Things to Do At Night in Orlando: 15 Fun & Free Activities

Looking for more budget-friendly ways to spend your time in Orlando? Your night just got a whole lot better (and cheaper) thanks to these free things to do in Orlando at night! 

The happening city of Orlando is known for its world-class theme parks, such as Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, but these attractions tend to come with a hefty price tag. 

There is safety in numbers, so a bustling theme park city like Orlando is the ideal spot to spend the evening into all hours of the night. Whether you go for the week, a weekend, or a day, one thing is sure: your nights in Orlando will be for the vacation books.

Known for hot weather, cool cypress trees, and anything but mediocre ways to have a good time, this Central Florida gem is your passport to all things to do Orlando at night. If you need ideas, stat, there are plenty of things to do in Orlando tonight! From movie night, comedy clubs, and live music at House of Blues to date ideas, here are 15 free things to do in Orlando at night that you won’t want to miss when you’re there.

ICON Park

Stuck in your online search for “things to do near me at night?” If you want to ride The Wheel at ICON Park in Orlando, you’ll need some cash, but the view is completely free! It’s a mesmerizing light show ready to electrify your night. Conveniently located on International Drive, ICON Park also offers free parking and admission 365 days a year! So, add this to your list of Orlando things to do at night.

Disney Springs

While Disney theme parks don’t offer free admission, there are still many free things to do at Walt Disney World. Disney Springs, formerly Downtown Disney, is free to enter! This is the perfect place to get a dose of Disney without shelling out the big bucks for tickets. 

An exciting atmosphere of nighttime activity is reason enough to visit, but there are ways to fill your time for free, too. The stores are open until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and stay open until midnight on Friday and Saturday. So get your fill of window shopping, or check out the LEGO store to play with the colorful blocks for free! 

Pro Tip: Free parking is available at Disney in these garages: Grapefruit, Orange, Lemon, and Lime.

Take a free bus ride to ooh and ah at any of the Disney Resorts. Even better, take a water taxi! Hop on at Disney Springs and let the waves carry you to your next destination. The light reflecting on the water at night is a sight to behold!

Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards

On the hunt for things to do in Orlando for adults? Complimentary tours and tastings can be found at Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards! Set on a gorgeous 127-acre estate, this winery is the largest in the Sunshine State. Tours run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week. Start your evening here before grabbing dinner! This is one of the best things to do in Orlando for adults at night.

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Another way to experience the magic of Disney for free is at the Animal Kingdom Lodge! Take a bus and get off at the Jambo House stop. Once you get there, take a quick trip to the check-in desk and ask about the scavenger hunts. This is one of the most fun things to do in Orlando at night with family!

The best thing about the Animal Kingdom Lodge, however, is it offers free animal viewing on the trails behind the resort. Giraffes and zebras and ostriches, oh my! Take a walk on the wild side and mingle among your favorite creatures at this family-friendly spot. 

Photo Alert: Grab some binoculars and hunt for your favorite animal like you’re on a safari. Once you find it, capture it on camera to rack up all the likes! 

Popcorn Flicks in the Park

Running out of things to do in Orlando at night for free on your list? Catch a flick for free! The event Popcorn Flicks in the Park is typically hosted on the second Thursday of each month. Featuring classic films, this event is for the whole family! Bring a blanket and some snacks, then snuggle in for a night of movie magic under the stars.

Pro Tip: Prepare to be flexible with your movie plans. Movies typically start at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m., depending on the sunset. It’s also up to Florida’s temperamental weather. In case it rains, be ready with a backup plan!

Lake Eola Park

Also on the list of free things to do at night in Orlando for adults, Lake Eola Park is one of the best places to walk in Orlando at night. Gaze at a stunning view of the downtown Orlando skyline aglow against a night sky backdrop. Then, bask in the nighttime beauty of the lake, dotted with swans and surrounded by sweet-smelling flowers.

Visit on the right night to catch a free concert or show at the Walt Disney Amphitheater. Regardless of what’s going on at the Amphitheater, though, the park offers a show each night! Starting at 8 p.m., the Lincoln E. Allen fountain in the middle of the lake becomes a dazzling light show spectacle.

Pssst.. looking for an Orlando walking tour? Check out the great variety of choices City Tours of Orlando offers through Tripster!

Magic Kingdom Fireworks

In search of things to do in Orlando for free? The wonder of the Magic Kingdom theme park is so inescapable, you can experience it beyond the park borders. Fireworks burst like pixie dust over the Magic Kingdom each night and can be seen from miles away.

Watch the sizzles and pops at the Ticket and Transportation Center outside the park for free! Resorts around the area also offer great views, like the Polynesian Village Resort and the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. 

