Fall is an amazing time to be in Orlando, not only is the weather perfect but there is so many amazing food festivals to enjoy!
For culinary connoisseurs, Orlando is the place to be this fall, with amazing signature foodie events including Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, and A Taste Of Baldwin Park.
Read on for all the yummy details of this years fall signature food and drinks festivals.
Visit Orlando's Magical Dining
August 18 - October 1, 2023
For many in Orlando, Magical Dining is the most wonderful time of the year, and this years event returns with over 115 restaurants and new for 2023, 2 pricing tiers.
For the past 17 years, locals and visitors alike have enjoyed Visit Orlando's multi-month Magical Dining, a popular event that celebrated Orlando eateries.
Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining returns this year from August 18 through October 1, with more than 115 of Orlando’s best restaurants serving up three-course prix-fixe menus for either $40 or $60, as part of a new tiered menu system.
Magical Dining is a great way to get out and explore Orlando's vibrant dining scene and discover new favorites for a really great price.
This year’s roster brings 16 new restaurants to the dining program, as well as seven restaurants recognized by the MICHELIN Guide. Visit Orlando’s Magical Nights is also back this year, encouraging diners to turn their night on the town into an affordable, end-of-the-summer Orlando staycation with special savings and offers.
You can also upgrade from dinner and a movie to a gourmet staycation courtesy of Visit Orlando’s Magical Nights, featuring offers from select Orlando hotels and resorts.
What’s more, $1 from every $40 meal and $2 from every $60 meal served during Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining will provide support for mental health counseling and trauma recovery at The Lifeboat Project, plus six other local nonprofits.
Visit OrlandoMagicalDining.com for a complete list of participating eateries and menus, and to make OpenTable reservations to secure your preferred dates and times.
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Now - November, 18, 2023
At Walt Disney World you can indulge in a global epicurean celebration as the fan-favorite foodie event The 2023 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival returns with delectable delights around every corner!
It’s the tastiest time of the year as the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE kicks off at Walt Disney World Resort, and continues through Nov. 18, 2023. That’s 114 days of tempting tastes, live entertainment and festival fun for all ages.
Guests can set out on an international expedition of flavor visiting Global Marketplaces that showcase culinary delights from every corner of the world. Whimsical scavenger hunts and food strolls encourage guests to stop and savor every detail.
And each evening, musical acts from yesterday and today take to the stage during the Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare. Special packages are available that include dinner in one of the park’s world-class restaurants and guaranteed seating for a concert performance.
New Food, Spectacular Sips
This year’s festival features 25 Global Marketplaces – themed locations found throughout the park that offer a cornucopia of bites and sips. Another six Global Marketplaces will appear later during the festival. It all adds up to an unparalleled foodie experience that will delight both seasoned connoisseurs and curious palates.
New at the festival this year, Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey invites guests to go on a flavorful adventure featuring the culinary creations – and madcap mishaps – of Muppet Labs.
With Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his trusty partner Beaker as their hosts, festival goers can sample concoctions that include both traditional chicken wings and plant-based options.
Delight in novel flavors like Unnecessarily Spicy, Yet Extremely Tasty Scotch Bonnet Pepper-Curry Wings with Cool Cucumber Yogurt and Peanut Butter and Jelly Sticky Wings.
Or enjoy traditional flavors with a new twist, such as Impossible™ Buffalo Chicken Tenders with plant-based blue cheese, plant-based ranch and celery. Innovative beverages like the puckery Pickle Milkshake and the Frozen Fusion featuring Twinings Pomegranate and Raspberry Herbal Tea fused with Orange Ice Cream Molecules provide the perfect cooling accompaniments.
Flavors of America in The American Adventure serves up three new dishes. Dip into the sumptuous Italian Hot Beef Sandwich, with shaved beef, spicy giardiniera and au jus on a French roll; dig into the savory Cioppino, a seafood stew with saffron-infused tomato-fennel broth; and dive into Chilaquiles featuring corn tortilla chips tossed in salsa verde with Ranchero chicken, queso fresco, cilantro-lime crema and topped with a soft-poached egg.
Beginning Aug. 15, the festival will welcome back two fan-favorite flavor destinations: Hawaii featuring flavors from the Pacific paradise; and The Noodle Exchange offering savory ramen and noodle bowls.
On Sept. 22, four all-new Global Marketplaces will debut to mark the Disney100 celebration that commemorates the 100thanniversary of The Walt Disney Company.
Prepare for dazzling culinary contrasts such as Char & Chop, which takes inspiration from classic butcher shops, spotlights a fusion of greens and grilled meats. Dishes include Roasted Porchetta with lemon-parsley salsa verde and shaved fennel salad; Grilled Impossible™ Spicy Sausage with herbed polenta, puttanesca sauce, and ricotta; and Meat Assorti – a trio of shaved meats with baby arugula, pickled mustard seeds, truffle oil and grilled ciabatta.
