Things to Do in Mount Dora & Lake County
Updated November 6, 2026 Ā· Please confirm details with event organizers
Find local festivals, concerts, theatre, farm outings and community events in Mount Dora, Eustis, Tavares, Leesburg and nearby Lake County towns. See what's happening this weekend, browse upcoming dates, or search by activity.
This Weekend in Lake County: Nov 6ā8
Coming Up Soon
One-time events arranged by date. Events spanning several weeks appear in āOngoing This Seasonā below.
Friday, November 6
46th Annual Montverde Day Fall Music Festival
Montverde's long-running town festival returns for its 46th year, with two days of live music and community fun in this small town on the shore of Lake Apopka.
Eustis First Friday: Salute to Veterans
November's First Friday in downtown Eustis has a Salute to Veterans theme, with food, vendors, live entertainment, and shopping. It runs an hour later than the usual monthly street party.
Saturday, November 7
Salute to Veterans 2-Mile Dash
Run, walk, or jog the City of Eustis 2-mile course in support of veterans. Every participant gets a commemorative T-shirt and finisher medal, and proceeds go to the Eustis Parks and Recreation Scholarship Fund.
5th Annual Coffee & Classics Car Show
Classic cars, motorcycles, and UTVs fill the farm for this annual fundraiser, with music from Z88.3, raffles, food, free face painting, kids' activities, and local vendors including Whimsy Market. Car show proceeds support Altoona Charter School.
32nd Annual Mount Dora Plant & Garden Fair
Nurseries and vendors from across Florida fill Donnelly Park with native and exotic plants, garden dƩcor, and handcrafted items. Free admission, and volunteers help cart plants to your car. Saturday morning also brings the Mount Dora Center for the Arts' Plein Air Quick Draw.
Wednesday, November 11
Leesburg Veterans Day Parade
Marching bands, decorated floats, veteran organizations, and community groups head down Main Street to honor those who have served, with this year's parade also marking America's 250th birthday. Free to watch.
Mount Dora Salute to Service
The City of Mount Dora's Veterans Day event at Gilbert Park on the Lake Dora waterfront.
Saturday, November 14
Down the Hill Soapbox Derby
Gravity-powered soapbox cars race downhill in downtown Mount Dora, with Elizabeth Evans Park on Lake Dora as home base. Check the city listing for the race schedule and organizer info.
Ongoing This Season
Fall farms, exhibitions and seasonal experiences you can visit on multiple dates.
"Carrie: The Musical" at Bay Street Players
The second Main Stage production of Bay Street Players' 2026ā2027 season, a musical adaptation of Stephen King's novel "Carrie." Check the site for showtimes.
Great Scott Farms Fall Festival & Corn Maze
A 7-acre corn maze plus jumping pillow, super slide, castle playground, tractor farm tours, pumpkin patch, and a zipline add-on. This year's maze theme is "Space Exploration."
Amber Brooke Farms Fall Season
25+ attractions including a petting zoo, gemstone mining, corn maze, sunflower express, cow train, bubble barn, and live music. Cashless venue; some attractions are add-on ticket items.
Fall at Southern Hill Farms
Carnival rides, corn maze, pumpkin patch, and farm-fresh food and drinks. Advance tickets required; kids 2 and under free.
Mount Dora Plein Air Sale & Exhibition
Artists spent Paint the Town week painting on location around Mount Dora, and their work goes on display and for sale in the Mount Dora Center for the Arts gallery, with proceeds supporting local art education. Don't miss the timed Quick Draw at Donnelly Park during the Plant & Garden Fair, Saturday, Nov 7, 9amā1pm.
Holiday Tours at the Sydonie Mansion
A 90-minute guided walking tour of the historic Sydonie Mansion, decorated throughout with Christmas trees and holiday dƩcor. Tours run on set days and times, so book ahead.
On the Horizon
More dates to plan around, including future festivals, holiday events and live performances.
