Things to Do in Orlando This Week & Weekend: Sept. 14–20, 2026

Hispanic Heritage Month begins, Orlando’s Mural Festival takes over downtown, the History Center opens its doors for free, Lake Nona celebrates all weekend, the Orlando Philharmonic launches a new season, and there are plenty of free and inexpensive things to do around Central Florida.

Looking for something to do around Orlando this week?

September 14–20 is shaping up to be a particularly good week for getting out without spending a fortune.

Hispanic Heritage Month officially begins Tuesday, bringing cultural celebrations to Orlando and Lake Nona. Downtown Orlando has a free outdoor movie, a free mural festival and free admission to the Orange County Regional History Center. And the weekend brings everything from dance classes and live Latin music to food trucks, farmers markets and the opening weekend of the Orlando Philharmonic’s 2026–27 season.

We’ve gone through the current calendars to find some of the best things happening around Greater Orlando.

Here’s what’s worth knowing.

Monday, Sept. 14: Start the Week at the Audubon Park Community Market

Monday doesn’t have to mean going straight home after work.

The Audubon Park Community Market returns Monday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. in Orlando’s Audubon Park neighborhood.

The weekly neighborhood market brings together local growers, food producers and other small businesses and is free to attend.

It’s an easy Monday-night outing rather than a major event—and sometimes that’s exactly what you want.

Walk around the market, grab dinner nearby if you feel like it, and you’re done before the workweek really gets moving.

When: Monday, Sept. 14, 5–8 p.m.
Where: Audubon Park, Orlando
Admission: FREE

Tuesday, Sept. 15: Orlando Kicks Off Hispanic Heritage Month

Tuesday marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs nationally from September 15 through October 15.

Orlando is starting its celebration with the Hispanic Heritage Month Art Exhibit Opening Reception at Orlando City Hall’s Terrace Gallery.

The reception runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and features work from local visual artists inspired by this year’s theme:

“UNIDOS, SOMOS MÁS” — “TOGETHER, WE ARE MORE.”

Mayor Buddy Dyer, District 2 Commissioner Tony Ortiz and other city commissioners are scheduled to participate.

For Central Florida, Hispanic Heritage Month has particular significance. Orlando’s Puerto Rican, Caribbean, Central American and South American communities are an enormous part of the region’s culture.

And this is only the beginning.

We’ll see additional Hispanic Heritage events throughout Orlando over the next month.

When: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 5–8 p.m.
Where: Orlando City Hall, Terrace Gallery, 400 S. Orange Ave.
Admission: FREE

Wednesday, Sept. 16: Free Movie Night at Luminary Green

Wednesday may offer the week’s best completely free evening.

Head to Luminary Green Park in Creative Village for the Luminary Market and KaleidoScope 360° Movie Night.

The market features approximately 20–25 local vendors, while the outdoor movie begins at 7 p.m.

This week’s movie is especially appropriate for the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month:

In the Heights

The movie is part of a family-friendly outdoor film series using large-scale LED visuals and immersive sound.

Bring a blanket or lawn chairs.

Creative Village itself is also worth exploring if you haven’t been there recently. The 68-acre redevelopment west of downtown is anchored by UCF Downtown and Valencia College Downtown, and Orlando says more than $365 million in additional development activity is planned as Creative Village moves into its next phase.

When: Wednesday, Sept. 16; movie at 7 p.m.
Where: Luminary Green Park, 437 N. Terry Ave., Orlando
Admission: FREE

Wednesday Bonus: Shred Your Sensitive Documents for Free

Here’s something considerably less exciting than an outdoor movie—but potentially much more useful.

The Orlando Police Department and District 1 Commissioner Tom Keen are holding a free community shredding event Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m.

Residents can bring sensitive paper documents for secure disposal.

Old financial statements.

Medical paperwork.

Tax records you no longer need.

Anything containing information you don’t want sitting in the recycling bin.

Identity theft isn’t particularly exciting until it happens to you, so this is one of those city services worth taking advantage of.

