Looking for the best things to do in Orlando at night?
Orlando, Florida, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Florida State and also the United States, if not the world, and not without reason.
The theme parks are incredible and are worth visiting. But what about after the sun goes down? Going on nightly adventures is certainly advised since Orlando is just plain hot during most of the year. But whether you’re wanting to do things for free or you’re with your family, or even if you’re celebrating a bachelorette party with your best friends, Orlando at night has something for anyone and everyone!
What to do in Orlando at night covered in detail here.
Best things to do in Orlando at night – for Families
1. Walt Disney World
The Walt Disney World Resort during the day is not called “The Most Magical Place on Earth” for no reason. But when the sun goes down, Disney World does not lack any of its pixie dust as the lights come on and transform this place into a whole new world of possibilities.
As of early 2022, Magic Kingdom Park and Epcot in particular have fantastic fireworks shows that light up the night. In addition, if you ride certain outdoor attractions at night such as Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, or the Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you get a completely new attraction experience.
2. Explore the Resorts at Walt Disney World
Even if you don’t go to the Parks, the variety of resorts at Walt Disney World is worth exploring. If you go to Fort Wilderness near Magic Kingdom Park, you can pay for the Chip’n’Dale’s Campfire Sing-a-Long where you make s’mores and have fun with classic Disney characters Chip and Dale. In addition, each Resort will have its own itinerary of nighttime fun such as movies on the lawn, crafts, and arcades that you can play.
And you don’t have to be a Resort Guest in order to enjoy them! Your best bet to get in if you’re not a Guest, though, is to park at Disney Springs and take the bus from there.
See more: best indoor activities in Orlando
3. Disney Springs
Speaking of Disney Springs, the outdoor walking mall on Disney World property really comes alive once night falls. The recently reopened Cirque du Soleil has a brand new show called ‘Drawn to Life’ which is about the art of Disney animation, unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
In addition, there is the largest Disney store in the world known as ‘World of Disney’, a hot air balloon that you can pay to enjoy picturesque views of Disney World, and fun themed restaurants that bring the nightlife to life, whether it’s Raglan Road, the Irish pub with Irish dancing, or Planet Hollywood, the restaurant and planetarium.
4. Universal Studios
The second most popular theme park in Orlando, Universal Studios Orlando offers something different for families of all ages. At night, like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando offers unique fireworks shows and different attraction experiences, especially on Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster, which starts off completely perpendicular to the ground, and on Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure you’ll see all of his magical creatures in a completely different light.
On Universal’s Citywalk, you can catch a performance of the infamous Blue Man Group for an additional fee, as well as any concerts that might be performing at the Hard Rock Cafe. One of the best late night activities in Orlando.
Samar El Atrash / Shutterstock
5. Performing Arts Center
The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is a well-known venue for visiting Broadway performances and other plays and musicals in town. Depending on what is coming to town, the center is in a beautiful part of Downtown Orlando where you can walk over to Church Street, where plenty of great comedy clubs, restaurants, and bars are also situated.
In the Walt Disney Theater from February to March 2022, Frozen: the Hit Broadway Musical will be performing with tickets starting at $30, depending on which seats you purchase. There are also concerts, ballet, spoken word, and a myriad of other options for your family to enjoy live performances.
One of the best Orlando night activities.
- See more: Best restaurants in downtown Orlando
6. Medieval Times
Medieval Times is a themed venue in Orlando that centers around jousting, knights, a Queen, and food that you are allowed, nay encouraged, to eat with your fingers.
You get to cheer on your favorite knights as they compete to win the nightly tournaments, and you’ll also get to experience performing horses and flying falcons all while enjoying a four course meal. You and your family will be sitting at the edge of your seats the entire time. And, if you or your little one is celebrating a birthday, you can purchase a special package where you or your little one may be Knighted.
7. Pirates Dinner Adventure
Like Medieval Times, you and your family can be pirates for an evening while enjoying a delicious meal and watching pirates and princesses perform hand-to-hand combat and acrobatics on a real large pirate ship in the middle of a large arena.
Pirates Dinner Adventure also offers admission for free on your birthday as a special offer and you could pay to upgrade your seating to the front row for only $10-$15 extra. Since Florida was once home to Spanish pirates, it’s only fitting to experience a show that pays homage to Florida’s past.
