Orlando respected their elders at Stardust Video's outré Grandma Party holiday bazaar

Grandma arrived at Audubon Park's Stardust Video and Coffee in high and festive fashion in the form of an oddball holiday market.…

By Michael Lothrop, Matthew Moyer

Grandma Party at Stardust Video and Coffee
67 slides

Photos: Legoland lights up for the holidays with a giant Lego Christmas tree, holiday treats and more

This time of year, Legoland Florida is loaded with festive bricks, Lego characters, holiday shows and parties and indulgent treats. The Hallmark…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Image: Photos: Legoland lights up for the holidays with a giant Lego Christmas tree, holiday treats and more
40 slides

24 of the best ways to see Christmas lights in Orlando this year

The holidays are back in full swing in Orlando, and while we won't be getting any snow, there are still plenty of…

By Chloe Greenberg

Creative City Project's Dazzling Nights
Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando
Nov. 29-Jan. 5
This family-friendly event transforms Leu Gardens into a stunning winter wonderland featuring twinkly lights, shining forests, magical displays, music and festive sculptures.
23 slides

The 25 best things to do in Orlando with out-of-towners that aren't theme parks

Holidays in Florida can mean a lot of things: uncomfortably warm weather, even more traffic than usual, and the annual hosting of…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Paddle, kayak, swim or sunbathe on Wekiva Island
1014 Miami Springs Drive, Longwood
Wekiva Island offers some ideal outdoor fun without requiring an entire day trip. This Central Florida destination is just under a 30-minute drive from Orlando, and offers plenty of water fun for kids. Rent a kayak or paddleboard, play beach volleyball, or just splash around in the cool, clear waters.
25 slides

Where to find ice skating, snow, Santa, Christmas trees and more holiday festivities in Orlando

That time is here once again: Start shopping for gifts, preparing to host family, and cramming in all the holiday happenings you…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Lake Nona’s “Oh, What Fun!” holiday festival  
6955 Tavistock Lakes Boulevard, Orlando 
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays Dec. 6-22
Lake Nona's "Oh, What Fun!" holiday event features nightly "snowfalls," live entertainment, holiday photo-ops and Santa meet-and-greets.
24 slides

Mount Dora's 105-year-old 'Kirby House' hits the market for $725K

The historic Kirby House, built more than 100 years ago, is now on the market in the heart of Mount Dora. Located…

By Chloe Greenberg

Image: Mount Dora's over 100-year-old 'Kirby House' hits the market for $725K
58 slides

Universal shares first look inside Battle at the Ministry ride at Epic Universe’s new Harry Potter land

Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park lands are renowned for their cinematic immersiveness. When Epic Universe opens next year, that…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Image: Universal shares first look inside Battle at the Ministry ride at Epic Universe’s new Harry Potter land
16 slides

Universal Orlando's new 'Wicked: The Experience' is now open

Hop on a broom and follow the yellow brick road all the way down to Wicked: The Experience, a new Wicked-themed store…

By Lucy Dillon

Image: Universal Orlando's new 'Wicked: The Experience' opens this weekend
23 slides

Photos: ‘Elf’-themed ICE attraction under construction at Orlando's Gaylord Palms Resort

For the first time, Gaylord Palms Resort will feature iconic scenes and characters from 2003’s Elf in its beloved ICE attraction. Orlando…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Image: Photos: ‘Elf’-themed ICE attraction under construction at Orlando's Gaylord Palms Resort
34 slides

Photos: All the terrifying cosplay we saw at Spooky Empire in Orlando

Much like any horror-film slasher worth their salt, Spooky Empire rose from the logistical dead after a hurricane cancellation earlier in October…

By Matthew Moyer, Mauricio Murillo

Image: Spooky Empire
64 slides

Every gal and ghoul we saw at the Gala of Ghouls Freakshow

The Veranda at Thornton Park hosted yet another installment of the alternative LGBTQ+ party Gala of Ghouls Freakshow this weekend. The trans-led,…

By Chloe Greenberg

Image: Every gal and ghoul we saw at the Gala of Ghouls Freakshow
46 slides

All the scary good costumes we saw at the Thornton Park District Halloween Block Party

It was beyond paranormal at Thornton Park District’s 11th annual Halloween Block Party this weekend. The night saw a lineup of Cirque du…

By Chloe Greenberg

Image: Every scary good costume we saw at Thornton Park's Halloween Block Party
52 slides

The 20 best Orlando fall bucket list activities that don't involve theme parks

Fall is in full swing in Florida, with no shortage of spooky and festive autumnal activities happening around Central Florida. From scare…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Fall Fiesta in the Park
Lake Eola Park, downtown Orlando
Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 2-3
The 52nd Annual Fall Festival in the Park happens o er the weekend of Nov. 2 and 3. Guests can celebrate the half-century-old community favorite with live entertainment, local vendors, craft booths and more.
20 slides

All the sights and smiles we saw at the 2024 Come Out With Pride parade in Orlando

Come Out With Pride marked its 20th anniversary of hosting Orlando's annual LGBTQIA+ Pride parade Saturday with a bigger-than-ever celebration. The Orlando…

By Chloe Greenberg

Image: All the sights and smiles we saw at the 2024 Come Out With Pride parade in Orlando
101 slides

The 24 most haunted places in the Orlando area

Orlando already gets plenty of recognition for its high-production haunts and gothic seasonal celebrations, but outside of the theme parks and tourism…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Church Street Station
Downtown Orlando
Visitors report seeing a 19th-century woman standing in front of an antique mirror at the bar and feeling hands tugging at their clothes. Additionally, a priest’s soul supposedly lingers outside the building. The site has historically been home to ghastly, albeit gimmicky activity like theTerror on Church Street and plenty of ghost tours.
24 slides

