The Top 10 Things To Do in Orlando this Weekend, Oct. 2 - 4, 2026
The weekend is now, and with so much to do this weekend in Orlando, we've brought together the Top 10 Events that you can't afford to miss!
Looking for something fun to do in Orlando this weekend? The good news is that there is a huge variety of exciting happening around the city, including live music, stand-up comedy shows, car shows, sporting events, musicals, plays, nightlife, food and drink experiences and so much more.
With so much to do this weekend in Orlando and throughout Central Florida, we've selected the top 10 events and things to do that we consider a must-do, events that you can't afford to miss, and that will make your weekend memorable!
The Top 10 Things To Do In Orlando This Weekend
October 2 - 4, 2026
September 29 - October 18, Select Dates
The unforgettable story of passion, unstoppable ambition and the dawn of a new nation, seen by more than 28 million people around the world returns to the stage at the Walt Disney Thater in Orlando. Hamilton is the epic saga that follows the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation. Based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography and set to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education
October 1 - 31, Select Dates
Enter the mouth of madness with Enzian’s 13+ Films of Halloween. Featuring 35mm Cult Classics, Midnight Movies, Wednesday Night Pitcher Shows, and more, this year’s lineup offers anniversaries, tributes, restorations, and classics for fans of all the scary, campy, or downright groovy films of the season.
October 1 - 4
One Love! Reggae & Rhythms Weekend is taking over Boxi Park October 1–4. DJ Astylez opens things up Thursday. Friday, Jah Movement and DJ Red I bring the island energy. Saturday is the main event, an all-day Reggae Day — noon to midnight — with live sets from DJ Gary Dread, NostalJah, Warrior Love Band, Shamanic Rootz, Army Gideon, and DJ Red I. Sunday slows it down with Family Fun Day. Bring the crew, bring the family. Tropical drinks, great food, and good vibes straight through the weekend.
October 2 - October 31, Select Nights
One of the best spooky season scare experiences in Central Florida is a horrifying journey into A Petrified Forest! This terrifying independent outdoor scare trail which is located in the Altamonte Springs area of Orlando is legendary around these parts, and this year's event is themed to Nature's Fury, with each trail incorporating the theme.
October 2
Join the City of Kissimmee for the return of KUA's Movie in the Park, featuring "Toy Story 5." Come early and enjoy free popcorn, inflatable games, and prizes! The fun starts at 5:30 pm, and the movie will begin at sunset on the giant 50-foot screen. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs for a fun-filled movie night!
October 3 - 4
During the first full weekend of every month, Bank of America and Merrill Bank offer cardholders free general admission on both Saturday and Sunday to more than 225 cultural institutions in dozens of cities across the US.
Valid cardholders can access free admission to the following area museums:
Orlando Science Center: 777 E. Princeton St. Orlando, FL 32803
History Center: 65 E. Central Blvd. Orlando, FL 32801
Orlando Museum of Art: 2416 North Mills Ave. Orlando, FL 32803
Mennello Museum of Art: 900 E. Princeton St. Orlando, FL 32803
Museum of Arts & Sciences: 352 S. Nova Rd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Tampa Museum of Art: Cornelia Corbett Center, 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, FL 33602
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts: 1630 E 7th Avenue Ybor., Tampa, FL 33605
Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg: 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
October 3
Get ready for a heart-pounding showcase where raw power meets razor-sharp precision at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee! Experience the electrifying fusion of champion bull riders, fearless saddle bronc athletes, and blazing-fast barrel racers in a high-stakes, tournament-style competition. It's a night of adrenaline, grit, and nonstop action that will leave you breathless. Don't just watch—feel the thrill from the edge of your seat!
October 3
Get ready for a hauntingly good time as Ivanhoe Village welcomes the Halloween season in style! Enjoy a spine-tingling evening filled with potions, bites, frights, and delightful sights! Sip, shop, and stroll through Ivanhoe Village with their potion walk from 5- pm. Cap off the night under the stars in Gaston Edwards Park with a screening of the Halloween movie classic, Ghostbusters. Plus, the kids will love trick-or-treating and Ghost Stories on the Porch. And Collective Corner will be hosting a special spooky market on the lawn at City Food Hall.
October 3
Orlando’s premier underground art event returns to The Abbey for a night of high-energy culture and local talent, stripping away the traditional “white-cube” gallery pretense and replacing it with a raw, high-density experience that brings together 80+ local artists for one night only exhibiting over 300 original pieces of work, live body painting, local DJs, plus unlimited free pancakes, hot and fresh all night long!
October 4
Dust off that costume box and dig up your decorative skeletons; it’s time to kick off Halloween! There’s no better way to start the season than by wearing last year's costume, buying this year's Halloween decor, and haunting Bumby Ave with your weirdest friends for local art, live music, and tasty treats. Join the Milk Mart on October 4 from 12 pm - 6 pm for Milk Mart's Spooky Soirée, where over 300 local artists, makers, chefs, and small businesses will be popping up everywhere! Costumes are encouraged, and honestly kind of expected.
What are you most excited for this weekend? Let us know in the comments, and for a complete list of what's happening in Orlando this weekend, check out our Weekend Guide.
For a complete guide to everything happening in Orlando this month, check out The Best Things To Do In Orlando This Month.
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.
About Us
Gotta Go Orlando is your local source for entertainment news, events and things to do in Central Florida. We feature the latest concerts, theater news, arts & culture, nightlife, food & drink. theme parks, attractions, festivals, events, and more.
Contact Us
Contact us here. To advertise with us, click here. To list your upcoming event, submit it here.
Keep In Touch
Sign up for our newsletter and stay in the loop with all the latest news from Central Florida, and join the local conversation on X, Facebook, and Instagram, plus, catch the latest on YouTube.
Comments