Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend: Sept. 25–27, 2026

Air shows, international soccer, free festivals, fall farms, Hispanic Heritage celebrations, outdoor activities and the final weekend of Come From Away make this one of September’s busiest weekends in Central Florida.

The final full weekend of September is shaping up to be a good one around Greater Orlando.

And there is considerably more happening than Halloween Horror Nights.

From Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27, Central Florida has a rare combination of major ticketed events and genuinely free community activities. You can watch an F-22 fly over Sanford, see the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team play Peru downtown, celebrate Hispanic Heritage in Apopka, take free yoga and tai chi at Mead Botanical Garden, attend Oktoberfest in Lake Nona, get something broken repaired for free, or simply spend Sunday afternoon at Lake Eola.

Fall festival season also officially kicks into high gear this weekend.

Here are some of the best things we found to do around Orlando.

Friday, Sept. 25: Sunset at the Zoo for Just $6

One of the weekend’s best inexpensive family activities happens Friday evening.

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford is holding its final Sunset at the Zoo event of 2026 from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, this time celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

The zoo reopens for the evening with live music, Latin-inspired food, cultural vendors and showcases, family activities, animal experiences and additional keeper chats. Advance tickets are currently $6, compared with $8 at the gate. (Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens)

That’s particularly good value compared with normal weekend zoo admission, which currently starts at $23.95 online for adults on peak days. (Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens)

When: Friday, Sept. 25, 5–8 p.m.
Where: 3755 W. Seminole Blvd., Sanford
Cost: $6 advance / $8 gate

Sunset at the Zoo information

Friday Night: Free Art After Dark in Lake Nona

If you’re looking for something closer to Orlando and don’t want to buy a ticket, Lake Nona has another option.

Art After Dark returns Friday evening at Lake Nona Town Center from 6 to 10 p.m., with local artists and makers, food and the surrounding restaurants and entertainment district. Current weekend calendars list admission as free. (Orlando on the Cheap)

You don’t have to buy anything from the vendors to walk around and enjoy the evening.

That makes this an easy option after work, particularly for people living around southeast Orlando, Lake Nona and Medical City.

Saturday Morning: Free National Public Lands Day at Mead Botanical Garden

Saturday starts with one of our favorite free events of the weekend.

Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park is celebrating National Public Lands Day from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Admission is free, and the morning includes free yoga and tai chi, self-guided nature tours, children’s activities, a Winter Park Library Story Walk and a free tree giveaway from Winter Park Urban Forestry. (Mead Botanical Garden)

This is the kind of event that’s particularly good for families because you don’t have to commit the entire day.

Spend the morning outside, walk the trails and gardens, participate in a few activities and then still have most of Saturday available.

When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 9 a.m.–noon
Where: 1300 S. Denning Drive, Winter Park
Cost: Free

Mead Botanical Garden calendar

Or Spend Saturday Morning Getting Something Fixed for Free

Here’s a very different way to spend Saturday morning.

The Fix It Don’t Pitch It community repair event runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Marks Street Senior Recreation Complex in Orlando.

Volunteer repair experts will help diagnose or repair electronics, bicycles, clothing and general household items. Participants are limited to two items, and advance registration is recommended. Flat-screen TVs, phones and jewelry aren’t accepted. (Orlando on the Cheap)

The cost?

Free.

For anyone who read our earlier LifeHappens2Us article about trying to repair something before replacing it, this is essentially that idea turned into an event.

When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Where: 99 E. Marks St., Orlando
Cost: Free

Volunteer Instead: Clean Up Audubon Park

There is also an opportunity Saturday morning to do something useful for the community.

Keep Orlando Beautiful and the Audubon Park Garden District are holding a community cleanup from 9 to 11 a.m.

Volunteers meet in front of Redlight Redlight at 2810 Corrine Drive. The organizers provide vests, grabbers, gloves and trash bags; volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and bring water and sun protection. (City of Orlando)

It’s free, but registration is requested.