Orlando-area pumpkin patches, corn mazes and family-friendly festivals to visit this fall

True fall feels may be hard to find here in the Sunshine State, but there's still plenty of ways to get in…

By Chloe Greenberg

Painted Oaks Academy
15100 Lake Pickett Road, Orlando
Daily Oct. 5 to 31
Painted Oaks Academy is set to host its annual pumpkin patch festival Oct. 5 to 31 daily. Guests can enjoy live entertainment, local food vendors, and pony and hay rides after picking out the perfect pumpkin.
20 slides

Universal Studios brings new 'Wicked' store to Orlando with exclusive treats and merch

Universal Studios is bringing immersive experiences, exclusive merchandise and dining options inspired by Wicked to Orlando in late October, preceding the release of…

By Kendal Asbury

Image: Universal Studios brings new 'Wicked' store to Orlando
13 slides

Photos: New details revealed for Harry Potter ride at Epic Universe

The beginning of September is a magical time for Harry Potter fans. As they celebrated going “Back to Hogwarts” earlier this week,…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Image: Photos: New details revealed for Harry Potter ride at Epic Universe
9 slides

Photos: Universal Orlando reveals details about Epic Universe’s Helios Grand Hotel

There’s now a full-color picture of what Epic Universe will look like when it opens next year. This week, Universal revealed new…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Image: Photos: Universal Orlando reveals details about Epic Universe’s Helios Grand Hotel
12 slides

Photos: Disney Villains, 'Cars,' 'Encanto' and more planned in new Disney World expansion

The House of Mouse has been busy, and rightfully so since its biggest competitor down the street is about to open a…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Disney Villains
20 slides

The hottest new restaurants to open in Orlando this summer

Orlandoans are always looking for new flavorful dining experiences, and this summer's new additions definitely delivered. The season brought high temps and…

By Houda Eletr

Great Southern Food Box Hall
2105 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando
The old Great Southern Box Co. building on the southeast corner of Princeton Street and North Orange Blossom Trail has been preserved and repurposed into a 22,400-square-foot food hall featuring an elevated plaza with outdoor green space (read: shade). Guests can expect A Lo Cubano, offering Cuban street food, Kabab2Go, offering Lebanese food, Kayos Jamaican Grill, Stack’d Brownies and many more.
19 slides

Photos: Universal Orlando unveils new Wizarding World – Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe

Dust off your baguettes, magiques and battered copies of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. A new Wizarding World of Harry…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Image: Photos: Universal Orlando unveils new Wizarding World – Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe
13 slides

Every horrifying creature we saw at the 'Fangbang' drag showcase at Will's Pub

Even more so than "Monster Parties: Fact or Fiction?" the burning question in every true horror hound's mind is who would triumph…

By Matthew Moyer

'Fang Bang' drag showcase at Will's Pub
57 slides

Gaylord Palms’ ICE will have an ‘Elf’ theme this year

Buddy the Elf is coming to Gaylord Palms’s ICE this year, and he’s bringing all of the best characters from 2003’s Elf…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Buddy the Elf is coming to Gaylord Palms’s ICE
5 slides

Here are the 20 most miserable places in Orlando

Orlandoans harbour a fiery passion for this city unlike any other, but that also means we have some strong opinions about what…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

The Winter Park Trader Joe's parking lot
TJ's have a nationwide rep for chaotic parking lots but this lot combines rabid fanbases of both the grocer and Shake Shack making for a particularly hellish stop along N. Orlando Ave.
20 slides

Photos: Universal Orlando’s Mega Movie Parade, their largest daytime parade, is now open

Film-goers and Universal franchise lovers, this one's for you. Universal Orlando Resort is pumping up the heat with all new attractions and…

By Houda Eletr

Image: Photos: Universal Orlando’s largest daytime parade Mega Movie Parade is now open
28 slides

Dark Universe: All the rides and attractions coming to Universal Orlando's new park

Frankenstein’s monster, the Wolf Man, the Mummy and more Universal Monsters will have their own dedicated land when Epic Universe opens next…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Image: Dark Universe: All the rides and attractions coming to Universal Orlando's new park
13 slides

22 of the best indoor activities to do in Orlando this summer

Too hot to brave a theme park? Too rainy to take a swim or hike a trail? You can count on a…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Visit the ocean at Sea Life Orlando Aquarium
8449 International Drive, Orlando
Explore the deep sea without leaving Orlando at Sea Life Aquarium. Here, you'll find Florida's only 360-degree ocean tunnel and a ton of awe-inspiring creatures and varying exhibits and interactive zones. Get up close and personal with sea turtles, sharks and jellyfish; watch a feeding frenzy; or visit the coastal touch tank.
22 slides

First look at Epic Universe Preview Center opening this week at Universal CityWalk

Theme park visitors can soon get a first glimpse into the extraordinarily colorful world set to unveil at Universal's upcoming new theme…

By Chloe Greenberg

Image: First look at Epic Universe Preview Center opening this week at Universal CityWalk
34 slides

Photos: Disney shares a first look at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure food, merch and Critter Co-Op

With Tiana’s Bayou Adventure just weeks from opening, Disney World shared a first look at all the new food items and merchandise…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Image: Photos: Disney shares a first look at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure food, merch and Critter Co-Op
13 slides