Wine & Wedge celebrates delightful cheese and beverage pairings. Southern Pimento Cheese with bread-and-butter pickled vegetables offers an upscale take on a regional favorite, while Boursin Fig & Balsamic Soufflé with fig tapenade marries sweet and savory flavors flawlessly. Pair the treats with Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, Hartley Apple Brandy and Florida Orange Groves Winery Black and Blue Port.
Bubbles & Brine strikes a celebratory note with a menu of fresh seafood and Champagne.
Indulge in whimsical desserts, from a Mickey-shaped liquid Nitro Cake to Fanta Floats at Swirled Showcase.
And of course, several guest-favorite Global Marketplaces will return to this year’s festival including The Fry Basket, Flavors from Fire, Greece, Canada, India and Spain.
5th Annual 104.1 "Best of Challenge" Sandwich Edition
September 30, 2023
Promenade at Sunset Walk presents the 5th Annual “Best of Challenge": Sandwich Edition showcasing the Best Sandwiches from many of the Promenade's Amazing Venues. Plus, Margaritaville Resort Orlando. The cast of "The Jim Colbert Show" from Real Radio 104.1, return as our Celebrity Event Hosts.
VIP Tasting Admission: $20 - VIP Participant / Judges will sample Sandwiches from each competing venue and Vote for their favorite 3. Local Foodie Influencers and Media will Vote for the "Critics Choice" Award along with the "Listeners Challenge" Competition Judged by the Jim Colbert Cast!
Spectators are FREE - All guests are invited to enjoy Live Entertainment, and all Event Activities hosted by "The Jim Colbert Show" and DJ Scotty B. Plus following the "Best of Challenge" stay & enjoy "Switch" Live, DJ Rick GZ, The Promenade Street Market & Show Car Saturday Nights!
Participating Venues include:
BurgerFi
Cowboy Chicken
Estefan Kitchen Orlando
Euphoria Fish House
Ford's Garage
Lizzie's Memphis Style BBQ
Rock & Brews
The Wharf
Taste of Space: Fall Bites!
October 2 - November 5, 2023
Taste of Space: Fall Bites! returns to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex together with the special after-hours events, Marstini Shake-Off and the Taste of Space: Celebrity Chef Edition.
This fall, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will once again take guests on a flavorful journey through the cosmos during Taste of Space: Fall Bites!.
Taste of Space: Fall Bites! at Kennedy Space Center will take place at several eateries throughout the visitor complex.
Beginning October 2, guests can enjoy a variety of seasonal dishes* available until November 5.
Featured at the Space Bowl Bistro inside Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex will be a hand tossed arugula salad with fire-roasted peppers, onions, corn, and black beans; roasted Brussels sprouts with cranberries, pecans, parmesan and Applewood bacon; and dulce de leche with pumpkin spice.
On the menu at Milky Way will be delectable, sweet treats such as fried apple pie tossed in cinnamon and sugar and pumpkin spice bundt cake, both topped with salted caramel ice cream.
A trip to the Orbit Cafe will allow guests to indulge in an Applewood bacon, gouda and arugula sandwich on a pretzel bun; a loaded sweet potato topped with maple cinnamon butter and Applewood bacon; or a jumbo apple cider cupcake with caramel frosting.
Walking nachos with chili cheese and jalapenos will be available at the Red Rock Grill, as well as sweet potato tots complemented with maple cinnamon butter and Applewood bacon.
The Moon Rock Cafe will offer a black bean salad with arugula, fire-roasted peppers, onions and corn as well as a turkey brie wrap with arugula and cranberry mayonnaise.
Local brews will also be available for purchase inside Planet Play.
Quickly becoming a fan favorite event, the 3rd annual Taste of Space: Marstini Shake-Off will take place October 6 from 6:30 – 9 p.m. inside Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex.
Recommended for guests 21+, Marstini Shake-Off promises guests a showcase of flavors for the season at each food station. Participants will mix and mingle with veteran NASA astronauts –Scott Altman, Chris Ferguson and Anthony "Tony" Antonelli – while enjoying elevated items at food stations throughout Gateway.
Then, they will cheer on local bartenders from Playalinda Brewing Company: Brix Project, Third Culture Kitchen, The Space Bar and Jack & Harry’s as they create their version of the perfect Marstini. Guests can sample drinks and then vote for their favorites.
Tickets for the Taste of Space Marstini Shake-Off are $159 per person + tax.
On November 3, the stars realign during Taste of Space: Celebrity Chef Edition, a celebrity-studded chef demo and dinner event. In its second year, the event will feature acclaimed chefs Duff Goldman and Esther Choi, who will be serving up something special. Plus, chef Jon Ashton will return as the host of the evening.
The event will feature chefs Goldman and Choi demonstrating their expert cooking techniques alongside veteran astronauts Anna Fisher, Bruce Melnick and Scott Altman. Guests will have the chance to enjoy exclusive menu items as they hear personal stories about the experience of eating in space, and favorite foods the astronauts enjoyed during their flights.
