As fall approaches, the city of Orlando is on fire with fantastic events! Last month proved to be one of the best times for Central Floridians to explore the City Beautiful as crowds were low and the kickoff of fall left a joyful pep in every step. Here’s a look at just some of the incredible events that took place, just in case you missed it!
Celebrating its 24th year, the 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival had a spectacular opening month as Orlando foodies treated themselves to chef demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and even special events like “Party for the Senses.” Featuring cuisines, music and more from around the globe, Epcot’s renowned celebration at Epcot is better than ever and it’s running for a record-shattering 87 days making it the longest festival in the park’s history. The “Eat to the Beat” concert series will showcase a wide range of musical acts and there’s also an entire menu of family fun, including Remy’s Ratatouille-inspired scavenger hunt, a play area, nightly dance parties, and select dishes and demonstrations designed especially for kids. Your Epcot admission is all that’s needed to participate in the festivities!
SeaWorld is serving up an incredible party for craft beer lovers! This year, SeaWorld’s Craft Beer Festival extended to four weekends from September 7th-October 27th and admission is included with all park tickets! The festival features more than 100 craft brews on draft at locations around the park. In addition, guests also enjoy unique food items designed to perfectly pair with the festival’s brew selection. Attendees sampled an unbeatable mix of domestic, international and local Florida favorites while savoring more than 20 food items expertly paired to match their preferred brew. It is the one craft beer celebration you definitely don’t want to miss and the fun continues brewing every weekend till October 27th.
Nothing goes better with wine than cheese, so Lakeridge Winery celebrated this delicious pairing from September 14th-15th with their annual Wine & Cheese Festival. The event featured all the Lakeridge festival standards including live music, Lakeridge wine by the glass, beer, soft drinks and a variety of food available for purchase. Guests also enjoyed a special complimentary wine tasting including samples of cheese paired with some of their best selling wines. For almost 30 years, Lakeridge Winery has featured some of the areas top bands on their outdoor stage and the 2019 Wine & Cheese Festival line up was no exception. Visitors were encouraged to bring their lawn chairs in order to sit back and enjoy the live music along with the beautiful vineyards and surrounding rolling hills.
Calling all style-setters! The Mall at Millenia’s annual Fashion Insider extravaganza took place from September 16th-22nd and guests enjoyed an array of activities custom designed for Orlando’s fashion enthusiasts. For the 14th year in a row, The Mall at Millenia held a series of fabulous events so guests could learn about the biggest fall trends and shop the season’s best looks. From viewing the hottest colors, patterns and outfits at the Fall Trends display to getting styled in head-to-toe looks from various Mall at Millenia boutiques—attendees delighted in discovering the biggest color stories and wardrobe must-haves. Of course you can’t have “fashion” without a fashion show and on September 19th, the extravaganza featured its Fashion For A Cause runway show event which benefited our friends at Runway to Hope.
The annual Run Nona 5K & Nemours Kids’ Run returned on September 28th for its 12th anniversary! The event included a 1-mile kids’ run as well as dashes for younger children and a 3.1-mile run/walk through Lake Nona. Outside of running, guests were invited to enjoy the live music entertainment and other activities happening around Town Center. All 5K finishers received a medal and proceeds from the event benefited the Tavistock Foundation. Unlike other 5Ks, Run Nona ended with a lively Block Party filled with fabulous music, complimentary beer and $5 coupons towards Town Center and Boxi Park restaurants. The family friendly event even featured The Nemours Kids’ Run and Zone that occupied the littlest runners with activities geared specifically to engage them in a night of activity.
From September 16th-24th, guests celebrated the art of film and its power to promote new understanding in Orlando. Held in conjunction with the UN’s International Day of Peace, the Global Peace Film Festival promotes the art of motion picture to further the goal of peace on earth, beyond anti-war, ideology and activism. Events included film programs, panels, and parties. Established in 2003, The Global Peace Film Festival works to connect expression—artistic, political, social and personal—to positive, respectful vehicles for action and change. Named a Top-Rated Non-Profit by GreatNonprofits.org, the festival program is carefully curated to create a place for open dialogue, using the films as catalysts for change.
September was the opening month of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and it was a sight to behold inviting Walt Disney World Resort guests to live out their Star Wars adventure in a Galaxy Far, Far Away. With all-new Star Wars Attractions like Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run, visitors could fly the millennium Falcon on a thrilling interactive smuggling mission. Over at Savi’s Workshop, guests built their own custom lightsaber while continuing the traditions of the force.
When hunger called, the best in Galactic dining was there to answer the call from local beverages and curious concoctions at Oga’s Cantina to the incredible experience of eating in a working hangar at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. Whether you’re a Star Wars enthusiast or just a casual fan, there is so much to explore at the Galaxy’s Edge…now open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