Electrical Water Pageant Show

Beyond the fireworks, more Disney spectacles make the Orlando nightlife more vibrant from outside the parks! The Electrical Water Pageant, which takes place on the Seven Seas Lagoon, is one such show. Don’t miss this maritime display featuring magical sea creatures and some of your favorite Disney songs.

Find a spot outside Magic Kingdom, the Wilderness Lodge, or the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to view the pageant as it lights up the night! As one of the most riveting cheap things to do in Orlando at night, you won’t want to skip out on this show.

Old Town Car Cruises

On the list of night things to do in Orlando, weekly car cruises are an Old Town tradition for automobile fanatics. Friday nights are for the muscle cars and Saturday nights are for the classic cars.

Choose your favorite night to take in the sight. Can’t choose? Just show up for both. The cruises are free, after all! Special free events and festivals are held throughout the year, too.

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel Show

The Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort hosts a nightly show at the Harbor Piazza. Once sunset hits, the “Musica Della Notte” show bursts to life to delight guests with dreamy Italian-inspired music.

Classically trained performers rotate through show themes, including Romantico Night, Classico Night, and Italian Festival Night. So, if you’re wondering what to do at night in Orlando, now you know!

Check out our In-Depth Guide to the Best Hotels in Orlando!

Universal CityWalk

Did you know you can park at Universal Orlando Resort for free after 6 p.m. each night? Then, once you’re parked, it’s completely free to walk around CityWalk! One of the laidback things to do at night Orlando awaits! 

Pro Tip: If you can’t resist visiting Universal Studios or Universal’s Islands of Adventure, save some dough by purchasing discounted tickets from Tripster!

One of the most fun things to do at night in Orlando, this entertainment complex is a hub of captivating sights and sounds. Free activities are available, too, such as live DJ sets, dance parties, and splash areas for the kiddos.

Disney’s Boardwalk

Promenade across Disney’s BoardWalk in the EPCOT resort area without dropping any cash! Lined with free entertainment (think street performers and activities) at night, walking along the BoardWalk is magical, budget-friendly fun. Orlando night activities exist at every turn in this bustling atmosphere!

Stroll next to Crescent Lake underneath the calming moonlight. But, if you prefer to keep things a little livelier, the Atlantic Dance Hall is ready for you to bust a move. Add this to your itinerary of things to do at night in Orlando, Florida!

Pro Tip: Free parking is limited, so we recommend using Disney’s complimentary transportation to avoid any parking snafus! 

Gardens

The thought of maneuvering through theme park crowds may have you craving a more spacious outing. Luckily, the City Beautiful has a couple of luscious gardens to stroll through. Ah, a breath of fresh air! On the hunt for nature-themed things to do in Florida at night? The search is over.

The Harry P. Leu Gardens stretch across 50 acres. Each acre is filled with botanical artistry. Free entry is available for all on the first Monday of the month throughout the spring and summer months. Check the website to plan your free visit!

Pro Tip: Harry P. Leu Gardens closes at 5 p.m., so take your Secret Garden-inspired walk early in the evening before heading out to dinner or another free activity!

The Kraft Azalea Garden is another plant life sanctuary in the nearby city of Winter Park. It’s open until dusk and totally free! Glory beneath a stunning sunset surrounded by a delightful floral aroma. Visiting this romantic spot is one of the best things to do in Orlando at night for couples!

Art Galleries

If the art scene is more your scene, Orlando is loaded with galleries to leave you inspired. This is certainly one of the most artsy things to do in Orlando, Florida, at night! Many local art galleries offer free admission on certain days, including:

• From November through April, visit the Morse Museum of American Art for free every Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• The Rollins Museum of Art is free to visit all the time!
• The Mennello Museum of American Art offers free admission on the second Sunday of each month. Keep in mind it closes at 4:30 p.m., so plan to visit here as a warmup for your evening plans!

Photo Alert: Add another artsy square to your Instagram profile when you pose in front of your favorite piece of art. Just make sure photographs are allowed before you snap one! 

Shopping

When trying to spend your evening on a tight budget, take the opportunity to window shop! Disney Springs at Walt Disney World offers an impressive portfolio of your favorite stores, and so does the Mall at Millenia. If you’re a true shopaholic, you’ll probably want to opt for another way to spend your free time.

Pro Tip: Most farmers’ markets take place during the day, but we wanted to give some pre-evening plan options to those who like to shop small!

Our top picks of Orlando farmers’ markets include:

• Orlando Farmers’ Market at Lake Eola Park
• Winter Park Farmers’ Market
• Winter Garden Farmers’ Market

If you’re looking for free things to do at night, Orlando delivers with a slew of exciting activities. The options for places to go in Orlando at night are plentiful!

In fact, there are many more activities in Orlando than on this list. Other hidden gems include dinner shows and escape rooms. Additionally, another theme park to try is Fun Spot America. Or, catch a show at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts! So far, which of these free things to do in Orlando are you most excited about?

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