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With the summer sun signaling the season in Florida, you may be more tempted to go out and try some new things, but it doesnt have to break the bank. Here are some things to do this summer on the cheap.
Orlando Etsy Craft Party
June 10 | 11 am-5 pm | Primrose Center, 2733 S. Ferncreek Ave. | free
A celebration of local artists, crafters, and vintage items. Meet many of Orlando’s Etsy sellers and see their talented and beautiful work in person. Make-and-take stations and craft demonstrations are among some of the activities that you can dive into, and the first 50 adult guests will receive a free swag bag. Proceeds will benefit the Primrose Center for Adults with Disabilities.
Photo via Primrose Center/FacebookThe Purple Rain Skate Party
June 10 | 11 pm-1 am | Semoran Skateway, 2670 Cassel Creek Blvd., Casselberry | $10
This adults-only roller disco party has an all-Prince (and Prince-related, including Morris Day, Vanity 6 and more) soundtrack.
Photo via Google MapsColonialtown Bar Crawl
June 10 | 7 pm | The Guesthouse, 1321 N. Mills. Ave. | $10
Bar crawl to five different bars in the Mills 50/Ivanhoe Village neighborhoods. Fill up your Colonialtown Cup at every stop of the crawl. The party will start at The Guesthouse, and the other included bars are the Brass Tap, Matador, Thirsty Topher and GB’s Bottle Shop and Tasting Bar.
Photo via the_guesthouse/InstagramSouthwest StoryWalk
June 10 | 10:30 am-1:30 pm | Dr. Phillips Community Park, 8249 Buenavista Woods Blvd. | free
Walk on the nature trail while reading the classic children’s story Henny Penny and collect fun souvenirs along the way.
Photo via HMH Books for Young ReadersThe Dru Project Pulse Anniversary Fundraiser Benefit
June 11 | 7-9 pm | The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive | donations
This launch party for The Dru Project will also serve as a memorial to honor Pulse victim Christopher Andrew “Drew” Leinonen. While the official program is designated from 7-9 pm, the entire party is open from 6 pm to midnight, complete with door prizes, swag bags, drinking and dancing.
Photo via Google MapsDrag Queen Storytime
June 12 | 5:30-7 pm | Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd. | free
In recognition of Orlando United Day, Impulse Group presents Orlando’s first Drag Queen Storytime. This sassy, unique experience is sure to be one for the books.
Photo via Public Library Downtown Orlando/FacebookOrlando Love
June 12 | 7 pm | Lake Eola Park, 195 N. Rosalind Ave. | free
This remembrance event for the Pulse massacre will feature performances from the Orlando Gay Chorus, Blue Star, the Orlando Firefighters Pipes and Drums, Sisaundra Lewis and many more. Speeches by Mayor Buddy Dyer and other elected officials and community leaders will be included, along with a memorial reading of the names of the 49 victims.
Photo via george_waldenberger_wftv/InstagramPaint for Pulse
June 13 | 7-8 pm | Alafaya Library, 12000 E. Colonial Drive | free
Patrons are invited to paint their own piece of art to symbolize what the last year has meant to them and their community. Supplies will be provided. The finished artwork will be displayed at the Alafaya Branch.
Photo via Jeremy Reper, Seth KuberskySaved by the ’90s
June 16 | 9 pm-12 am | House of Blues, 1490 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista | $8.75
Feeling nostalgic? House of Blues is hosting a ’90s party, complete with a live band that will drop all your favorite classics, from Third Eye Blind to the Spice Girls. A DJ will keep the party going with more dope tunes later in the night.
Photo via hoborlando/InstagramBack to the Future Trilogy
June 17 | 4 pm | Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden | $8-$18
You don’t have to reach 88 miles per hour to time-travel back to the ‘80s if you want to watch the Back to the Future movies in theaters. The whole trilogy is coming to the Garden Theatre as part of its Big Screen Binge Saturdays series. You can either purchase a ticket for one of the individual movie showings, or a pass to experience the whole trilogy back-to-back. Part I starts at 4 pm, Part II at 6:30 pm, and Part III at 8:45 pm.
Photo via Universal PicturesFree RPG Day
June 17 | 2 pm-2 am | The Cloak & Blaster, 875 Woodbury Road | free
Roleplaying games have been around for a while, and it doesn’t seem like they’re going anywhere — so now is as good a time as ever to build your characters and hone your skills. Nerd out at the Cloak and Blaster as they supply demos, giveaways, and introduction sessions. You’ll leave with experience from two different sets of RPG adventures crammed into your utility belt.
Photo via The Cloak & Blaster/FacebookFestival of the Sea
June 17 | 11 am-7 pm | Festival Park, 2911 E. Robinson St. | $10-$30
The Festival of the Sea offers fun for seafood lovers of all ages. Multiple seafood vendors will serve up your favorites. Adults can mingle and enjoy the beer & wine garden and arts & crafts vendors, and there’s even a designated play area for the kids.
