Culture
College Park plays host to cultural events and also is located next to several museums and arts venues. Orlando’s Cultural Corridor and Arts District extends from downtown, north, up College Park’s east side to the museums and theaters at Loch Haven Park. The events range from musical and lyrical to literary and the venues host permanent and traveling art and science collections. The list below should help orient you to the variety of options within College Park, and within a few minutes of its borders.
Many of the cultural events below occur within venues further below, but warrant their own description. Certainly these are not all of the events presented or hosted by the venues and museums further down the page.
College Park Tour of Homes (previously known as the Historic Homes Tour)
An annual event put on by CPNA, the Tour of Homes has a new theme each year. For up to date information, check our Calendar and our Events pages.
College Park JazzFest
College Park JazzFest
Jazz Fest is an annual event in College Park put on by College Park Main Street . Part of Edgewater Drive is closed off, and the community comes out to hear local Jazz Musicians play into the night. For the most up to date information check the Downtown College Park Partnership's Events page linked to above.Orlando Fringe Festival
Orlando Fringe
The Fringe Festival is an annual theater event that is centered around Loch Haven Park and takes over stages around Orlando. This 10-day event occurs every spring and consists of over 100 different performances of dozens of shows.
Shakespeare Festival
Orlando Shakes
The Orlando Shakespeare Festival celebrate's Shakespeare's work and is put on annually.
Performing Arts Centers
Orlando Venues
Several performing arts centers are located near downtown including The Bob Carr Performing Arts Center and the Amway Arena. Orlando Ballet, Orlando Opera Company and Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra all perform at the Bob Carr as well. In addition there is a Performing Arts Center planned for Downtown.
Theatre Downtown
Theatre Downtown
Theatre Downtown is a private amateur theatre that has variety of shows throughout the year.
Mark II Dinner Theatre/Orlando Broadway Theater
Within College Park’s borders was the Mark II Dinner Theater, which became the Orlando Broadway Theater and the Starlight Theater. They all served up musicals with dinner for decades. This venue closed in 2007.
Kerouac Project
Kerouac Project
Jack Kerouac lived within College Park at the time that Dharma Bums was receiving national recognition. A foundation was created to buy the house he lived in, and it is now used for a writer in residence program.
Orlando Museum of Art
Orlando Museum of Art
The Orlando Museum of Art is home to a permanent collection of… and also hosts touring collections.
Mennello Museum of American Art
Mennello Museum of Art
The Mennello Museum of American Art sits on the shores of a lake. It has a permanent collection of Florida Art, Folk Art and also hosts touring collections.
Orlando Science Center
Orlando Science Center
The Orlando Science Center has a permanent display that includes a collection of reptiles and fish, and has several touring collections. In addition, they have an IMAX theater and observatory.
Harry P. Leu Gardens
Leu Gardens
Leu Gardens is a beautiful botanical garden. In addition to being a lovely place for a walk, they have several educational and social events on the grounds throughout the year. In addition, you can take a tour of the historic house on its grounds.
Orange County Regional History Center
The History Center
The History Center is perhaps the venue farthest from College Park, but it helps put it and all of Orlando’s history in perspective. It is home to a permanent collection about life in Central Florida, as well as touring collections.