Orange City Blue Springs Manatee Festival

The annual Manatee Festival in Orange City is back for its 39th year, and it's bringing a weekend full of family-friendly activities, entertainment, and community spirit. Whether you're a local or just visiting, this event offers a chance to enjoy nature, support a good cause, and have fun with the whole family. Plus they offer a free shuttle to nearby Blue Springs State Park to see the manatees-often hundreds of them.

The festival supports Friends of Blue Spring State Park, scholarships, and various other local organizations. If you're looking for a great way to spend a day outdoors and give back to the community, the Manatee Festival is a must-see.

Florida manatees: image of three manatees swimming in the clear waters of Blue Springs State Park. — Manatees at Blue Springs State Park.

Event Details

2025 Orange City Blue Springs Manatee Festival

January 25 and 26, 2025
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Valentine Park
1511 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763

Where to see manatees: image of Manatees swimming at Blue Spring Park — Manatees at Blue Spring State Park. Image: Melody Larson

Admission

The Manatee Festival is affordable for the whole family, and the best part is that your attendance helps fund local initiatives that benefit the community.

Adults: $13
Children Ages 4-12: $3
Children 3 and Under: Free
Dogs: $10

Festival Highlights

From arts and crafts to exciting games and live entertainment, there's something for everyone at the Manatee Festival. Here's a breakdown of the fun you can expect:

Family-Friendly Activities

Children's Fingerprinting by V.I.P.S.: A great safety initiative for parents with young kids.
Arts & Crafts: Local vendors and artisans will have unique, handmade goods on display.
Face Painting
Shows & Rides
Walk-on-water Balls: For the adventurous, this is an opportunity to try your hand (or feet) at walking on water.
SPCA Adopt-A-Pet

Manatee Fest Games

Ready for some friendly competition? The festival features:

Rock Wall Climbing
Bungee Jumping
Balloon Man Shooting Gallery

Live Entertainment

The Manatee Festival also boasts a fantastic lineup of live entertainment throughout the weekend.

Saturday Entertainment
9:30 a.m.: UHS Titan Regiment Band kicks off the festival with the National Anthem and other spirited music.
11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.: Don't miss the World Famous Disconnected K9's Frisbee Show, a crowd favorite that showcases amazing canine frisbee tricks.
12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.: Catch Alt X, a local band playing rock and pop hits.

Sunday Entertainment
9:30 a.m.: Start your Sunday with the UHS Titan Regiment Band performing the National Anthem and more.
11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.: Once again, the World Famous Disconnected K9's Frisbee Show takes center stage.
12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:15 p.m.: Jeff Howell Band from Monsters in the Morning (104.1 Real Radio) will keep the party going with great rock and alternative hits.
4:45 p.m.: Stick around for the Raffle Drawing, where lucky festival-goers could win some amazing prizes.

See the Manatees

In addition to the great festival activities, you'll have access to a free shuttle bus that will take you to Blue Spring State Park, where you can catch a glimpse of the majestic manatees that the festival is all about. What better way to celebrate these incredible creatures while supporting the preservation efforts at Blue Spring State Park?