Join 30,000 locals who stay current on Orlando news, culture, and events. Get Orlando Weekly’s free daily newsletter.
With an array of food festivals and pub crawls on the near horizon, hot Orlando days and slightly cooler summer nights just got more enjoyable. Here are a few of the best ways to stuff your face and drink outdoors this summer in the Orlando.
Saturday, June 16
Festival of the Sea
Enjoy seafood prepared by several different restaurants and caterers along with craft vendors, beer and wine, and activities. 11 am-7 pm; Festival Park, 2911 E. Robinson St.; $5-$30; 407-381-5310; gopartylive.com.
Photo via AdobeSaturday, June 16
RumFest
Three hours of unlimited sampling of rum drinks along with live reggae. 5 pm; Wall Street Plaza, Wall and Court streets; $20-$35; 407-849-0471; orlandoweeklytickets.com.
Photo via orlandoweekly.comSunday, June 17
Father’s Day Brunch
Dads receive free beer and 10 percent off of their bill. 11 am; El Buda, 116 W. Church St.; Various menu prices; 407-203-8171; elbudadowntown.com.
Photo via elbudadowntown/InstagramFriday, June 22
Party in the Parking Lot
Eat, drink, shop and play at the DIY shop. 7 pm; Factur, 520 Virginia Drive; contact for price; 407-801-3228; factur.org.
Photo via FacturLabs/FacebookSaturday, June 23
Caribbean American Heritage Month Festival
Experience the Caribbean through fashion, culture, food, music and a business expo. Noon-8 pm; Orlando Fashion Square, 3201 E. Colonial Drive; free; 407-421-8118; orlandofashionsquare.com.
Photo via orlandofashionsquare/FacebookSaturday, June 23
Open House Invitational
Learn about Islam and the Muslim community from the source while enjoying an international dinner. 5:30 pm; Islamic Society of Central Florida, 1586 N. Goldenrod Road; free; 407-273-8363; iscf.org.
Photo via MyISCF/FacebookMonday, June 25
Bite Night
Enjoy tastes from across the local culinary scene along with live entertainment, an open bar, auctions and more. 6-10 pm; The Orchid Garden, 122 W. Church St.; $45-$70; bitenightorlando.com.
Photo via Orlando WeeklySunday, July 8
The Mad Hatter’s High Tea
Benefit for the Barber Fund with food, drink, and entertainment from Blue Star and Varietease. 3 pm; Parliament House, 410 N. Orange Blossom Trail; $10 suggested donation; 407-425-7571; thebarberfund.org.
Photo via http://www.parliamenthouse.com/Saturday, July 14
Bastille Day Celebration
Annual celebration of French culture with food, games, live music and more. 5 pm; Audubon Park Garden District, East Winter Park Road and Corrine Drive; free; audubonparkgardens.com.
Photo via Hello.apgd/FacebookSaturday, July 14
Tacos & Tequila
Revel in Orlando’s weird obsession with tacos and enjoy unlimited samples along with tequila and beer. 1-4 pm; Cheyenne Saloon and Opera House, 128 W. Church St.; $25-$55; 407-839-3000; orlandoweeklytickets.com.
Photo via Orlando WeeklySaturday, July 21
The Crazy ’80s Pub Crawl
Wear an ’80s costume and get wasted at more than 12 different downtown venues. 8 pm; Sideshow, 15 N. Orange Ave.; $15-$25; 407-420-1515; orlandopubcrawl.com.
Photo via orlandopubcrawl/FacebookSaturday, Aug. 4
Orlando Burger Battle
Top chefs and restaurants duke it out to see who makes the best burger in town. Noon-6 pm; Festival Park, 2911 E. Robinson St.; $20-$40; 407-381-5310; gopartylive.com.
Photo via AdobeWednesday, Aug. 22
Best of Orlando
One of the biggest parties of the year, honoring our Best of Orlando winners and nominees, takes over five separate venues with open bars, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and dancing. 8 pm; The Beacham, 46 N. Orange Ave.; by invitation only; 407-648-8363; orlandoweekly.com.
Photo via Orlando WeeklySaturday, Sept. 8
Florida Smash Beer Festival
This beer festival challenges participating breweries to create a beer made from the same malt and hop and submit them for judging. 4-9 pm; Reiter Park, 311 W. Warren Ave., Longwood; $35-$60; floridasmashbeerfestival.com.
Photo via FloridaSmashBeerFestival/FacebookSaturday, Sept. 8
United We Brunch
Local restaurants serve samples of brunchy dishes alongside unlimited Bloody Marys and mimosas. Noon; The Orchid Garden, 122 W. Church St.; $40-$75; unitedwebrunch.com.
Photo via Orlando WeeklyFirst Saturday of every month
For the Love of Swine
The Ravenous Pig holds a prix fixe pig roast with braised black-eyed peas, bacon collard greens, cornbread and maple bacon cupcakes. Reservations required. 11:30 am-2 pm; The Ravenous Pig, 565 W. Fairbanks Ave.; $17; theravenouspig.com.
Photo via ravenous.pig/FacebookEvery third Saturday
Daily City Food Truck Bazaar
Sample lots of different flavors at this monthly food truck gathering. 5-8 pm; West End Trading Company, 202 S. Sanford Ave.; Various menu prices; 407-322-7475;facebook.com/WestEndTradingCo.
Photo via thefoodtruckbazaar/FacebookFirst Sunday of every month
Sunday Island Jazzy Brunch
Live music and an Island Rum Punch brunch. 1-5 pm; Sugarcanes Rum Bar & Lounge, 8255 International Dr.; $29.95; 407-695-1887;facebook.com/Sugarcanesrumbar.
Photo via Sugarcanesrumbar/FacebookEvery fourth Sunday
Raw Food Basics Workshop
Join Chef Adam Graham for a tasty class featuring salad dressings and sauces. Recipes and a light meal included. 5:30-7:30 pm; Juice’d, 12 N. Summerlin Ave.; $15-$20; 407-440-2919; juicedorlando.com.
Photo via orlando_juiced/InstagramSecond Thursday of every month
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. 5-8 pm; Downtown Sanford, Sanford Avenue and First Street; Free; 407-549-9942; sanfordwelcomecenter.com.
Photo via AliveAfter5/FacebookSecond Thursday of every month
Battle of the Food Trucks
More than 40 food trucks descend on downtown Longwood every second Thursday. 2-9 pm; Reiter Park, 311 W. Warren Ave., Longwood; Free; facebook.com/LongwoodLeisureServices.
Photo via LongwoodLeisureServices/FacebookSecond Thursday of every month
Second Thursday Art and Wine Walk
Walk around Thornton Park to check out art and wine at various stops. 6:30 pm; Thornton Park, Summerlin Avenue and Washington Street; $15; thorntonparkdistrict.com.
Photo via Orlando Weekly