When: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 5–8 p.m.
Where: Lake Nona Community Police Office, 10727 Narcoossee Road
Cost: FREE

Thursday–Sunday, Sept. 17–20: Hispanic Heritage Weekend at Boxi Park

Lake Nona gets four days of Hispanic Heritage celebrations beginning Thursday.

Boxi Park Lake Nona is hosting Hispanic Heritage Weekend from September 17 through 20.

The entertainment changes throughout the weekend.

Thursday begins the celebration.

Friday brings Phoenix 5.

Saturday includes Sol Caribe, Spirit of Samba, DJ Rey Garcia and additional entertainment.

Sunday wraps things up with a Family Fun Day.

Visit Orlando also lists salsa dancing Friday and family activities including face painting and bounce houses on Sunday.

It’s one of the week’s better choices if you’re looking for live Latin music and an outdoor atmosphere without committing to a major ticketed festival.

When: Thursday–Sunday, Sept. 17–20
Where: Boxi Park, 6877 Lake Nona Blvd.
Admission: FREE

Thursday, Sept. 17: Third Thursday Returns to Downtown Orlando

If Lake Nona isn’t convenient, downtown Orlando has another option Thursday night.

Third Thursday returns to CityArts and the Downtown Arts District.

This month’s event is particularly interesting because it also serves as the opening reception for the 2026 Orlando Mural Festival.

From 6 to 9 p.m., CityArts’ Signature Gallery will showcase studio work from muralists who have participated in Orlando’s mural festival during the past two years.

It’s essentially a preview of what’s coming Saturday.

When: Thursday, Sept. 17, 6–9 p.m.
Where: CityArts, 39 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando

Friday, Sept. 18: Make It a Lake Nona Night

Friday is a good night to take advantage of the Hispanic Heritage Weekend at Boxi Park.

Phoenix 5 performs as the weekend moves into full swing, and Visit Orlando lists a salsa component as part of Friday’s festivities.

If you’ve never explored Lake Nona Town Center, this is also an opportunity to walk around the district before or after the event.

Friday is probably the better choice for adults and couples.

Families may prefer Sunday’s Family Fun Day.

Saturday, Sept. 19: This Is the Big Day

If you’re only going out one day this week, make it Saturday.

There are enough events happening that you could easily spend the entire day around Orlando without paying admission.

Start With FREE Admission to the Orange County Regional History Center

The Orange County Regional History Center is holding Heritage Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, with free museum admission.

The event celebrates the museum’s new exhibition, By Heart and By Hand, which explores the artistry and traditions of Black craft makers in Central Florida.

Activities include family music and games, textile history, fiber-art activities, castanet making and folk-art projects.

Even if you skip the activities, this is an opportunity to explore the History Center itself without paying regular admission.

When: Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: 65 E. Central Blvd., Downtown Orlando
Admission: FREE

Saturday: Watch Artists Transform Downtown at Orlando Mural Festival

This might be our pick for the most interesting free event of the weekend.

The Orlando Mural Festival holds its main street party Saturday from 2 to 10 p.m. at CityArts in downtown Orlando.

And admission is free.

The festival will feature muralists working live, additional live artists, art vendors, music, food trucks and other activities.

Rather than simply walking through a finished art exhibition, visitors get to see artists actually creating work.

That’s the part we like.

Public art is increasingly becoming part of Orlando’s identity, and events like this allow residents to watch that transformation happen rather than simply discovering a new mural six months later.

When: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2–10 p.m.
Where: CityArts, 39 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando
Admission: FREE

Saturday: Take a Free Dance Class

September 19 is also National Dance Day Orlando.

Multiple locations around Orlando are offering free dance and movement classes for different ages and ability levels.

The celebration includes a variety of dance disciplines, appearances from Central Florida professional dance companies and an evening showcase at Studio K.

Class space is limited, so registration is recommended.

This is exactly the kind of Orlando event that’s easy to overlook because it isn’t a giant festival—and exactly the kind of thing that can turn into a surprisingly good Saturday.

When: Saturday, Sept. 19
Admission: FREE
Important: Register ahead because class capacity is limited.