Not every weekend activity has to involve consuming something.

Sometimes spending two hours making your own neighborhood look better is a pretty decent Saturday morning.

Saturday: Orlando Air Show Brings the F-22 to Sanford

One of the weekend’s largest events takes place at Orlando Sanford International Airport.

Air Dot Show Orlando runs Saturday and Sunday, September 26–27, with gates opening at 9 a.m. and aerial demonstrations running approximately noon to 4 p.m. both days. (Air•Show)

The current lineup is headlined by the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, along with the Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet Demo, Navy SEAL Leap Frogs and civilian performers. (Air•Show)

Current advance general-admission pricing starts at $32 for adults 13 and older, while children 5 and younger are free. A parking pass is included with general-admission orders. (Air•Show)

This is one we recently covered in detail because families should plan ahead. Bring chairs if you’re using general admission, sunscreen, permitted water and hearing protection, especially for children.

When: Saturday–Sunday, Sept. 26–27; gates 9 a.m., flying approximately noon–4 p.m.
Where: Orlando Sanford International Airport
Cost: General admission currently from $32 adult

Official Orlando Air Show information

Saturday Afternoon: USA vs. Peru at Inter&Co Stadium

Saturday is also a major soccer day in downtown Orlando.

The U.S. Men’s National Team plays Peru Saturday, September 26, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern at Inter.co Stadium. (U.S. Soccer)

It’s the U.S. team’s first match following the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the beginning of a new four-match fall window that also includes Chile, Mexico and Canada. U.S. Soccer is billing Orlando’s game as its Fan Appreciation Match. (U.S. Soccer)

Orlando has developed a substantial international soccer résumé, and U.S. Soccer itself highlighted the city’s soccer history ahead of this match. (U.S. Soccer)

If you’re going, remember that a major international match will mean heavier-than-normal traffic and parking demand around Church Street.

When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 4:30 p.m.
Where: 655 W. Church St., downtown Orlando
Cost: Ticketed event

USA vs. Peru official match information

Saturday Evening: Free Hispanic Heritage Celebration in Apopka

If you’d rather stay away from downtown crowds, Apopka has a strong free alternative.

The City of Apopka’s 5th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration takes place Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Kit Land Nelson Park.

The free family event includes Hispanic music, dancing, cultural performances, food vendors, community groups and local businesses. The city also says free parking is available at Edward’s Field, adjacent to the park. (Apopka)

Performers include Mexico Danza Orlando, WEPA Dance Studio and Party Show Dancers, among others. (Apopka)

This is one of the better completely free choices of the weekend.

When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 4–8 p.m.
Where: Kit Land Nelson Park, Apopka
Admission: Free

Apopka Hispanic Heritage Celebration

Saturday Night: Free Oktoberfest in Lake Nona

Lake Nona gets its turn Saturday night.

Lake Nona District hosts Oktoberfest at Lake Nona Town Center from 5 to 10 p.m.

There will be German-style food, specialty brews from Park Pizza & Brewing Co., live music from Slickwood, vendors, entertainment and a stein-hoisting competition. (City of Orlando)

Best of all:

The event itself is free and no ticket is required. Food and drinks, of course, cost extra. (Lake Nona Regional Chamber of Commerce)

This gives southeast Orlando residents an easy Saturday-night option that doesn’t require driving all the way downtown.

When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 5–10 p.m.
Where: Lake Nona Town Center
Admission: Free

Fall Festival Season Officially Begins at Southern Hill Farms

If you’re ready for pumpkins despite Central Florida temperatures still insisting it’s summer, Saturday marks opening weekend at Southern Hill Farms in Clermont.

The farm’s 11th Annual Fall Festival opens September 26 and continues on selected days through November 22.

