Free & cheap things to do in Orlando, Sept. 24 – 27

There’s so much to do in the City Beautiful — and plenty of ways to experience it without breaking the bank.

If you’re going out, it’s wise to phone first. Events are subject to change at any time. Many venues are open fewer hours and require a reservation.

We’d love your input if you have anything to add to this list. Here are our top picks for free and cheap things to do in Orlando.

Fall Festival at Southern Hill Farms in Clermont.

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You might also be interested in:

• Best pumpkin patches & mazes in Orlando
• Sunflower fields near Orlando
• Orlando Magical Dining Month
• Universal Orlando: buy a day, get the rest of 2020 free
• Best free and cheap outdoor adventures in Orlando

FREE & CHEAP THINGS TO DO IN ORLANDO

Note: Sometimes, things change after we post an event. It’s always a good idea to check directly with venues and event organizers to confirm before you go.

The Haunted Road
September 25 – November 7
The first drive-thru Halloween experience is coming to Orlando.
Tickets start at $15-$30

Drive-In Movie Nights
Friday, Sept. 25: Men In Black
Saturday, Sept. 26: E.T.
The Gathering Place: 8287 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando
Tickets start at a $5 contribution per vehicle.

Downtown Winter Garden Sidewalk Sale
September 25 & 26 

Virginia Drive Live!
Saturday, September 26, 5pm-9pm
Ivanhoe Village, Orlando
$5 wristbands for Pub Crawl. Shopping, food trucks, vendors and more. 

A Lot of Pumpkins Fall Festival
Opening day September 26 (weekends and select weekdays, see schedule)
Santa’s Farm, Eustis
The pumpkin destination features tons of family-friendly activities including a patch, hayrides, mazes, photo ops, food and drinks for purchase, and an animal petting zoo with goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits and more.

• Purchase tickets online and in advance.
• General admission per person is between $8 and $17 depending on the day. Weekdays are $8.

Fall at Southern Hill Farms
Opening day September 26 (Thursdays – Sundays through Nov. 8)
Southern Hill Farms, Clermont

• Purchase tickets online and in advance. No tickets sold at the farm. 
• Thursdays and Fridays, 9am – 4pm. $7.99 per person plus taxes and fees.
• Saturdays and Sundays, 11am – 7pm. $11.99 per person plus taxes and fees.

Check out more pumpkin patches & mazes near Orlando. 

Wurst Weekend at Hollerbachs
Friday – Sunday, 5pm-10pm
Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café, Sanford
FREE celebration of the traditional folk festival in Germany. Outdoor seating (first come, first served) in the Magnolia Square. German beer and food for purchase. 

Oktoberfest at A La Cart
Through September 28, 12pm-9pm
A La Cart, Orlando
FREE admission. Food trucks and Florida-brewed, German-style beers on tap. 

Music in the Park
Every Friday & Saturday night in September, 6pm – 9pm
Central Park and Shady Park
FREE. Grab a meal using the city’s Curbside To-Go program and hang out with your small group of friends while listening to live music in the park.

Saturday Yoga in the Garden
Saturday, September 26 at 9am
Mead Botanical Garden
$10 for a yoga session in the garden. Bring your own mat and water.

Free entry day at National Parks
Saturday, September 26
Celebrate National Public Lands Day with free admission to all National Parks.

SeaWorld Orlando’s Flicks & Frights
Saturdays through Oct. 31
Friday Oct. 23 & 30
Family-friendly film at 7:45pm. Fright-filled Halloween movie at 10:30pm.
Drive up for food trucks and a Halloween flick. $40 per car.

Donut Fest Orlando
Sunday, September 27, 1pm-5pm
Orlando Brewing
Admission $15, kids $10. Donut samples, beer tickets, photobooth and more.

Enchanted Fairy Doors at Leu Gardens.

MORE ORLANDO EVENTS

Enchanted Fairy Doors
Now through October 31, 2020
Harry P. Leu Gardens
The fairies are back! Search for 20 whimsical fairy doors throughout the gardens. $10 adult, $5 child (ages 4 – 17 years). FREE days are scheduled for Oct. 5.

Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month
Now through October 31, 2020
Experience some of the hottest restaurants in town without putting a big dent in your wallet. Each participating venue offers a three-course, prix fixe dinner menu for $35 per person.

Sunset Live!
Fridays, 6pm – 10pm
Sunset Walk, Kissimmee
FREE live music.

Art After Dark Lake Nona
Fridays, 6pm – 9pm
FREE outdoor event with art displays and music at the Lake Nona Town Center.

