeaWorld, you can buy sampling lanyards for five, eight, or twelve items which are available on their website, where you can also get a flavour of the food that will be available.

Don’t get too distracted by all of the food and drink; there will also be concerts on each evening of the festival. Keep an eye on the Busch Gardens website for the act appearing on 6th April, but the rest of the confirmed line-up is as follows:

• 16th March at 7pm: Daughtry
• 17th March at 6pm: The Band Perry
• 23rd March at 7pm: 3 Doors Down
• 24th March at 4pm: Blue Rodeo, Kathleen Edwards & Fred Eaglesmith Featuring Tif Ginn
• 30th March at 7pm: Justin Moore
• 31st March at 6pm: El Gran Combo
• 6th April at 7pm: Stone Temple Pilots
• 7th April at 6pm: Josh Turner
• 13th April at 7pm: Mighty Mighty Bosstones
• 14th April at 6pm: Boys II Men
• 19th April at 5:30pm: Edwin McCain & Vertical Horizon
• 20th April at 5:30pm: Hunter Hayes & Levi Hummon
• 21st April at 6pm: Mat Kearney
• 27th April at 7pm: Walk Off The Earth
• 28th April at 6pm: Foreigner

Although the concerts are included in the park entry, you can book VIP seating on the Busch Gardens website as an add-on to ensure that you get some great seats. These also come with a five-item sampling lanyard!

With so much to see and do this spring over at the Orlando theme parks, you won’t be disappointed with a visit to the food and flower festivals. Get inspired to create your own Disney magic in your garden after you return, or learn some new dishes to wow your friends and family with back home!

If you have attended any of the festivals in the past, or are going this year we would love to hear from you – get in touch with us online!