Opening Saturday runs 9 a.m.–8 p.m., while Sunday runs 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Activities include a corn maze, carnival rides, petting zoo, U-pick flowers, pumpkins, live music, food trucks and seasonal photo areas. (Southern Hill Farms)

Tickets are required for guests age 3 and older and must be purchased online before arriving. Current admission is approximately $29 before taxes and processing fees. (Southern Hill Farms)

This isn’t the cheapest activity on our list, particularly for large families, but it’s one of the bigger fall-festival experiences in Central Florida.

Theater Weekend: One Show Ends While Another Begins

This is also an interesting weekend at Orlando Shakes.

The Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away reaches its final weekend, with performances Friday, Saturday and its closing performance Sunday, September 27.

The 1-hour-45-minute production tells the true story of thousands of airline passengers diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, after the September 11 attacks and the community that took them in. (Orlando Shakes)

At exactly the same time, Orlando Shakes has begun performances of Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, a fast-moving comedic take on the Dracula story featuring five actors playing numerous characters. It’s also playing Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (Orlando Shakes)

So if you’ve been meaning to see Come From Away, this is your last weekend.

Sunday: Slow Things Down at the Orlando Farmers Market

After Saturday’s unusually packed schedule, Sunday offers an easy reset.

The Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, September 27.

Admission is free, and the market includes food, baked goods, plants, crafts, gifts, shopping and live entertainment. The city says free on-street parking, including metered spaces, is available within walking distance, while nearby garages are paid. (City of Orlando)

Combine the market with a walk around Lake Eola and you have a Sunday outing that doesn’t require an admission ticket.

When: Sunday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Southeast corner of Lake Eola Park
Admission: Free

Orlando Farmers Market details

It’s Also the Final Weekend of Magical Dining

If you haven’t tried Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining yet, you’re almost out of time.

The 2026 program ends Wednesday, September 30, making this its final full weekend.

More than 180 Orlando-area restaurants are participating this year, offering three-course prix-fixe dinners for $40 or $60 per person, plus tax and gratuity. The participating list includes 15 MICHELIN Guide-recognized restaurants and 36 newcomers to the program. (Visit Orlando)

For couples in particular, this could pair well with another weekend activity.

Do the free event first.

Then spend the entertainment budget on dinner.

2026 Magical Dining information and participating restaurants

Halloween Season Is Fully Underway Too

For people who want the big theme-park experience, Halloween Horror Nights is running Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend, with event hours currently listed from 6:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. (Visit Orlando)

There are also other Halloween events operating around Central Florida, but we’ve deliberately not turned this guide into another Halloween-events article.

There is too much else happening this weekend.

Our Quick Picks for Sept. 25–27

If you don’t want to sort through everything above, here’s the simplest way to choose:

• Best cheap Friday night: Sunset at the Zoo — $6 advance.
• Best free family activity: National Public Lands Day at Mead Botanical Garden.
• Best major spectacle: Orlando Air Show.
• Best sports event: USA vs. Peru.
• Best free cultural festival: Apopka Hispanic Heritage Celebration.
• Best free Saturday night: Lake Nona Oktoberfest.
• Best fall outing: Southern Hill Farms opening weekend.
• Best theater pick: Come From Away before it closes Sunday.
• Best easy Sunday: Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola.
• Most practical event: Fix It Don’t Pitch It.

This Is a Good Weekend to Explore Beyond the Theme Parks

What we like about September 25–27 is the variety.

You could spend a lot of money this weekend.

An international soccer match, an air show, a theater performance and dinner can make for a very expensive couple of days.

But you don’t have to.

You can also do yoga at Mead Botanical Garden in the morning, attend Apopka’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration in the afternoon, go to Lake Nona Oktoberfest that evening and visit Lake Eola Sunday.

Admission to all four?

$0.

That’s the side of Orlando we want to keep highlighting.

Central Florida has the world-famous attractions, and there’s nothing wrong with enjoying them.

But living here becomes considerably more interesting—and considerably less expensive—when you start paying attention to everything happening between them.