8. Amway Center
At the Amway Center, the Orlando Magic basketball team represents the best of Florida basketball during basketball season. During the game, you’ll experience the magic of basketball that’ll excite any basketball fan, whether you’re a newbie or a veteran basketball fan.
Amway Center also hosts the Orlando Solar Bears Hockey Team, Florida’s premier professional hockey team, as well as concerts of popular stars such as Dua Lipa (performing February 11, 2022) and legendary comedian Gabriel Iglesias, just to name a few. Amway Center also offers excellent choices in dining, from 4Rivers at the Orlando Market (GREAT BBQ) to the Orlando Table, which is great because they feature local eateries and switch out every month.
9. ICON Park
Located on International Drive, ICON Park is a great place to explore for the whole family. Featuring the infamous Wheel, ICON Park has a little bit of everything: from Madame Tussaud’s to a 7D Motion Theater.
They also offer great dining and shopping experiences, and for a more budget friendly option, they offer special ticket packages and deals for everyone in the family. If there’s a new bundle of joy being added to the family, new parents can fill out a form to have the Wheel’s colors be turned to reveal the gender of the baby.
10. The Escape Game
If you have older children and like having your own adventure (and don’t mind a challenge of your own), then escape rooms would be a great way to spend your evening. With a variety of themes, from the gold rush to the super secret spy mission, families will be required to work together in order to make it out of the escape room in one hour using clues and puzzles that they find throughout the room.
If you don’t make it out, however, there’s no penalty other than you won’t get a refund.
Best things to do in Orlando at night – for Singles and Bachelorettes!
11. Epcot
Epcot at Walt Disney World is perfect for Bachelorettes because of the great possibilities for photoshoots around the world (Morocco, France, and the UK have the best spots), but they also have alcoholic beverages around the world for everyone except the designated driver to enjoy. Personally, the three flavor margarita in Mexico for $10 is one of the best drinks to have, mostly because the glass is huge.
If you come to Epcot during a certain time of the year, you can also experience unique offerings such as during the Festival of the Arts, the Flower and Garden Festival, the Food and Wine Festival, and the Festival of the Holidays. The Food and Wine Festival is the most popular and for good reason.
12. Raglan Road Irish Pub at Disney Springs
Located in Disney Springs right across from the new bakery Gideon’s, Raglan Road is one of the best destinations to enjoy good Guinness, Irish jigs, and good stew. While there are a few bars in Disney Springs that would be good for bachelorette gatherings, the people at Raglan Road are great for celebrations of all kinds, and bachelorette parties are no exception.
If you’re going during March, especially on March 17th, I’d recommend getting to Raglan Road early because the place gets packed for St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re feeling lucky then Raglan Road is definitely the place to celebrate getting hitched. Or, a good spot to go on a Friday night in Orlando.
13. Three Bridges Bar and Grill
Located at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Three Bridges Bar and Grill is a beautiful restaurant situated in the middle of Disney’s Coronado Springs on the little pond that the resort circles around.
The sangrias and cocktails are delicious and the food is great as well. I would highly encourage you to go during the evening because, with the outdoor seating, the environment is perfect for kicking back and relaxing after a long day of drinking around the world at Epcot.
See more: Best Sushi in Orlando you must try!
Three Bridges Bar and Grill/ Disney World
14. I-Drive
International Drive, or I-Drive for short, is a section of Orlando that’s home to the Orlando Convention Center, ICON Park, escape rooms, shops, restaurants, and bars among other things.
I-Drive is well known for various nightclubs such as Mango’s Tropical Cafe, Señor Frog’s, and ICEBAR Orlando (the largest permanent ice bar in the world), I-Drive is perfect for bachelorette parties that really want to go all out. There are also hotels right on I-Drive as well that offer good rates, so you don’t need to worry about finding a designated driver. Might be a good idea to still have someone to chaperone you, though.
15. Church Street
Church Street, just off from Dr. Phillip’s Center for the Performing Arts, is home to restaurants, improv comedy clubs, bars, and nightclubs that will light up the night. One of the most popular attractions there is called the BATL, or the Backyard Axe Throwing League. And yes, even with drinks, it’s a safe place to have fun.
