Discover iconic Orlando festivals, concerts, outdoor adventures and more events for May 2026.
Ready to discover the best of Orlando this May? Dive right in with a curated guide to all the top happenings this month, from free admission days to record-breaking music festivals throughout the destination. While you’re at it, don’t miss our seasonal event guides to American Island and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day and more spring must-do’s. See you around!
Discover: Orlando Events
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Free Things to Do in Orlando This May
First Saturdays Open Studios at Art & History Museums of Maitland
May 2, 2026
The Art & History Museums of Maitland have inspired resident artists for over 80 years, going back to the center’s early days as an artist’s colony. They host a free open house once per month where you can meet the latest residents, tour their studios and explore their works-in-progress, and truly connect with Orlando’s artistic community. As a special bonus, enjoy complimentary museum admission all day long.
Discover: Free Things to Do
Free Access Day: America 250 Celebration
May 2, 2026
Several businesses will host special events and performances in the leadup to our nation’s 250 birthday. Kick things off with Free Access Day at the Orange County Regional History Center, where you can enjoy America 250-themed activities like a free concert, museum tours, a stage performance, hands-on activities and even mock trials in the historic courtroom. Check out our dedicated America 250 landing page for more information about celebrating America’s quarter-millennial in the country’s most iconic family vacation destination.
Discover: America 250 in Orlando
Free Weekend Wellness Series Workouts
Select Dates, May 2 – 30, 2026
Promenade at Sunset Walk will host complimentary fitness classes on select Saturdays as part of their new Weekend Wellness series. Lace up your sneakers and hit the promenade for a free 45-minute workout with a live DJ, gift card giveaways, and terrific food and beverage offerings starting at 10 a.m.
Discover: Social Fitness Classes
For even more fun, check out the Thrive & Vibe Fitness Fest (May 16) for a full day of free wellness fun and the opportunity to earn a complimentary, 1-day admission pass to Island H2O Live! next door.
Free Day & Story Time at Harry P. Leu Gardens
May 4, 2026
Enjoy free admission to Harry P. Leu Gardens throughout the day and explore a bonus story time for kids presented by Orange County Library Systems. Choose from three story times designed for infants up to 18 months, toddlers up to 2 years old, and preschoolers up to 5 years old.
Next Door Live! Music Fest in Audubon Park
May 24, 2026
Explore the charming shops and eateries of the Audubon Park Garden District during Next Door Live!, a free music festival hosted across eight local venues. It’s the perfect reason to explore and stay a while in local favorites like The Salty, New Romantics Bookstore, The Owl’s Attic and Redlight Redlight Brewpub, where you can enjoy donuts, books, vintage shopping and beer, respectively. The festival concludes at The Neighbors and East End Market, where you can catch food trucks, vendors and more 100% Orlando local vibes.
Discover: Things to Do in Audubon Park
Milk Mart 10th Anniversary Birthday Bash
May 31, 2026
Discover our local side at the Milk Mart, a quarterly art and food festival hosted in The Milk District. Celebrate 10 years of community and collaboration with live music, unique art, vintage shopping and more from over 300 local artisans, chefs and small businesses. It’s free to explore, but you’ll definitely want to grab lunch while you’re there.
Discover: Things to Do in the Milk District
Culinary Events
‘Somebody Feed Phil’ Tour at East End Market
May 2, 2026
Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal explored “The Real Orlando” in a special episode of Somebody Feed Phil, and now you can too! Just head upstairs to La Femme du Fromage at East End Market to enjoy the Somebody Feed Phil food tour, an eight-course meal featuring mouthwatering morsels from Crocante, MICHELIN Bib Gourmand DOMU, Se7en Bites, Sampaguita Ice Cream and other locations featured in the show.
Discover: Somebody Feed Phil Comes to Orlando
East Meets West Food Festival
May 1 – 2, 2026
Kick off Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with the East Meets West Food Festival in Lake Nona. Explore delicious Asian and fusion cuisines, shop for handcrafted goods and souvenirs, and celebrate the beauty of togetherness with free parking, free admission and separately ticketed workshops in matcha-making, Mahjong, Thai yoga and more.
Discover: Things to Do in Lake Nona
Wine Tasting With Master Sommelier George Miliotes
May 3, 2026
Put your palate to the test during an intimate wine tasting workshop with Master Sommelier George Miliotes. Hosted at Judson’s Live inside Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the session includes six tastings, a shareable charcuterie board, lessons in the art of tasting, and lively conversation with Miliotes.
Discover: Judson’s Live
Shaken & Stirred Cocktail Classes at The Edison
May 9 & 26, 2026
The Edison at Disney Springs® will host two hands-on mixology workshops this May, including a course on classic gin or vodka cocktails and one dedicated to frozen beverages. Each course includes premium spirits, cocktail lessons and a light lunch with a maximum class size of ten people.
Discover: Things to Do at DISNEY SPRINGS
Sake Pairing Dinner With Fukumitsuya Sake Brewery
May 12, 2026
MICHELIN Recommended Morimoto Asia will host a one-night-only sake pairing experience with Fukumitsuya Sake Brewery, one of Japan’s oldest and most revered sake houses. Explore sips created just for Morimoto in a curated, multi-course tasting experience led by a Fukumitsuya ambassador, all paired with divine culinary offerings like crispy Chilean seabass, slow-roasted beef brisket and cold tantan noodles. Morimoto Asia is part of Disney Springs at Walt Disney World® Resort.
