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:
Aloft Lake Nona is set to open this month with 205 loft-style guestrooms, 15 suites, a sports-themed restaurant, and a 10,000-square-foot Althea Lake Nona Events Center.
Universal Orlando Resort announced the addition of two new hotel properties, each featuring 750 guest rooms in the resort’s Prime Value category, opening in early 2025. Co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co and located adjacent to the future site of Universal Epic Universe, the Universal Stella Nova Resort will be inspired by distant galaxies, new stars and mysterious black holes, while Universal Terra Luna Resort will be inspired by the massive and diverse planetary elements of the universe.
Evermore Orlando Resort confirmed the official opening of the 1,100-acre luxury vacation destination will be on Jan. 1, 2024. The property will offer a diverse range of accommodations, including flats, villas, and houses ranging up to 11 bedrooms in size, and will be anchored by Conrad Orlando, showcasing 433 contemporary-styled guest rooms and suites, and two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses.
ATTRACTIONS
Aquatica Orlando announced its newest addition coming in Spring 2024, Tassie's Underwater Twist, an all-new immersive waterslide that will transform the guest ride experience into a journey through Australia's Shark Bay seagrass meadow. Along with a whirlwind of twists, the attraction will feature a synchronized video display and a captivating orchestral score that will bring the underwater world to life.
The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will open its fifth venue on Feb. 6. The Joyce & Judson Green Room, known as Judson’s Live, will be an intimate music space that will bring international, national and regional artists for audiences up to 150.
Orlando Family Stage announced the acquisition of MicheLee Puppets Inc., a beloved puppetry organization with a rich 38-year history in Central Florida, after the passing of its founder, Tracey Conner.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort will debut the new LEGO® Ferrari Build & Race Experience in Spring 2024. The interactive experience puts guests in the driver’s seat to build, test and race their very own LEGO Ferraris, with cutting-edge digital technology bringing guests’ creations from their imagination to the racetrack and inspiring creativity through the power of play.
DINING & NIGHTLIFE
Taverna Opa will host a New Year’s Eve party featuring a family style menu, live DJ entertainment, belly dancing and a champagne toast at midnight. The ticketed event starts at$100 person.
Summer House on the Lake has officially opened its doors at Disney Springs West Side at Walt Disney World Resort. The newest restaurant is by Lettuce Entertain You, offering coastal-chic vibes, a California-inspired menu and the brand’s first-ever “Cookie Bar” serving 15 differing varieties of the restaurant’s signature oversized cookies and bars in flavors like sea salt chocolate chip, birthday cake, oatmeal scotchie, apple oatmeal and vegan snickerdoodle, along with other house-made cakes and goodies available for dine-in and to-go.
EVENTS & FESTIVALS
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts announced the return of Jazz at Dr. Phillips Center supported by Massey Services, Inc. Taking place across the arts center’s multiple theaters, the lineup of artists for the 2023/2024 season includes Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Mark Tremonti, Dianne Reeves and Pat Metheny.
Orlando Fringe’s four-day winter festival, FESTN4 (formerly known as Winter Mini-Fest), will return to Fringe ArtSpace Jan. 11-14. The festival will offer a reduced and more contained Fringe experience in one centralized location, featuring more than 20 shows over four consecutive days including popular works from past festivals, new works from well-received Fringe artists and brand-new creatives scouted from the national and international Fringe circuit. FESTN4 will also bring back Fringe favorites including Fringe AfterDark: WTF(ringe) Cabaret, a Fringe-produced late-night show and FESTN4 KIDS.
Orlando Ballet has debuted an all-new production of The Nutcracker, which will run through Dec. 24. The longest performance run to date of any Orlando Ballet production, the show presents a fresh and bright version of the universally beloved holiday classic that is full of surprises.
