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 named among the top cheapest domestic destinations to fly into for 2026, according to a recent report by Dollar Flight Club.
ATTRACTIONS
Blue Man Group announced their new show will debut at ICON Park on May 1. The show will showcase Blue Man Group’s distinctive blend of art, high-energy live music, comedy and non-verbal communication. The custom-built theater, located beneath the Orlando Eye, will be designed for the group’s multi-sensory performances.
SeaWorld Orlando will offer a limited time deal through Jan. 31 giving guests ages 21 and older one complimentary beer per visit at the Waterway Grill Patio. The free draft is available daily from noon until one hour before park close. Guests can also enjoy happy hour specials at select locations throughout the park.
Mattel announced the development of Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterpark, an experiential aquatic destination featuring Mattel’s beloved brands, including Barbie and Hot Wheels, with attractions ranging from lazy rivers and wave pools to thrilling waterslides. Orlando will be among the first five planned destinations.
The United Football League announced the Orlando Storm will open their inaugural 2026 season by hosting the Columbus Aviators on March 29 at Inter&Co Stadium. The historic “407 Kickoff” celebration will feature appearances by Central Florida legends and community leaders, exclusive gameday giveaways and the unveiling of the team’s new mascot.
Orlando Family Stage will present the rolling world premiere of Tiara’s Hat Parade, a luminous new production that celebrates Black creativity, family legacy and the power of children to lead with empathy and imagination. Running Feb. 7-22, the production is part of Orlando Family Stage’s Centennial season, marking 100 years of creating theatre for children and families in Central Florida.
Gucci opened a newly relocated and expanded boutique at The Mall at Millenia. Building on its previous location within the mall, the redesigned space spans more than 8,000 square feet and offers an elevated destination with a curated selection of the House’s signature collections.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will offer special launch viewing packages for NASA’s Artemis II mission, providing guests with access to the closest public viewing areas for the spacecraft’s first launch attempt. NASA has not announced a launch date or time for Artemis II, which is currently slated for no earlier than Feb. 6, 2026. The packages will be valid for any date or time associated with the mission’s initial launch attempt and include live launch commentary from space experts, access to designated viewing locations and mission-themed experiences throughout the visitor complex.
The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will host the Tony Award-winning production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child from Jan. 24 through Feb. 15. The Broadway hit, which has won six Tony Awards, brings the wizarding world to the stage through a time-bending story that explores the past, present and future of Harry Potter and his family.
DINING & NIGHTLIFE
Anthem, a new music and cultural venue, will open in downtown Orlando on Jan. 23. Designed to celebrate creativity, connection and LGBTQ+ community life in the heart of the city, the new space aims to strengthen the city’s cultural and nightlife landscape. The venue will host DJ-driven nightlife, live performances, themed events and community centered programming, with an emphasis on inclusivity, artistic expression and connection.
Austin’s Coffee reopened in Winter Park at a new Fairbanks Avenue location. The new space offers expanded room for live performances and additional seating for guests.
EVENTS & FESTIVALS
Orlando Beer Week will return for its seventh year Jan. 23-31 with a multi-day lineup of taproom events, special releases and themed nights across the city, culminating in a large street festival at Tactical Brewing in Baldwin Park. This year introduces the Main Street ALE-Liance, bringing together more than 50 beercentric businesses across Orlando’s 12 Main Street districts for collaborative programming and prize earning specials.
Pet Alliance will host the 32nd annual Paws in the Park festival, the largest pet festival in the U.S., in downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola Park on Feb. 7. The free family- and pet-friendly event will feature a full day of both “human” and “canine” activities, including doggy sports like agility and popular lure courses; a beer garden; variety of food trucks; pet products and shopping, with over 100 vendors, plus pet adoption opportunities.
ICEBAR Orlando will host a Bridgerton-inspired “Love & Lace” Valentine’s Weekend Affair Feb. 12-15. Guests can enjoy a romantic experience inside the Fire Lounge and ICEBAR, featuring a specialty cocktail menu available throughout February, champagne toasts, sweet treats and all-inclusive themed packages.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort will bring back LEGO NINJAGO Weekends on select dates Jan. 17 – Feb. 15. Families can enjoy ninja‑themed activities, character meet-and-greets, shows and hands-on builds inspired by the popular LEGO NINJAGO universe. New this year, all guests will receive an exclusive pop badge and can try limited-edition NINJAGO‑inspired treats, including Matcha Arts Apple Fries and Balanced Bao Buns.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival will return Jan. 31 through May 17 with a concert series featuring the strongest lineup of live music in the park’s history. The event will offer new rotating food and beverage offerings from more than 25 global marketplaces and a series of more than 30 full-length concerts included with park admission, with performers such as Flo Rida, Boyz II Men, The Beach Boys, Trace Adkins, The Fray and more.
