🌸 A New Year at Lakeside Inn: Fresh Beginnings by the Lake

As the holiday season winds down and a new year begins, Lakeside Inn invites you to welcome the months ahead surrounded by the timeless beauty of Mount Dora. With its crisp mornings, gentle sunshine, and glistening Lake Dora views, winter here feels more like an extended spring — the perfect time to unwind, explore, and rediscover the charm of Old Florida.

Whether you’re visiting for a quiet lakeside escape, a weekend of shopping and art, or one of the many local festivals that make Mount Dora sparkle, there’s something special waiting for you this season.

☀️ Why Winter Is the Perfect Time to Visit

January through March brings some of the most comfortable weather of the year to Central Florida — mild days, cool evenings, and endless blue skies. It’s an ideal time to stroll along the waterfront, browse downtown boutiques, or enjoy a cocktail on the Veranda Bar patio as the sun sets over Lake Dora.

Guests can also enjoy:

Outdoor dining and live music in downtown Mount Dora.
Relaxing boat tours of the Harris Chain of Lakes.
Strolling the Lakeside grounds, where the gardens are beginning to bloom early.
Day trips to nearby parks, antique districts, and scenic drives through Lake County’s rolling hills.

🎨 Upcoming Events in Mount Dora

The calendar is packed with reasons to return again and again this season:

Mount Dora Arts Festival
📅 February 1–2, 2026
Mount Dora’s signature event draws more than 300 artists from across the country for one of Florida’s top juried art shows.
👉 Learn more

Scottish Highland Festival
📅 February 20–22, 2026
Enjoy bagpipes, dancing, traditional games, and Celtic spirit throughout downtown Mount Dora.
👉 Details here

Jane Austen Festival
📅 March 6–8, 2026
A charming celebration of literature, costume, and culture featuring teas, dances, and workshops.
👉 Mount Dora Jane Austen Festival

Renninger’s Antique Extravaganza
📅 January 17–19, 2026
The first of three major antique weekends each year — a treasure hunter’s paradise.
👉 Visit Renninger’s

Art in the Alley
📅 Monthly — January 10, February 14, March 14
A lively evening of local art, food, and music tucked behind the downtown shops.
👉 Art in the Alley Info

Plaid in the Park
📅 Monthly community concert — check city schedule for dates
Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy music under the oaks at Sunset Park.

🌿 A Fresh Start at Lakeside Inn

As America’s most historic continuously operating hotel, Lakeside Inn has welcomed guests for 140 years — and the new year brings new reasons to fall in love all over again. From beautifully refreshed rooms to seasonal menu offerings at The Beauclaire, Tremain’s Tavern or on The Verandah, every detail blends classic charm with modern comfort.

Start your mornings with coffee by the lake, wander through the village shops, and end your evenings with cocktails as the sun melts into the horizon — this is winter in Mount Dora at its finest.

✨ Plan Your Getaway

There’s no better way to begin the year than with a stay steeped in history, hospitality, and natural beauty.

📍 Lakeside Inn — Mount Dora, FL
Book your stay today and experience the magic of the new year by the lake.