Baby Goat Yoga
Classes available Friday – Sunday through September
Wildflower Farm, Orlando
$22 per person. 

Drive-in Movies
Movies playing every night
West Volusia Drive-In Theater in Deltona
$20 per car. Purchase tickets in advance, online

Sanford Ghost Tours
Fridays & Saturdays at 7pm
Tickets start at $20 (in advance and online). Take a tour around downtown Sanford and hear some famous ghost stories.

Classic Car Show
Saturdays at 4pm
Old Town, Kissimmee
FREE to check out a variety of classic cars. Cars limited and spaced out for safety.

Winter Park Farmers’ Market
Saturdays from 8am to 1pm
Central Park, Winter Park

You might also want to check out more farmers’ markets in Central Florida.

Concerts at Daytona Beach Bandshell
Every Saturday through October, 7:15pm – 9:30pm
Daytona Beach Bandshell
Reservations required in advance. $2 general reserved seating and $10 for VIP reserved tickets. Chair provided.

Maitland Farmers’ Market
Sundays from 8:30am to 1:30pm
701 Lake Lily Drive

Namaste for a Beer Yoga
Sundays at 10:30am
Deviant Wolf Brewing, Sanford
$15 for the hour-long yoga session and a cold brew.

Yoga in the Sculpture Garden
Sundays at 9am
Mennello Museum of American Art
$10 for a lakeside yoga flow class with Full Circle Yoga. Bring your own mat and water. Your ticket also includes a complimentary pass to enjoy the museum.

ORLANDO DEALS

• Universal Orlando: Florida residents can buy a day ticket and visit every day through Dec. 24 for free with no blockout dates, (for 2-Park, 1-Day Park-to-Park ticket). Plus, get access to Volcano Bay for only $29 more. Purchase by Sept. 30.

• Gatorland: Florida residents can save 50% off single-day admission.

The Wheel at ICON Park in Orlando, Florida.

• The Wheel at ICON Park: The Orlando attraction is offering $5 student and $10 parent tickets. This is a huge savings of up to 80 percent!
• Walt Disney World Resort: Florida Residents visit for $49 per day with a 4-day pass.
• SeaWorld Orlando: Unlimited visits to SeaWorld now through Dec. 31 starting at $109.99 with the SeaWorld Orlando Fun Card.
• Discovery Cove : Florida Residents save 20% on reservations to this intimate, tropical beach oasis.
• LEGOLAND Florida Resort : $15 off entry with 1-Day Super Saver ticket bought online.

Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari Park. Image: @wildfloridaairboats on Instagram.

• Wild Florida’s Drive-Thru Safari Park is a self-guided journey to get up close and personal with hundreds of wild animals. $20 per child, $29 per adult.

MORE FREE & CHEAP THINGS TO DO IN ORLANDO

• Mead Gardens is a FREE 47-acre park with an amphitheater, butterfly garden, boardwalk and bike trail.
• Winter Park Boat Tour: float through the canals and lush landscape of Winter Park’s waterways on a tranquil Scenic Boat Tour. The hour-long tour is $14 for adults.
• Lake Eola features a playground, art sculptures and swan boats ($15 for a 30-minute ride).
• Harry P. Leu Gardens is 50-acre botanical oasis boasting a rose garden, butterfly garden and a vegetable garden. $10 for adults, $5 for kids age 4-17, free for kids age 3 years and younger.
• The Black Hammock Adventures is a lakeside bar and restaurant in Oviedo with amazing sunset views on Lake Jesup and airboat tours.
• Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is an 11-mile drive with a chance to view native animals in their natural habitat including 174 bird species. The drive is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

• The Central Florida Springs, Florida’s natural cooling system, is one of those must-see destinations. With water temperatures in the low 70s year-round, a dip in the springs located near Orlando is incredibly refreshing.

Tavares Splash Park.

• Orlando Splash Pad Parks are a cheap way to cool off. Some are free or just a few dollars for entrance.
• Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter is home to one of the largest native butterfly conservatories in the state of Florida. Peak season for an up-close experience is April – September.
• Central Florida Zoo is open with modified hours and timed online ticket to enter. Adults $19.50; children $13.75.

Take a relaxing stroll.
There is nothing cheaper or more relaxing than a scenic walk. We have plenty of nice paths to stroll at local parks, county trails and picturesque gardens. Most of the walking paths near Orlando are completely free, unless otherwise noted.

Ride your favorite rollercoasters (from your couch).
Pretend you are in the middle of all the theme park excitement!

• Free virtual rides at Walt Disney World Resort
• Free virtual rides at Universal Orlando Resort

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