Rock the Universe, Florida’s biggest Christian music festival, returns to Universal Studios Florida Jan. 23-24, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable weekend of faith, fun and powerful music from some of today’s most popular Christian artists.
Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs will host Ramen Rumble 8: Battle of the Champions on Feb. 2. This special edition event will feature past Ramen Rumble champions for an elite culinary face-off, celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and community, with proceeds from the event benefiting Give Kids The World Village. Former champions will include Seito Sushi, KAI Asian Street Fare, Sticky Rice, Morimoto Asia, The Osprey, Ramen Takagi and Red Panda Noodle.
Orlando Family Stage will host the first ever Florida Children’s Book Festival, a three-day celebration of reading, imagination and theatre for young audiences. The festival will take place Feb. 21-22 on the Orlando Family Stage campus and throughout Loch Haven Cultural Park, featuring some of the nation’s most celebrated children’s authors and creators offering author talks, book signings, workshops, story times, theatrical performances and more.
PANDA FEST, one of the nation’s fastest-growing Asian food and culture festivals, will debut the first-ever PANDA FEST in Orlando, bringing a vibrant celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures to Festival Park Feb. 27 – March 1. Guests will enjoy a weekend filled with delicious food, live performances and arts and crafts from both local and national vendors, plus interactive panda-themed experiences designed for all ages.
Camping World Stadium will host the hip-hop festival, Rolling Loud, May 8-10 for the festival’s only stop in the U.S.
SeaWorld Orlando will debut a secret dining experience at Sharks Underwater Grill as part of the Seven Seas Food Festival. Available daily, Jan. 30 – May 17, the limited-time offering invites guests to request a secret menu at the hostess stand to unlock a three-course dining experience.
Luminary Green Park in downtown Orlando’s Creative Village will host the fifth anniversary of Lunar in Orlando on Jan. 31. The one-day Lunar New Year celebration will feature vendors representing countries across Asia, cultural performances and a variety of Asian cuisine.
Downtown Winter Haven will host Florida’s Citrus Festival on Jan. 31. The family-friendly event celebrates Florida’s citrus history with live entertainment, food trucks, vendor booths, activities and more for a full day of citrus-themed fun.
Dezerland Park will host its fourth annual Orlando FamilyFest on Jan. 31. The all-ages festival will feature vendors, activities, family-focused resources and prize giveaways designed to encourage learning, exploration and family fun.
The Oviedo Mall parking lot will be home to Goblin Market on Jan. 31. The discount art market will feature more than 200 vendors offering art, food, drinks, tattoos, music and handmade goods, all tied together with a cowboy-themed atmosphere.
Downtown Mount Dora will host the annual Mount Dora Arts Festival, Jan. 31 – Feb. 1. The two-day event will showcase work from 300 artists displayed throughout the streets of downtown, along with live entertainment and food for a community-wide celebration of the arts.
Harry P. Leu Gardens will celebrate its 65th anniversary with Legacy in Bloom, a seasonal flower and garden experience running March 7 – May 31. The limited-time event features six immersive garden zones that transform the Gardens into a living storybook, highlighting Florida’s natural beauty, heritage and future through curated landscapes, floral installations and themed environments, ranging from retro tourism-inspired displays to native Old Florida landscapes.
About Visit Orlando
Visit Orlando is The Official Tourism Association® for Orlando, the most visited destination in the United States, Theme Park Capital of the World® and No. 1 meeting destination in the country. A not-for-profit trade association that brands, markets and sells the Orlando destination globally, the organization represents more than 1,600 member companies comprising every segment of Central Florida’s tourism community.
Visit Orlando connects consumers and business groups with all facets of Orlando’s travel community, whether for a vacation or meeting. Home to 15 of the world’s top theme parks and water parks — as well as nature and outdoor adventures, vibrant neighborhoods, a dynamic dining scene with Michelin-recognized restaurants, and a robust calendar of entertainment and sports events — Orlando is a diverse, welcoming and inclusive community for all travelers. Find more information at VisitOrlando.com, VisitOrlando.org or OrlandoMeeting.com.
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