New countywide celebration brings together Sebring, Avon Park and Lake Placid for six days of gardens, nature, outdoor adventures, art, agriculture, food and more
SEBRING, Fla.(August 21, 2026) Something new is blooming across Highlands County this September and it’s about more than gardens.
The first-ever Garden Week, September 8–13, 2026, will bring together businesses, attractions, parks, farms and community organizations across Sebring, Avon Park and Lake Placid for six days of garden-inspired and nature-based experiences. The idea was hatched from a meeting the county’s tourism office had earlier this year with hotels and restaurants who cited September as a slow customer season.
Garden Week marks an important milestone for the destination: the first new countywide tourism event intentionally developed through collaboration among all three communities. Rather than centering the celebration in a single city or venue, Garden Week invites residents and visitors to explore experiences throughout Highlands County.
“Visitors don’t see city lines; they see a destination,” said Casey Hartt with the county’s tourism office. “Garden Week is a great example of what can happen when everyone works together as each community brings something different to the experience, and collectively, we can give visitors more reasons to explore, stay longer and discover places they might not otherwise find.”
And you don’t have to be an avid gardener to enjoy it.
Garden Week is intentionally broader than its name might suggest. From birding and nature programs to touring a caladium farm, creating garden-inspired art, discovering local plants, sampling special food and drink offerings, shopping and exploring the outdoors, the week offers plenty of ways to experience the natural side of Highlands County.
Unlike a traditional festival held in one location, Garden Week encourages participants to choose their own adventure. Local businesses, attractions, parks, farms, restaurants and community organizations throughout the county will offer special activities and experiences, allowing guests to build an itinerary around what interests them most.
One Week. Three Communities. Choose Your Own Adventure.
One of the week’s signature experiences will be the Classic Caladiums Annual Open House in Avon Park on September 11–12, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at one of the area’s most colorful and distinctive agricultural products during the growing season.
Throughout the six-day celebration, participants can also discover nature-based experiences, educational programs, garden and farm activities and tours, art and creative workshops, local shopping, special culinary offerings and other activities hosted throughout Sebring, Avon Park and Lake Placid. Plus, a local hotel and resort are offering special overnight specials.
Some activities are free, while others require a fee or advance registration. Days, times and availability vary by participating location.
Rather than trying to experience everything, guests are encouraged to browse the schedule and create their own Garden Week itinerary. That could entail enjoying a single activity close to home, spending a day exploring with friends or turning Garden Week into a multi-day getaway.
“We want our residents to be tourists in their own backyard while also giving visitors a reason to spend a few days discovering all three of our communities,” Hartt said. “Come for the gardens, come for the nature, come for the food or just come because you’re looking for something fun and different to do in September.”
Garden Week is presented by Visit Sebring/Highlands County Tourist Development Council in collaboration with participating organizations, attractions and businesses throughout Highlands County. The initiative reflects a growing countywide approach to destination development that connects communities and creates experiences that are stronger together than they would be individually.
See what’s blooming and plan your Garden Week adventure at VisitSebring.com/event/garden-week/.
