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.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando – Disney Springs Area will welcome its first guests on Dec. 1, 2022. The new property will be the company’s first Official Walt Disney World Hotel and will include 602 rooms and more than 17,000 square feet of meeting and event space once complete on April 1.
ATTRACTIONS
Orlando Fringe will open “Fringe ArtSpace,” a year-round performing arts venue, in downtown Orlando on Jan. 11. The 9,100 square foot space will include two performing theatre spaces: a mainstage with 166 seats and a black box with 40-60 seats. The programing will feature a mix of traditionally programmed theatre and concerts as well as a studio series with weekly, monthly and pop-up events like workshops, classes, readings, performances and artistic explorations.
Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, SeaWorld Orlando’s 7th roller coaster, will debut in spring 2023. The attraction will be the world’s first “Surf Coaster,” offering immersive design elements, including a dynamic surfing launch and “wave jumping” motions, for a one-of-a-kind ocean adventure.
The “Fantasmic!” nighttime spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will return on Nov. 3, incorporating an all-new show sequence featuring live performers, stunts, special effects and more.
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park will officially reopen on Nov. 13, offering all-new touches from the Disney animated film “Frozen” in Tike's Peak. The play area for little ones will be re-themed to include elements of the film, including statues of Olaf and his “Snowgie” pals and Anna and Elsa’s igloo castle.
DINING & NIGHTLIFE
White Castle is scheduled to open its inaugural Crave & Go location on October 26. The first of its kind in the White Castle system, Crave & Go is located in a new in-line space directly behind the Orlando Flagship Castle at The Village at O-Town West. Customers can order online or through the official White Castle app, then pick their order up by parking and entering the new store. They can also order through one of White Castle’s three delivery partners (DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub).
Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek will offer a Thanksgiving buffet at the resort’s Tesoro Cove on Nov. 24 featuring traditional favorites, including roasted turkey and spiced ham; cornbread stuffing; cranberry sauce; pumpkin pie and more. The buffet will be open from 2-7 p.m. and is $50 per person and $25 for children ages 6-12. Children under 5 eat free with a paying adult.
Grande Lakes Orlando's Fall on the Farm event will return weekends in October, beginning Oct. 15, featuring family-friendly offerings celebrating the season. Taking place at Whisper Creek Farm, an 18,000 square-foot farm located on-property at Grande Lakes Orlando, the event will feature hayrides, pumpkin carving, arts and crafts, locally produced and homemade items, live music, face painting and more.
American Social will host a Nightmare on Sand Lake Road-themed Halloween party on Oct. 29 featuring killer drink specials, live music, Halloween décor and themed cocktails.
Taco Kat, an all-new taqueria and tequila shop located in downtown Orlando, is now open, featuring a secret bar and handmade wheat flour tortillas cooked in the style of the Mexican state of Sonora.
EVENTS & FESTIVALS
Fun Spot’s HUGE Halloween, the annual family-friendly Halloween event, has returned through Oct. 31. The event features wicked decor, ghoulishly good treats, themed photo spots, trick-or-treating and more.
The annual Come Out With Pride Festival will be held on Oct. 15 in downtown Orlando. The event, which includes a colorful parade, will also feature live entertainment, a pride market, sponsor walk, the National Trans Visibility March and fireworks.
Universal Orlando Resort will offer add-on festive experiences on select dates Nov. 12 – Jan. 1, 2023, including Universal’s Holiday Tour, a guided tour filled with unique experiences and special access to the holiday entertainment taking place across Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure and The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast, a delicious breakfast featuring appearances by Dr. Seuss characters and access to a digital download photo as a keepsake from this encounter.
The HATitude! Cultural Flair, An African and African American Design Event & Brunch, will be held on Oct. 29 at the Winter Park Events Center. The fashion-infused interactive event, that celebrates and explores the art of design and its role in African and African American society, will feature a collection of Grace Mark’s work, a silent auction, the ZORA! Hat Parade and more.
The 10th Annual Violectric® Holiday Show will be held at the Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park on Saturday, Dec. 10. The free, family and pet-friendly 90-minute concert will feature traditional holiday songs mashed up with classic rock tunes and modern hits, delivering an energetic and unique holiday show.
Give Kids The World’s Night of a Million Lights will return for its third year at Island H2O Water Park Nov. 11 – Jan. 1, 2023. The all-new venue will transform into a winter wonderland featuring millions of lights, luminous displays, festive family activities and live entertainment for a one-of-a-kind, fully immersive holiday experience. Proceeds from the event will once again benefit Give Kids The World Village, 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort that provides critically ill children and their families from around the world with magical week-long wish vacations at no cost.
Downtown Arts District announced the return of the annual “Día de los Muertos & Monster Party” in Downtown Orlando on Oct. 20. Now, in its 13th year, the party features an Artist Opening Reception at CityArts Orlando that will showcase two exhibits: Day of the Dead and Monster/Halloween-inspired art created by regional, national and international artists. The unique art exhibitions will be paired with a street party on opening night where guests gather outside CityArts Orlando to enjoy food, drinks, entertainment and spooky art vendors.
Universal Orlando Resort will take its Mardi Gras celebration beyond the bayou next spring with Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval, running daily Feb. 4 – April 16, at Universal Studios Florida. The parkwide celebration, included with theme park admission, will feature cuisine inspired by Carnaval celebrations from New Orleans to Brazil to Belgium and beyond – plus a parade filled with vibrant floats and live concerts by top name artists on select nights.
The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will offer guests five frighteningly fantastic shows this Halloween season, including theater, ballet and opera performances, such as Michael Pink's Dracula performed by the Orlando Ballet and Opera Orlando's performances of The Magic Flute.
Gatorland’s Holiday Ho Ho Ho-Down will return for its third year on select dates Dec. 3-18. The family-friendly event, included with park admission, will feature live music, festive food items and displays with interactive characters like Gator Claus, Merry Elves and more.
The Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild, presented by Publix, will return to the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens Nov. 18 – Jan. 15. The walk-through experience will feature all-new lantern displays along with hundreds of hand-crafted, larger-than-life lanterns.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort will feature festive resort offerings including Michelin-starred holiday meals at Capa Steakhouse on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve; seasonal spa experiences; and holiday programming ranging from cookie decorating with Executive Pastry Chef Rabii Saber and pizza-making classes with Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi. The resort’s complimentary kids camp, for ages 4-12, will offer interactive programming such as Santa’s helpers workshop craft time, holiday-themed scavenger hunts, supervised “polar plunge” swim times and more.