They have another Irish pub called Irish Shannon’s which is more adventurous than Raglan Road if that’s more your speed as well, although The Courtesy, with their signature cocktails, is definitely for the high class ladies.
16. Universal Citywalk
Universal Citywalk, located in Universal Studios, has some of the most iconic places where bachelorettes can enjoy Mardi Gras, Karaoke Night, Margaritaville, and ice cream, all in one place.
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville especially is my personal favorite because of its chill atmosphere, an extra bar on the patio, to-go bar right next to the patio, and every fifteen minutes or so the “volcano” explodes which is basically the room’s lighting effects making a volcanic explosion throughout the bar. It’s like the Trader Sam’s at Disney World, but without the extremely long wait and it has much more room.
17. Themed Bars
I’ve mentioned ICEBAR previously, which is a bar made entirely out of ice (as the name suggests), but there are plenty of other great themed bars that can fit any theme. There’s Vault 5421, a post apocalyptic themed bar, and Cocktails and Screams, both of which are great for horror fans.
There’s also the country dive bar called Saddle Up All-American Bar. Then, there’s Frosty’s Christmastime Lounge for a truly happy holiday, and Hanson’s Shoe Repair, which is a real speakeasy bar for any 20’s themed soiree. So don your pearls or your favorite cowboy boots ladies!
18. Orlando Brewing Company
If you want to enjoy your own delicious food, drink local beer, and enjoy a great atmosphere with great people, the Orlando Brewing Company is a great place to vibe and relax for a more relaxed bachelorette party.
Featuring more than 30 local, organic beers, the Orlando Brewing Company offers free brewery tours and great monthly events that are just fun to be a part of, such as Harry Potter Trivia Night, Cupcakes, and Beer Pairing, and Goats, Brews, and Yoga. Check their website often for updates to their taproom menu and events page, Orlando Brewing Company has a beer for every beer lover, from light ales to dark porters.
19. Disney’s Boardwalk Resort
Situated on Disney property, Disney’s Boardwalk Resort is the adorable Atlantic City inspired pier that will help you rock the night away! From the dueling piano bar to the dance hall and the Houdini-inspired bar, Disney’s Boardwalk really comes alive with nightly entertainment, shopping, and pier games that you can play.
Couple that with the signature Disney quality service and you’re set. I recommend the cotton candy martini at the Houdini style bar called Abracadabar and getting a pizza to go from the Trattoria Al Forno pizza window (which is made from scratch and is just *chef’s kiss*).
20. Cowboys Orlando
One of the country dancing nightclubs in Orlando that offers free line dance lessons, Cowboys Orlando is one of the best places to get your bachelorette honky tonk on and enjoy great drinks. Thursday Night is Ladies’ Night for Cowboys and there are also great drink specials every night, depending on which night you go.
There’s also a food truck outside usually every night that’s usually tacos or something that isn’t going to be too heavy for dancing. I would recommend the line dancing lesson, which starts at 8:30 because the teacher is hilarious and is very personable. Plus, at 8:30, everyone else is getting a little tipsy, so nobody is going to judge you if you’re not a proline dancer.
Free things to do in Orlando at night
21. Popcorn Flicks in the Park
Hosted in Maitland, Popcorn Flicks in the Park is a collaboration project between the Enzian Cinema and the city of Winter Park. It is completely free, with movies usually starting around 7 or 8, but that depends on when the sunsets.
If the weather is not optimal for the viewing experience, however, it could be postponed or canceled, so pay attention to your weather app in case any of the infamous Florida storms come in. As of January 2022, they are planning on showing Legally Blonde and 50 First Dates, and be prepared to bring your picnic and some blankets.
22. Movie Night at Lake Eola
Located in the heart of Central Florida, Movie Night at Lake Eola, or Movieola, is similar to Popcorn Flicks in the Park but is more convenient to central Orlando since Lake Eola is smack dab in the middle of the city.
Lake Eola is a pretty park, with an outdoor amphitheater and the Lake Eola House which is great for small events. Movieola is subject to weather but is also free to experience and as of February 2022, they will be playing Cats and Dogs 3: Paws Unite. There are also farmer’s markets and outdoor performances at Lake Eola, so keep an eye out!