Friday, November 13
"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" at the IceHouse
The IceHouse's second show of the 2026ā2027 season follows J. Pierrepont Finch from window washer to the executive suite in this classic musical comedy. Thu 7:30pm, Fri 8pm, Sat/Sun 2pm.
Sunday, November 15
New Artist Showcase: Patrick Gibson with Shari Frink & The Mission
Just One Productions brings its New Artist Showcase to Mount Dora, pairing Christian country singer-songwriter Patrick Gibson with the Christian rock, pop and blues of Shari Frink & The Mission for an intimate afternoon concert. A second showcase, with Haley Jones, is set for Sunday, Jan 10, 2027.
Friday, November 20
Renninger's Antique & Collectors Extravaganza
Hundreds of antique and collectibles dealers set up across the Renninger's grounds for the last of the year's three Extravaganza weekends. The dates match the event's usual third weekend in November; confirm hours and admission with Renninger's before you go.
Saturday, November 21
Light Up Mount Dora
Mount Dora switches on its holiday lights across Elizabeth Evans, Sunset, and Donnelly Parks, with a tree lighting, fireworks over the 4th Avenue docks (Sunset Park has the best view), and a holiday drone show afterward. Pets aren't allowed at major downtown festivals, and the city posts parking and road closure details ahead of time.
Candy Cane Lane
Clermont Main Street's holiday kickoff brings snow, Santa sightings, local vendors, live music and a kids' zone to downtown Clermont. The event page lists both 2ā8pm and 10amā4pm, so check the time before you go.
Friday, November 27
39th Annual Light Up Eustis
Eustis kicks off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving with its annual tree lighting and an evening of holiday activities in Ferran Park on the shore of Lake Eustis.
Men Without Hats with Pylon Reenactment Society
The band behind "The Safety Dance" and "Pop Goes the World" brings its You Can Dance If You Want tour to the Music Hall, with Pylon Reenactment Society opening.
Friday, December 4
Light Up Clermont
Clermont's annual tree lighting and street party goes '80s this year with a "Christmas Rewind" theme, plus live music, food trucks, local vendors, carolers, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Clermont Historic Village.
Mount Dora Christmas Walk
The Chamber's annual Christmas Walk is always the first Friday of December. Downtown shops stay open late for holiday shopping under the lights, with carolers, Santa and holiday entertainment around Sunset Park. The Chamber hasn't posted the 2026 time yet.
"Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)" at Melon Patch Players
Three actors abandon yet another "A Christmas Carol" and try to perform every Christmas story they can remember instead, from the Grinch to Frosty, in this fast-paced holiday comedy.
Saturday, December 5
Mount Dora Christmas Parade
Floats, bands, and Santa roll through downtown for Mount Dora's annual Christmas parade, expected to start at 10am (confirm closer to the date). That evening, decorated boats light up Lake Dora for the Lighted Boat Parade.
Mount Dora Lighted Boat Parade
Boats decked out in holiday lights cruise the Mount Dora shoreline on the night of the Christmas parade. Grantham Point near the Mount Dora Lighthouse and Elizabeth Evans Park are popular places to watch.
Christmas at the Market at Renninger's
Antiques, vintage finds, holiday dƩcor and gifts from market vendors across the Renninger's grounds. Confirm hours and admission with Renninger's before you go.
Tavares Christmas Parade & Festival
The parade steps off at 5pm on Main Street at Sinclair Avenue, followed by an evening festival downtown with a giant Christmas tree, "ice" skating, snowstorms, live entertainment, a movie in the park, food vendors and visits with Santa.
Sunday, December 6
Christmas Swing with the Mount Dora Jazz Band
The Mount Dora Jazz Band brings holiday swing to the W.T. Bland Public Library for a Sunday afternoon concert.
Friday, December 11
Festive Friday in Ferran: Movie Night in the Park
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" plays on the lakefront at Ferran Park, with visits with Santa, train rides, the Extreme Game Truck and inflatables for kids.
