ORLANDO, Fla. – If you’re looking for ways to kick off the weekend in Central Florida, there’s no shortage of exciting events happening across Orlando and beyond.
Whether you want to dive under the sea with mermaids, celebrate World Turtle Day, dance at a glow-filled water park party, experience live music, or explore one of the nation’s biggest collectibles conventions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
From family-friendly adventures to adults-only nightlife and live entertainment, here’s a look at some of the biggest events happening around Central Florida this weekend.
🧜♀️ Mermaid Dives at SEA LIFE Orlando
📅 Dates: Select weekends throughout May and Memorial Day Weekend📍 Location: SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium at ICON Park, International Drive, Orlando
Dive into an underwater fairytale during Mermaid Dives at SEA LIFE Orlando. This limited-time experience features professional mermaids swimming alongside sharks, stingrays, rescued sea turtles, and eels inside the aquarium’s massive Atlantic Ocean habitat. Guests can watch the performers free-dive through the 360-degree ocean tunnel and enjoy interactive Mermaid Meet & Greets inside the Enchanted Grotto, where families can hear ocean stories, take photos, and meet the mermaids up close. The event is included with regular aquarium admission and is perfect for families looking for a unique adventure.
🐢 World Turtle Day
📅 Date: May 23⏰ Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.📍 Location: Brevard Zoo
Celebrate World Turtle Day with hands-on activities and educational experiences focused on turtle conservation and care. Guests can explore veterinary exhibits, learn how turtle habitats are created, and meet resident turtles during live chats and demonstrations. Families can also create paper turtle crafts, discover how veterinarians care for injured turtles, and learn about the adaptations that help turtles survive in the wild. It’s a fun and educational event for animal lovers of all ages.
🔵 Blue Man Group Orlando
📍 Location: ICON Park, Orlando🎟️ Tickets: Starting at $62, including taxes and fees
The Blue Man Group brings its world-famous performance to Orlando with a high-energy show that combines comedy, music, technology, and audience interaction. Featuring the iconic blue-painted performers, the production delivers nonstop entertainment through drumming, theatrical effects, and immersive visuals. The family-friendly experience is known for its unique mix of humor and live performance that keeps audiences engaged from beginning to end.
🌊 Island Nights 21+ at Island H2O Water Park
📍 Location: Island H2O Water Park, Kissimmee
Island Nights transforms Island H2O Water Park into an adults-only nighttime party experience. Guests ages 21 and older can enjoy nighttime rides on water slides, float along the lazy river, and dance at glow-in-the-dark foam parties while DJs provide live entertainment throughout the evening. Specialty cocktails and themed drinks are also available, creating the ultimate summer night out atmosphere under the stars.
🎴 Collect-A-Con Orlando
📍 Location: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando
Collect-A-Con, the nation’s largest traveling trading card and pop culture convention, is bringing together collectors, anime fans, and gaming enthusiasts in Orlando. Guests can browse hundreds of vendors selling Pokémon cards, sports memorabilia, Funko Pops, comic books, vintage toys, and collectibles. The convention also features celebrity appearances, meet-and-greets, live box breaks, Q&A sessions, and on-site card grading services, making it a must-visit event for fans and collectors alike.
🎶 19th Annual Hurricane Party Music Festival
📅 Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026⏰ Time: Noon – 2 a.m.📍 Location: Historic Downtown Sanford (Centered at West End Trading Company, 202 S. Sanford Ave.)
The Hurricane Party Music Festival returns to Downtown Sanford for a full day of live ska and punk music featuring more than 30 bands across multiple stages. This year’s lineup includes Against All Authority, Mustard Plug, The Toasters, The Supervillains, and reunion performances from The Spitvalves and Skif Dank. The festival creates an energetic street-party atmosphere filled with live music, food, and entertainment throughout the day and into the night.