Winter in Mount Dora: Things to Do & Local Favorites
Winter is one of the easiest times of year to spend a full day outside in Mount Dora and Lake County. Cooler weather makes downtown walks, hiking, boating, markets and festivals more comfortable, while strawberry season and some of the area's biggest annual events arrive between December and February.
This guide focuses on things that make sense specifically during the cooler months, along with the winter events worth watching for each year.
Seasonal events, crop availability and tour schedules can change. Verify current dates and availability before making a special trip.
Winter Quick Picks
Walk Palm Island Park
Cooler weather makes the Lake Dora boardwalk and wooded trails especially comfortable.
Explore Local Parks →Take a Lake Dora Boat Tour
Cruise Lake Dora and the Dora Canal without the heat of midsummer.
Compare Boat Tours →Go Antiquing
Winter brings regular market weekends plus Renninger's major Antique Extravaganzas.
Explore Markets →Pick Strawberries
Strawberry season typically runs through the winter at nearby farms.
Winter U-Pick →Hike a Local Preserve
Winter is one of the better times of year for longer walks and hikes around Lake County.
Find Hiking Trails →Catch a Festival
January and February include several of Mount Dora's largest annual events.
Winter Events →Take Advantage of the Cooler Weather
Palm Island Park boardwalk or Lake Dora trail
Walk Palm Island Park
Palm Island Park gives you a wooded trail and boardwalk right along Lake Dora, making it an easy outdoor stop without leaving Mount Dora.
In winter, the cooler temperatures make it much easier to combine the park with a longer downtown walk or lunch nearby.
Explore Mount Dora Parks →Hidden Waters Preserve or Lake County hiking trail
Explore a Longer Trail
Winter is a much better time to explore some of the area's longer trails and preserves. Options around Mount Dora, Eustis, Umatilla and the surrounding county range from short nature walks to longer hikes.
Hidden Waters Preserve in Eustis is one option close to Mount Dora, but there are several others worth exploring.
See Local Hiking Trails →See the Harris Chain From the Water
A sunny winter afternoon is a great time for Lake Dora and the Harris Chain. Boat tours and other water activities continue through the cooler months, although windy or unusually cold days can affect schedules.
Take a Dora Canal Cruise
Several local operators run boat tours from the Mount Dora and Tavares area, including narrated cruises through the Dora Canal and trips across Lake Dora.
Compare Boat Tours →
Book a Leisurely Cruise
For something slower-paced, look for scheduled cruises aboard the Dora Queen and other larger sightseeing boats operating around the Harris Chain.
Schedules vary by season, so check the current departure calendar before planning your day.
See Water Activities →Antiques, Markets & Winter Browsing
Renninger's Antique Center or Extravaganza
Renninger's Antique Extravaganza
Renninger's regular antique and flea markets operate throughout the year, but winter is especially notable because the Antique & Collector's Extravaganza is traditionally held in both January and February.
These weekends are substantially larger than a normal market weekend, with hundreds of dealers spread across the property.
Explore Mount Dora Markets →
Browse the Village Market
A cool Sunday morning is a good time to combine the Mount Dora Village Market with downtown shopping, coffee or brunch.
Market schedules can change seasonally, so check the current calendar before going.
See Area Markets →Winter Strawberry Season
Strawberries or Amber Brooke Farms
Pick Strawberries at Amber Brooke Farms
Strawberry season is one of the more distinctive winter activities near Mount Dora. Amber Brooke Farms in Eustis currently lists its strawberry U-pick season as generally running from December through March. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Crop conditions change quickly, so always check the farm's current field status before driving out.
Check Current Strawberry Picking →Farm field, berries or winter farm day
Make a Farm Day of It
Local farms sometimes pair U-pick with food, children's activities, flowers and seasonal festivals. Those extras vary from week to week, so this is one activity where checking before you leave matters.
