Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Epcot Food & Wine Festival is still going strong in September and runs daily right until November 23 2024. It features global marketplaces offering delicious bites and beverages from various countries, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, live music, a scavenger hunt with Remy and much more.

Festival Highlights:

• Global Marketplaces: Dishes and drinks from around the globe, from savory to sweet and everything in between
• Eat to the Beat Concert Series: Live performances from popular artists

When:  August 29 to November 23 2024
Where: 200 Epcot Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32821
Web: Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Brews & BBQ

Busch Gardens Brews and BBQ festival features an array of seasonal sips and savors.

The festival is included in park admission.

When: Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays August 16 – September 2 2025
Where: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Web: Busch Gardens Events

Orlando in September: Magical Dining

Magical Dining continues in Orlando in September, now in it’s 18th year. Food lovers can indulge in Orlando’s best dining scene with Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month. Participating restaurants offer three-course, prix-fixe dinners at a set price, making it a great opportunity to try new places or revisit old favorites without breaking the bank.

For 45 delicious days, you get the opportunity to dine at over 100 of Central Florida’s top restaurants for just $40 or $60 a head.

Organized by VisitOrlando, a dollar of every meal is donated to local charities.

When: August 16 to September 30 2024
Where: Multiple Locations – see link below
Details: Magical Dining Month

Halloween Horror Nights

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando brings together a hoard of horror creatures to give you plenty of screams and scares. There are haunted Houses and Scare Zones, plus live entertainment and spooky food.

When: Select nights from August 29th – November 2nd 2025
Where: Universal Studios
Web: Halloween Horror Nights

Sunset Walk Entertainment

The Promenade at Sunset Walk is one of our favorite hang-outs and is almost on your doorstep if you are staying in one of our vacation homes.

Located just off the US-192 at Margaritaville Orlando Resort, there’s a wide range of great eateries, a selection of stores, an escape game, movie theater, game center, sling shot and lots of live entertainment. Plus, weekly car & truck shows, artisan markets and regular events.

There’s ample free parking and free entry for everyone.

Regular Events at Sunset Walk:

Times are subject to change, please check the Sunset Walk events page for the latest info and more events.

• Sunset Live Nightly – Head to Promenade Plaza Stage for regional and local bands and artists – times vary – check calendar of events.
• Sunset Craft, Food & Drink Market – Thursdays from 6pm – Featuring the best art and décor vendors from across Central Florida and live music from 6pm. Plus venues of the Promenade bring delicious food and beverage menus to the streets of Sunset Walk.
• Dockside Duelling Piano’s at The Wharf – Every Friday from 9.30pm. Request your favorite tunes performed by the dynamic duo live pianos.
• Show Car Saturday Nights – 4-8pm – Every Saturday, vintage cars from 1987 or earlier line up to share the love for these classic beauties. There’s a live DJ and party atmosphere too, followed by live music.
• Sunset Saturday Artisan Market – from 6pm featuring local Craft and Specialty Vendors from across Central Florida.
• Sunday Car & Truck Show – September 14th 2025 – 11am to 2pm – Classic cars and trucks collectors from all eras showcase their vehicles. DJ Don pumps out classic rock music every second Sunday of each month.
• Sunday Latin Sunday – Estefan Kitchen, El Jefe Tequilas Taco Cantina and BR 77 Brazilian Steak House present Sunday-Latin-Sunday every Sunday on the Promenade Plaza Stage with live DJs spinning salsa, Latin pop, merengue, bachata and more.

Where: The Promenade at Sunset Walk, 3251 Margaritaville Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL 34747
Web: Sunset Walk Events

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Why wait until October to start celebrating Halloween? Walt Disney World kicks off the spooky season early with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. As well as trick and treating, a whole host of spooky specials are happening at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. The event runs on select night from Select nights from August 9 to October 31 2024.

• Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade featuring an array of spooky floats, Disney villains and characters dressed in their Halloween best and the Haunted Mansion graveyard diggers
• Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage show stars the wicked Sanderson Sisters
• Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular is a can’t-miss nighttime extravaganza featuring projections, special effects, fireworks, music and Disney characters.

September Mickey’s Not So Scary Dates are:

• September: 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29.

Full details see: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Orlando in September: The Great Irish Hooley

Spend Labor Day Weekend in Orlando in September celebrating Irish style.

Raglan Road at Disney Springs is home to this unique Irish Festival showcasing Irish music and dance. Great family entertainment for all ages with the best of Irish food and beverages. There’s also Celtic face painting too.

