Gotta Go Orlando
- Aug 16, 2023

The Best Events & Things To Do in Orlando this Weekend August 18 - 20

Updated: Aug 18, 2023

Welcome to another weekend of things to do here in Orlando, as always, we've selected the best events that are taking place throughout the weekend. Enjoy!

The Best Things To Do In Orlando This Weekend!

MULTI-DAY EVENTS

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

Now - November 18, 2023

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is dishing up delights at Walt Disney World Resort now through November 18, 2023.

Get ready to sip and savor at more than 25 Global Marketplaces throughout EPCOT, including returning favorites such as The Fry Basket, Flavors from Fire, Canada, India and Spain. Several new Global Marketplaces will open later during the festival as summer turns to fall.

The festival will also welcome back the popular Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare at America Gardens Theatre.

And don’t forget to commemorate your EPCOT visit by bringing festival magic home with official event merchandise including apparel, home décor, trading pins and more.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Now - November 1, 2023

Select Nights

Get ready for a spooktacular celebration with plenty of tricks and treats when the series of parties kicks off this year on August 11, 2023

Enjoy spellbinding entertainment, favorite Disney characters dressed in their Halloween best and more, celebrate the most haunting time of the year at Walt Disney World Resort.

This limited-capacity, nighttime eventallows guests to experience shorter wait times on attractions, themed food and beverage and more.

SeaWorld Orlando Summer Spectacular

Now - Monday, September 4, 2023

When the sun goes down, the night comes to life at SeaWorld’s Summer Spectacular! Stay late all summer to immerse yourself in exotic worlds of light and music and experience your favorite SeaWorld attractions in a whole new way.

Dance the night away with world-class DJs for a family-friendly party beneath the waves. Then end the night with Ignite, a fireworks spectacular that brings the brilliance of the sea to the sky above. Put a charge in your summer at SeaWorld’s vibrant Summer Spectacular.

Craft Beer Festival at SeaWorld Orlando

Now - September 4, 2023

Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday

SeaWorld is serving up an incredible party for craft beer lovers. SeaWorld’s Craft Beer Festival features more than 100 crafts brews, wines, seltzers, and cocktails.

Sample an unbeatable mix of domestic and local Florida favorites. Plus savor more than 15 food items expertly paired to match your preferred brew. And to top it all off, festive entertainment will keep the party going all day long.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Bier Fest

Now - September 4, 2023

Park guests can toast delicious brews and soar on epic thrill rides at Busch Gardens’ beer-inspired food festival.

A slice of Bavaria returns to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay as the park celebrates its fan-favorite Bier Fest event, Friday – Sunday from July 21 through Sept. 4, including Labor Day. This popular event, now in its sixth consecutive year, allows guests to sip, sample and savor classic German flavors while enjoying tunes from rising local artists.

Bier Fest is included with park admission. Food & Beverage available at an additional cost.

Summer of More with Pirates and Princess Fun at Gaylord Palms Resort

Gaylord Palms Resort Summer Of More

Now - September 4, 2023

Gaylord Palms Resort is inviting guests to a Summer of More with their regal court an band of spirited buccaneers for plenty of pirate and princess fun.

Guests will find a treasure trove of shows and activities, hands-on experiences, fun-in-the- sun at Cypress Springs Water Park and pirate- and princess-themed décor across the 64-acre resort.

During the event, families can create treasures in a craft clubhouse, look for jewels in a puzzle- filled escape room, stroll through remnants of a pirate galleon, embark on a plundering scavenger hunt, see a family films at the resort’s water park, and more.

Visit Orlando Magical Dining

Now - October 1, 2023

Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining is back, celebrating Orlando's eateries, now in its 18th year, locals and visitors alike love this event, which is on now through Oct. 1, 2023, offering 6 full weeks and 45 delicious days of amazing food at a bargain price!

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, encouraging diners to turn their night on the town into an affordable, end-of-the-summer Orlando staycation with special savings and offers.

Duel of Fools at SAK Comedy Lab

Weekly, Every Friday, and Saturday

This is SAK’s signature improv show! Two teams of professional improvisers compete for your laughs with audience judges selected at the start of the show. The actors make up songs, scenes and characters right in front of your eyes with the help of the audience’s suggestions and participation. Appropriate for all ages. 7 pm.

