The latest Orlando happenings updated weekly using information provided by partners and destination press releases. Stay up-to-date on Orlando's most recent announcements and openings from accommodations and attractions to restaurants and more.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Orlando is named the third most affordable travel destination for Labor Day, according to KAYAK’s newly released Labor Day Budget Travel Report.
 

ATTRACTIONS:

Orlando Family Stage’s 2025-2026 Season of Shows for Young Audiences returns with a lineup of packed with imagination, heart and adventures. This season will feature shows including Go, Dog. Go! • Ve Perro ¡Ve!, a bilingual celebration of movement, color, and canine chaos; Goosebumps The Musical, featuring spooky, silly, and spine-tingling fun based on the bestselling books; A Charlie Brown Christmas Live!; Tiara’s Hat Parade, a brand-new musical about family, creativity, and finding your voice; Lilly and the Pirates, where audiences set sail on a daring journey with a fearless young hero; and Finding Nemo Theatre for Young Audiences Version, a splashy stage adaptation of the Pixar favorite.

Build-A-Bear Workshop will open a new multi-level flagship store at ICON Park in 2026. The space will feature a classic "make-your-own" experience, plus interactive and personalized elements for all ages.

Orlando Family Stage announced the continuation of its accessible performance offerings for the 2025–2026 season, including American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted, Audio Described and Relaxed Performances. Featured on select dates, these performances ensure children and families of all abilities can experience the joy and impact of live theatre in a way that meets their needs. Additionally, all performance spaces are wheelchair accessible, with assistive listening devices and sensory-friendly headphones available at every performance.

Renaissance Theatre Company will resurrect its most chilling creation, Nosferatu, Orlando’s Adult Vampire Experience, for its fifth year Sept. 5 – Nov. 8.  Inspired by vampire lore from famous literature such as Bram Stoker's “Dracula” and TV and film such as “Interview With a Vampire,” “Twilight,” “Buffy,” and “True Blood,” Nosferatu offers a one-of-a-kind experience in a haunted warehouse, as guests dressed in all black are led by vampires through a series of immersive, spine-tingling vignettes. The night will culminate with The Choosing Ceremony at Vbar, the company’s seductive, underground vampire nightclub.

Island H2O Water Park will debut its all-new Live! Lagoon Stage, the first music venue of its kind in Florida, built directly over a wave pool. The venue kicks things off with headlining performances by two members of the American hip hop group, Migos. Quavo will perform live on Sept. 27 and Offset will perform live on Oct. 11. The events run 8:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m., featuring dancing in the wave pool, live music, late-night slides and rides, and high-energy performances under the stars.

Zootopia: Better Together!, an all-new 4D show, will debut on Nov. 7 at the Tree of Life Theater, located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The show celebrates Zoogether Day, a celebration of unity amongst the different biomes featured in Zootopia and the upcoming film, Zootopia 2. Zoogether Day festivities will feature performances such as ice skating, synchronized swimming and tiny mouse drone shows.

ette hotel has announced its official partnership with Orlando Ballet for the 2025–2026 season. Highlights include the Ballet Soirée Stay package, which features a one-night stay, two premium orchestra-level tickets to a selected Orlando Ballet performance at Dr. Phillips Center’s Steinmetz Hall, VIP transportation to and from the venue, and more. In addition, ette hotel will offer a signature afternoon tea in celebration of Orlando Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker. Guests can enjoy traditional tea sandwiches, scones, and intricately designed pastries presented in a ballet-inspired, commemorative box.
 

The Beak and Barrel, the all-new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed tavern, will open at Magic Kingdom Park’s Adventureland on August 29. The pirate pub’s menu will feature tasty options for pirates of all ages, as well as cocktails for guests ages 21 and up featuring a variety of spirits Inspired by flavors of the Caribbean and crafted into colorful cocktails. While guests sip and snack, they’ll be immersed in the Tortuga world through sing-alongs, storytelling and enchanting surprises.

Heatwave, a new hybrid bar, restaurant and café concept, will begin soft openings in downtown Orlando on Aug. 15. The new space will feature three distinct areas: The Green Room main space, offering a coffee spot during the day and a full bar in the evening; the Views upstairs bar; and the outdoors terrace area and bar.

Stufd, a new dumpling stall, will open inside Orlando Racket Sports in September. Headed by former Sorekara head of mixology, Josue Villacis, the spot will offer jiaozi dumplings with three different fillings (beef, pork and chicken), as well as fried shrimp balls, cucumber salad and a special rotating item.

Moa Kai Hawaiian Diner has soft-opened on East Colonial Drive. The full-service joint serves cocktails, along with a menu of saimin noodle soups, Spam musubi, loco moco and more.

Kappo Tsan, a new concept by Norigami chef David Tsan and James Beard Award-nominated restauranteurs, Johnny and Jimmy Tung, is slated to open late-fall. The kappo-style restaurant will blend Japanese craftsmanship and Taiwanese soul, showcasing sushi and cooked dishes in both multicourse and a la carte formats.  

EVENTS & FESTIVALS

Creative City Project will bring back its literary experience Anthology: Elemental, an immersive evening of poetry, music and craft cocktails, to the Renaissance Theatre Company from Aug. 15-17.  The event invites guests to explore the five classical elements—earth, water, air, fire and spirit—through powerful literary performances and perfectly paired artisanal drinks.

Pointe Orlando will host Nightmare at the Pointe, a Halloween-themed event, held at Live! at the Pointe, featuring access to four haunted venues, live DJs, Halloween entertainment, creepy cocktails and more.

The NBA’s Orlando Magic is scheduled to play regular season games in Europe this season, starting with a pair of games between the Memphis Grizzlies in Berlin on Jan. 15 and in London on Jan. 18.

Wekiva Island will celebrate the end of summer with its annual Kona Luau. The tropical-themed bash returns Oct. 4, inviting guests to say goodbye to summer with a festive evening of live fire dancers, a hula hoop contest, Kona Brewing Co. specials and beachy giveaways.

Universal Volcano Bay Nights returns Fridays, Sept. 5 – Oct. 31, with limited-capacity, family-friendly fun, including after-dark park access, new Scooby-Doo experiences, a Beach Bash with live entertainment, specialty eats and more.

Fun Spot America will host Night of Gold, an evening of fellowship featuring live music, food and faith, on Sept. 13. The separately ticketed event features unlimited ride access to more than 25 rides, inspirational speakers and a praise and worship band.

Halloween Horror Nights returns to Universal Orlando Aug. 29 – Nov. 2, marking their earliest start date in history. The 34th edition features 10 new haunted houses inspired by horror films and video games. This year’s houses include “Five Night’s at Freddy’s,” “WWE Presents: The Horrors of the Wyatt Sticks,” “Terrifier,” “Jason Universe,” “Fallout,” Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters, Dolls: Let’s Play Dead, Grave of Flesh, Gálkn Monsters of the North and El Artista: A Spanish Haunting.

Dirtybird CampINN takes place Aug. 29 - Sep. 2 at the DoubleTree Hilton Orlando. The event combines house music, pool parties, games and immersive activities, drawing fans from around the world in a resort-style festival experience.

The Miss America Organization will return to Orlando with the crownings of Miss America Teen 2026 on Sept. 6 and Miss America 2026 on Sept. 7 at the Walt Disney Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.