Explore Farms & Markets →Major Winter Events to Watch For
Winter is one of Mount Dora's busiest event seasons. These are recurring annual events worth knowing about, but always check the current year's calendar before making plans.
Mount Dora Christmas & Holiday Events
The holiday season includes Light Up Mount Dora, the Christmas Walk, Christmas Parade, lighted boat parade, Snow in the Park and other seasonal activities. The City has already published several 2026 holiday events. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
See the Holiday Guide →New Year's Eve on Lake Dora
Mount Dora currently lists a New Year's Eve celebration with live music, food and fireworks over Lake Dora for December 31, 2026. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Check Current Event Details →Highwaymen Art Show
The 2027 Mount Dora calendar lists the Highwaymen Art Show, Sale & Benefit for January 9–10 in Donnelly Park. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
See Current Events →Renninger's Antique Extravaganza
Renninger's traditionally hosts large Antique & Collector's Extravaganza weekends in both January and February. The Chamber already lists January 15–17 and February 19–21 for 2027. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Explore Renninger's & Markets →Florida Storytelling Festival
The Florida Storytelling Festival returns to Lakeside Inn in January, with workshops, concerts, story swaps and other storytelling programs. The 2027 dates are January 21–24. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Check Current Details →Central Florida Film Festival
The Central Florida Film Festival is scheduled for January 22–24, 2027 at EPIC Theatres in Mount Dora, with screenings, panels, mixers and an awards program. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
See Current Events →Mount Dora Arts Festival
The Mount Dora Arts Festival is one of the city's signature winter weekends. Mount Dora Center for the Arts has confirmed the 52nd festival for February 6–7, 2027. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Visit Mount Dora Center for the Arts →Jane Austen Festival
The 2027 calendar lists a three-day Jane Austen Festival for February 12–14 with Regency-themed workshops, dancing, marketplace activities and other programs. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
See Current Event Details →Scottish Highland Festival
Mount Dora's Scottish Highland Festival is scheduled for February 20–21, 2027, with Highland athletics, music, pipe-and-drum performances, vendors and cultural activities. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
Check the Events Calendar →More Winter Ideas
Go Fishing
Cool mornings can be a good time to get out on the Harris Chain. Fish from shore where permitted or book a local guide for a longer trip.
Explore Water Activities →Play Golf
Winter weather is one reason golf is such a big part of the Central Florida lifestyle. Mount Dora and the surrounding county have both public-access courses and residential golf communities.
Explore Lake County Golf →Visit a Museum
Save the Modernism Museum or Mount Dora History Museum for a cooler or rainy afternoon when you want to stay downtown but spend some time indoors.
See More Mount Dora Activities →Have a Waterfront Lunch
Winter is a good time to sit outside along Lake Dora or the Harris Chain without dealing with midsummer heat.
Waterfront Restaurants →Browse Downtown
Combine shopping, coffee, galleries and lunch for an easy day that doesn't require advance reservations.
Mount Dora Dining Guide →Take a Guided Downtown Tour
A narrated Mount Dora Transit tour is another good winter option when you want local history without spending the whole day walking.
Mount Dora Transit & Tours →An Easy Winter Day in Mount Dora
You don't need to pack the day with activities. Cooler weather makes it easy to combine downtown, the lake and one seasonal stop.
Market, Trail or Downtown
Start with Palm Island Park, Renninger's, the Village Market or a quiet walk around downtown while the day is still cool.
Lake Dora or U-Pick
Take a boat cruise on the Harris Chain or head toward Eustis for strawberry picking when the fields are open.
Dinner + a Winter Event
Have dinner downtown, then check the current events calendar for a festival, live music, theatre or seasonal activity.
Planning a Winter Weekend?
The activities on this page stay useful from year to year, but event dates, concerts and special programs change constantly. Check the weekly Life in Lake events page before you finalize your plans.
SEE CURRENT MOUNT DORA EVENTS MORE THINGS TO DO