Saturday, December 12
Snow in the Park
Mount Dora's Florida-style snow day, with sledding on a snow slide at Elizabeth Evans Park and a visit from Santa. The city lists it as an all-day event; check the listing for a detailed schedule closer to the date.
Leesburg Christmas Festival & Parade
The festival opens at 1pm in Towne Square with live music from The 789's, an ice skating rink, a snow slide, local vendors, holiday treats and visits with Santa. The 59th annual Christmas Parade follows at 6pm along Main Street, with this year's theme, "Let It Snow."
Saturday, December 19
2nd Annual Eustis Christmas Parade & Winter Fest
The Eustis Community Alliance and Eustis Parks and Recreation bring back the Christmas parade, ending at Carver Park for Winter Fest. Last year's Winter Fest included a hot chocolate bar, holiday crafts, letters to Santa, a DJ, food trucks, and free photos with Santa.
Friday, January 22
"Peter Pan Goes Wrong" at Melon Patch Players
The accident-prone Cornley Drama Society attempts J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, with flying mishaps and technical disasters throughout. A comedic take on the holiday classic from the creators of "The Play That Goes Wrong."
Friday, February 12
Mount Dora Jane Austen Fest
Historic downtown slips into the Regency era for a weekend of Austen-themed workshops, lectures, teas, fashion, and a marketplace. Regency dress is welcome but optional. Check the schedule for ticketed events.
Saturday, March 20
Japan Festival Eustis
Arching Oaks Japanese Art & Culture Center brings its festival back to Ferran Park, now over two days. The first festival featured taiko drumming, traditional dance, martial arts and calligraphy demonstrations, mini art classes, and a cosplay contest; watch the site for the 2027 lineup.
Recurring Events
Farmers markets, live music, classes, community gatherings and other regular activities. For every market day and location, see our Lake County farmers markets guide.
Local Favorites
Mount Dora Village Market
Weekly market in downtown Mount Dora with local vendors, produce, and makers.
Fresh Market at Ferran
A lakeside evening market along Ferran Park with local vendors, food trucks, handmade goods, and live music, right on Lake Eustis.
Lake County Farmers Market at the Fairgrounds
A weekly morning market with local produce, plants and flowers, baked goods, and food and market vendors. From June through September it runs 8am to noon.
Eustis First Friday Street Party
Food trucks, vendors, and live music fill Ferran Park for Eustis's monthly downtown street party.
Discover Leesburg
Leesburg's monthly downtown evening, with live acoustic music in Towne Square and an evening market on 5th Street. Next one: Friday, Nov 13.
Art in the Alley
Local artists set up along Royellou Lane next to the Mount Dora Center for the Arts to show and sell original work, while downtown galleries stay open late. Free to attend. Next one: Friday, Nov 13.
Maggie's Attic Wine Tasting & Downtown Wine Walk
Sample more than 20 wines and stroll to tasting stops around historic downtown Mount Dora, with live music in Maggie's courtyard along the way.
Live Music at Lake Harris Hideaway
Live music four days a week on the deck at this waterfront spot on Lake Harris, reachable by car, boat, or seaplane. Weekend reservations are limited and some events carry a reservation fee applied to your bill; call 352-343-3585 with questions.
Browse 25 more recurring activities
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Stacy Bracewell, REALTORĀ®
ERA Grizzard Real Estate Ā· Mount Dora
Considering a Move to Lake County?
I put this list together every week because I love living in Lake County and want everyone to find the good stuff, from the big festivals to the Tuesday trivia nights. When you're ready to talk about buying or selling a home here, I'd love to help.
Questions about Lake County or local real estate? Call or text Stacy at 352-223-9238.
Stacy Bracewell, REALTORĀ®, ERA Grizzard Real Estate, 600 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora, FL. Equal Housing Opportunity.