Saturday: Or Help Clean Up an Orlando Lake

Want your Saturday activity to accomplish something?

Keep Orlando Beautiful is holding an Orlando Lakes Clean-Up at Lake Fran from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Volunteers help remove litter and other pollution from the lake environment.

This is obviously different from attending a festival, but it’s another way to spend a morning outside while actually improving the city.

When: Saturday, Sept. 19, 8:30–10:30 a.m.
Where: Lake Fran area, 4780 Raleigh St., Orlando

Saturday Evening: New Food Truck Rally in Avalon Park

East Orlando residents have another option Saturday evening.

Avalon Park is launching one of its new Food Truck Rallies at Town Park from 5 to 8 p.m.

Expect food trucks, live music and family-friendly activities.

Bring lawn chairs if you plan to stay.

When: Saturday, Sept. 19, 5–8 p.m.
Where: Town Park, 3651 Avalon Park E. Blvd.

Saturday Night: The Orlando Philharmonic Opens Its New Season

For something completely different, dress up a little and head downtown.

The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra opens its 2026–27 season Saturday night at Steinmetz Hall with Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

The program is unusually ambitious.

Three pianists join the orchestra for music by Stravinsky, Duke Ellington, Ravel and Gershwin, with dancers and theatrical elements incorporated into the performance.

The Saturday performance begins at 7:30 p.m.

There’s also a Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m.

When: Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 20 at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Steinmetz Hall, Dr. Phillips Center, Downtown Orlando
Admission: Ticketed

Sunday, Sept. 20: Slow Things Down at Lake Eola

After Saturday’s schedule, Sunday can be simpler.

The weekly Orlando Farmers Market returns to Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando.

The market includes vendors, food, live entertainment and outdoor dining around the park.

You don’t need to buy anything.

Walk the approximately 0.9-mile loop around the lake, browse the market and enjoy downtown for a couple of hours. Orlando Farmers’ Market

When: Sunday, Sept. 20
Where: Lake Eola Park
Admission: FREE

Still Running: Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining

If you’ve been meaning to try a restaurant that’s normally outside your everyday budget, Magical Dining is still underway this week.

The annual program continues through September 27, so there are only a couple of weeks remaining after this one.

Participating restaurants offer special prix-fixe menus, making September one of the better times of year for Orlando residents to try higher-end restaurants at a more predictable price.

Reservations can become harder to find as the promotion approaches its final weekend, so don’t necessarily wait until September 27.

Halloween Season Is Also Officially Underway

We’re only halfway through September, but Orlando’s Halloween season has already started.

Halloween Horror Nights 35 is underway at Universal Orlando, while SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream began September 11 and continues on select nights through October 31.

Those are separately ticketed events, so they’re obviously not competing with our free Saturday suggestions.

But for Halloween fans, the season has begun.

Pumpkin patches and larger fall festivals start joining them over the next couple of weeks.

If You Only Pick Three Things This Week…

For free family entertainment, we’d choose Heritage Day at the Orange County Regional History Center on Saturday.

For something uniquely Orlando, go to the Orlando Mural Festival Saturday afternoon and evening.

And for music, food and Hispanic Heritage Month, spend Friday or Saturday evening at Boxi Park’s Hispanic Heritage Weekend.

You could actually combine the first two.

Visit the History Center Saturday morning, have lunch downtown, walk over to CityArts for the Mural Festival in the afternoon and then head to Lake Nona in the evening.

That’s a pretty full Orlando Saturday.

And most of the entertainment costs nothing.

One More Reason to Explore Orlando This Week

September occupies an interesting space on Orlando’s calendar.

Summer vacation is over.

The holidays haven’t arrived.

But the fall event season is beginning.

Hispanic Heritage Month starts this week.

Halloween events are underway.

Fall festivals begin opening.

Orlando’s arts organizations are launching new seasons.

And the weather—eventually—is going to remember that fall exists.

For locals, this is one of the better times to rediscover the city before October’s huge event calendar arrives.

We’ll be back next week with another roundup of what’s happening around Orlando and Central Florida.