Photo via Jazz Guy/FlickrLet Mayor Dyer Cook You Breakfast Tacos
June 20 | 5-5:45 pm | Bikes Beans & Bordeaux Cafe, 3022 Corrine Drive | free
June 20 will be an extra special Taco Tuesday featuring Mayor Buddy Dyer. The mayor will cook breakfast tacos with eggs, cheese, chorizo, bacon and salsa.
Photo via Bikes, Beans & Bordeaux Cafe/FacebookCocktail Cabaret
June 22 | 8 pm | Will’s Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave. | $10
Will’s Pub will be home to a night of burlesque, bands and booze from Kissa Von Addams, Ivy Les Vixens and more. A new themed cocktail menu, courtesy of the Will’s and Lil Indies staff, will also be featured.
Photo via kissavonaddams/InstagramNew Smyrna Beach Bicycle Bar Tour
June 24-25 | 11 am | J.B.’s Fish Camp, 859 Pompano Ave., New Smyrna Beach | free
More than 3,000 bicyclists will descend on New Smyrna Beach for a bar crawl unlike any other. The stops on the tour include Moe’s, Beachside Tavern, Om Bar, Clancy’s Cantina and more. The tour leaves J.B.’s Fish Camp at 11:30, but you can meet up with them at any other stop along the way.
Photo via jbsfishcamp/InstagramYogaMASS 2017
June 25 | 11 am-12 pm | Lake Eola Park, 195 N. Rosalind Ave. | $5
If you’re interested in a more massive yoga experience, bring a towel, mat and water to the northeast lawn of Lake Eola Park. The class will meet on the northeast lawn, which is across from where the Panera Bread used to be on North Eola Drive. The goal is to set a record by filling the entire lawn, so bring a few friends, too!
Photo via noelmgr/InstagramBaldwin Park Independence Bash
July 3 | 6-11 pm | Village Center at Baldwin Park, 4990 New Broad St. | free
The Village Center of Baldwin Park will come alive with arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, festival snacks, and even a beer garden in honor of Independence Day. Balloon art and face painting are among the few activities available for the kids — or the adults who are young at heart.
Photo via Nilini SinghFireworks at the Fountain
July 4 | 4-10 pm | Lake Eola Park, 195 N. Rosalind Ave. | free
Join the City of Orlando at Lake Eola for the 40th annual Fireworks at the Fountain celebration in honor of Independence Day. Live entertainment begins at 4 pm, and the fireworks begin at 9:20 pm. There will be a play area for kids, along with tons of food and beverage vendors.
Photo via cuzzintruck/InstagramBastille Day
July 14-15 | 11 am | 3201 Corrine Drive | free
From a Marie Antoinette appearance to baguette fencing, Audubon Park’s 10th annual Bastille Day will feature all things French. Wine, brie, fresh bread and fruit will also be available all day, courtesy of Bikes Beans & Bordeaux and East End Market on Saturday.
Photo by Steven Miller Photography via audubonparkgardens.comSummer Sing: Mozart Requiem
July 16 | 3-4:30 pm | Tiedtke Concert Hall, Rollins College, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park | free
The Bach Festival Society is giving the community a chance to get in touch with their musical side. Regardless of experience or skill level, join the Bach Festival Choir in performing Mozart’s Requiem. Just be sure to register online so the music can be sent to you.
Photo by Karen Leslie PhotographyPopcorn Flicks in the Park: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
August 10 | 8 pm | 251 S. Park Ave., Winter Park | free
Catch this free viewing of Harry Potter and the gang’s third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. When Harry learns deranged killer Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban prison and is bent on finding him, chaos ensues as they all search for answers.
Photo via Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.The HAUNT at Old Town
Sept. 22-Oct. 28 | 6 pm | W. Irlo Bronson Highway, Kissimmee | free
Halloween starts early at Old Town, where every Friday and Saturday through the end of October, you can test your bravery. Among the haunted mazes and scare zones, there are bound to be a few screams. Can you hold yours in?
Photo via Old Town/Facebook23rd Annual Harvest Grape Stomp Festival
Aug. 19-20 | 10 am-5 pm, 11 am-5 pm | Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, 19239 U.S. 27 North, Clermont | $3 for adults, free for children 12 and under
Grape-stomping competitions offer fun for the whole family. Local musicians will perform live music all weekend, and complimentary winery tours and tasting will be offered. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties.
Photo via lakeridgewinery/InstagramMovieola Star Wars: Rogue One
Aug. 25 | 6 pm | Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St. | free
Star Wars lovers will have the opportunity to view Rogue One under the stars to wrap up the summer. Classic concessions like corn dogs and kettle corn will be provided, along with lawn games, music and even a Star Wars costume contest. The movie will start at around 8:15 pm, but you should get there early to grab a good spot in front of the big screen.
Photo via Walt Disney PicturesRock Springs at Kelly Park
all summer long | 8 am-8 pm | 400 E. Kelly Park Road, Apopka | $3 per car of 1-2 people, $5 for 3-8
Kelly Park features a free-flowing natural spring that runs at 68 degrees year-round, so you should definitely keep it in mind for those extra-hot Florida summer days. Tubing is the most common activity, and rentals are available from vendors right outside the park. The park also includes full-service concession, picnic pavilions and a playground for the little ones.
Photo via kiwimoriarty/Instagram