It’s going to be a scorcher this summer in Orlando, but that doesn’t mean you need to feel the heat in your wallet. Here are a few of the best things to do this summer in Orlando that are both cheap and good.
Saturday-Sunday, June 2-3
Central Florida Orchid Society Orchid Show and Sale
Spectacular orchid displays, orchids and supplies vendors, speakers and demonstrations, company plants, raffles, door prizes, and a scavenger hunt. 9 am-5 pm; Florida National Guard Armory, 2809 S. Ferncreek Ave.; $5; 407-463-5193; cflorchidsociety.org.
Photo via cflorichildsociety.comSaturday, June 2
Wear Orange
Wear orange to honor victims and survivors of gun violence. This family-friendly event features face painting, a bounce house, music, arts and crafts, food trucks and more. 10 am; Gaston Edwards Park, 1236 N. Orange Ave.; free; 407-375-9023.
Photo via MomsDemandActionFLSouth/FacebookSaturday, June 2
Make ’M Smile Festival
A community festival celebrating kids with special needs. 7:30 am-1 pm; Lake Eola Park, 195 N. Rosalind Ave.; free-$5; nathanielshope.org.
Photo via NathanielsHope/FacebookSaturday, June 2
Trap Brunch
A savory brunch menu paired with bottomless mimosas and sangria, soundtracked by DJ Jay-R. 11 am-4 pm; Haven Orlando, 6651 S. Semoran Blvd.; $8-$10; 407-757-0258; havenorlando.com.
Photo via smokinacesevents/FacebookSaturday, June 9
Gods & Monsters Third Anniversary
Celebration with art vendors, face-painting, organized gaming demos, prizes for cosplayers, a raffle and more. 11 am; Gods & Monsters, 5421 International Drive; free;godmonsters.com.
Photo via godmonsters/FacebookSaturday, June 9
Knit in Public Day
Meet with other Central Florida knitters and have a great time knitting and mingling. Be sure to bring your work in progress, yarn and needles. All levels are welcome. 11 am-1 pm; Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd.; free; 407-835-7323; ocls.info.
Photo via AdobeSaturday, June 9
Monte Carlo Casino Night
A benefit for Give Kids the World featuring blackjack, craps and roulette. 7 pm; Melia Orlando, 225 Celebration Place, Celebration; $30-$75; 407-964-7000.
Photo via melia.comTuesday, June 12
Pulse Annual Remembrance Ceremony
Gather at the site of Pulse to pay respects to those who lost their lives there 7-9 pm; Pulse, 1912 S. Orange Ave.; free; 407-649-3888; onepulsefoundation.org.
Photo via thehistorycenter/FacebookSaturday, 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
Orlando Oddities and Curiosities Market
Some of the finest oddities dealers and artists from around the state gather together to offer you the finest selection of bone art, taxidermy, wet specimens, antiques, jewelry and more in the midst of one of the area’s top breweries. 1-6 pm; The Hourglass Brewery, 480 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood; free; 321-279-0092.
Photo via hourglassbrewing/FacebookSaturday, 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 Orlando WeeklySaturday, June 16
Solutionary Peace Walk & Festival
Festival devoted to peace and healthy living, with speakers, music, vegan food, workshops, yoga, a one-mile peace walk, and more. 10 am-4 pm; Lake Eola Park, 195 N. Rosalind Ave.; free; orlandopeacefest.org.
Photo via solutionaryfestival.orgSaturday-Sunday, June 17-18
TICA Allbreed Championship Cat Show
Learn about different breeds of cats and how to care for them while cats get judged on their adherence to breed standards. 9 am-4 pm; Park Inn, 3011 Maingate Lane; $6; 941-735-9956; chemicoons.wixsite.com/sccf.
Photo via TheInternationalCatAssociation/FacebookSunday, June 17
Father’s Day at Leu
Free admission for dads to a 50-acre botanical oasis. 9 am-5 pm; Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave.; free-$10; 407-246-2620; leugardens.org.
Photo via flicker.com/leugardens.orgFriday, 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/FacebookSaturday, June 23
Potterversary
Celebrate 20 years of everything Harry Potter. Magic awaits with trivia, games and fun for the entire family. 2-4 pm; Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd.; free; 407-835-7323; ocls.info.
Photo via oclslib/FacebookFriday-Sunday, June 29-July 1
Elvis Presley Festival
A celebration of the King with an Elvis food and wine walk, live tribute performances, a look-alike contest and more. 6 pm; Mount Dora Community Building, 520 Baker St., Mount Dora; $15-$25; 407-962-0263; epcontinentals.com.
Photo via Elvis-Presley-Continentals-Fan-Club/FacebookSunday, 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 AdobeFriday-Sunday, Aug. 10-12
Orlando Fall Home & Garden Show
Browse through hundreds of ideas for decor, home improvement projects, services, landscaping and more. Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive; contact for price; 407-685-9800; orlandohomeandgardenshow.com.
Photo via orlandohomeandgardenshow.com/Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 11-12
Walker Stalker Con
A two-day convention devoted to the TV series The Walking Dead. Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive; $40-$900; 407-685-9800; walkerstalkercon.com.
Photo via WalkerStalkerConvention/FacebookSaturday-Sunday, Aug. 18-19
Florida Kids and Family Expo
Opportunity to discover what Central Florida has to offer families. Entertainment, schools, enrichment, fun, products, services and more. 11 am-5 pm; Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive; $5-$10; 407-405-4000; mycentralfloridafamily.com.
Photo via MyCentralFloridaFamily/FacebookWednesday, 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-Sunday, Aug. 25-26
The Infinity Toy and Comic Con
A two-day convention celebrating comic books, toys, anime and pop culture. With special guests, cosplay, costume contests, vendors and more. 10 am-6 pm; Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee; $15-$25; 407-283-1556; infinitytoyandcomicon.com.
Photo via infinitytoyandcomicon.comSaturday, 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 Weekly