It’s Valentine’s Day weekend in Orlando, and there are plenty of options for things to do with your partner, other than just going out for dinner.
In the realm of Central Florida weekend entertainment and events, enjoy the 16th Love Your Shorts Film Festival in Sanford, the 11th Annual Indie-Folkfest at the Mennello Museum and the 15th annual Monster Bulls event at the Silver Spurs Rodeo.
There’s also an outdoor Valentine’s Day concert at Leu Gardens, the Wild Love weekend at Brevard Zoo, a Valentine’s Day hike at Split Oak Forest and other art events happening this weekend.
Love Your Shorts Film Festival
Visit the Love Your Shorts Film Festival to catch a selection of more than 70 chosen films, all of which run under 30 minutes, at this year’s event.
Attendees can choose from blocks of film categorized by comedy, sci-fi/horror, drama, Florida Flavor and more. The final block of the weekend on Sunday night will highlight the “Best of the Fest” by showing the top film from each block, which carries a $500 cash prize per category. The overall winner, which will be selected by a panel of industry professionals, receives a $1,500 cash prize and the “Monroe,” which is an original piece of metal artwork.
This year’s Love Your Shorts Film Festival is in Sanford Feb. 12-15 at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center/Ritz Theater. (Courtesy Gene Kruckemyer)
The Ritz Theater, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, plays host to the festival. Just a stone’s throw from dozens of restaurants, bars and shops in downtown Sanford, festival co-founder Gene Kruckmeyer said that out-of-town visitors enjoy exploring the community before and after film screenings.
If you go: The 16th Love Your Shorts Film Festival is Feb. 12-15. Tickets cost $12 for individual blocks of films (except $5 for the “E for Everyone” block) or $85 for a weekend pass to all films. All screenings are held at the Ritz Theater at Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center at 201 S. Magnolia Ave. in Sanford. More info: loveyourshorts.com
Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel
A view from a hammock shows Indie-Folkfest in the Mennello Museum of American Art Sculpture Garden. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Indie-Folkfest at the Mennello Museum
A beloved community event returns for its 11th year outdoors in the Mennello Museum of American Art’s sculpture garden. Indie-Folkfest presents a lineup of musicians including Eugene Snowden, Beemo, Beth McKee and her Funky Time Band, Claire Vandiver and Skinny McGee and the Handshakes.
Visitors can explore food and beverages from the Guesthouse, The Gnarly Cuban, Smile Ice Cream and more. Guests of all ages can enjoy yard games, vendors, project stations and artists set up at the free-admission event.
If you go: The 11th Annual Indie-Folkfest at the Mennello Museum is open from noon-5 p.m. on Feb. 15 at 900 E. Princeton St. in Orlando. The free event is family-friendly and pet-friendly. More information: mennellomuseum.org
Rooster McKeeman rides the bull for a full 8 seconds to score and qualify for the championship round during the 15th Monster Bulls competition at The Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee in 2025. (Orlando Sentinel file)
Monster Bulls
Visit the Silver Spurs Rodeo for the 15th annual Monster Bulls event. Rather than the usual full slate of rodeo events, this night includes only bull riding with some of the “biggest and baddest” Silver Spurs bulls giving cowboys the “ride of their life.”
The event coincides with the Osceola County Fair, bundling admission to the fair with admission tickets for Monster Bulls. Earlier in the day, the Silver Spurs Rodeo Parade heads to downtown St. Cloud to begin at 10 a.m.
If you go: Monster Bulls is at 7:30 Feb. 14, at 1875 Silver Spur Lane in Kissimmee. Tickets range from $17.50-$37.50 with assigned seating. Children ages 3 and younger enter for free with lap seating. More information: silverspursrodeo.com
Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel
Longleaf pine trees are reflected in a pond at Split Oak Forest. The day after Valentine’s Day, join a guided hike in the natural area. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
More events
• Kissimmee Art in the Park brings art displays, interactive exhibits and food to the community for a night out. Stroll through Ruby Plaza during the event from 5-9 p.m. Feb. 13 at 201 Lakeview Drive in Kissimmee. More information: kissimmee.gov
• Brevard Zoo’s Wild Love Weekend hosts themed activities and chats about love in the animal kingdom. From hornbills to flamingos and turkeys, hear more about avian residents of the zoo. Daily chats go on from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Feb. 14-16 at 8225 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne. These activities are included with zoo admission. More information: brevardzoo.org
• A Valentine’s Day Concert at Leu Gardens features Ricky & the Buzzcatz, Alma Skye Trio and Nova Classica performing in three different garden locations. Tickets cost between $32.53-$41.62 for the event from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 14 at 1920 N. Forest Ave. in Orlando. More information: leugardens.org
• A guided hike through Split Oak Forest presents an outdoorsy option for couples this Valentine’s Day weekend. Led by Bob Stein, the hike will teach people about the history of Split Oak Forest and why it remains a critical wildlife corridor today. The event, which is hosted by Save Split Oak, is free but requires pre-registration. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 15 at 12175 Clapp Simms Duda Road in Orlando. More information: savesplitoak.org
• The Lazy Lovers Milk Mart invites the community to the Milk District for a day of shopping, eating and drinking after Valentine’s Day. The event is from noon-6 p.m. Feb. 15 at 2626 E. Robinson St. in Orlando. More information: milkmartorlando.com
• Rockpit Brewing & Distilling celebrates its 7th anniversary this weekend with new beer releases and new spirits debuting, plus live music and food trucks. The venue hosts free-admission festivities Feb. 13-14 at 10 W. Illiana St. in Orlando. More information: rockpitbrewing.com
Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.