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
Conrad Orlando at Evermore received the AAA Five Diamond designation. This marks the first time Conrad Orlando has attained this prestigious honor, and the property is the first in Hilton’s Conrad portfolio to do so.
Orlando is ranked the second-best city in the country for coffee lovers according to a study by WalletHub.
ATTRACTIONS:
Walt Disney World Resort unveiled several updates coming to Magic Kingdom Park at Destination D23, including:
- Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress will debut an all-new introductory scene featuring Walt Disney through groundbreaking Audio-Animatronics technology—honoring the visionary who never stood in the way of progress.
- Cinderella Castle will debut a refreshed color palette inspired by its classic, original look, with updated shades of gray, cream, deep blue and shimmering gold that highlight its iconic architecture.
- Beginning September 15, TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise will debut a limited-time overlay in celebration of TRON: Ares. Guests will race through vibrant red and orange light trails set to the pulsating sounds of Nine Inch Nails, creating a high-energy new twist on the iconic attraction.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets will speed into Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2026 for high-energy, rockin’ concert. The attraction will take guests behind-the-scenes inside the recording studio, where the Electric Mayhem is cranking out some rocking tunes. Thanks to new management under legendary Muppets tycoon and owner of The Muppet Theatre, J. P. Grosse, groovy vibes will take over the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Courtyard including a new psychedelic wrap on the giant guitar marquee, complete with one gold key on the piano motif, a nod to a certain far-out band leader’s gold tooth.
The Orlando Museum of Art announced two new exhibits that will be gracing their halls this September. Starting Sept. 5, Jason Chin: Your Place in the Universe will feature a story told through the intricate paintings of an illustrator, highlighting scientific wonders through a child’s eyes. On Sept. 13, the museum will feature To Catch a Dream, the 54th annual exhibition of the Florida Watercolor Society. The collection will showcase the range and versatility of watercolor that artists use to conjure personal memories, imagined worlds and ordinary objects.
Albert Park, located in Orlando’s College Park, celebrated a ceremonial groundbreaking to begin renovations set to be complete by the end of this year. The park’s iconic oak tree and gazebo will be removed to make space for a new pavilion with a stage; updated lighting and landscaping; new seating and a viewing area. To keep the old oak tree’s legacy, 50 oak seedlings have been distributed to residents, and the city plans to distribute 50 more at the park’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The new “Grandmothers Legacy of Love Butterfly Sculpture Garden” was unveiled in downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola Park as part of Project DTO. The latest installation, designed as a welcoming open space combining art and nature, features large-scale, colorful sculptures and curated landscaping to attract butterflies and interactive elements for visitors. Throughout the garden, 400 grandchildren’s names are displayed to honor the grandmothers behind the project.
Madame Tussauds Orlando revealed a new Selena Gomez wax figure to its lineup. The figure, which took over nine months to create and was handcrafted by 20 studio artists, features Gomez in her iconic 2023 MTV Video Music Awards red gown.
SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep, a first-of-its-kind suspended family dark ride, will debut at SeaWorld Orlando next year. Guests can embark on a dark submersible adventure through different underwater ecosystems to experience the inspiring stories of the sea.
Galacticoaster, LEGOLAND Florida’s first coaster in more than two decades, will blast off in early 2026 at the park’s newest space-themed land. The new space-themed indoor coaster will immerse families in a LEGO galaxy with a customizable spacecraft, cosmic scenes and a personalized journey unlike anything the resort has offered before.
Howl-O-Sprint 5K will return to SeaWorld Orlando on Oct. 2. The nighttime terror run will feature unspeakable horrors, eerie landscapes and harrowing scare zones lurking in the park’s darkest corners. Race survivors will be able to celebrate their victory at the exclusive post-race party that will include Howl-O-Scream bar and food, live entertainment, photo opportunities and more.
DINING & NIGHTLIFE:
The Secret Slice, a new pizza window, opened on the second floor of East End Market in Audubon Park, operating from the kitchen inside The Neighbors restaurant. Nestled behind a nondescript red door, the new concept serves unconventional square pizzas via a QR code menu. Once guests are notified of their order through a text notification the hot and fresh pizza can be retrieved through a pizza-sized slot.