Discover: MICHELIN Guide Dining
Thornton Park District 2nd Thursday Wine & Art Walk
May 14, 2026
Sip and stroll through downtown Orlando’s picturesque Thornton Park District during their 2nd Thursday Wine & Art Walk, sampling drinks from over 20 stops along the way. It’s free to stroll and admire the art with friends, and wristbands for the wine walk are just $20 each. Buy yours early to save up to $10 on admission. A night market, live music and live DJs add even more interest along the way.
Discover: Things to Do in Thornton Park
Sports & Outdoor Events
Sunset Paddle Tours at King’s Landing
Select Dates, May 2026
Sunset paddle tours are back at King’s Landing, offering the chance to get lost in nature with fewer crowds, more wildlife and stunning views that you’ll remember long after your vacation ends. Explore the famous Emerald Cut in your choice of single or double kayak and enjoy opportunities to dive right into the cool spring water before heading back downstream.
Discover: Outdoor Adventures
FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola
May 11 – 12, 2026
The FIFA World Cup™ is coming to the United States this summer, and you can get up close and personal with the coveted prize during the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour. The golden icon will be on display at Universal CityWalk, part of Universal Orlando Resort, for two days in the lead-up to the summer games.
Discover: Summer Soccer in Orlando
Want to see an actual soccer match while you’re in town? Catch Orlando City Soccer Club and the Orlando Pride in a total of six home games throughout the month of May, then strike a pose with wax figures of soccer legends like Lionel Messi at Madame Tussauds Orlando.
Party for the Planet at the Central Florida Zoo
May 16, 2026
At the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, every day is Earth Day! Celebrate accordingly with Party for the Planet, a family-friendly fiesta full of interactive activities, crafts, tours, keeper chats and games themed around nature, conservation and backyard habitats. Most activities are included with regular admission.
Discover: Things to Do at the Central Florida Zoo
Arts & Entertainment Events
Welcome to Rockville
May 7 – 10, 2026
Catch Welcome to Rockville, the largest rock music festival in North America, at Daytona International Speedway. With over 160 bands like Guns N’ Roses, Foo Fighters, My Chemical Romance and Ice Nine Kills dominating five stages, it’s well worth the one-hour day trip to the Atlantic Coast.
Discover: Orlando Day Trips
Rolling Loud
May 8 – 10, 2026
Want even more listening inspo? Get ready to party during the world’s largest hip-hop festival when Rolling Loud rolls into Camping World Stadium. The three-day festival will feature nearly 100 performers and dozens of official pre- and post-parties throughout downtown Orlando. Catch featured headliners including Don Toliver, Playboi Carti and NBA Youngboy in the only U.S. stop on Rolling Loud’s 2026 festival tour.
Discover: Gig Tripping Guide
35th Annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival
May 12 – 25, 2026
Discover the nation’s longest-running Fringe theatre festival with comedy, music, dance, theater and more across multiple downtown Orlando locations. Loch Haven Cultural Park is the epicenter of the action, featuring free entertainment on the lawn, boundary-pushing visual arts, and a Kids Fringe section packed with family-friendly fun. Discover additional Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival shows at the Lowndes Shakespeare Theatre, Renaissance Theatre Company, Savoy Orlando and more throughout your stay.
Orlando Carnival Downtown Weekend
May 22 – 24, 2026
Party all weekend long with three days of Carnival celebrations in downtown Orlando. The fun begins with a high-energy fashion show and continues with a massive Carnival J’ouvert celebration in the heart of downtown Orlando. Both are ticketed events, but the grand finale is completely free to attend. Celebrate Caribbean culture with the Orlando Carnival Downtown Mas Band Parade and Concert, where you can enjoy cultural performances, an artisan marketplace, parade viewing, a concert and more.
Theme Park & Attraction Events
Mermaid Meet & Greets at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium
Select Dates, May 9 – 25, 2026
Ever wanted to meet a mermaid? At SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, you can! Enjoy mermaid meet-and-greets, photo opportunities and mermaid dive shows on select weekend dates this May, then dig deeper with interactive education stations and personalized mermaid keepsakes. Spot mermaids, stingrays, sharks and more, then explore additional ICON Park® attractions like The Orlando Eye or Madame Tussauds Orlando for a full afternoon of fun.
Discover: Things to Do at ICON Park
Nighttime Events at Orlando Water Parks
Select Dates, May 2026
Don’t let the fun stop when the sun sets! Explore Orlando’s water parks after dark with separately ticketed after-hours events at Aquatica® Orlando, Universal Volcano Bay and Island H2O Live. Party all night on select dates this May and throughout the summer months, with even more late-night fun coming to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park in June.
Discover: Orlando Water Parks After Dark
Spring Food Festivals at Orlando Theme Parks
May 2026
May is also your final opportunity to explore spring food festivals at SeaWorld® Orlando and Walt Disney World® Resort. Explore over 200 internationally inspired dishes and weekend concerts through May 17 at the Seven Seas Food Festival, or catch spring blooms, flavors and daily concerts at the EPCOT® International Flower & Garden Festival through June 1.
Discover: Spring Food Festivals
Science Night Live at Orlando Science Center
May 30, 2026
Forget the kids and come out to play at Science Night Live, an adults-only event hosted at the Orlando Science Center. Explore special programming, featured speakers, signature cocktails and mocktails, animal encounters, stargazing, hands-on experiments, and more across four floors of interactive fun.
Gatorpalooza at Gatorland
May 30 – 31, 2026
Discover one of Orlando’s oldest and most iconic attractions during Gatorpalooza, a two-day festival included with admission at Gatorland. Tour the alligator breeding marsh, party with a live DJ, explore shows and attractions, and enjoy specialty food, vendors and more family fun throughout the weekend.
Save on discount tickets: Gatorland
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