Live music performed by popular Irish bands, plus performances by Raglan Road Irish Dancers.
There is no cover charge.

When: August 30 – September 2nd 2024
Where: Raglan Road, Disney Springs, Lake Buena Vista.

Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa & SeaWorld Orlando

A much more adult theme, Howl-O-Scream over at Buch Gardens in Tampa Bay is oozing with screams and scares.

Roaming creatures swarm the streets, there are chilling live shows and you get to experience Tampa’s thrill rides in the dark.

When: Select nights September 5 through November 2, 2025
Where: Busch Gardens, 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612 and SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 Sea World Dr, Orlando, FL 32821
Web: Howl-O-Scream Busch Gardens

SeaWorld Spooktacular

We have a super kid-friendly Halloween event in Orlando in September.
SeaWorld Spooktacular is ideal for the littles ones to have some fun trick and treating.

The little ones will love this underwater “fantasea” with bright and colorful whimsical creatures, trick or treating, Penelope’s Garden Party, Halloween Dance Party and Sesame Streets Countdown to Halloween.

When: Select dates August 30 through November 2 2025
Where: SeaWorld Orlando
Web: SeaWorld Spooktacular 

Brick or Treat LegoLand Florida

Select Dates October 2024

A perfect Trick or Treat for the younger kids with Brick or Treat at LegoLand.

Lots of activities including LEGO ghost building, Scavenger Hunt, Costume Contest, Meet & Greet with LEGO characters, a 13 foot Vampyer Hearse and a fireworks finale. All included with the entry ticket.

When: Select Sat & Sun September 13 – October 27 2024
Where: LEGOLand Florida, Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL
Web: Legoland Florida

Oktoberfest at Krush Brau Park

Krush Brau Park (KBP) is once again holding Oktoberfest from September 14th to November 3rd 2024. The event features all of the best and well-known German beers, food, and gifts. Also featured are some of Central Florida’s breweries Oktoberfest beers.

There will also be a keg tapping ceremony plus several other contests including bier stein holding, yodeling, German limbo, German Schuplattler dance, best dressed Oktoberfest person and much more.

General admission is $5, children under 12 free, Veterans free. VIP tickets  and upgrades are also available.

When: Select dates September 14th to November 3rd
Where: Krush Brau Park, 4580 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Web: Krush Brau Park

Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch

Southernhill Farms is a family owned and operated blueberry u-pick farm in Clermont. The Fall Festival is held Thursday to Sunday from September 15th through November 12th 2024.

There’s live music, local food trucks, craft beer & wine and, of course, the pumpkin patch. The pumpkin patch is home to an array of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. There’s a playground for kids, and giant games for adults such as Jenga and bean bag toss.

You can also hop on the Blueberry Express or roast some smores on the firepit. You can purchase s’mores from the family store along with local and raw honey, lotions, hand balms and lots more.

When: Thursday-Sunday between September 23 and November 12 2024
Where: Southernhill Farms, 16651 Schofield Rd, Clermont, FL 34714, USA
Web: Fall Festival

Pumpkin Ponderosa

Showcase of Citrus features an annual Pumpkin Ponderosa in September.

Pick your perfect pumpkin, or get a fall family shot. Activities also include:

• Feeding exotic/farm animals
• Gem mining
• Monster truck adventures
• Kids playground
• Seasonal speciality beverages
• Food trucks

Free parking and admission.

When: 2024 dates not yet released
Where:  Showcase of Citrus
Web: Showcase of Citrus events

FREE Summer Fun Days at Bok Tower Gardens

Bok Tower Gardens are offering Wawa Summer Fun Days with complimentary admission on the last Thursday and Friday of the month from May through September.

Pre-registration is essential to receive complimentary tickets. This complimentary offer is limited to four visitors per registration, and admission for the day is limited to assist with capacity issues. All members of the party visiting on Wawa Summer Fun Days will need to have a ticket to enter.

Where: Bok Tower Gardens
Web: Summer Fun Days

Rocket Launches at Kennedy Space Center

If you’ve never seen a rocket launch, it’s well worth the trip over to the Space Coast.

If you do plan on going to watch a rocket launch, keep in mind launches are very unpredictable. They can be cancelled hours or even minutes before launch. It’s best to plan a day at Kennedy Space Center at the same time. That way, it’s not a wasted day if the launch is cancelled.

Rocket Launch Calendar: Kennedy Space Center or Space Coast Launches