15 fun ideas and events near Walt Disney World this week and weekend

This regularly updated guide includes events near Walt Disney World, International Drive and Kissimmee, including Sunset Walk. These are some of the best events and experiences happening this week and weekend near Orlando’s theme parks.

Events near Walt Disney World Aug. 31 – Sept. 7, 2026

For events happening at Disney World, as well as Sunset Walk, Kissimmee, International Drive and other nearby destinations.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival begins

When: Thursday, Aug. 27, through Saturday, Nov. 21
Where: Epcot, 200 Epcot Center Drive, Lake Buena Vista
Cost: Festival activities are included with admission; food and drinks cost extra
Theme park admission required: Yes

The 2026 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival begins Thursday with Global Marketplaces serving dishes and drinks inspired by six continents. The festival also includes Emile’s Fromage Montage, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak and nightly Eat to the Beat concerts. Concerts are scheduled at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. through Nov. 16.

Here are five little changes to Epcot to know before you visit this year’s Food & Wine Festival, and our picks for the best (and worst) eats.

Friday Night Muscle Car Show and Cruise at Old Town

When: Friday, Sep. 4; show begins at 3 p.m. and the cruise begins at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Old Town, 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee
Cost: Free for spectators
Theme park admission required: No

Old Town’s Friday Night Muscle Car Show and Cruise displays show-quality muscle and factory-performance vehicles from 1964 and newer, along with older hot rods and classics. The cars line Trophy Row during the afternoon before cruising through Old Town’s brick streets at 8:30 p.m.

Jimmy Buffett Day at Margaritaville Resort Orlando

When: Friday, Sept. 4, from 5-7 p.m.
Where: Grand Lobby at Margaritaville Resort Orlando, 8000 Fins Up Circle, Kissimmee
Cost: Free admission and parking; donations encouraged
Theme park admission required: No

Margaritaville Resort Orlando hosts its third annual Jimmy Buffett Day celebration and Day of Service with live music, family-friendly activities, giveaways and complimentary chair massages from St. Somewhere Spa. The first 500 registered guests who check in will receive a complimentary margarita.

The free community event benefits Give Kids The World Village, with all donations collected during the celebration supporting vacations for children with critical illnesses and their families. Exclusive Jimmy Buffett Day merchandise will also be available, with proceeds benefiting Buffett’s Singing for Change charitable foundation.

Labor Day celebration at Sunset Walk

When: Friday, Sept. 4-Monday, Sept. 7
Where: Promenade at Sunset Walk, 3251 Margaritaville Blvd., Kissimmee
Cost: Free admission and self-parking
Theme park admission required: No

Promenade at Sunset Walk sends off summer with a four-day Labor Day weekend celebration featuring live music, DJs, artisan markets, street entertainment and car shows.

Friday’s activities include the Promenade Racing Car & Truck Show, followed by the One Purse Charity Car & Truck Show on Saturday. Live entertainment continues through Labor Day on Monday.

Great Irish Hooley at Raglan Road

When: Friday, Sept. 4-Monday, Sept. 7
Where: Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant at Disney Springs, 1640 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista
Cost: Free to attend; food and drinks cost extra
Theme park admission required: No

Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant celebrates Labor Day weekend with its annual Great Irish Hooley, a four-day festival of Irish music, dancing, food and drinks. Irish performers take the stage throughout the weekend, accompanied by Raglan Road’s dancers.

Disney Springs offers complimentary standard self-parking. Dining reservations are recommended, particularly during the holiday weekend.

Disney artist showcase with Dave Avanzino

When: Thursday, Sept. 3-Sunday, Sept. 6; signings from noon-3:30 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. daily
Where: The Art of Disney at Disney Springs, 1486 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista
Cost: Free to attend; artwork is available for purchase
Theme park admission required: No

Fine artist Dave Avanzino brings his distinctive dimensional artwork to Artist Showcase during Labor Day weekend. His layered pieces feature letters, words and familiar Disney imagery that appear to pop off the page.

Artwork will be available for purchase throughout regular store hours Sept. 3-6. Avanzino will sign artwork from noon-3:30 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. each day. Appearances are subject to change, and merchandise is available while supplies last.

Seasonal events and happenings this week

Jock Lindsey’s Halloween Hangar Bar at Disney Springs

When: Tuesday, Aug. 11, through Monday, Nov. 9
Where: Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, Disney Springs, 1486 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista
Cost: No admission required; food and drinks are sold separately

Halloween arrives early at Disney Springs when Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar begins its seasonal overlay Aug. 11. The Indiana Jones-inspired waterfront bar adds Halloween décor and a limited-time menu featuring new items such as Candelabra Eggs and Midnight Mayhem Popcorn Chicken.

Disney Springs offers complimentary self-parking. More Halloween and fall treats and decorations arrive at Disney Springs on Aug. 11 as well.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

When: Tuesday, Sept. 1, and Friday, Sept. 4, from 7 p.m. to midnight
Where: Magic Kingdom, 1180 Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista
Cost: Separate event tickets for these dates are listed at $119, plus tax
Theme park admission required: A separate party ticket is required

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party fills Magic Kingdom with trick-or-treating, Disney characters, attraction overlays, the “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade” and “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular.” Party guests may enter Magic Kingdom beginning at 4 p.m. without purchasing a separate daytime park ticket.

