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.
Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts And Goblins.
To keep up with latest news on deals, discounts and free events in Central Florida, sign up for the Orlando on the Cheap newsletter, follow on Facebook or on Instagram.
You might also be interested in:
- Best pumpkin patches & mazes in Orlando
- Free & cheap Orlando Halloween events
- Orlando Magical Dining Month
- 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.
2020 Halloween Safety Spooktacular Drive-Thru Event
Thursday, October 29, 6pm-8pm
Public Safety Building, Sanford
FREE event. Drive thru and receive a candy bag from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Dept.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Flicks & Frights
Friday, October 30
Family-friendly film at 7:45pm. Featuring: Hocus Pocus.
Drive up for food trucks and a Halloween flick. $40 per car. Reservation required.
Laser Light Show for Halloween
Now through November 1
11am on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Dr. Phillips CineDome at the Orlando Science Center
Included in admission.
Haunted Hike in the Garden
October 29 & 30, 6:30pm-11pm
Meade Botanical Garden, Winter Park
Tickets start at $13. Enjoy a 40 min hike through the garden while listening to spooky stories.
Boo! Orlando
October 30 & 31
Lot 54 at The Vanguard, Orlando
A two-day outdoor concert. Tickets for 18+ $34.99.
RockPitoberfest 2020
October 30 & 31, 6pm-11pm
RockPit Brewing, Orlando
FREE admission. German food, New RockPit Beers, music and more.
Monster Mask-erade
Friday, October 30, 10am-4pm
Discover Downtown Orlando
FREE event. Costume contest, trick or treating, games and more.
Frozen Freak Show
October 30 & 31, 5pm-2am
Icebar, Orlando
FREE admission.
Movieola Featuring: Hocus Pocus
Saturday, October 31 at 7pm
Lake Eola Park, downtown Orlando
FREE movie under the stars.
Daily Oktoberfest
The Wheelhouse and Sausage Shack, Icon Park
Oktoberfest food and beer specials starting at $5.
Nightly Light Show
8pm & 10pm
Icon Park Lawn, I-Drive
FREE to watch as the Wheel lights up to a spooky soundtrack.
Weekends at the Winery
Saturday & Sunday
Lakeridge Winery, Clermont
FREE admission. Food trucks, wine tasting and live entertainment.
Scott’s Maze Adventures
Saturdays & Sundays
Long & Scott Farm, Mt. Dora
$12 general admission ages 4 and up.
10 Years of Wild Florida
FREE weekday admission with a canned good in October.
You might also be interested in: Free & cheap Orlando Halloween events
Saturday Yoga in the Garden
Saturday, October 31 at 9am
Mead Botanical Garden
$10 for a yoga session in the garden. Bring your own mat and water.
Halloween Horrors and Kreepy Karnival
Now through November 14
Hosted by Fantasy World Resort, Kissimmee
$14 per adult, $7 per child (50% off for resort guests).
Check out: Best pumpkin patches & mazes in Orlando
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.
Orlando Magical Dining extended through Oct. 31, 2020. Jaleo by José Andrés. Image © Rey Lopez/Jaleo
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.
Bright Young Things- An Immersive Site-Specific Adventure
Select nights through November 23 (some nights are sold out)
Downtown Orlando
Enjoy performers and one of a kind experiences. Tickets $35.
Tunnel of the Damned
Tuesdays – Sundays, 6pm-midnight
International Drive, Orlando
Tickets starting at $17.95 per person.
Halloween at Fun Spot
Now through November 1
Fun Spot USA both locations. FREE admission and trick-or-treating trails (other entertainment requires a fee).
Gatorland’s Gators, Ghost and Goblins
Weekends through November 1
Gatorland, Orlando
Adults $29.99, children $19.99.
Family-friendly Halloween event featuring costumed character meet and greets, multiple photo opportunities, a trick or treat trail from 11am to 2pm, and a spooky train ride. Half-off tickets for Florida Residents.
The Haunted Road
Select nights through November 7
Contactless, drive-thru Halloween event. Choose from a scary nighttime experience or the family-friendly drive during the day.
Many pumpkin patches are now open near Orlando. Photo courtesy of Santa’s Farm.
A Lot of Pumpkins Fall Festival
Weekends and select weekdays
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
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.
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.
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.
Maitland Farmers’ Market
Sundays from 8:30am to 1:30pm
701 Lake Lily Drive
ORLANDO DEALS
- 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, 2021 with the SeaWorld Orlando Fun Card.
- Discovery Cove : Florida Residents save 20% on reservations to this intimate, tropical beach oasis.
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. Florida Residents: $20 adult, $15 per child.
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.
- 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!
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MORE FREE & CHEAP THINGS TO DO IN ORLANDO
Loretta Gatson says
Wrong week. We will be there August 25th -August 31, 2019.
Laura says
Hi Loretta! We create a list of free and cheap things to do for every weekend in Orlando. It is posted every Wednesday. We hope you check back for the events happening during your visit. – Laura
Angel says
Thank you for publishing this for us! Really appreciate it!!