Welcome to the Florida International Festival!

The dates for the next festival already are set -- July 15 through July 31, 2005. We are happy to announce that we have contracts with the LSO and five major conductors for the 2005 festival. News will be posted on the site as soon as it becomes available.

For the past three decades, residents of the Daytona Beach area have enjoyed the cultural experiences offered by the Florida International Festival. The multi-day event, which occurs every other year, features the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), who calls the area its "Official American Summer Home." Through a variety of world-class performances, entertainment ranging from music and dance to comedy and family favorites are presented through both free and paid programs.

Brief History of the Festival

In 1966, LSO musicians and their families made their first visit to the shores of Daytona Beach. It is believed to be the first European orchestra to settle in a U.S. city for such an extended engagement. During the next few years, Floridians continued to enjoy the annual cultural experience provided by the LSO.

In the 1970s, the event experienced some financial hardships, forcing suspension of the Festival. In 1982, the Festival was reborn under Central Florida Cultural Endeavors, Inc. with renewed enthusiasm and community support.

In 1985, the Festival became a biennial event, and has since served the area with expanded programs including community outreach, educational events and a broader variety of world-class talent. The Festival now takes place over a 17-day period and features more than 80 performances through both free and paid programs.

The Orchestrator
Get your Orchestrator here! Find what's in store for the next Festival.

Festival Concert Definitions
The Festival differentiates the types of performances through various headlines. They include the LSO Classical Series, LSO Pops Concert, Festival Stage, New Horizons, and Mini Concerts.

Daytona Beach Overview
A look at the Daytona Beach area.

The Festival Board
Meet our Festival Board.

Tippen Davidson
The Florida International Festival is the creation of Daytona Beach resident and businessman, Herbert M. "Tippen" Davidson, Jr.

Éric Larivière
Éric Larivière, former General Manager of the Sociètè du Centre Pierre-Péladeau, in Montreal, Québec,�is�our Music and Cultural Director.

About the Festival

The 2003 Florida International Festival � with more than 80 concerts and performances -- closed July 27, 2003 and already we are working on Festival 2005!

The dates are set -- July 15 through July 31, 2005. The London Symphony Orchestra and five world-famous conductors are in the lineup. News on additional artists and performers will be posted on this site as soon as it becomes available.

Festival 2003 featured five classical and one pops concert by the LSO, with world famous conductors Mstislav Rostropovich, Donald Runnicles and Yan Pascal Tortelier.

In addition to the LSO, Festivalgoers had a variety of artists to choose from, including Arturo Sandoval, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Mountain Heart, Noche Flamenca and the Miami String Quartet. Performances by Silk Road Music, bohola, Pascal Rioult Dance Company and a variety of smaller ensembles from within the LSO were also part of this year�s offerings.

For the last three decades, residents of Daytona Beach and surrounding areas have enjoyed the cultural experiences offered by the Florida International Festival.

The multi-day biennial event features the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), who calls Daytona Beach its "Official American Summer Home." A variety of world-class performances -- entertainment ranging from music and dance to comedy and family favorites are presented through both free and paid programs.

The Florida International Festival is the creation of Daytona Beach resident and businessman, Herbert M. "Tippen" Davidson, Jr.

Davidson knew the natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle of Daytona Beach had already made it a popular destination for Spring Break and stock car racing. He and other area leaders decided the area needed a new event -- one that focused on music and culture.

A committee was organized and letters were written to the world's top orchestras, inviting each to visit Daytona Beach to play a little music and enjoy sand and surf.

The London Symphony Orchestra responded enthusiastically. In just eight days, the Daytona Beach community raised enough money to bring the orchestra and its leaders across the Atlantic Ocean.

What began in the 1960s as a modest venture started by just a few people has grown into a biennial, 17-day-phenomenon known as the Florida International Festival, now going into its 37th year.

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