Even though summer is coming to a close, you can still soak in summer fun with free events in the Orlando area this weekend. You can kick back at an outdoor movie, attend a masquerade ball, or take a plunge with an open mic; pick your poison and don’t worry about your pocket book.
24 fun things to do in Orlando this week (7/30 – 8/5)
Baldwin Park First Friday Festival and Art Stroll
Drink your way through local gems in Baldwin Park while admiring artists and restaurants. The family and pet friendly events occurs each month with live music and a picteresque sidewalk festival.
When: 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1
Where: Downtown Baldwin Park, 4915 New Broad St.
Family Fun Nights: Movies in the Park
Bond with the family while watching an outdoor movie at Lake Concord Park. Despicable Me 2 begins at dusk with food and drink vendors on site.
When: at dusk Friday, August 1
Where: Lake Concord Park, 127 Quail Pond Circle, Casselberry
Learn more about Orlando Masquerade
Partake in a Renaissance tradition at Orchid Garden by Church Street Station. You get complimentary entry when donating school supplies, so bring those Crayolas and glue sticks in addition to your dazzling mask.
When: 9 p.m. Friday, August 1
Where: Orchid Garden, 122 W. Church St.
Let your geek flag wave while hitting high notes at Geek Easy’s nerdy karaoke. The performance of dorky tunes is welcomed every Friday evening from 9 until midnight.
When: 9 p.m. Friday, August 1
Where: The Geek Easy, 114 S. Semoran Blvd.
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Have a sultry evening with Kaleigh Baker — a jazzy, blues-rock powerhouse from New York. She will showcase her chill-inducing vocals at The Milk Bar, one of the stops on her summer tour.
When: 9:30 p.m. Friday, August 1
Where: The Milk Bar, 2424 E. Robinson St.
Celebrate the end of the summer with Cavallari Gourmet. Before “the kiddos head back to school,” you can enjoy summer beers on tap and dazzling giveaways without paying a cent.
When: 4 p.m. Saturday, August 2
Where: Cavallari Gourmet, 1954 W. State Road 426, Oviedo
Get your art fix at Redlight Redlight — a beer parlour on Corrine Drive. An art show centering around the dark side of nature and plants, Deadly Gardens will debut this Saturday night.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, August 2
Where: Redlight Redlight, 2819 Corrine Drive
Learn more about Parramore Kidz Zone
Get some exercise and give back to a great cause. Downtown Credo in College Park is hosting a bike rally to support Parramore Kidz Zone — which aims to reduce juvenile crime, teen pregnancy and high school drop-out rates in Orlando’s highest poverty-stricken neighborhood.
When: 10 a.m. Sunday, August 3
Where: Downtown Credo Cafe, 706 W. Smith St.
Attend an amateur night at The Falcon. Their inaugural open mic invites aspiring poets, signers and comedians to showcase their talent on stage.
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, August 3
Where: The Falcon, 819 E. Washington St.
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Cuisine Corner: The Pastrami Project
Enlighten your taste buds with a cooking class at the Orlando Public Library. George Markward of the Pastrami Project food truck will teach you how to “re-create your favorite traditional old world delicatessen sandwiches of the past.”
When: 4 p.m. Sunday, August 3
Where: Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd.
This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 5, 2014.