Do date night on a budget with our list of free things to do in Orlando this fall!
Fall is here! While it may not be sweater weather just yet, it will begin to cool off soon which means outdoor activities won't be unbearable. What better way to celebrate the season than fun things to do that don't cost you a dime? From local markets to historical walking tours, we have you covered with 40+ ideas for free activities to enjoy this fall.
Oktoberfest/Fall Festivals
Baldwin Park First Friday Festival & Art Walk – Oktoberfest
October 6
October’s First Friday Festival will be Oktoberfest in Baldwin Park, featuring a selection of food trucks, vendors and a DJ playing music from 5:30-9:30pm.
Oktoberfest Downtown
October 7
Enjoy German beer, music, and culture in this full-day event taking over Downtown Orlando. There will be 14 venues participating including Side Bar, Underground Public House and Swigg’s. The event is FREE to attend, but food and drink are extra.
Zombietoberfest + The Night Market at Audubon
October 7
If you enjoy visiting the weekly Farmer’s Market that happens every Monday in Audubon Park, you’ll love this once-a-year event. Local vendors, live music, food trucks, free costume contest, zombiewalk, 2 craft beer gardens, and Beetlejuice on the big screen (near Redlight Redlight) are just a few of the activities offered from 5-10pm.
Alive After 5 – Oktoberfest
October 12-13
Every 2nd Thursday of each month from 5-8pm, this is the place to be in Seminole County! This street party held in Historic Downtown Sanford (rain or shine) features several food trucks, live music, and a large selection of vendors and artisans selling their goods. October’s AA5 theme is Oktoberfest and will be 2 days long, held on October 12th & 13th. November’s will take place on November 9th.
Orange County Brewing Oktoberfest
October 14
This free event is open to the public and includes live music, games, photo ops, and costume contests. Admission is free, but bring a few dollars if you want to indulge in beer and German food samples. The fun begins at 11:30am and continues all day.
Avalon Park Oktoberfest
October 13-14
Downtown Avalon Park’s Oktoberfest festival will include a selection of food trucks, German music courtesy of Europa, an adult beer garden, children’s games and bounce houses. Though the official Community Festival is scheduled for Saturday from 5-10pm, there will be a Beer Garden Preview on Friday the 13th starting at 5.
Will’s A Faire Fall Market at Southern Fried Sunday
October 15
Don't miss this one-day vintage, retro, local and handmade market that takes place at Will’s Pub in the Mills 50 District. There will be food trucks on hand as well as live music from 1pm-8:30pm.
Halloween
Check out our full guide to Halloween events in Orlando for more ideas
Spooky Star Party
October 21
The Seminole State Planetarium has a fun lineup of Halloween-themed events, including a FREE Star Party on October 21 from 6-9:30pm. The event includes telescope viewings, a chemistry demonstration, planetarium shows, and more. Wear your Halloween costume!
Vintage Halloween Costumes at the Lake Mary Museum
Through October 24
This free exhibit includes a collection of antique Halloween costumes and decorations. Museum hours are Tuesday & Saturday 1oam-3pm, and Wednesday-Thursday 11am-7pm.
Halloween Spooktoberfest In Casselberry
October 27
Family and pet-friendly event from 5-9pm held at Lake Concord Park. There will be a parade, kids and pets costume contest, crafts and food.
Halloween Howl At Rollins College
October 28
This family-friendly event will take place from 1-4pm and features haunted houses, a costume contest, crafts, games, and music.
Spooktacular – Avalon Park
October 28
Enjoy trick or treating and prizes from 5-9pm in Downtown Avalon Park. Guests can pick up a trick or treat route map at the FLATS leasing office prior to the event.
Eden Bar's 10th Anniversary Halloween Party
October 28
Celebrate Halloween and Eden Bar's 10th year at this annual free event. There will be live DJ music, a costume contest with prizes for scariest costume, most original, and best Hollywood movie couple, along with drink specials. Come dressed to impress in your Halloween best! This event is 21+ only.
