In a city like Orlando, it can seem hard to find events that aren’t overly expensive. However, there are tons of free events happening all the time if you know where to look. Here are our suggestions for free events you should check out.
Saturday, Oct. 6
Zombietoberfest
The undead take over Audubon Park with vendors, food trucks, two beer gardens, live music and braaaaaaains.
5-10 pm; Audubon Park Garden District, Corrine Drive and Winter Park Road; free; audubonparkgardens.com
Photo via Audubon Park Garden/FacebookSaturday, Oct. 6
Orctoberfest
Middle Earth-inspired Oktoberfest party with music, food, feats of strength and more.
1 pm; Cloak and Blaster, 875 Woodbury Road; free facebook.com/events/273619290134851/
Photo via The Cloak & Blaster/FacebookSaturday, Oct. 6
Zombietoberfest
The undead take over Audubon Park with vendors, food trucks, two beer gardens, live music and braaaaaaains.
5 pm; Audubon Park Garden District, Corrine Drive and Winter Park Road; free audubonparkgardens.com/zombietoberfest
Photo by Tipso PhotoSaturday, Oct. 6
Blocktoberfest
Oktoberfest party with German food, live music and a bottomless Sam Adams Octoberfest stein available for purchase.
7 pm; Wall Street Plaza, Wall and Court streets; free-$20; 407-849-0471 wallstplaza.net/event/blocktoberfest-wall-street
Photo via Wall St. Plaza/FacebookThursday, Oct. 11
Popcorn Flicks in the Park: The Pit and the Pendulum
Roger Corman’s 1961 adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s story of a diabolical trap.
8 pm; Central Park, Winter Park, North Park Avenue and West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park; free enzian.org/films/special-programs/popcorn-flicks
Photo via City of Winter Park/FacebookFriday, Oct. 12
Hollerbach’s Sanford Oktoberfest
A German street party in downtown Sanford with real imported German beer, polka music, lederhosen, dirndls, schuhplattler dancing and more.
6-11 pm, through Sunday, Oct. 13; Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe, 205 E. First St., Sanford; free; 407-321-2204 hollerbachs.com/oktoberfest
Photo via Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe/FacebookSaturday, Oct. 13
Come Out with Pride
Central Florida’s largest LGBTQ festival and parade, with tons of vendors, live music and more.
noon; Lake Eola Park, 200 E. Robinson St.; free comeoutwithpride.com
Photo via Orlando Pride/FacebookSaturday, Oct. 13
Owloween
Live animal appearances, featuring owls, bats, opossums, flying squirrels and more.
2-6 pm; Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, 10525 Clapp Simms Duda Road; free; 407-568-5138 btnwildlife.org/event/owloween
Photo via Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge/FacebookSaturday, Oct. 13
Asian Cultural Expo
Experience and honor the wonders of Asian culture through exhibitions, performances and workshops.
10 am-3 pm; Bill Frederick Park, 3401 S. Hiawassee Road; free; 407-808-0497 asianculturalexpo.org
Photo via Gary CK Lau/FacebookSaturday, Oct. 13
Winter Park Autumn Art Festival
Nearly 200 artists from around Florida are expected to attend this juried outdoor art festival.
9 am-5 pm, through Sunday, Oct. 14; Central Park, Winter Park, North Park Avenue and West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park; free winterpark.org/autumn-art-festival
Photo via Winter Park Autumn Art Festival/FacebookSunday, Oct. 14
Technoween
Tech Halloween celebration with original steampunk storytelling troupe Phantasmagoria, an appearance from the Tourist City Ghostbusters, a children’s costume contest, a horror movie trivia contest and more.
1:30-4:30 pm; Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd.; free; 407-835-7323 winterpark.org/autumn-art-festival
Photo via Melrose Center/FacebookTuesday, Oct. 16
Smash at Tasty Takeover
Step into the smash truck, swing a hammer and break stuff.
7-10 pm; The Milk District, East Robinson Street and North Bumby Avenue; free; 424-257-0937
Photo via Adobe ImagesFriday, Oct. 19
Crooked Can Oktoberfest
Three days of live German music, authentic food, arts & entertainment and more.
4 pm, through Sunday, Oct. 21; Crooked Can Brewery, 426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden; free; 407-395-9520 crookedcan.com/events/event/annual-oktoberfest
Photo via Crooked Can Brewing Company/FacebookFriday, Oct. 19
Orlando Oktoberfest
Free community event with live music, dancing, food, beer, games and more.
5-10 pm; Southport Park, Barnstable Place and Daetwyler Drive; free; 727-326-2749 oktoberfest-orlando.com
Photo via Oktoberfest OrlandoSaturday, Oct. 20
DeLand Pride Block Party
Pride Block Party with DJs, dancing, a drag show, vendors, food trucks and local bars.
2-7 pm; Downtown DeLand, Indiana Avenue and South Woodland Boulevard, DeLand; free; 386-734-2566
delandpride.org
Photo via DeLand Pride/FacebookSaturday, Oct. 20
Winter Springs ARToberFEST
Celebrating 11 years of exceptional art, tasty German food and drink, rockin’ entertainment, kids’ crafts and much more.
10 am-5 pm; Winter Springs Town Center, 158 Tuskawilla Road, Winter Springs; free; 407-278-4871 wsfota.org
Photo via Winter Springs ARToberFESTSunday, Oct. 21
Oktoberfest Dachshund Races
Dachshund drag races, with all entry fees benefitting A Cause 4 Paws Rescue.
