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Free & Cheap Things To Do In Orlando This Weekend August 16 - 18, 2024

There is so much to do in Orlando this weekend that won't break the bank, with an amazing choice of free and cheap things to do for everyone!

Free & Cheap Things To Do in Orlando This Weekend

Free And Cheap Things To Do This Weekend In Orlando!

Whether your a local or a visitor to the city, Orlando offers an almost endless choice of things to do, and best of all there is tons of amazing events and things to do that are either free or cheap!


From free events for the little ones, to cheap nights out for the big kids!, we've go you covered with the best free and cheap events and things to do, including community events, car shows, concerts, farmers markets, free museum days, outdoor movie nights, festivals, and more.


Keep up with the latest news on events, and things to do in Central Florida by signing up for the Gotta Go Orlando Newsletter and follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.



Before attending events, please contact the event organizer to confirm that the event is taking place as changes, and cancellations can occur.


To list your events and feature your business on Gotta Go Orlando, learn more about advertising with us and submit your Orlando events here.



FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2024


 Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining

August 16 - September 30

Celebrating its 19th season, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining returns from Aug. 16 through Sept. 30 with a record 150 restaurants, including 25 new restaurants and nine recognized by the MICHELIN Guide. Restaurants will offer three-course prix-fixe menus for either $40 or $60, continuing the tiered menu system introduced in 2023 throughout the six-week run.  



Now - September 2

Imagine hundreds of state-of-the-art drones “dancing” across the sky, choreographed to a soaring musical score of iconic Disney music and memorable dialogue from beloved Disney movies. See Disney stories come to life in Disney Dreams That Soar—a free one-of-a-kind, nearly 10-minute drone show at Disney Springs that’s so exhilarating, you might feel as if you’re flying too!



Now - August 25

Enter the world of the fairies as you explore the gateways to each of the different fairies throughout Leu Gardens. You’ll find twenty doors that lead to the homes of our garden fairies, each with whimsical and unique design made especially for each fairies’ personality.  Enjoy the make believe world of each fairy as you search for their own special door. Included with general admission.


Various Dates, August 9 - August 25

It's summer and you know what that means. It's time to get away to a world of endless summer. The resident aliens of SOUL POP are bringing the HEAT all August long taking you on a musical journey into another realm filled with a little pop, a little love and a whole lot of SOUL! Taking place at Orlando ArtSpace.


Venardos Circus  June 23 - August 17 Kissimmee

Now - August 17

Westgate Resorts and Venardos Circus, offering a one-of-a-kind, limited-run summertime circus spectacular directly outside the gates of Westgate Town Center, Westgate Vacation Villas and Westgate Towers Resorts located off Highway 192 in Kissimmee.


Every Friday and Saturday

Sundown Sessions; a free early live-music series inside Lil Indies, giving you the chance to ease into your evening with a cocktail or mocktail, and laid back rock, pop, folk or blues music. Sundown Sessions feature a rotating roster of solo & duo local acts, plus an occasional touring act in Lil Indies.


Every Friday and Saturday

This is SAK’s signature improv show! Two teams of professional improvisers compete for your laughs with audience judges selected at the start of the show.


Every Friday and Saturday

In this knockdown, drag-out comedy battle, a cast of our professional performers pair up in teams of two and use audience suggestions to create scenes, songs and characters on the spot at King of the Hill!


Art After Dark at Lake Nona

Every Friday

Every Friday night, Art After Dark takes over Lake Nona Town Center from 6 pm. Enjoy a stroll as you explore hand crafted artisan products, and tasty cuisine. Be sure to grab a glass a wine, stay a while and enjoy the art displayed on the art installation, The Beacon.


Every Friday

TPD Night Market is a weekly Friday night market featuring 20 plus vendors at 431 E Central Blvd, Thornton Park, Orlando.


Every Friday

Come enjoy live music every Friday night on the Plaza, at Downtown Winter Garden, Centennial Plaza Gazebo.


Friday Muscle Car Show & Cruise Old Town Kissimmee

Every Friday

Join the heart pounding excitement of high-performance engines and true horse power for our Muscle Car Show every Friday night at Old Town in Kissimmee. The Friday Muscle Car Show begins at 3 pm featuring show-quality muscle and factory-performance cars from 1964 and newer and classics from 1985 and older. Cars cruise at 8:30 pm.


Every Friday

Enjoy nonstop live piano music every Friday night at The Wharf at Sunset Walk with late-night food and drink menu.



SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2024


August 16 - September 30

Celebrating its 19th season, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining returns from Aug. 16 through Sept. 30 with a record 150 restaurants, including 25 new restaurants and nine recognized by the MICHELIN Guide. Restaurants will offer three-course prix-fixe menus for either $40 or $60, continuing the tiered menu system introduced in 2023 throughout the six-week run.  


Now - September 2

Imagine hundreds of state-of-the-art drones “dancing” across the sky, choreographed to a soaring musical score of iconic Disney music and memorable dialogue from beloved Disney movies. See Disney stories come to life in Disney Dreams That Soar—a free one-of-a-kind, nearly 10-minute drone show at Disney Springs that’s so exhilarating, you might feel as if you’re flying too!


Dive into the Island H2O Water Park Foam Party

Every Saturday & Sunday, Now - September 2

Foam parties are back at Island H20 Water Park in Kissimmee every Saturday and Sunday in August PLUS Sunday, September 1 and Monday, September 2. Island H2O will be cranking up the tunes and adding lots and lots of FOAM, think adding a full packet of laundry powder to your washer machine and then some! From 12 pm - 4 pm, everyone will love dancing in an endless mountain of foam and bubbles while grooving to their favorite music. all included in park admission!



Every Saturday, Now - August 31

Join us for Lake Nona Live: Summer Nights, featuring live music every Saturday night from 6 - 10 pm at Lake Nona Town Center in front of the Beacon. Enjoy an evening of great tunes, lawn games, and delicious cocktails. Bring your friends and family and celebrate the summer with us!


Now - August 25

Enter the world of the fairies as you explore the gateways to each of the different fairies throughout Leu Gardens. You’ll find twenty doors that lead to the homes of our garden fairies, each with whimsical and unique design made especially for each fairies’ personality.  Enjoy the make believe world of each fairy as you search for their own special door. Included with general admission.


Various Dates, August 9 - August 25

It's summer and you know what that means. It's time to get away to a world of endless summer. The resident aliens of SOUL POP are bringing the HEAT all August long taking you on a musical journey into another realm filled with a little pop, a little love and a whole lot of SOUL! Taking place at Orlando ArtSpace.



August 17 - 18

The Florida Kids and Family Expo is a 2-day expo for kids and families in Central Florida. In fact, it's the largest kids and family expo in the country and you're invited to attend. Join us August 17-18, 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center for a full day (or two) of family fun and discovery. Come out and enjoy over 200 exhibitors, 10+ fun zones, four performance stages with live entertainment, Touch a Truck, animal interactions, character meet and greets and so much more! Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Get your tickets today and bring joy to your kids and family at the epic expo.



August 17

Prepare to be mesmerized at the House of Maus: Curiosities and Oddities Marketplace! For one day only, the Oviedo Mall transforms into a wonderland of the weird, the wonderful, and the downright peculiar. From 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday, August 17, join us for an unforgettable experience that promises fun and excitement for the entire family.



August 17

Zymarium Meadery's 1-year celebration just so happens to also be National Honey Bee Day —so what better way to celebrate our first "Bee-Day" than combining it with a celebration to honor honey bees and beekeeping!


Highlights include Two new "Endless Mead" bottles, 10+ New meads for the day, including 6 limited single-keg releases and one-off treatment kegs of your favorite meads, Food Trucks, Special Collaborations. J&P Apiary :: Some of our favorite beekeepers, Josh and Piper, will be at the meadery with their local honey, and bees, and Ascension Tattoo Studio who will be doing some bee-themed flash tattoos!


Drinks Along the Drive

August 17

Enjoy a fun afternoon with College Park Main Street & participating businesses in a wine & beverage tasting along Edgewater Drive! Each stop along the walk has a featured wine, beer or seltzer curated by our new local wine & spirits shop - The Good Pour. Enjoy a sampling while meeting new neighbors, discovering great small businesses & showing your support for our community. There are approximately 15 drink stops each providing a tasting of featured beverages! Enjoy live music in Albert Park, and other surprises along the drive!



August 17

Open to youth ages 6-14 years old. The Splash & Dash will be on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 5 pm at the Lake Nona Adventure Park. The Splash & Dash race will begin at the Aqua Park inflatable obstacle course. Participants will traverse the state-of-the-art inflatable obstacle course that features over 1000 feet of challenging and exciting obstacles! Once they exit the inflatable course, participants will head out for their run.



August 17

The Jones High School Tigers will face the Seminole High School Seminoles in the 2024 Legacy Classic on August 17. The Legacy Classic is an annual football game hosted by Jones High School at Camping World Stadium. The stadium sits in the heart of the West Lakes communities, where many Jones students and families reside.