Trick or Treat Safe Zone Block Party
October 28
Held at the Orange County Regional History Center, this family-friendly event will take place from 10am-3pm. Children under 12 are welcome to trick or treat through the History Center as well as the Orlando Public Library (must be accompanied by an adult) and take part in a scavenger hunt, crafts, face painting, free books and shaved ice treats.
Halloween at Cranes Roost Park
October 31
Trick or treat around Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs from 5-9pm. A costume contest will begin at 6pm.
Halloween Fest Winter Garden
October 31
Stroll Plant Street for a unique night of trick or treating! From 6-8:30pm guests can partake in food and a hay maze, as well as activities and crafts for children.
Free Yearly Events
Come Out With Pride Festival
October 14
Come Out With Pride is in its 12th year, always celebrated during the first week of October to coincide with National Coming Out Day (October 11th) and National Gay and Lesbian History Month. The event is from 12-10pm at Lake Eola Park and features a full day of events, vendors, live music and more. Don’t miss Jojo’s set at 8:30! The parade starts at 4pm, and fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9pm.
Winter Park Autumn Art Festival
October 14-15
This fall festival takes place in Winter Park’s beautiful Central Park all day Saturday and Sunday from 9-5pm, and is the only juried fine art festival exclusively featuring Florida artists. Numerous forms of art will be on display, ranging from photography to ceramics to digital art. There will be children’s art workshops to keep the little ones entertained, and there will be food vendors around the festival. If you’re there on Saturday, stop by the Winter Park Farmer’s Market, which occurs each Saturday from 7am-1pm.
Free Movies
Popcorn Flicks In The Park
Enjoy a free outdoor movie at Winter Park’s Central Park in partnership with Enzian Theater. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, snacks, and other goodies. Movies are typically screened on the second Thursday of each month, though there are exceptions.
Upcoming Showings:
The Blob – October 12, 8-m
Batman: The Movie – November 9, 7pm
The Nightmare Before Christmas – December 1, 7pm
Free Monthly events
Casa Feliz Parlour Series: Culture By Design
These lectures dive into Winter Park’s rich culture and design history and different factors that influenced it. Lectures are free to attend but donations are accepted. Events are limited to 75 attendees.
Upcoming dates and topics are:
A Design History Of Winter Park on Tuesday, October 17th
The Economics Of Government And How It Influences Design on Tuesday, November 14th
First Mondays at Leu Gardens
Take a self-guided tour of these stunning gardens. The following dates are free admission Mondays at Leu Gardens: November 6 and December 4, 2017. Due to Hurricane Irma, the Historic Leu House Museum is closed until further notice.
Main Street's Friday Fest – Melbourne
This street party in Downtown Melbourne is held the second Friday of each month from 6-10pm and features food, vendors, live music and a kid’s zone.
Orlando Critical Mass
Ride your bike along with the rest of Orlando for what will undoubtedly be your most eventful ride through the city! Riders meet on the last Friday of each month at 5:30pm at Loch Haven Park. Heads up – lights are required and helmets are highly recommended. Upcoming rides are scheduled for October 27th and November 24th.
Sanford Art Walk
Check out the newest art and cast your vote on your favorite. Held every third Saturday from 6-9pm, and also features live music. Cast your vote at the Sanford Welcome Center on East First Street in Historic Downtown Sanford.
Story Time at Leu Gardens
If you're looking to enjoy an event with the whole family, check out this free indoor event held monthly to encourage a love of books as well as quality time with your little one. The events start at 10am and are broken down by age group, with around 15 minutes each devoted to infant time, toddler time, and pre-school time. Peak Season Pops will be on hand selling their locally-made, specialty popsicles, and Jolly Dogger will be selling hot dogs and sausages. Upcoming dates are November 6th and December 4th.
Free Weekly Events
Austin’s Coffee Open Mic Nights
A different open mic is held at this 24 hour Winter Park coffee shop Sunday-Thursday. Sunday – Comedy, Monday – Hip Hop, Tuesday – All types of music, Wednesday – Poetry, Thursday – Jazz. Times vary; visit their website for more information.