King Of The Hill at SAK Comedy Lab

Weekly, Every Friday, and Saturday

In this knockdown, drag-out comedy battle, a cast of our professional performers pair up in teams of two and use audience suggestions to create scenes, songs and characters on the spot. After each round, the audience decides which team wins and which team loses. The winning team stays for the next round while the losers form new teams to dethrone the Kings. By the end there can only be one King of the Hill! 9 pm.

Grande Lakes Orlando reveals Summer Celebrations and Fireworks to celebrate 20th Anniversary

GLO Summer Nights at Grande Lakes Orlando

Every Saturday - September 2, 2023

Grande Lakes Orlando invites guests to celebrate the summer in style with the introduction of "GLO Summer Nights," an exhilarating seasonal celebration in honor of the resort's 20th anniversary.

Boasting signature weekly fireworks displays in addition to spectacular glow-charged nights at the recently debuted Grande Lakes Waterpark, alongside an abundance of activations fit for every traveler, Grande Lakes Orlando has crafted a truly unforgettable summer experience all season long.

Throughout the summer, Grande Lakes Orlando will play host to an array of experiences perfect for families and guests of all ages including dazzling fireworks displays that will take center stage every Saturday evening.

Summertoberfest

Every Saturday - September 2, 2023

Celebrate German culture at Summertoberfest at Krush Brau Park in Kissimmee. This is a lively event with music, food, and beer. Enjoy traditional tunes, dance, and modern performances. Indulge in bratwurst, pretzels, and more. Sip on authentic German beers. Family-friendly activities and contests included. Join us for a memorable day of joy and authentic German experiences. Prost!

Honky Tonk Laundry

Now - Sunday, August 27, 2023

Wash your cares away with this musical comedy full of country favorites from Carrie Underwood, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline and more!When Lana Mae Hopkins, owner of the Wishy Washy Wahateria, hires Katie to help out, they soon find themselves up to their elbows in soap, suds and cheatin' hearts and turn their good ol' laundromat into a boot scootin' honky tonk!

Get your tickets now for this foot tapping musical at Winter Park Playhouse now!

Destination Days at ICON Park

Now to Sunday, August 27, 2023

Recurring Weekly, Friday, Saturday

To launch the new Great Florida Road Trip — an interactive camera game played aboard The Wheel that spotlights popular family vacation destinations across the state —Orlando’s ICON Park is partnering with destinations featured in the game to welcome their residents and celebrate their unique attributes.

Each weekend will focus on a specific destination, celebrating its unique attractions, offering deals for its residents and sharing why these destinations are an important part of a Florida vacation with Orlando residents and tourists. Aug. 19 - 20: Ocala Days.

Highlights: $10 tickets to The Wheel for guests from any zip code within that destination (regular price is $34.99). An education booth and videos in ICON Park from the destination CVBs, so guests can learn more about its unique attractions. Raffle to win a gift basket of prizes from the region such as a hotel stay, attraction tickets and more.

54 at The Ren

Every Friday & Saturday - August 26, 2023

54 is the newest high-concept entertainment experience from Renaissance Theatre Company.

Guests are encouraged to dress in theme and step into a re-imagination of the iconic nightclub from the 1970s.

The live sound of modern disco fills the air. A colorful dance floor is open (when a cast of professional dancers isn't performing). High-end cocktails and mocktails are on-the-ready.

Later, audiences can continue the party with 54 After-Hours, an elevated themed nightclub experience, also featuring nightly entertainment and a more classical 70s disco soundscape.

Million Dollar Quartet

Now - Sunday, August 20, 2023

Recurring weekly on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Orlando Shakes presents Million Dollar Quartet. Get your tickets now for Million Dollar Quartet– the Tony Award-nominated musical inspired by the true once-in-a-lifetime jam session between Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins in 1956!

It was December 4th, 1956, and Sun Record Studios in Memphis, Tennessee was about to become the mecca of music for a magical moment in music history. Be witness to this true to life jam session – credited by many to be the direct influence of rock ‘n roll in the late 50s and 60s – between Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins!

DL Hughley at Orlando Improv Comedy Club

Friday, August 18 - Saturday, August 19, 2023

The Orlando Improv Comedy Club located at Pointe Orlando, is one of the premier live stand-up comedy clubs in Orlando. The Improv welcomes the biggest names in comedy to their stage as well as supporting our local talent here in Central Florida!