August 17

Do you have what it takes to complete a 500-piece puzzle in under two hours? You can work alone or in groups to finish one or more puzzles. This event is taking place at Maitland Public Library.


Every Friday and Saturday

Sundown Sessions; a free early live-music series inside Lil Indies, giving you the chance to ease into your evening with a cocktail or mocktail, and laid back rock, pop, folk or blues music. Sundown Sessions feature a rotating roster of solo & duo local acts, plus an occasional touring act in Lil Indies.


Every Friday and Saturday, 7 pm

This is SAK’s signature improv show! Two teams of professional improvisers compete for your laughs with audience judges selected at the start of the show.


Every Friday and Saturday, 9pm

In this knockdown, comedy battle, performers pair up in teams of two and use audience suggestions to create scenes, songs and characters. There can only be one King of the Hill!


Disney Springs Kids Club

Every Saturday

Dance, play and be entertained at engaging shows for kids of all ages at the Disney Springs Kids Club, taking place every Saturday. Free Entertainment and Free Parking.


Every Saturday

Join us on Saturday afternoons for docent-led museum tours that highlight works from Rollins Museum of Art's current exhibitions.


Saturday Nite Classic Car Show & Cruise

Every Saturday

Join Old Town in Kissimmee every Saturday and take a trip down memory lane. The Old Town Classic Car Show has been a local tradition for over 30 years, it is one of the premier weekly car shows in Central Florida. The Saturday Classic Car Show begins at 1:00pm and welcomes show-quality 1985 and older hot rods, street rods, and antiques. Cars will cruise at 8:30pm. The event is free for participants and free for the public to attend.


Live Music on the Lawn in Lake Nona

Every Saturday

Live on the Lawn is your Saturday oasis to relax and recharge while listening to live music and playing lawn games with family and friends. Join Lake Nona from 11 am – 3 pm every Saturday!


Show Car Saturday Nights at Promenade at Sunset Walk

Every Saturday

The Promenade at Sunset Walk is home to Show Car Saturday Nights. All makes and models are welcome and displayed along Margaritaville Boulevard. Car enthusiasts will enjoy the music of DJ Scotty B while admiring an amazing collection of classic to modern automobiles, with live bands performing on the Promenade Plaza Stage nightly.


Every Saturday

The Winter Garden Farmers Market is your hometown market open every Saturday from 8 am - 1 pm in beautiful Historic Winter Garden.


Every Saturday

The Winter Park Farmers’ Market is one of the best produce and plant markets in Central Florida which takes place every Saturday morning from 8 am - 1 pm in Central Park.


Every Saturday

The Lake Mary Farmers Market features local vendors of produce, plants, baked goods, and arts and crafts. The market is open every Saturday, from 9 am - 1:30 pm at Lake Mary City Hall.


Every Saturday

Visit every Saturday at the City of Longwood Farmers Market at Reiter Park from 9 am - 2 pm, with locally sourced seafood and produce to handmade crafts and more.


Every Saturday

Join in every Saturday morning in Lake Nona, the Lake Nona Farmers Market takes place in the beautiful Town Center from 11 am - 3 pm, shop local with the freshest produce and more.




SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 2024


 Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining

August 16 - September 30

Celebrating its 19th season, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining returns from Aug. 16 through Sept. 30 with a record 150 restaurants, including 25 new restaurants and nine recognized by the MICHELIN Guide. Restaurants will offer three-course prix-fixe menus for either $40 or $60, continuing the tiered menu system introduced in 2023 throughout the six-week run.  



Now - September 2

Imagine hundreds of state-of-the-art drones “dancing” across the sky, choreographed to a soaring musical score of iconic Disney music and memorable dialogue from beloved Disney movies. See Disney stories come to life in Disney Dreams That Soar—a free one-of-a-kind, nearly 10-minute drone show at Disney Springs that’s so exhilarating, you might feel as if you’re flying too!


Every Saturday & Sunday, Now - September 2

Foam parties are back at Island H20 Water Park in Kissimmee every Saturday and Sunday in August PLUS Sunday, September 1 and Monday, September 2. Island H2O will be cranking up the tunes and adding lots and lots of FOAM, think adding a full packet of laundry powder to your washer machine and then some! From 12 pm - 4 pm, everyone will love dancing in an endless mountain of foam and bubbles while grooving to their favorite music. all included in park admission!


Now - August 25

Enter the world of the fairies as you explore the gateways to each of the different fairies throughout Leu Gardens. You’ll find twenty doors that lead to the homes of our garden fairies, each with whimsical and unique design made especially for each fairies’ personality.  Enjoy the make believe world of each fairy as you search for their own special door. Included with general admission.


