Late September brings a welcome shift to Central Florida: cooler mornings, packed calendars, and the first real hints of fall. This week, downtown Orlando fills with visitors, new restaurants open their doors, and the city's stages carry everything from Broadway to comedy to live music.
Headline of the Week
The headline number of the week: 60,000. That is how many people are expected in downtown Orlando this weekend, according to WKMG, which has a rundown of traffic, parking, and events. Anyone with plans in the urban core will want to leave extra time and map out parking early.
Around Town This Week
Here is the lineup, with the furthest-out dates first so there is time to plan.
- October 2: Project Series 02: Omari Jones vs Alan Sanchez at Caribe Royale Orlando.
- October 2: UCF Knights Women's Soccer vs. Colorado Buffaloes at the UCF Soccer and Track Complex.
- October 1: Kenneth Forever: Celebrating the Life of Kenneth Leeming Jr at Will's Pub.
- October 1: Gabriel Rutledge at Funny Bone Comedy Club.
- September 30: Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life at Walt Disney World.
- September 30: Suki Waterhouse: The Loveland Tour at House of Blues Orlando.
- September 30: Blue Man Group at ICON Park.
- September 29: Loathe: A Stranger to You at House of Blues Orlando.
- September 29: Running Punks at Lil' Indies.
- September 29: Hamilton at the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, recommended for ages 10 and over.
New and Notable
A new market is taking shape at Dellagio Town Center, adding another neighborhood gathering spot to the Sand Lake Road corridor, as reported by Orange Observer News.
On the business front, WFTV reports that Orlando ranks first in small-business growth among midsized U.S. cities, a nod to the entrepreneurial energy across the region.
Near the university, the bizjournals.com notes that UCF is seeking a developer for three Alafaya Trail sites totaling 61 acres, a corridor worth watching for future change.
Looking ahead, the WFTV says the Orlando Museum of Art will kick off its 40th annual Festival of Trees on November 13, a holiday tradition worth marking on the calendar.
Food and Drink
Universal Orlando is adding a new restaurant this week, with an opening date of September 19 and free food included, according to Inside the Magic. Separately, citybiz notes that Five Guys has opened its 2,000th restaurant at Universal Orlando Resort.
For those choosing where to eat closer to home, Orlando Weekly gathers reader picks for the best restaurant in every part of the city, a useful guide for exploring neighborhoods beyond your own.
Parks, Trails, and the Outdoors
Fall is the season to be outside. Business Insider features a local's ten favorite outdoorsy adventures beyond the theme parks. For seasonal color, the Orlando Date Night Guide rounds up fall festivals and pumpkin patches, and islands.com spotlights a family-friendly attraction between Orlando and Daytona Beach with animals, a train ride, and events.
Living Here
Community life is well served by the region's markets. The Orlando Date Night Guide offers a tour of local farmers' markets, while Visit Orlando highlights the city's top eco-friendly boutiques for a greener kind of shopping day. Downtown, the City of Orlando outlines its mix of arts, sports, and family-friendly activities.
The Week Ahead
From a crowded downtown weekend to fresh openings and the first stirrings of fall, the days ahead reward those who plan a little and wander a little. Questions about buying or selling in Orlando? Austin Munday is always glad to help.
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