Special Events

DISNEY ON ICE

Through Sept. 1: Mickey and his pals are rocking the DJ table as they remix favorite Disney tunes while a cast of characters glide into the spotlight. And it all gets a little bit crazier when guest DJ Stitch does the cutting and scratching. 1 & 5 p.m. Kia Center, 400 W. Church St., Orlando. 407-440-7900. kiacenter.com

Meet Oogie Boogie, the sisters from Hocus Pocus and more of your favorite spooks at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Matt Stroshane, ©2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

Leu Gardens’ Happy Frights and Haunting Nights offers families
two distinctive, interactive
Halloween experiences. Photo by ©Quay Hu

Through Oct. 31: Yes, it’s time once again when the folks at Disney gently spook your little ones on select nights in the Magic Kingdom. Enjoy the not-terribly terrifying parades, stage shows, special effects, projections, music, fireworks and foods. 7 p.m. Separately ticketed event. Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista. disneyworld.disney.go.com

HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS

Through Nov. 3: They’re killin’ it at Universal Studios, where evil minds have conjured the best of the worst experiences money can buy, including 10 haunted houses, five scare zones, outrageous live shows and crypt loads of themed food, beverages and merch. Haunted houses are inspired by the biggest names in horror: The Further, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and A Quiet Place, among others. Separately ticketed event, recommended for 13 and older. 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando. 407-363-8000. universalorlando.com

SEAWORLD HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR

Through Nov. 3: A special, not-so-scary celebration of the spooky season for the entire family, with trick-or-treat stations and silly Halloween characters. SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 SeaWorld Drive. 407-545-5550. seaworld.com

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

Through Nov. 18: Explore the world of culinary treasures on a leisurely tour of marketplaces featuring authentic global foods and beverages while enjoying the sights and sounds at entertainment spots throughout the World Showcase. Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista. disneyworld.disney.go.com

SEAWORLD HOWL-O-SCREAM

Sept. 6-Nov. 2: Legend has it, the only thing missing from this scary experience is a place to hide. Treat yourself to a night of screams across the park in five haunted houses and seven scare zones. Catch your last breath at one of five themed bars and indulge in seasonal bites and desserts. Separately ticketed event on select nights, intended for mature guests only. SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 SeaWorld Drive. 407-545-5550. seaworld.com

WAIT WAIT . . . DON’T TELL ME!

Sept. 6: NPR’s Peabody Award-winning comedy news show rolls into town with host Peter Sagal leading a rotating panel of comedians, writers, celebrities and fans of the show in a review of the week’s news. 8 p.m. The Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando. 407-228-1220. plazaliveorlando.org

SPIDER-MAN—ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE IN CONCERT

Sept. 7: Get caught up in the excitement of the Spider-verse as the movie plays in high definition on an enormous screen while the soundtrack is performed by a full orchestra. 2 & 7 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-358-6603. drphillipscenter.org

REPTICON

Sept. 7-8: Animals from around the world are on display and for sale at this two-day expo, along with habitats, food and other essentials. Learn all you need to know about your new pet directly from the animal experts on site. Saturday 9 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m. Osceola Heritage Events Center, 1901 Chief Osceola Trail, Kissimmee. 321-697-3333. repticon.com

EIGHTH ANNUAL BEST OF SANFORD READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS GALA

Sept. 10: Sanford celebrates the city’s best in an evening honoring standouts in business, industry, volunteer work and more. Proceeds benefit Love Mission, a Sanford-based organization combatting human trafficking. 5 p.m. Ritz Theater at Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford. 407-321-8111. ritztheatersanford.com

ALTERED BOY WITH DARIENNE LAKE

Sept. 13: The show’s title is a nod to two of the defining elements in Lake’s life: growing up in a large Catholic family and the life and adventures of a drag queen. Lake is an alum of reality show “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and has crafted a stand-up comedy routine that is both touching and entertaining. 8 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-358-6603. drphillipscenter.org

DEFIANT REQUIEM—VERDI AT TEREZIN

Sept. 14: Opera Orlando presents this program created with footage from a Nazi propaganda film and the video testimony of Jewish prisoners in the concentration camp Theresienstadt, who performed Verdi’s Requiem 16 times amid the nightmare they were living. Murry Sidlin, president of the Defiant Requiem Foundation, will conduct the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Opera Orlando Chorus and members of Orlando Sings in this extraordinary performance. 7:30 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-358-6603. drphillipscenter.org

GLOBAL PEACE FILM FESTIVAL

Sept. 17-22: Celebrate the U.N.-sanctioned International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, and explore the 22nd Annual Global Peace Film Festival, which presents a selection of feature and short films at various locations in Winter Park. Highlighted themes include civil and human rights, environmental justice, immigration, LGBTQ+, music and social justice. Visit website for times and locations. Watch virtual screenings Sept. 23-Oct. 1 on website. peacefilmfest.org

MY BROTHER, MY BROTHER AND ME

Sept. 21: The McElroy brothers will take your questions now. And turn them into hilarious advice on how to live your best life. Besides being brothers, Justin, Travis and Griffen are authors and highly active podcasters who just want to help all their non-brothers get through modern life. 7:30 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-358-6603. drphillipscenter.org

THE SECOND CITY

Sept. 27-29: Many comedy greats honed their wit on the stages of The Second City over its 65-year (so far) existence, including Bill Murray, Eugene Levy, Tina Fey and Keegan-Michael Key. This anniversary show features material from their archives, brought back to life by an all-star ensemble. Friday, Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-358-6603. drphillipscenter.org

Leu Gardens’ Happy Frights and Haunting Nights offers families
two distinctive, interactive
Halloween experiences. Photo by ©Quay Hu

HAPPY FRIGHTS HAUNTING NIGHTS

Sept. 27-Oct. 31: Leu Gardens is once again teaming up with the magicians at Creative City Project and Memoir Agency for another season of immersive Halloween experiences. Choose Happy Frights, beginning at 5 p.m., for the youngsters or Haunting Nights, starting at 8 p.m., for adventurers 13 years and up. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando.
407-246-2620. halloweeninthegarden.com

CAPOEIRA CULTURAL EVENT AND BATIZADO

Sept. 28: Delve into the mental and physical journey that is capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art that incorporates dance, athleticism, acrobatic maneuvers and music, at this annual batizado celebrating Brazil’s rich cultural history. 10 a.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-358-6603. drphillipscenter.org

KISSIMMEE HOME & GARDEN SHOW

Sept. 28-29: Get your home improvement projects into gear with inspiration from gardening gurus, artisans and local and national contractors. Saturday 10 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. Osceola Heritage Events Center, 1901 Chief Osceola Trail, Kissimmee. 321-697-3333. kissimmeehomeandgardenshow.com

MACBETH

Oct. 25 & 27: This Shakespeare classic opens Opera Orlando’s 2024-25 season. Friday, 7:30 p.m; Sunday, 2 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-358-6603. drphillipscenter.org