Orlando turns 150 on Thursday, July 31 — How and Where to Celebrate!
- Alastair Mac
- Jul 29
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 2
The City Beautiful is celebrating 150 beautiful years, and we've got the best ways to help the city celebrate.
From its humble beginnings as a small frontier town in 1875, Orlando has grown into a vibrant and diverse community, with the city celebrating its 150th anniversary on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
With over 300,000 residents calling Orlando home, our community offers something for everyone, including arts, culture, sports, outdoor amenities, thriving businesses small and big and a food scene that is diverse and always growing.
To celebrate its 150th anniversary on Thursday, the City of Orlando is celebrating with free admission to the cities cultural attractions, community events, public art installations, and more.
Residents and visitors are invited to participate in a variety of activities, including volunteering, supporting local businesses and exploring the city's rich history.
Celebrate Orlando's 150th on Thursday, July 31, 2025
July 31
In honor of the city's birthday, Harry P. Leu Gardens will be offering free admission all day on Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 9 am - 8 pm.
Join Leu Gardens as they honor the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to Orlando's bright future by visiting Orlandos' 50-acre botanical oasis. It's their way of saying thank you to this amazing community!
On Thursday you can explore Leu Gardens' 50-acres of beautiful cultivated gardens with over 40 diverse plant collections from around the world, including a tropical rainforest, Florida’s largest formal rose garden and an amazing butterfly garden.
Plus, enjoy an extraordinary exhibit like no other, connecting the world of nature and art. Origami is the Japanese word for “folding paper,” making something out of nothing, taking a square piece of paper and folding it to create a beautiful object.
ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN takes the folded object and transforms it into colossal metal sculpture that evokes wonder and imagination. Over 20 pieces from the original folds to art pieces will sure to captivate all ages.
July 31
Celebrating the city's birthday, the Mennello Museum of American Art is offering free admission all day on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Join the museum in honoring the past, as they celebrate the present, and look forward to Orlando's bright future through the power of American art.
The Mennello Museum of American Art was established in 1998 to preserve, exhibit, and interpret the outstanding permanent collection of paintings by Earl Cunningham. The Mennello Museum of American Art celebrates outstanding traditional and contemporary American art and artists across a broad range of disciplines.
July 31
The Orange County Regional History Center is celebrating the City Beautiful’s big birthday with free admission!
The city’s birthday is a perfect time to see Orlando Collected, an exhibition that’s chock-full of fascinating objects and images from the city’s 150 years, many curated by folks in the community.
This exhibition invites museum visitors to explore the history of the City Beautiful through 150 rarely-seen objects from the collections of the Historical Society of Central Florida, along with historical photographs and rare documents that reveal the city’s varied past in fresh and surprising ways.
July 31
The City of Orlando, Keep Orlando Beautiful and community partners have organized a diverse range of meaningful service activities in recognition of the city's 150th Birthday on Thursday, July 31, with opportunities available in each of the 6 city districts.
Whether you're passionate about supporting our seniors, beautifying our neighborhoods, or helping to fight hunger, there's a way for you to make a difference.
July 31
Discover Downtown is celebrating the City of Orlando’s 150th anniversary - and you’re on the guest list! Stop by Discover Downtown on Thursday, July 31, anytime from 9am. – 6 pm. for a day of celebration: Free cookies, music and giveaways, 20% off limited 150th anniversary merch, and more.
Now - Sunday, August 31
Experience Orlando's transformation over the past 150 years through a compelling photographic journey that pairs 12 historical images with their modern-day recreations.
Presented by T.G. Lee Dairy, the exhibition at the Orlando City Hall Terrace Gallery celebrates the city's rich heritage and vibrant evolution, bridging the past and present in honor of its sesquicentennial anniversary.
July 31
Come celebrate Orlando's 150th Anniversary with your pups and your friends at Barkhaven, located at 724 Brookhaven Drive, Orlando, from 4 to 9 pm.