Parking is not included with the event ticket. Tickets are limited and can sell out.

Other theme park events

Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights

When: Select nights from Friday, Aug. 28, through Sunday, Nov. 1
Where: Universal Studios Florida, 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando
Cost: Prices vary by date
Theme park admission required: A separate Halloween Horror Nights ticket is required

Halloween Horror Nights Orlando begins its 35th year with the “Infernal Carnival of Nightmares,” led by returning icons Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow. The separately ticketed nighttime event has a jam-packed 2026 lineup with 10 haunted houses, five scare zones, two live shows, themed food and select attractions.

This year’s houses draw from “Stranger Things 5,” “Sinners,” “Hellraiser,” “Evil Dead Burn” and other original and licensed stories.

SeaWorld Orlando Spooktacular

When: Select dates from Saturday, Aug. 29, through Sunday, Nov. 1
Where: SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando
Cost: Included with regular park admission; a SeaWorld reusable bag must be purchased to participate in trick-or-treating
Theme park admission required: Yes

SeaWorld Orlando’s daytime Halloween Spooktacular returns with trick-or-treating, costumes and family-friendly entertainment.

New for 2026, characters from “Hotel Transylvania,” including Drac and Mavis, join the celebration in the park and during a themed breakfast. Guests can also meet Spookley the Square Pumpkin and enjoy additional seasonal activities throughout the park.

Legoland Florida Brick-or-Treat

When: Saturday, Sept. 5, and Sunday, Sept. 6; select dates through Saturday, Oct. 31
Where: Legoland Florida Resort, One Legoland Way, Winter Haven
Cost: Included with regular park admission and select annual passes

Legoland Florida Brick-or-Treat begins its 2026 season over Labor Day weekend. The family-friendly Halloween event includes trick-or-treating, Lego monster character encounters, live shows, seasonal activities and an interactive light trail.

New this year, Brick-or-Treat Street turns trick-or-treating into an interactive Lego adventure with stops including the Wacky Witch’s Cottage, Spider Lady’s Castle and Plant Monster’s Greenhouse.

Candy stations operate from 2-7 p.m., and bags are provided.

Things to do near Disney World without a theme park ticket

Weekly events are only the beginning. Multiple venues in Orlando are free to explore, and others are relatively affordable. For indoor fun, browse comics and collectibles at Gods & Monsters, tackle immersive missions at The Bureau Adventure Games or compete in TV-style challenges at Great Big Game Show—both are on International Drive.

The Florida Mall also offers more than shopping. Attractions Magazine reviewed the mall’s Fever Hub and “Titanic” virtual-reality experience, while Crayola Experience includes hands-on activities such as The Cartoon Creator.

These entertainment districts, parks and local attractions can be explored without purchasing theme park admission. Walking around may be free, but food, rides, shows, activities and some parking options cost extra.

Explore Disney Springs

Disney Springs is free to enter and offers complimentary standard self-parking. Beyond its restaurants and stores, visitors can find live entertainment, waterfront views and several overlooked things to do at Disney Springs.

Disney Springs parking information

Walk around Universal CityWalk

No theme park ticket is required to visit Universal CityWalk. Regular parking fees generally apply before 6 p.m. Free self-parking is available after 6 p.m. on nights that are not Halloween Horror Nights event nights.

Universal Orlando parking information

Visit Fun Spot America

Fun Spot America’s Orlando and Kissimmee parks offer free admission and free parking. Visitors can walk around, watch the rides or meet up with friends without buying an armband; rides, games and food are priced separately.

Fun Spot America visitor information

Explore International Drive

ICON Park and Pointe Orlando are both free to enter and walk around, with restaurants, shops and separately priced attractions.

• ICON Park provides free garage parking on floors 4-7. Premium parking is also available closer to the attractions.
  • ICON Park parking information
• Pointe Orlando has a paid parking garage, with validation available from select businesses.
  • Pointe Orlando parking information

In this area, you can step onto a television-style set at Great Big Game Show, see Blue Man Group at ICON Park, attempt “Legend of the Yeti” at The Escape Game or try free-roaming virtual reality at Pointe Orlando.

Promenade at Sunset Walk

Promenade at Sunset Walk at Margaritaville Resort Orlando is free to explore and offers free self-parking. Its calendar regularly includes live music, artisan markets, car shows and other free events. Restaurants, attractions and valet parking cost extra.

Sunset Walk events

Old Town Kissimmee

Old Town is an open-air entertainment district on U.S. 192 with shops, restaurants, rides, live music and recurring car shows. Admission is free. Free parking is plentiful Monday through Thursday, but the large overflow lot may charge on weekends.

Old Town parking information

Stroll through Celebration

Walk around Celebration Town Center, follow the lakeside paths or stop for a meal near Market Street. The district is free to explore and offers free parking, along with markets, concerts and seasonal community events.

Celebration Town Center

Downtown Kissimmee

Historic downtown Kissimmee has locally owned restaurants and shops within walking distance of Kissimmee Lakefront Park. The city operates three free public parking garages downtown.

Downtown Kissimmee parking information

Visit a free museum on U.S. 192

The Osceola County Welcome Center and History Museum at 4155 W. Vine St. explores the area’s natural habitats, cattle and citrus industries, and early tourism. Admission is free, and the museum is currently open daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., except for listed holidays. Visitors should verify hours before going.

Osceola County Welcome Center and History Museum