Curtis Earth Trivia – Bikes, Beans & Bordeaux Cafe
Voted Best Trivia by Orlando Weekly readers in 2016, this event conveniently takes place in Bikes, Beans, & Bordeaux Cafe in Audubon Park. Check how much you really know about topics ranging from geography to sports to music every Monday night starting at 6:30pm.
East End Sessions – Saturday Serenades
Held every Saturday from 2-5pm in East End Market’s courtyard, this free outdoor event features live music from different artists. Future artists include Last Two Standing on October 7th and Jessica Delacruz on October 14th.
Ten 10 Brewing Run Club
Every Tuesday at 6:30pm, meet up for a 5K run through the Mills 50 area!
Standup Comedy at Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar
Get in some laughs during standup comedy held every week from 8:30-10:30pm featuring comedy from 10-15 local comics. Friday is a comedy showcase while Saturdays are open mic.
Free Tours
Historic Downtown Walking Tour
This approximately 90 minute guided tour of the Historic Downtown District will take you through some of the city’s historical buildings, courthouses, cathedrals and even past department stores. You’ll see which ones are still in use and which have been preserved but adapted to serve new functions. Tours are at 9:30am on first Fridays from October to May only. Upcoming dates are October 6th and November 3rd.
Greenwood Cemetery Tour
Embark on this bucket-list worthy guided historical tour, which visits around 100 graves of notable figures in Orlando's history. Tours are free and offered monthly, but registration is required in advance and the tours fill up incredibly fast. Registration for the October 6 tour is closed, but registration opens for the November 3 tour on October 27.
The Alfond Inn/Cornell Fine Arts Museum Tour
Visit this boutique hotel for a free guided tour of the Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art on display. Tours are led by a Cornell Fine Arts Museum staff member every Sunday beginning at 1pm.
Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
Walk around over 80 acres of planted vineyards, sampling and sipping wine for free – what could be better? Lakeridge Winery offers complimentary winery tours and wine tasting 7 days a week. The winery is located in Clermont, about a half hour away from downtown Orlando.
Orlando Brewing
Tour Florida’s only USDA certified organic brewery Monday – Saturday at 6pm, except for Beer:30 (The 30th of each month) or during special occasions such as Oktoberfest.
See Art Self Guided Walking Tour
Take a walk around Lake Eola Park while enjoying the 8 sculptures and art installations that surround it. You can print a walking guide that provides the location and artist information for each one on the See Art Orlando website.
Museums/Galleries
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
Enjoy free admission to this museum on Park Avenue in Winter Park Friday evenings November-April from 4-8pm. The museum is home to the most comprehensive collection anywhere of Louis Comfort Tiffany Glass.
CityArts Factory
CityArts is a collective of art galleries featuring a mixture of works from both local and international art. Admission is always free, and through October 14th will have a selection of exhibits such as “Hispanic Heritage” in the Star Gallery, and “Relevant”, featuring art dealing with current issues such as politics and the environment.
Cornell Fine Arts Museum
Thanks to the Dale Montgomery Class of '60, entry into the museum is free! The Cornell Fine Arts Museum is located inside of the Rollins College campus, so after a stroll on Park Ave, this is the perfect place to go. They are closed Mondays but offer extended hours every Tuesday.
Music At The Casa at Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum & Venue
You've probably driven by this gorgeous home but have you had an opportunity to stop inside? The picturesque Museum is open to the public every Sunday from 12-3pm. Guests can enjoy live music and the chance to tour the home as well as the James Gamble Rogers II Studio. (A suggested donation of $5 is welcomed.)
Redefine Gallery
Through October 14th enjoy Wilderness, an art collection of original works and paintings by 3 artists: Johannah O’Donnell, Scott Scheidly, and Samantha Shumaker. Redefine Gallery is located inside CityArts Factory in downtown Orlando.
Images by Arlene Laboy unless otherwise noted