They will be featuring a specialty cocktail called “The OCB/ Orlando City Beautiful,” crafted just for the occasion. And enjoy Yappy Hour pricing all day!
July 31
Study up on your Orlando history and join Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 3 Commissioner Robert Stuart for trivia night at Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company.
Mayor Dyer and Commissioner Stuart will kick-off trivia night with questions about Orlando's history. That day, the brewery in collaboration with the City of Orlando is releasing a limited edition 150th Birthday beer to toast Orlando's incredible journey as a city. Enjoy the Florida Ale in a limited edition Orlando 150th can or on draft!
Tuesday - Sunday, 10 am - 7 pm (Closed Mondays)
Oh and to really celebrate Orlando's 150th you gotta enjoy a Swan Boat ride on Lake Eola!!
The City of Orlando rents pedal-powered swan boats on historic Lake Eola so guests can view the park from the lake and enjoy the fountain up close.
Swan boats are available first-come, first-served, weather permitting. Tickets are only available at Lake Eola and cost $15 for a 30 minute rental. Boats can seat up to five people. Pets and service animals are welcome. A wheelchair accessible boat is available.
Looking for more fun events and things to do in Central Florida? Check out our Events Guide.
Before attending any of the events listed on Gotta Go Orlando, you should contact the organizer or venue to confirm that the event is taking place as information, changes, and cancellations can and do occur.
Check Out The Best Of Orlando - What's New To See & Do In The City!
Never miss anything happening in Orlando again, we've got you covered with the latest and best things to see and do throughout Central Florida. We update our website and social channels daily.
Looking for things to do in Orlando? Check out our weekly and monthly event guides with the can’t-miss happenings throughout Central Florida. Plus, for Orlando on a budget, check out our the weekly, and monthly things to do in Orlando that are either free or cheap.
From major headlining tours, to local indie music nights, Orlando features an eclectic music scene! Catch the latest shows at Kia Center, House of Blues, The Plaza Live, Hard Rock Live, Addition Financial Arena, The Social, The Vanguard, Conduit, Will's Pub, and more.
Orlando features an endless choice of entertainment on the stage each day, with an impressive choice of venues, including Dr Phillips Center, The Ren, Orlando Family Stage, Winter Park Playhouse, Theater West End, Funny Bone Comedy Club, SAK Comedy Lab, and more.
The City Beautiful has a thriving arts scene, and is home to Orlando Ballet, Opera Orlando, Orlando Philharmonic, Breakthrough Theatre Company, Osceola Arts, Orlando Sings, and more.
Go Team Orlando! Orlando is home to an exciting selection of hometown teams to support including the Orlando Magic, Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride, Orlando Solar Bears, UCF Knights, and more. Plus, regular big game action takes place at Camping World Stadium, including the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, the Pop-Tarts Bowl, and the StaffDNA Cure Bowl.
Orlando is home to a year-round schedule of amazing festivals and events, including the Central Florida Fair, EDC Orlando, Silver Spurs Rodeo, Orlando Fringe, Orlando Pride, and many more.
Central Florida is home to a never-ending choice of amazing theme parks and attractions, including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, LEGOLAND Florida, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Gatorland, Fun Spot America, Island H2O Water Park, and more.
If you're looking to explore Orlando's cultural scene, you have an an impressive choice of museums and galleries, including Orlando Museum Of Art, Orlando Science Center, The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, The Mennello Museum of American Art, and more.
No matter your tastes or budget, Orlando’s incredible dining experiences are endless, including MICHELIN Guide restaurants, celebrity chefs, local James Beard honorees, and more.
There is always something new to experience in Orlando, and whether your looking for the latest restaurants or nightlife hotspots, what's new and coming soon to the theme parks and attractions, or the biggest festivals and the latest events, we've got you covered.
Now go and explore everything that our beautiful city has to offer, you Gotta Go Orlando!
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