The chance to take photos with the astronauts following the demo will only be bested by a delectable selection of desserts, including a specialty cake designed by Duff himself. Tickets for this event are $175 per person + tax.
Gourmands seeking a bit more flavor can take advantage of a very limited number of tickets available for an exclusive meal that will follow the chef demo.
The two-hour, sit-down, multi-course dinner will feature a menu designed by Goldman and Choi and will take place on the second floor of Gateway inside the flight terminal of Spaceport KSC. Personal visits to each table will be made by the celebrity chefs and astronauts in attendance. Ending the meal with a treat sweeter than most desserts, guests will have the chance to mingle and take photos with Goldman and Choi.
Tickets are $499 per person + tax and include both the chef demo and sit-down dinner events.
New this year is a Taste of Space Bundle Package, making it possible to attend both the Marstini Shake-Off and Celebrity Chef Edition events for one, discounted price of $285.57 per person, plus tax.
Purchase tickets at www.kennedyspacecenter.com/info/tickets#SpecialEvents.
Taste of College Park 2023
October 12, 2023
Nineteen restaurants and suppliers have been selected for Taste of College Park 2023 to be held at the Historic Dubsdread Ballroom and Courtyard on Thursday, October 12, 2023, from 6 to 9 pm. Once again, Taste of College Park will be, “College Park’s Best Night Out!”
Join the Rotary Club of College Park and enjoy the best restaurants in College Park and Ivanhoe Park, drink some amazing craft beer from Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company and sip on some carefully curated wines by Digress! Even more, a silent auction featuring everything from vacation packages to sports collectibles! Tickets include all food and beverages!
Orlando Jerk Festival
October 22, 2023
Music, food and more at Apopka Amphitheater.
22nd Annual Taste of Thornton Park
November 2, 2023
22nd Annual Food & Libations tasting event. Enjoy a spectacular evening under the stars with tastings from local restaurants. Located in the street (Hyer and Washington St.) at the beautiful 4 Rivers Fountain. Music will be presented by our local DJ.
Visit www.thorntonpark.org for more event information.
Rain or Shine...at the Fountain in Thornton Park. Tickets: $40 advance, $50 day of at door.
Taste of Baldwin Park Food & Wine
November 2, 2023
Your invited - Join Taste of Baldwin Park, Orlando's Best Foodie Event! This event offers something for everyone! Foodies & Wine lovers bring your friends!
Sip & savor your way through Taste's 45+ vendors while enjoying great music from "The Buzzcatz" 9-piece party band on stage lakeside!
Casselberry Food & Wine Festival
November 6, 2023
Head to the 13th annual 2023 Casselberry Chamber Food & Wine Festival for a fun night of food, drinks, and entertainment! Your ticket includes samples from over 20 + local restaurants, breweries, wineries, and so much more! DJ Johnny Velvet will be there for your musical entertainment and requests.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic
November 10 - November 11, 2023
The much loved Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic will return for its 14th year this November, treating guests to a street party festival with unlimited food and beverage tastings at diverse food stations, featuring unlimited culinary selections from the hotel’s award-winning restaurants, and wine, beer and other sips from around the world.
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic takes place this year on Friday, November 10 and Saturday, November 11, 2023, and tickets are on sale now!
Set outside among the scenic ambiance of the resort, the event features live music, over 20+ food stations, 100+ beverage selections and immersive themed areas, such as the beer garden and the bubble lounge.
Stroll the causeway where you will be tempted with a diverse selection of delectable delights prepared by the resorts award-winning chefs.
The talented chefs will be offering unrivaled cuisine to please every palate, and you can meet the star line-up of award-winning chefs including Todd English, a celebrity chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author.
“This event means so much to us because we get to share our passion for food and beverage with our guests in a tangible, interactive way,” said Luciano Sperduto, the resort’s director of food & beverage. “We couldn’t be more excited to create an even more delicious, energetic and memorable experience this year.”
Tickets to this special event are available now, and guests purchasing event tickets can also book a room at a special rate.
Tickets are on sale now for $185 per person. The price of the ticket include's ALL the food and beverages at the festival’s food booths, although seminars and additional tastings and events do cost an additional fee.
Visit www.FoodandWineClassic.com for more information and to purchase tickets to the event.
FusionFest
November 25 - 26, 2023
Taking place over Thanksgiving weekend, FusionFest is one of our most unique cultural celebrations, presenting a microcosm of the whole world in the heart of downtown Orlando. In addition to a cornucopia of dishes from around the globe, it features experiences and contests celebrating music, dance, visual arts, spoken word, games and interactive activities, all designed to honor each person’s heritage while exploring how we influence each other and create our own unique identity.
Representing more than 110 different global cultures, FusionFest is free to attend, with food, beverages and merchandise available for purchase. It’s held at the open-air Seneff Arts Plaza at downtown’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
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