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.
ACCOMODATIONS
Universal Orlando Resort’s newest hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort, opened on Jan. 21 with 750 themed guest rooms; cosmic-inspired dining options including the Cosmos Cafe and Market, Galaxy Bar and Galaxy Grill; a resort-style pool with a splash pad and fire pit; fitness center; game room and more.
Villatel Orlando Resort will have its grand opening on March 3, unveiling 270 villas with immersive themed rooms featuring living and sleeping space for up to 26 guests; the nation’s first Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy Resort, a collection of 256 apartments featuring two- to three-bedrooms, spacious layouts and a full kitchen; and a 200,000-square-foot wonderland of resort amenities including a water park, Splash Cove, elevated resort experiences and more.
ATTRACTIONS
Walt Disney World Resort will offer the Discover Disney ticket, exclusively to Florida residents, for a limited time beginning Jan. 7. The ticket, valid Jan. 13 – May 23, will include four days to visit the Walt Disney World Resort parks for $60 a day (plus tax), or $240 total (plus tax).
Universal Orlando Resort will offer U.S. and Canadian residents two free days to visit Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure with the purchase of the “Buy 2 Days, Get 2 Days” limited time ticket offer. Additionally, U.S. and Canadian residents can save 30% on a 4-night stay at the all-new Universal Stella Nova Resort or Universal Terra Luna Resort for travel dates Jan. 21 – April 10 when booked by April 5.
Crush Yard Pickleball Club & Restaurant, a new pickleball-centric food and entertainment concept backed by NFL stars, including Rob Gronkowski, opened in Kissimmee. The new concept features a full-service restaurant; large selection of self-pour beer, wine and mixed drink selections; arcade games; opportunities to enjoy a game of pickleball with 10 indoor courts; and more.
DINING & NIGHTLIFE
Gyukatsu Rose, the latest concept from Domu founder Sonny Nguyen, will soft-open on Jan. 16 at East End Market in Audobon Park. The new counter service concept specializes in the traditional Japanese dish gyukatsu, a beef cutlet that is seasoned and coated in breadcrumbs and briefly fried. The dish is sliced and served alongside a mini stone grill for diners to sear the meat to their preferred doneness with various sides, including soup, rice, sliced cabbage, potato salad, pickles, dipping sauces and more.
Nuri’s Tavern, an all-new, tavern-style pizza concept, will open in downtown Orlando in February. The restaurant will feature tavern-style pies, noted for their thin and crackly crusts, that are popular throughout the Midwest. It will be the first of its kind in Orlando.
The Burrow Cafe & Play, a new combined coffee shop and indoor kid’s play space, will open Jan. 19 in the Mills 50 District. The space will offer Lineage coffee, beer, wine, seltzer, non-alcoholic beverages and grab-and-go snacks. It will feature imaginative outdoor kids’ play areas along with regular food truck events.
The Lake Nona Wave Hotel introduced Garni Café and Nectar Room as the newest offerings to the hotel’s award-winning food and beverage scene. Garni Café is an all-day French bistro serving breakfast, brunch seven days a week, light fare and dinner. The upscale Nectar Room is a cocktail lounge concept offering inventive mixology and creative takes on small plates.
Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek unveiled the newly renovated and rebranded Back Bay Bar & Grill, located at resort’s Oasis Pool. The newly elevated space features a vibrant new look, along with a chef-inspired menu showcasing the best of Florida’s bright flavors, including creative shareables like Creamy Spicy Krab Montaditos, Back Bay Jumbo Wings, the Back Bay Fish Sandwich and more.
Chez Les Copains, a new French brasserie in Ivanhoe Village, has soft-opened inside the new City Food Hall. The restaurant, a collaborative project by chefs Michael Collantes and DJ Tangalin, offers a menu featuring a raw seafood bar and a selection of entrees, including locally sourced fish.
EVENTS & FESTIVALS
Universal Orlando Resort will celebrate 30 years of Mardi Gras Feb. 1 – March 30 during Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval at Universal Studios Florida. The event features a spectacular parade with six all-new floats inspired by some of the most famous Krewes in New Orleans; an all-new menu of international cuisine from New Orleans to Puerto Rico and beyond; and on select nights, a series of live performances by a star-studded concert lineup including GRAMMY-winning artist T-Pain, global pop superstar Joe Jonas and Latin GRAMMY-winning artist Juanes.
The Orange County Regional History Center will host Orange County Heritage Day on Jan. 25, a free event celebrating the district’s beginnings, with guided tours, various live performances and exciting activities.
