There’s not a better place to spend your summer nights than on the beach with friends and family. Every Friday evening this summer, the Daytona Beach Bandshell turns up the volume with a free family concert series, Bandshell LIVE! Most of the performances start at 7 p.m. and are free, but check the schedule before making your plans.
On the first Monday of the month, Leu Gardens offers free entry to everyone. There’s also a special story time event for little ones starting at 10 a.m. After story time, stroll through the lush gardens or bring a blanket to relax in the shade while the kids play.
Explore an amazing 50-acre botanical oasis minutes from downtown Orlando. The Leu House Museum, located in the heart of the gardens, reveals turn-of-the century living for the families who once called this home. The gardens and historical home were donated to the City of Orlando in 1961 by Mr. Harry P. Leu and his wife, Mary Jane.
Harry P. Leu Gardens
1920 N. Forest Avenue
Orlando, FL 32803
407- 246-2620
The nights are heating up in Altamonte Springs with free live music at Cranes Roost. The third Saturday of the month, WLOQ 102.5 and the City of Altamonte Springs bring you the area’s best outdoor concert series, Jazz Jams Uptown, at the Eddie Rose Amphitheater at Cranes Roost from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Enjoy an outdoor jam session complete with food, wine and beer. The concert series lasts through July and is a free event.
Casa Feliz in Winter Park opens its doors on Sunday afternoons during “Music at the Casa”. From 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., come as you are for a casual event of live music and free tours of the historic house and James Gamble Rogers II Studio. Bring along a picnic to enjoy in the beautiful flower gardens. Entry is free but donations are accepted.
Casa Feliz
656 Park Avenue North
Winter Park, Florida
When the weather is nice and the stars are out, there is nothing more romantic than snuggling up with your date at an outdoor movie. Date Night at Leu Gardens screens a film in its beautiful garden setting the first Friday of every month. The feature on August 1 is ‘You Can’t Take It With You.’ Bring a picnic, a bottle of wine, chairs and blanket. The cost is $6 for adults, $3 for kids and Leu Members are free. Check the weather before you go. The gardens open at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at 8:30 p.m.
Harry P. Leu Gardens
1920 N. Forest Ave.
Orlando, FL 32803
407-246-2620
The perfect way to enjoy a summer evening under the stars is at the Summer Concert Series at Art & History Museums – Maitland (A&H). The series runs May through September with popular Central Florida bands, art, music, food and fun. Bring a blanket or low-backed chairs. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
The A&H’s Summer Concert Series takes place the second Friday of every month at 7 p.m. Admission to the event is by donation with a suggested amount of $5. Your donation gains access to the A&H’s main galleries including the exhibition, Camera Works and Film Stories.
Art & History Museums – Maitland (A&H)
231 W. Packwood Avenue, Maitland
407-539-2181
Hit the brick streets of downtown Sanford after a long workday for a lively street party. Alive After 5 is Central Florida’s largest recurring monthly party with live music, local artists, food and beverage sampling in the beautiful historic town of Sanford. It is scheduled for the second Thursday of each month from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $7 and includes food and beverage sampling throughout the event.
Explore Winter Park from a new perspective. Float through the canals and lush landscape on a tranquil Scenic Boat Tour. It’s the perfect date idea. The hour-long tour is $12 for adults, $6 for kids 2-11 years old and under 2 ride free. Cash or check only. Operating hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.
312 East Morse Blvd.
Winter Park, FL 32789
It’s the first weekend of the month, and that means Bank of America and Merrill Lynch customers can visit museums free through the bank’s Museums On Us program. Just show your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card Saturday or Sunday and you’ll get free admission to more than 150 museums and attractions in cities across the United States.
In Orlando, enjoy free admission to these museums:
If you’re traveling, you can also get free entry to other Florida museums in Jacksonville, Tampa, St. Petersburg, West, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
This summer, take advantage of Florida’s natural cooling system – the local Central Florida springs. With water temperatures in the low 70s, a dip in the springs is incredibly refreshing. A day at the springs is also cheap with entry starting at $2 for a Florida State Park. For an inexpensive fun day in the sun, check out one of these springs.
Blue Spring
$6 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
2100 W. French Avenue
Orange City, FL
(386) 775-3663
Rainbow Springs
$2 per person at the headsprings entrance and $5 per vehicle, up to eight people, at the tube entrance. Children under six years old are free.
19158 S.W. 81st Place Road
Dunnellon, FL
(352) 465-8555
Wekiwa Springs
$6 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
1800 Wekiwa Circle
Apopka, FL
(407) 884-2008
De Leon Springs
$6 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
601 Ponce de Leon Boulevard
De Leon Springs, FL
(386) 985-4212
Rock Springs Run
$3 per vehicle. Use the honor box to pay fees. Correct change is required. Limit 8 people per vehicle.
30601 CR 433
Sorrento, FL
(407) 884-2008
Wekiva Island
Entry is $1 per person on the weekends and free on the weekdays.
1014 Miami Springs Road
Longwood, FL 32779
(407) 862-1500
When the weather is nice, it’s the perfect time to watch movies under the stars in Orlando. Pack a blanket and bring along family and friends for free popcorn and a free outdoor film screening in Winter Park. Popcorn Flicks in the Park, presented by Winter Park and Enzian Theater, features classic movies on a giant screen and (usually) held every second Thursday of the month at 8 p.m.
Upcoming Popcorn Flicks:
June 26: Toy Story
July 10: Muscle Beach Party
August 14: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Throne
If the weather is questionable, call Enzian’s Box Office at 407-629-1088 x230 to confirm.
On the last Friday of the month through August, enjoy an evening of family-friendly entertainment and a free movie at Lake Eola’s Movieola. Bring the entire family to downtown for games, food and a movie on the East Lawn. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. with the movie starting at 8:30 p.m.
Upcoming movies:
June 27: Despicable Me
July 25: Muppets Most Wanted
August 29: Lego Movie
