Picture carnival music drifting through the air, while the smells of crispy fried funnel cake waft out from traveling food vendors set against a backdrop of rides and games that promise prizes like oversized teddy bears.
All of this and more make up the atmosphere and experience of the 114th Central Florida Fair, which returns for 11 days full of family-friendly festivities through March 8. Michael Tipton, the fair’s president and CEO, said the event has a range of offerings for all demographics.
Last year, the fair attracted more than 220,000 visitors over the 11 event days.
Colorful rides are pictured during the Central Florida Fair at the fairgrounds in Orlando in 2025. The Central Florida Fair returns Feb. 26-March 6. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
“We have people that come just for the food. This is their one time a year where calories don’t count, and they’re going to eat all the funnel cakes and deep-fried everything,” he said. “It is a very affordable way to get out and have a night of fun and entertainment without breaking the bank.”
New rides for this year include the Thunderbird Swing Tower, which is the tallest portable swing tower in North America, the 131-foot-tall Kraken and a double-decker Venetian Carousel. Among fan-favorite rides returning this year are the Ferris wheel, the Super Cyclone coaster and the Mega Drop.
In the fair’s entertainment lineup, attendees can get up close with exotic animals, including capybaras and ostriches at the Turn Around Petting Zoo or see an Otter Adventure show. Fair-goers can witness combat robots inside this year during an event called Robot Renegades, which occurs Feb. 27-March 1.
The Central Florida Fair returns to Orlando Feb. 26-March 8 with plenty of carnival rides, as seen in the set-up process ahead of the event. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Around the grounds, other shows include Circus Inferno Extreme and the Zerbini Family Circus. Visitors of all ages can also drive remote-controlled 1/10-scale stock cars around a track.
Explore a blast from the past when stepping into the Blockbuster Experience, a traveling 90s-themed pop-up with movie displays and VHS tapes to browse from, just like the old times.
“The last Blockbuster is on tour around the country. It’s like stepping back in the past and walking into a Blockbuster in the 90s,” Tipton said. “People will literally get teary-eyed walking in this, like, ‘I remember this.’”
The Central Florida Fair returns to Orlando Feb. 26-March 8 with plenty of carnival games, seen in the set-up process ahead of the event. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Live music can be found in an outdoor beer garden with shows including a battle of the bands during all three days of the fair’s opening weekend. Every day features a new Central Florida musical performer.
Tipton said that the fair’s livestock program has also been growing for the last several years, with representation from six counties.
In working to accommodate a wide swath of the greater Orlando community, the Central Florida Fair offers several themed nights. On March 2, military members and first responders receive free admission into the fair with a valid ID, while March 4 is Pride night with representation from LGBTQ+ organizations and March 5 is educator night with free admission for school employees with an ID.
Funnel Cakes are served at a stand during the Central Florida Fair at the fairgrounds in Orlando in 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
“We want to be a place where everybody feels comfortable,” Tipton said. “The fair is not just for one part of the community. It’s for everybody.”
For cost-conscious fair visitors, $2 Tuesday is on March 3 with $2 entry, $2 ride options, $2 food options and $2 drink specials at the beer garden. Thrifty Thursday has unlimited ride wristbands for $25 at the gate.
St. Clement Catholic Church offers guests the chance to make their own shortcake for $6 during the 90th Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City in 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
At the same time, the Florida Strawberry Festival returns to Plant City with a wide swath of berry-centric dishes, crafts, livestock shows and big-name headline entertainment. This year’s lineup includes Alabama, Jamey Johnson, Ty Myers, Riley Green, Lauren Daigle, Brantley Gilbert, Dierks Bentley, The Marshall Tucker Band, Forrest Frank, The Offspring and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.
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.
If you go
Central Florida Fair: Through March 8 at 4603 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando. Gates open at 4 p.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends. General admission tickets are $7 for youth ages 7-11, $11 for adults on weekdays and $16 for adults on weekends. Children younger than age 6 are admitted for free. Unlimited ride wristbands and additional information are available at centralfloridafair.com.
Florida Strawberry Festival: Open through March 8 at 303 BerryFest Place in Plant City. The festival is open daily from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults ages 13 and older, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for children ages 5 and younger with paid adult admission. More information: flstrawberryfestival.com