23. Thornton Park Thursday Late Night Market
Do you enjoy outdoor markets and delicious local flavor? Settled near Lake Eola, Thornton Park’s Thursday Late Night Market is a great place to be along with Thornton Park’s Main Street District. It provides a great small town vibe, despite being nestled in the middle of downtown Orlando, and completely free to attend.
You not only get great food and drinks but you also get to support local artisans and you get to check out great bars like Aku Aku Tiki Bar. Orlando can be extremely busy but it’s events like these that help you wind down and relax after a long day at the parks.
24. Sanford Art & Jazz Night
This one is for all you cool cats out there. Sanford Art and Jazz Night is a chill atmosphere with great local businesses to support and the local jazz talent is so good.
These businesses have all been hit by COVID-19 and quarantine, yet it’s nice when the City is doing its part to keep the local flavor alive and well, and it’s worth checking out as well due to how quickly it has grown and continues to grow. Completely free to attend, just bring your love of jazz. It happens on the 3rd Thursday of every month from 6-8 pm.
25. The Milk District
Part of the Main Street Accredited program, the Milk District is an area of Orlando dedicated to local businesses in the central Orlando area. What makes the Milk District stand out compared to other Main Streets in downtown Orlando is that they host festivals and concerts that celebrate local talent.
Those are for an additional fee, but the local businesses are also one of a kind that you don’t really experience anywhere else in Orlando, such as the Barley and Vine Biergarten, the Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar, and vintage marketplaces such as the Etoile Boutique and Eola General.
26. Bar Trivia Nights
Orlando, being one of the top tourist destinations in the world, does not lack in bars or in bar trivia nights. I’ve mentioned a few at different bachelorette places and with a large variety in topics that range from popular media to books.
It’s gotten so big now that there are dedicated trivia companies that create the trivia nights for the bars such as Tasty Trivia (which is hosted at bars such as Hourglass Brewing and Castle Church Brewing) and Think Tank Trivia at places like Gator’s Dockside and Rosati’s Pizza. Each trivia night depends on which bar you want to go to, so do your research beforehand.
27. Disney Springs
I’ve mentioned Disney Springs before but considering what they offer, there’s more to cover than you might think. While the food and drinks and shopping are definitely not free, walking around Disney Springs and enjoying the atmosphere and relaxing costs nothing.
It also costs nothing to take the water taxi to the nearby Saratoga Springs Resort, another Disney resort that is based on the early horse races in Saratoga Springs in New York. One fun thing you can do for free as well is going to the Ghirardelli store near the World of Disney and ask for a chocolate sample.
28. Celebration, FL
The small town of Celebration, Florida, is a place that I personally love to walk around the most. The history of the place, starting with the development of Disney World, is interesting to learn about, and the place is absolutely picturesque.
If you go during Christmastime, they set up one of the cutest Christmas squares in the middle of Main Street that I’ve ever seen, and they also host a great car show for car enthusiasts of all kinds. Kilwin’s Ice Cream is one of the best ice creams in the whole of Central Florida, and I can’t recommend that place enough.
29. Orlando Fringe
If you come to Central Florida during May, then you need to watch one of the top fringe running annual shows in the state. Orlando Fringe is not only the longest running theater event in the state and puts forth talented productions that are almost Broadway style in terms of quality.
Just last year they put together an incredible musical featuring 70’s style pop music and RuPaul’s Drag Race’s own Ginger Minj, and another fantastic rock style musical about a coven of witches. Orlando’s Fringe Festival runs annually so who knows what kind of incredible stuff they have planned for 2022. The perfect place to spend your Saturday night in Orlando.
30. Immerse
Speaking of annual events, if you want to enjoy an event unlike any other, then I cannot recommend Immerse enough. Held by A Creative City Project, Immerse is a local event where you do need to buy tickets, but the experience itself is priceless because it takes entertainment and brings it to another level. Imagine actually walking into a video game but you’re not playing the game: that’s Immerse.
The way you can interact with the environment and the artists and see truly breathtaking creativity that will change the way you look at performing arts or just art in general.
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See more Florida fun:
- Things to do in Sarasota
- Things to do in Marco Island
- Things to do in New Smyrna beach
- Things to do in Miami at night
