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 ranked second-best city for a staycation according to a study by WalletHub that compared more than 180 cities across 41 key metrics.

AAA projects a record-breaking 72.2 million Americans will travel during the Independence Day holiday period (June 28–July 6), with Orlando ranking as the top domestic destination.

ATTRACTIONS:

Walt Disney World Resort announced new details on the reimagined area at Magic Kingdom Park based on Pixar Animation Studios’ Cars franchise. Work will begin this summer on Piston Peak National Park, the fictional wilderness coming to Frontierland and the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom’s history. The immersive land, inspired by the Rocky Mountain region, will invite guests to explore the park’s visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, scenic trails and more, all set within the Disney and Pixar Cars universe.

Fun Spot America will celebrate its 27th birthday on July 7 by offering single-day passes for $27 as part of a one-day sale. Tickets will be valid through June 5, 2026, with no blackout dates.

City District Orlando Main Street, Launch That, RedTape Orlando and the City of Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency unveiled Floral Odyssey, a bold new large-scale mural in Downtown Orlando. Featuring vibrant strokes, bright colors and artistic imagery representing childlike wonder and blooming possibilities, the mural invites passersby to pause, reflect and reignite their sense of wonder.

SeaWorld Orlando will welcome Emperor penguins, the world’s largest and most iconic penguin species, on June 14 in the park’s Antarctica Realm. This will be the only place in the Western Hemisphere where guests will be able to witness the animals up close.

SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando will offer up to 55% off tickets, Fun Cards and annual passes as part of their Fourth of July sale.

Orlando Watersports Complex debuted the Wave Rider, a thrilling surf simulator that combines soft-surface technology and flowing water.. The summertime experience is available for a limited time as a partnership with Surf-Days, a leader in mobile surf experiences.

Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights will resurrect the infamous Jason Voorhees in an all-new haunted house, “Jason Universe,” inspired by the Friday the 13^th  films. Guests will return to the summer camp where the legend began, encountering scenes from Jason’s 45-year history as one of cinema’s most notorious villains.

Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights will debut three new original haunted houses for 2025, including Dolls: Let’s Play Dead, throwing guests into the terrifying world of a disturbed young girl where they’re shrunk down and hunted by her scorched and stitched doll collection; Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters, offering a showdown in a cursed Old West town as lava demons face off against rugged bounty hunters in a fiery clash of good versus evil; and El Artista: A Spanish Haunting, exploring the haunted mind of a tortured painter whose nightmarish creations fight to escape their canvases.

DINING & NIGHTLIFE: 

Corner Chophouse will open this summer in Winter Park’s Hannibal Square. The new high-end steakhouse will offer a fresh take on classic dishes, featuring Florida seafood, dry-aged steaks and shareable sides.

Downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola Park will host Finally Food Truck Friday, offering a rotating lineup of food trucks, live music and family fun beginning June 27 and running every last Friday of the month through September.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS:

Paddlefish will host a five-course dinner collaboration on July 17. The ticketed event will feature Paddlefish Executive Chef Steven Richard, Chef Justice Placeres of Otto’s High Dive and Chef Michael Collantes of the MICHELIN-starred Soseki Modern Omakase. The menu will highlight each chef’s unique style through a collaborative series of dishes.

Winter Garden will host its 2025 Juneteenth Community Celebration on May 21 at Charlie Mae Wilder Park. The free event will feature live music by Bobby Blackmon and the B3 Band; family-friendly games and crafts; community resource booths, and a variety of food and merchandise vendors.

SeaWorld Orlando will celebrate Father’s Day on June 15 with a special dining experience at Shark’s Underwater Grill. Guests can enjoy a four-course, prix fixe lunch featuring dishes such as pan-seared New York strip au poivre and a 16-ounce Wagyu burger, with the option to upgrade to a flame-grilled tomahawk steak. The $77 experience includes a smoked old fashioned for dad and a dedicated kids’ menu.

SeaWorld Orlando’s Bands, Brews & BBQ, one of the park’s most popular seasonal events, returns July 6 - Aug. 24. Guests are invited to indulge in a unique blend of barbecue offerings, refreshing brews, and live music, including performances from award-winning artists and local acts.

Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights will debut a new haunted house inspired by Prime Video’s “Fallout.” Based on the award-winning video game franchise, guests will encounter the horrors of a post-apocalyptic wasteland as they journey from Vault 33, encountering iconic characters and creatures.

Sugoi Expo returns to Orlando Sept. 19–21 with a reimagined celebration of anime, cosplay and Japanese pop culture. Held at Hilton Orlando, the boutique-style convention will feature live concerts by Asaka and Stereo Dive Foundation, cosplay events, and appearances by top anime voice actors, with special reunions from Sonic the Hedgehog, Pokémon and more.

Opera Orlando will celebrate its 10th anniversary during the 2025–26 season with a lineup of opera favorites and acclaimed remounts. The season includes three original productions at Steinmetz Hall and a one-night-only “A Decade of Divas” concert with the Orlando Philharmonic.

The 80th Cheez-It Citrus Bowl will kick off on New Year’s Eve at Camping World Stadium, closing out a yearlong celebration of one of college football’s most historic postseason games. The game will feature top-tier teams from the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten Conference.

The 36th Pop-Tarts Bowl returns on Saturday, Dec. 27, marking the 25th time it will be played at Camping World Stadium. The game will feature top teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big 12 Conference.

Mission Resort + Club will feature special promotions June 1-15 in celebration of Father’s Day, with offers including a $25 bonus certificate for guests who purchase a $100 gift certificate (valid through Dec. 31), a round of golf for $49 for dads on June 15 and a Father’s Day Grand Brunch Buffet available on Father’s day weekend featuring favorites like prime rib, smoked brisket and peel-and-eat shrimp.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will offer a series of themed summer events that will bring space to life in engaging ways. Highlights include Astronaut Week(June 9-15); July Fourth Weekend, (July 4-7), featuring games to celebrate Independence Day; Moon Fest/Vintage Chic Days (July 18-20), celebrating the 56th anniversary of  the Apollo 11 moon landing; Discovery Day(July 26), honoring the 20th anniversary of the STS-114 mission, the shuttle program’s return to space; Aviation Weekend (Aug. 1-3), featuring pilots, engineers and a special showing of Blue Angels 3D; and Kennedy Under the Stars (Aug. 30), a celestial after-hours experience featuring Y2K-themed nostalgia, live entertainment,  astronaut meet-and-greets and more.

Creative City Project’s Anthology: Elemental returns August 15-17 to the Renaissance Theatre Company, offering an immersive evening of poetry, live jazz and craft cocktails. Guests will journey through the five classical elements—earth, water, air, fire and spirit—brought to life by powerful performances and custom drinks curated to match each theme. Between acts, the Thomas Milovac Trio sets the mood with smooth jazz, creating a multisensory experience that’s both intimate and unforgettable.

The final two FIFA Club World Cup matches are set to be held at Camping World Stadium with Group G winners facing Group H runners-up on June 30, and the winners of matches 53 and 54 clashing in a high-stakes quarterfinal on July 4.

The 48th annual Fireworks at the Fountain will be held on July 4 at Lake Eola Park in celebration of Independence Day and the city of Orlando’s 150th anniversary. The evening features food, family fun and a dazzling fireworks finale set to live music by the Orlando Concert Band.

City Hall’s Terrace Gallery will debut The Changing Face of Orlando: A Sesquicentennial Celebration photo exhibition, available July 9 – Aug. 21, pairing 12 historic images with modern day re-creations, capturing Orlando’s evolution over 150 years.