A Little Night Music

Friday, August 18 - Sunday, August 20, 2023

With beloved musical numbers, including “A Weekend In The Country” and “Send In The Clowns,” Central Florida Vocal Arts launches its eleventh season with Sondheim’s romantic comedy, A Little Night Music at Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

America's Got Talent Star Tom Cotter

Friday, August 18 - Sunday, August 20, 2023

Get ready to laugh your socks off! Enjoy a night of uproarious comedy starring America’s Got Talent Star Comedian TOM COTTER, and opener Rauce Padgett, 4-time Orlando Comedian of the Year and the voice behind "The Jim Colbert Show!” Get tickets now.

The Orlando Boat Show

Friday, August 18 - Sunday, August 20, 2023

The Orlando Boat Show features a wide variety of boats including bowriders, center consoles, deck boats, flats boats, freshwater fishing boats, jet boats, pontoons, and surf boats to fit any lifestyle and budget.

Extra incentives are available only during the show from dealers and manufacturers such as extended warranties, service packages, waived dockage, enhanced electronics, and accessory packages.

Ticket prices are $10 per person and are available for purchase online at https://orlandoboatshow.com/tickets or on the day.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 2023

Art After Dark at Lake Nona

Weekly, Every Friday

Every Friday night, Art After Dark takes over Lake Nona Town Center from 6 pm.

Enjoy a stroll through our Town Center as you explore hand crafted artisan products, and tasty cuisine. Be sure to grab a glass a wine, stay a while to enjoy the art displayed on the six story art installation, The Beacon.

Sunset Walk Fired-up Fridays

Weekly, Every Friday

Friday nights, the Promenade at Sunset Walk presents Fired-Up Fridays, a free Car & Truck Show event with all makes, models, and years welcome of show car quality.

Featuring music by DJ Scotty B and Company, plus the very best regional live bands.

Winter Garden Friday on the Plaza

Weekly, Every Friday

Come enjoy live music every Friday night on the Plaza, at Downtown Winter Garden, Centennial Plaza Gazebo.

Friday Muscle Car Show & Cruise

Weekly, Every Friday

Join the heart pounding excitement of high-performance engines and true horse power for our Muscle Car Show every Friday night at Old Town in Kissimmee. The Friday Muscle Car Show will begin at 3:00pm and the qualifications are show-quality muscle and factory-performance cars from 1964 and newer and classics from 1985 and older. Cars will cruise at 8:30pm and all cars registered can participate.

Baylen Levine: The Never Grow Up Tour

Friday, August 18, 2023

A hype, jammed packed night with Baylen Levine and crew!! Musical performances, pirate calls, audience participation and more! The Never Grow Up Show is an interactive experience with your favorite YouTuber like no other. Live at Hard Rock Live Orlando.

Cash Cash

Friday, August 18, 2023

Cash Cash comes to The Vanguard in downtown Orlando. Get your tickets now! 18+

Departure: Tribute To Journey

Friday, August 18, 2023

Departure: Tribute To Journey comes to House of Blues Orlando. Get your tickets now!

Tim Cappello from The Lost Boys performing LIVE at Will's Pub

Tim Capello, C B Carlyle and the Desert Angels & Audromeda

Friday, August 18, 2023

Tim Cappello from The Lost Boys performing LIVE at Will's Pub on August 18, 2023 at 8PM with C B Carlyle and the Desert Angels and Audromeda

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2023

Disney Springs Kids Club

Weekly, Every Saturday

Dance, play and be entertained at engaging shows for kids of all ages at the Disney Springs Kids Club, taking place every Saturday. Free Entertainment and Free Parking.

Saturday Nite Classic Car Show & Cruise

Weekly, Every Saturday

Join Old Town in Kissimmee every Saturday and take a trip down memory lane. The Old Town Classic Car Show has been a local tradition for over 30 years, it is one of the premier weekly car shows in Central Florida. The Saturday Classic Car Show begins at 1:00pm and welcomes show-quality 1985 and older hot rods, street rods, and antiques. Cars will cruise at 8:30pm. The event is free for participants and free for the public to attend.

Live Music on the Lawn in Lake Nona

Weekly, Every Saturday

Live on the Lawn is your Saturday oasis to relax and recharge while listening to live music and playing lawn games with family and friends. Join Lake Nona from 11 am – 3 pm every Saturday!

Show Car Saturday Nights at Promenade at Sunset Walk

Weekly, Every Saturday

The Promenade at Sunset Walk is home to Show Car Saturday Nights. All makes and models are welcome and displayed along Margaritaville Boulevard.

Car enthusiasts will enjoy the music of DJ Scotty B while admiring an amazing collection of classic to modern automobiles, with live bands performing on the Promenade Plaza Stage nightly.