H Mart, an Asian American supermarket chain, will open its first Florida location on Orlando’s West Colonial Drive on Sept. 25. Set to be one the company’s largest locations yet, the supermarket will offer a wide range of specialty groceries, fresh produce, meats, skincare, everyday essentials, kitchenware and a dining hall of Asian and Asian-fusion vendors featuring Korean corn dogs, Korean BBQ, street food, Korean cold noodles and more.
Perlas Pizza, a new non-traditional pizza concept by chef Michael Collantes, opened on Sept. 17 in Winter Park. Boasting pizza, craft cocktails and a vinyl record DJ, Perlas brings a bold take to pizza with innovative, playful and unexpected flavor combinations.
Osteria Ester, a new Italian American concept, will open in Thornton Park this November. The restaurant is a collaboration between restauranter Chris Ulster and Jason and Sue Chin from Good Salt Restaurant Group.
Still Lounge by Dre and Snoop will open at Live! at the Pointe Orlando on Oct. 16 as part of a partnership with Still G.I.N. By Dre and Snoop, the ultra-premium spirit from legends Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, and Live! Hospitality & Entertainment. This second location will feature an elevated nightlife experience that blends west coast swagger and southern soul. Guests can expect a carefully curated rotation of DJs, live performances and playlists inspired by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, and a cocktail menu showcasing Still G.I.N. By Dre and Snoop among other ultra-premium spirits.
Sparrow Wine Bar will host Afternoon Tea on the last Saturday of the month starting Sept. 27, including towers of desserts, savory bites and tea.
ICEBAR Orlando will host a monthly Shaken & Stirred Mixology class beginning Oct. 5. Attendees will learn proper bartending techniques and insider tips, with free admission to the bar and 20% off the Fire Lounge menu included.
EVENTS & FESTIVALS
Dazzling Nights will return to Leu Gardens for its sixth year, Nov. 28 – Jan. 4. This year’s new experiences include a 50-foot star in the Rose Garden, a new Holiday Village, a snowball fight with elves in an interactive, 8-bit Christmas zone, a candy cane and lollipop forest and many more.
Kia Center will host Canadian pop artist Tate McRae Sep. 13-14 for her Miss Possessive arena tour.
Universal Orlando’s Rock the Universe, Florida’s biggest Christian music festival, returns Jan. 23-24 to Universal Studios Florida. The event includes a weekend filled with uplifting performances, thrilling attractions and a celebration of faith, with a star-studded concert lineup that includes Switchfoot, Forrest Frank, LECRAE, Phil Wickham and more.
Inter&Co Stadium will host the U.S. Women’s National Team in a friendly match against the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euro semifinalists Italy on Friday, Nov. 28.
ICON Park will host the Pepsi Taste of Gameday Tailgate, a football fan experience, on Sept. 28 to ring in the football season. The free event will feature a tailgate party complete with food offerings, live NFL game screenings, tailgate game, music and more.
Taste of Space, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s space-themed culinary festival, returns starting Oct. 3. The festival has three events including the Taste of Space: Fall Bites!, featuring limited-time menu items from Orbit Cafe and Moon Rock Café Oct. 3 - Nov. 16; the Marstini Shake-Off Oct.3, featuring a cosmic cocktail tasting experience; and Taste of Space: Celebrity Chef Edition, with exclusive demonstrations and dishes from renowned chefs alongside NASA astronauts.
Museum of Illusions of Orlando will host its Bark-o-ween Bash: Spooktacular Puppy Pawty on Oct.11, allowing guests to bring their pups for a morning of tricks, treats and tail wags, complete with branded tennis balls, dog treats and a costume contest.
Winter Wonderland will return to Wekiva Island Nov. 30 featuring holiday decor, sparkling lights, a 30-foot Christmas tree and nightly “snow” flurries. Families can also enjoy Santa’s Workshop on select dates and Breakfast with Santa alongside a magical lineup of events throughout December.
Red Bull’s Tandem Rollercoaster will make its debut at Cranes Roost Park on Sept. 27. This one-day attraction in Altamonte Springs features a narrow, elevated track with obstacles and traps for 30 participating teams to make it through homemade derby-style tandem bicycles.