The City Beautiful is known for being one of the top vacation destinations to visit with family and friends to experience the fantastic theme parks, roller coasters, and water parks in the area! With so much to do during the day, you might be wondering what happens when the sun goes down. Are there things to do in Orlando at night?
To quickly answer your question… yes! The exciting news is that the fun doesn’t have to end after sunset with so many different options available, no matter your interests. Discover a preview of the nightlife scene with our 15 of the best things to do in Orlando at night:
1. Fun Spot America
Have you been looking for a theme park that stays open late? Fun Spot America is one of the many amusement parks and tourist attractions that the Orlando area has to offer that happens to be open until midnight. It’s a pretty family-friendly place that has roller coasters, go-karts, and plenty of other fun things for everyone to do.
2. Lake Eola Park
If you’re looking for a romantic evening, one of our favorite things to do is walk around Lake Eola Park either before or after dinner! It’s a truly magical experience to wander down the almost one-mile-long trail taking in the beautiful sights and wildlife. The nightly light show on the lake is a must-see while you’re here. Plus, there’s a ton of free parking, and you’ll be near some of the most popular Orlando restaurants. If you have the kiddos or the furry family members with you, they’ll find it just as charmed by everything to see — like the Walt Disney Amphitheater.
3. Ghost Tours in Downtown Orlando
Planning on an evening downtown? Those who want something a little different can experience the history and legends on moonlight ghost tours! What’s better than exploring the area while you learn about Orlando’s history and listen to spooky ghost stories? Try to hold back your screams as you walk through cemeteries and haunted buildings.
We recommend paying close attention to the details before you book your ghost tour. Some are geared towards being family-friendly, while others specialize in “scarier” experiences that are great for older groups.
4. Dinner Shows
Theater enthusiasts will want to check out Orlando’s numerous places that offer dinner shows! Popular spots like Sleuth’s Mystery Dinner Show at Icon Park and Pirates Dinner Adventure are incredibly kid-friendly. A new favorite is Singing your Dreams, located in Dezerland Park, where you’ll even find bowling, pinball, indoor karting, and more. There are numerous dinner shows geared more towards adults that are great for an Orlando date night too! View more dinner shows by following this link.
5. Comedy Clubs
Love humor, wit, and satire? Sit down at one of these clubs at night to enjoy some appetizers, drinks, and more than a few laughs! Well-known places like Improv Comedy Theater and Restaurant on I-Drive offer a vast spectrum of talent for groups of all ages. Another to check out while you’re here is SAK Comedy Lab downtown — it’s an Improvisational Comedy theater with over 250-seats that’s been named one of the “50 best comedy clubs in America” by clickitticket.com.
6. Icon Park
Icon Park on I-Drive is a fantastic place to experience no matter the time of day! There is an abundance of amusement park-style attractions for the adrenaline junkies in your group, including The Wheel and two new world record-breaking thrill rides. And, something special happens when the sun goes down. The giant observation wheel and the other rides light up alongside the rest of the city, giving a gorgeous night-time view of Disney World and Universal Studios. If that’s not your forte, there are so many other things to do at Icon Park!
7. Orlando Magic Basketball Games
Fans of basketball should definitely plan to catch a game while they’re in Orlando! If the Orlando Magic is playing at home, this is the perfect chance to do just that. Join thousands of other fans in the stands to root for your favorite NBA team. If that sounds like the perfect evening (or daytime) activity to you, check out the schedule and see when the next game will be.
8. International Drive
So, we’ve mentioned multiple venues on International Drive so far! If you don’t already know, it’s one of the busiest streets in Orlando and home to some of the best shopping, restaurants, and more — like the Orange County Convention Center. When you’re in this area, all you have to do is park your car and find the I-RIDE Trolley to get around. It’s easy, affordable, and runs 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 10:30 pm. You can even see where the trolley is in real-time and find the next stops on their website.
9. Downtown Orlando
If you want a taste of the Orlando nightlife, then there’s nowhere better to do that than at Downtown Orlando at night! There’s something for everyone here, from movie theaters and restaurants to nightclubs and breweries. Get your friends together for a fun night out on the town filled with club-hopping and the best bars in the city. With so much to do, we’ll need to put together an entire post just about the nightlife in downtime.
10. Leu Gardens Movie Night
Leu Gardens is a stunning 50-acre botanical garden open to the public to roam and enjoy! They’re known for hosting major events like weddings, and many photographers love using it as a backdrop. Furthermore, the garden hosts a family-friendly movie night with first-come-first-serve seating availability about once a month.
For instance, the next movie that will be playing is How To Train Your Dragon from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm on April 1, 2022. Sound like fun for the entire family? Take a look at all of their upcoming events on their website.
11. Dining & More at Disney Springs
Disney Springs (or what was once known as Downtown Disney) is home to a myriad of shops, restaurants, and things to do after the sun goes down! This means it’s an excellent place for a night out, especially if you’re near Walt Disney World. Take a look in the shops, grab a souvenir to remember your trip, and then go to one of the many restaurants that world-famous chefs own for dinner. But that’s just the start of all the things you can do at Disney Springs!
12. Universal Citywalk Night Clubs
On the other hand, Universal Orlando has its version of nightlife as well that’s been dubbed “The Epicenter Of Awesome”! Citywalk is a bustling downtown area full of themed clubs and dancing. Some of the nightlife options here aren’t as family-friendly as some of the others on the list, but it’s a great place to go with your friends if you feel like dancing all night.
If you’d like to stay contactless, you can even download their app on the Apple Store or Google Play Store to order food and drinks from participating restaurants. The app download is free, but other charges (like your food and beverages) will apply.
13. Downtown Winter Park
Park Avenue is the hub of Winter Park and is located approximately 20 minutes northeast of downtown Orlando! This tree-lined, cobblestoned street is loaded with popular restaurants, museums, and some of the Orlando area’s best shopping. With the majority of places staying open into the evening, this is a prime spot for a date night or a night out with friends any time of year.
14. The Performing Arts Center
Before you arrive in Orlando, make sure to check the schedule of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts! The main stage always has something riveting on the agenda, from big-name comedians to award-winning orchestra performances. Think Jay Leno, Patti LaBelle, Shrek The Musical, and many classics. The moral of the story is if you plan your visit right, you could get to see a spectacular show while you’re in town.
15. Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long
For something family-friendly in the evenings, make sure to bring the kids to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort! Even if you’re not staying here, you’re welcome to participate in Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire Sing-a-Long, where you can spend your evening roasting marshmallows, singing songs, and hanging out with your favorite Disney characters. Afterward, you and the family can stay to enjoy a classic Disney film under the stars on an oversized outdoor screen.
Find Your Favorite Things to Do in Orlando at Night
These are just some of the incredible things to do in Orlando at night! That’s right; there’s so much to explore for adults or the whole family after dusk. So whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or a family vacation, you can be sure to find some excuse to stay up late with all the nightlife in Orlando!
And, after a long day filled with your favorite things, you can relax and pamper yourself at one of our vacation homes right nearby. Learn more about where all of the resort communities are located, and then browse our vacation rentals to find your perfect place to stay! If you have questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is available 24/7 by phone and email.