Summertime is upon us, and as our days stretch longer, the sun shines even brighter on our favorite spot in The City Beautiful!
There are endless ways to make a summer trip to Orlando’s Most Dynamic Neighborhood one for the books.
If you’ll be visiting International Drive this July, fire up your summer fun at these special events!
Grab a bite during Bite30!
Bite30 is an annual event presented by Publix’s Aprons Cooking School and is a foodie-favorite in Orlando! If you’re hoping to try some of the unique and delicious dining spots around Orlando and International Drive for a great price, you don’t want miss it!
Through July 10th, participating restaurants around Orlando will be offering a multi-course prix fixe meal for just $33 per person. Bite30 is a win-win, allowing diners to try multiple dishes for about the cost of a single entree, while letting restaurants showcase their specialty dishes to new customers!
This year three popular I-Drive dining spots are participating; Mia’s Italian Kitchen, Taverna Opa at The Pointe, and Tapa Toro Orlando at ICON Park. See all of the restaurants participating and their Bite30 menus here and enjoy restaurant-hopping through the City Beautiful as you experience the delicious food, stellar service, and unique ambiance of the restaurants you really should know.
Summer Fun!
If you’re looking for some good old-fashioned summer fun that the whole family can get in on, many of Orlando’s beloved attractions have put together special summer events for you to enjoy during your visit this July!
Credit: seaworldorlandoFacebook
SeaWorld Orlando’s Electric Ocean
No trip to I-Drive is complete without a stop at SeaWorld Orlando, and this summer when the sun goes down, the night fires up during their Electric Ocean celebration!
Immerse yourself in the mysteries of the sea through up-close animal discoveries, amazing attractions, and unforgettable performances by day, and then stay late to plunge into exotic worlds of light and music and experience your favorite SeaWorld attractions in a whole new way! Join playful, glowing sea creatures and world-class DJs for a family-friendly dance party beneath the waves. And of course, end the night with Ignite, their famous Electric Ocean fireworks and fountains spectacular that brings the brilliance of the sea to the sky above.
If you’re looking to put a charge into your summer fun in Orlando, Electric Ocean is can’t-miss event!
Credit: FunSpotAmericaFacebook
Fun Spot America
Fun Spot America’s HUGE Summer Event is a sun-sational event for all ages! Snap pics at their all-new Foto Spots as you explore tropical decor throughout the park, and fuel your fun with seasonal food and beverages, exclusive to the summer season! This is a family-friendly event that offers families the perfect way to kick back and have some good, clean FUN and the best part? Most of it is FREE! If you want to experience this special summer event in addition to all of the coaster, rides, and games that call Fun Spot America home, simply purchase a Single Day Fun Pass today!
They’ll be turning up the heat on summer fun through September 5th. Get the details today.
What’s a summer without a luau?
Credit: WantilanLuauEventbrite
Wantilan Luau
Hawaiians have used luau gatherings to celebrate important milestones and special occasions for generations, and this month on I-Drive Wantilan Luau will give you a chance to experience the tradition firsthand with an evening of authentic Polynesian food and entertainment!
Every Saturday through September 10th, head to Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando https://www.internationaldriveorlando.com/events/wantilan-luau.html to enjoy a weekly dinner show with a tropical all-you-can-eat-buffet (complete with a pit-roasted pig), and live music with captivating hula and fire dancers that will make you feel as if you’re at a true island party!
Can’t get enough hula dancing?
On July 23 and 24th, head to Wyndham Orlando Resort I-Drive to catch the Ho’Ike Hawai’i 23rd Annual Hula Competition!
The only event of its kind in the Eastern U.S, this two-day Hawaiian Hula competition focuses on the unique cultural dance traditions, costumes, and music styles of the islands of Hawai’i, Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand, and Tonga. Whether you want to participate and show your talent and love for the culture, or you simply want to come out and watch some amazingly skilled hula dancers, this event will surely have you feeling like you’ve taken a trip to a tropical island. Get all the details here.
Orange County Convention Center
Hoping to catch a conference at the second-largest convention center in the U.S during your trip? This month two special events are taking over the OCCC.
For the car enthusiasts, plan to head to the Orange County Convention Center from July 6th through the 9th to catch Mecum Auctions Auto Collector Auction is a summer special event featuring 1,500 cars! From muscle cars to custom vintage vehicles and modern supercars, you’ll find a large variety of specialty cars crossing the auction block during this special event. Get the details here.
Then, from July 9th through the 15th experience the Orlando International Film Festival 2022! The Orlando International Film Festival, Inc (OIFF) Lions Club is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates an exciting opportunity for filmmakers, distributors, content creators in all genres, technology companies, and audiences to network and share ideas in Orlando, Florida! With a firm belief that the movie industry will strive in an environment where a diversity of cultures can display their creative talents at an event where they can share ideas, learn about the latest technology in their field and compete with their peers, the Orlando International Film Festival was born.
In addition to an awards ceremony for films submitted, OIFF will also host workshops, and exhibits, and hold interviews where upcoming filmmakers can mingle with more experience filmmakers in the industry and make connections. Get all details and plan to hit this popular event during your visit to Orlando this July!
Live Entertainment
Year-round there is no shortage of live entertainment on I-Drive, but this July some special performances are happening that you’re not going to want to miss!
Credit: TinRoofOrlandoFLFacebook
Tin Roof Orlando at ICON Park Orlando is hosting two performances this month during their Nashville Hits the Roof Series. This free event will be going on through July 21st and features the next big stars to come out of Music City performing live right here on I-Drive!
- July 7th – Bexar with special guest Dave Kuncio at 7:30 pm
- July 16th – Skyelor Anderson at 7 pm
- July 21st – Halle Kearns at 8 pm
Learn about each of these up-and-coming artists and plan to catch them performing live alongside good grub and ice-cold brews at Tin Roof Orlando this July!
Credit: Left: OrlandoImprovFacebook | Right: hardrockliveorlandoFacebook
Laugh your way through your Orlando vacation with a trip to Orlando Improv this month, where you’ll find a large variety of different comedians taking the mic for a dinner show experience that will leave your belly full of laughs and delicious grub.
With over 10 comedians scheduled to take the stage this July, no matter what your sense of humor, you’re sure to find a good laugh and a night out to remember at Orlando Improv. See their full schedule of performances for July here.
Finally, make your summer a Rock ’n Roll Summer at Hard Rock Live! If you’re looking to catch the biggest names in music and comedy, a trip to the “Coliseum of Rock ‘n Roll is a must!
This month they’re hosting various exciting acts, like on July 30th Fitz and the Tantrums and Andy Grammer! See a full lineup of artists taking the stage at Hard Rock Live this July and prepare to be star struck!
With long sunny days and warm late-summer nights, Orlando’s Most Dynamic Neighborhood is the perfect place to be if you’re looking for endless summer fun for everyone in your group!
Keep these special events in mind as you plan your visit to International Drive this July! Stay tuned on everything going down on I-Drive this summer using our events calendar, and enjoy your sweetest summer yet in the heart of the action in Orlando!