The Orlando Magic will host Brazil Night on Jan. 23 to celebrate the local Brazilian community and fanbase. Highlights will include two exclusive performances at halftime and postgame by Brazilian artist, Thiaguinho, and more.
Otter Fest, an annual beer and wine festival, will return to Wekiva Island on Jan. 25. The celebration will allow attendees to enjoy countless sips and samples from 12 breweries, four wineries, a seltzer station and non-alcoholic offers. Tickets start at $55 for general admission.
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens’ Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation will host the 4th annual Indigo Blues BBQ on Feb. 8. The event will feature two live music sets from local musicians, a BBQ tasting trail, reptile presentations from expert staff, and more in support of the zoo’s efforts to protect Florida’s native Eastern indigo snake.
The City of Winter Garden will host the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration to honor and commemorate the life and legacy of civil rights legend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Jan. 20. The free community event will feature a parade through the historic downtown area, live musical entertainment, children’s activities, community vendors and more.
Dezerland Park will host Decade Days, a fan convention celebrating pop culture, movies, and television of the 80’s and 90’s, Jan. 24-26. The event will feature a variety of fan events including meet and greets; Q&A sessions and more. The guest lineup will include appearances from Disney and Nickelodeon TV shows, along with cast from Degrassi, Lost Cast, Teen Witch, and more.
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts returns to Walt Disney World Resort Jan. 17 - Feb. 24. The festival, included with park admission, will feature vibrant artwork, diverse entertainment including the Disney on Broadway Concert Series, and palate-pleasing cuisine with 20 food studios.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort will debut NINJAGO Weekends, included with general admission, on select dates Jan. 25 – Feb. 17. The resort will offer NINJAGO-inspired food, live performances, hands-on LEGO building challenges for all ages and interactive meet and greets with beloved characters.
SeaWorld Orlando announced an exclusive, limited time offer allowing guests over the age of 21 one complimentary beer per visit at the Waterway Grill Patio, Jan. 14-31. Guests can also partake in various Happy Hours throughout the park at Flamecraft Bar, Glacier Bar and Waterway Bar.
ICEBAR Orlando will host a Cocktails & Kisses Valentine’s Weekend Celebration Feb. 13-16, featuring specialty cocktails, food and music. Several packages are available for purchase featuring perks like house champagne, fur coat upgrades, Fire Lounge food selections, signature drinks and more.
SeaWorld Orlando will host several special weekend events on select dates Jan. 25 - Feb. 3. Just for Kids Weekend, Jan. 25-26, invites families to immerse themselves in the magic of Sesame Street Land with a lineup of live performances; character meet-and-greets; a vibrant Sesame Street Party Parade; and more. On Feb. 3, guests can experience Elmo’s Birthday, featuring interactive activities like Elmo’s Birthday Storytime, Happy Birthday Elmo Sing-Along and Birthday Photo Opportunities.
Evermore Orlando Resort will host its first-ever concert series featuring tribute bands performing the best of Jimmy Buffet, Taylor Swift, Prince, Bruno Mars, Foo Fighters and 80’s hits in January and February at its Evermore Bay. The concerts are open to resort guests or those with dining reservations.
Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights will return earlier than ever on select nights, Aug. 29 – Nov. 2. Guests will face terrifying haunted houses inspired by cinematic greats and eerie original stories; sinister scare zones; live entertainment; exclusive merchandise; and can enjoy themed food and beverage items.
Holidays at Universal returns Nov. 21 and will run daily through Dec. 31. Guests can celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with an incredible collection of festive experiences, including the awe-inspiring Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and a chance to meet the Grinch during Grinchmas. Guests can also admire festive décor across the parks and enjoy delicious, holiday-themed food and beverage offerings.
The City of Orlando will feature a Black History Month Art Exhibition at the Terrace Gallery at Orlando City Hall, Feb. 5 – March 30. The display showcases art pieces from 33 local visual artists inspired by this year’s national Black History Month theme, “African Americans and Labor,” which focuses on the various and profound ways work of all kinds – free and unfree; skilled and unskilled; professional; vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black culture.
Timucua Arts Foundation will celebrate the contributions of regional Black artists during Black History Month, Feb. 7-13. The Timucua Amplifies Black Voices (TABV) performances will include soulful musical performances, a poetry open mic night, jazz and more.
TRANSPORTATION
The City of Orlando has extended Park DTO, a program that offers visitors two hours of free parking downtown, through the end of 2025. Free parking at all metered and non-metered parking spaces downtown is available through the city’s Park DTO mobile application using the code “ParkDTO”.
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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