Weekend Preview October 4th - 6th, 2013: Things to Do in Orlando

Orlando-area Oktoberfests aren't over yet, and we're already talking about Halloween. Lucky for you, we've made it easy and marked our Halloween events with our EEK! black bike.

All Weekend

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It's never too early to scream like a little girl for Halloween: this and every weekend until Halloween. Stop by A Petrified Forest: Museum of Mayhem for an outdoor haunted trail complete with live bands, food, and laser tag (obviously). Tickets are $15; 1360 East Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs.

This weekend is the 37th Maitland Rotary Art Festival, titled Art under the Stars. Events are going on Friday (6:00 to 10:00pm), Saturday (10:00am to 10:00pm), and Sunday (10:00am to 5:00pm) at Maitland's Lake Lily and include over 150 artits, live performances, and more.

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What do you get when you combine the previous two events? I would say something similar to Spirits of Sanford, a two-day "Halloween art extravaganza" with "one of a kind Halloween art" (?). If you're feeling fancy, there's a VIP Champagne Reception on Friday (6:00 to 8:00pm, $20). The main exhibit is open Saturday (10:00am to 4:00pm, $5) at the Sanford Civic Center (401 East Seminole Blvd).

Beautiful downtown Winter Garden is celebrating its FREE Music Fest 2013 with three days of indoor and outdoor concerts and activities from Friday to Sunday. See the complete schedule here!

The motto this weekend is Come Out with Pride, and Church Street is kicking off the weekend with the Pride Outdoor Block Party starting Friday at 8:00pm in front of Hamburger Mary's. Saturday, come out to "the most colorful parade in Florida," Orlando's Pride Parade, going on around Lake Eola starting at 4:00pm. Come early, because events around the lake start at noon. The Festival features ten full bars, six beer tents, live music, all culminating in an epic fireworks show over the lake.

Friday, October 4th

It's time for another Date Night at Leu Gardens! See an outdoor showing of Vertigo at 7:30pm, but come early to enjoy the gardens, starting at 6:00pm. $5 adults, $2 children, free for members; don't forget your blanket and a bottle of wine.

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Did you laugh/scream 'til you peed a little while watching Shaun of the Dead? (Be honest, we probably won't tell...) Get a chance to test your movie knowledge at Bikes, Beans & Bordeaux Cafe's Shaun of the Dead Trivia Night, this Friday starting at 7:00pm. 

Palmer's Garden Goods (2611 Corrine Dr) presents its 4th Annual Sip 'n' See, happening from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Check out some of their newest displays and decorations, pick up a pumpkin or three, grab a drink, and snack on some treats. 

It's first Friday, so time for another Faith Arts Village Orlando celebration ~ 5:00 - 9:00pm (221 E Colonial Dr). Head over for original art, entertainment and food from K Burgers, fantastic hummus, Local Yolk'l, and yummy frozen treats from Lulu's Ice Cream AND to take advantage of being outdoors on a gorgeous October night!

Saturday, October 5th

Local do-it-yourself scientists, tech nerds, artists, musicians, and crafters come together at Saturday's Orlando Mini Maker Faire to share what they're learning and what they've been creating as well as give great workshops for the newbs out there. Your ticket (free to $19) includes admission to the rest of the Orlando Science Center.

Free cocktails by some of Orlando's best mixologists? We don't know how they're pulling this off, but stop by Eden Bar at the Enzian (1300 S Orlando Ave) from 2:00 to 4:00pm for free creative cocktails at Eden's Elixir Mixer. Stop by the Enzian itself Sunday at 1:00pm for a showing of Hey Bartender, a film that intimately showcases the world of bartending. 

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Here's another combo to wrap your head around: Zombies + Oktoberfest = ? Why, The Fifth Annual Zombietoberfest, of course! This FREE event is happening in the Audubon Park Garden District (so many events there this weekend!) from 6:00 to 10:00pm and includes everything from "Thriller" dance lessons and zombie yoga to treat bags and costume contests. There will also be drink specials, live music, and vendor booths.

Retro-cats, listen up! Shuffleboard is back this Saturday at Orlando's Beardall Senior Center (800 Delaney Ave) from 7:00 to 9:00pm. Don't let the location fool you: The Orlando Shuffle is an all-ages shuffle-off. This is your chance to slide your way into a new sport for FREE.

This Saturday is Star Wars Reads Day, which celebrates the mountains of yellowed-paged softcovers written about everyone's favorite unnamed galaxy. Stop by Park Ave CD's from noon to 2:30pm for a variety of activities, including readings, crafts, and a costume parade. Alternatively, visit the Barnes & Noble at 2418 E Colonial Dr for more crafts, costumes, trivia, and a guest appearance by Ashley Eckstein, one of the voices behind Star Wars: The Clone Wars. 

From our Oktoberfest post: The German American Society of Central Florida, if for nothing else, is known for its epic Oktoberfest Celebration. A measly $5 donation (kids <12 get in free) gets you into the hottest party in town. Forget Rammstein--Dan Witucki & the Heimatland Musikanten are going to Bring. The. House. Down.

Bring the traditional half-timber house down, that is...

Mikey G. gave us a great tip for Saturday night- Outside Magazine in collaboration with Dick's Sporting Goods is hosting Mountain Film Colege Tour and UCF is on the schedule! They'll be featuring a film called Nord For Sola- about 2 guys who spend 9 months surfing in the Arctic Circle in Norway (yes, surfing. in the arctic circle.) while living off the waste of others. 7:00pm, Visual Arts 132, UCF.

Sunday, October 6th

The Giving Tree at Lake Eola is a special event from 11:30am to 2:30pm where visitors have the chance to buy the wishes of children fighting cancer. Put the wishes on one of the Lake Eola trees; all proceeds benefit Kids Beating Cancer.

And the tree was happy.

Monday Bonus!

This Monday at 7:00pm is the Orlando Weekly's Old Fashioned Cocktail Challenge at Stardust Lounge Orlando. Wear a '20s speakeasy-inspired costume and get free cocktails--and a chance to win a classic Schwinn!

What are you doing this weekend, Orlando? Leave a comment below!