Various Dates, August 9 - August 25

It's summer and you know what that means. It's time to get away to a world of endless summer. The resident aliens of SOUL POP are bringing the HEAT all August long taking you on a musical journey into another realm filled with a little pop, a little love and a whole lot of SOUL! Taking place at Orlando ArtSpace.



August 17 - 18

The Florida Kids and Family Expo is a 2-day expo for kids and families in Central Florida. In fact, it's the largest kids and family expo in the country and you're invited to attend. Join us August 17-18, 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center for a full day (or two) of family fun and discovery. Come out and enjoy over 200 exhibitors, 10+ fun zones, four performance stages with live entertainment, Touch a Truck, animal interactions, character meet and greets and so much more! Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Get your tickets today and bring joy to your kids and family at the epic expo.



August 18

Join Avalon Park for Food Truck Night! There will be 20 food truck options to choose from and entertainment from 5 - 8 pm.


August 18

Meet and greet local authors at Orlando Public Library's Local Authors Festival. Authors from a variety of genres will share their experiences and books. Each author will have books available for purchase and signing.



August 18

This Sprint Triathlon is a thrilling point-to-point race, starting at the scenic Lake Nona Adventure Park, where the action begins with a refreshing swim in the pristine lake water. The bike route will take participants through the heart of Lake Nona, offering breathtaking views and a blend of urban and natural scenery, as they descend on their next transition area at Boxi Park. The atmosphere at Boxi Park will be electric, with friends, family, and fans eagerly awaiting the athletes' arrival. Here, participants transition from biking to the final challenge the 5K run.

Post-race festivities at Boxi Park include free beer for all participants and access to the Park's food containers. The entertainment lineup ensures a festive atmosphere, with music, games, and activities for all ages, making it a perfect day out for families and friends!


August 18

Sensory Sundays at Crayola Experience are offered on select dates throughout the year.  The attraction will open early at 9:00am. These special mornings are designed for kids and families who would like to experience the attraction adapted just for sensory needs.



Every Sunday

Join Promenade at Sunset Walk every Sunday evenings as the Promenade at Sunset Walk, El Jefe Tequilas Taco Cantina, BR 77 Brazilian Steak House, and Estefan Kitchen Orlando present Sunday-Latin-Sunday. on the Promenade Plaza Stage, featuring the very best DJs from Central Florida including: DJ Gabriel, DJ J Quezt, DJ Elie, and DJ K1X spinning the best merengue, salsa, Latin pop, bachata, and more!


Every Sunday

Catch the free show with Jason Yoho and Friends every Sunday at Lil' Indies.


Every Sunday

A rooftop day party each and every Sunday at Aero.  Free entry all day, 21+. Hookah, Food, Games.


Every Sunday

One of the most popular farmers markets in Central Florida, Orlando Farmer’s Market is located in the heart of Orlando at Lake Eola park, and takes place Sundays 10 am - 4 pm.


Every Sunday

Every week at Celebration Farmers Market there are multiple vendors selling everything from fresh food and produce, to local crafted jewelry, and much more, with a beautiful backdrop of Lakeside Park, this is a must go to farmers market on Sundays, 9 am - 2 pm


Every Sunday

The popular East Orlando Farmers Market offers hand selected produce, creative local small business owners, along with botanical varieties to chose from. Every Sunday 11 am - 4 pm.


Every Sunday

Clermont Farmer's Market features over 60 vendors selling seafood, organic produce, and other household items, this popular market is the place to go on Sundays 9 am - 2 pm.


Every Sunday

Mount Dora’s open-air Mount Dora Village Market in Sunset Park is open Sundays from 0 am - 2 pm offering fresh products from over 50 market vendors.



Every Sunday

Enjoy Family Fun Day every Sunday at Boxi Park, with face painters, balloon artists entertainers, and live music. Fun for the whole family! 1 pm - 9 pm.


Every Sunday

Hosted by the Mennello Museum of American Art with classes led by certified Full Circle Yoga, Winter Park. Start your Sunday mornings out blissfully with a relaxing lakeside flow. Join us in the shade of the trees for a practice that is suitable for all levels! Don’t forget to bring a mat, towel, and water to have a great practice.


Yoga in the Sculpture Garden at Mennello Museum of American Art

To list your events and feature your business on Gotta Go Orlando, learn more about advertising with us and submit your Orlando events here.


For the latest entertainment news and things to do in Orlando, and throughout Central Florida, join us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.


Never miss any Orlando news! Sign up to the Gotta Go Orlando Newsletter.




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