3:30 pm; Crooked Can Brewery, 426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden; free-$10; 407-395-9520 facebook.com/events/299905664122370
Photo via Crooked Can Brewing Company/FacebookSunday, Oct. 21
Will’s A Faire Fall Market
One-day market for retro, vintage and handmade goods, along with live music, food and more.
1 pm; Will’s Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave.; free willspub.org/event/1744447-wills-faire-fall-market-orlando
Photo via Will’s A Faire/FacebookFriday, Oct. 26
Elysian Brewing Pumpkin Roadshow
Eight pumpkin beers (including four that have never been poured outside of Seattle) are tapped while games, costumes and general hilarity abound.
6-11:45 pm; Roque Pub, 3076 Curry Ford Road; free; 407-985-3778 roquepuborlando.com
Photo via Elysian Brewing/FacebookFriday, Oct. 26
Ride-In Movie Night
Watch classic motorcycle movies projected on a big screen in the parking lot.
8 pm; Standard Motorcycle Company, 2545 Industrial Blvd; free facebook.com/events/170962840195263
Photo via City of Standard Motorcycle Co,/FacebookSaturday, Oct. 27
Sanford After Dark
Monthly street market with music, art, vendors, food and drink and more.
fourth Saturday of every month, 8 pm; Little Fish Huge Pond, 401 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford; free; 407-221-1499 facebook.com/SanfordAfterDark
Photo via Sanford After Dark/FacebookSaturday, Oct. 27
ArtOrlando
Expand your horizons and heighten your artistic appreciation by immersing yourself in multicultural visions, purchasing one-of-a-kind works of art, and enjoying first-class attendee-amenities like complimentary transport of purchased artwork.
10 am-9 pm; through Sunday, Oct. 28; Waterford Lakes Town Center, 413 N. Alafaya Trail; free; 407-867-8586 facebook.com/artorlandoevent
Photo via ArtOrlando/FacebookSaturday, Oct. 27
Central Florida Veg Fest
A day of delicious vegan food, cooking demos, entertainment, animal rescue groups and more.
10 am-6 pm; Orlando Festival Park, East Robinson Street and North Primrose Drive; free facebook.com/CFVegFest
Photo via Central Florida Veg Fest/FacebookSaturday, Nov. 3
Fiesta in the Park
Free pet-friendly event with artist and crafter booths, food vendors, live music, a huge children’s play area and more.
10 am-5 pm, through Sunday, Nov. 4; Lake Eola Park, North Rosalind Avenue and East Washington Street; free; 407-246-2728 facebook.com/FiestaInThePark
Photo via Fiesta in the Park/FacebookSunday, Nov. 11
Orlando Punk Rock Flea Market
Flea market for punk, goth, metal, hardcore and other counterculture-related goods.
noon; Will’s Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave.; free facebook.com/events/415123079004610
Photo via Will’s Pub/FacebookOngoing
Shit Sandwich
Probably the best comedy showcase in town. Show up early to grab a good seat. Shows take place on the first Saturday of every month.
9 pm; Bull and Bush, 2408 E. Robinson St; free; 407-896-7546 facebook.com/TheBullandBushBritishPub
Photo via Jon YehlingOngoing
Loose Lips
Local writers read works inspired by current events.
first Tuesday of every month; 8 pm; Lil Indies, 1036 N. Mills Ave; free; facebook.com/events/282716975905214
Photo via lil indies/FacebookOngoing
Alive After 5
Central Florida’s largest recurring monthly street party in Historic Downtown Sanford. Partake in an evening of music, food, craft beer and shopping.
second Thursday of every month; 5 pm; Downtown Sanford, Sanford Avenue and First Street, Sanford; free; 407-549-9942 sanfordwelcomecenter.com/alive-after-5.html
Photo via Alive After 5/FacebookOngoing
AdVintage Fair & Flea Market
Recurring market with vintage finds and food.
first Saturday of every month; 9 am; Elks Lodge No. 1079, 12 N. Primrose Drive; free; 407-678-0943 facebook.com/Orlando-Elks-1079-1417215365160576
Photo via Adobe ImagesOngoing
Baldwin Park First Friday Festival
More than 60 local artisans display their art while guests shop and stroll through the heart of downtown Baldwin Park.
first Friday of every month; 5:30 pm; Baldwin Park, New Broad Street and Jake Street; free; 407-443-6110 facebook.com/BaldwinParkFirstFridayFestival
Photo via Baldwin Park First Friday Festival/FacebookOngoing
Art & Music in the Park
Enjoy live music, local vendors and a food truck bazaar every month.
second Friday of every month, 6-9 pm; Lake Concord Park, 95 Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry; free casselberry.org
Photo via Adobe ImagesOngoing
Due North Comedy Showcase
Hosted by Larry Griffin.
third Friday of every month; 9 pm; Inner Compass Brewing Company, 300 E. Second St., Sanford; free; 407-407-1792 facebook.com/innercompassbrewingcompany
Photo via Inner Compass Brewing Company/FacebookOngoing
Thrifty Third Thursday
Vintage and artisan vendors, food trucks, live music and more. Plus karaoke and line dancing inside.
third Thursday of every month, 6-10 pm; Elks Lodge No. 1079, 12 N. Primrose Drive; free; 407-678-0943 orlandoweekly.com/orlando/thrifty-third-thursday/Event
Photo via Orlando Elks 1079/Facebook