Labor Day is Monday (Sept. 1), providing many Central Floridians with an extra day off to spend with friends and family. The federal holiday honors the American labor movement and the contributions of workers to the United States. To celebrate, here are some suggestions for ways to spend the three-day weekend around Orlando and Central Florida.
Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining is back through Sept. 30 with three-course, prix-fixe meals for $40 or $60 per person at many Central Florida eateries. More than 160 restaurants throughout Central Florida are on the list. Cuisine ranges from seafood to Italian, steak and Japanese. More information: magicaldining.com
Restaurants trot out special dishes to celebrate 20 years of Magical Dining
Raglan Road’s Great Irish Hooley returns with lots of Irish music and cuisine at the Disney Springs restaurant. Guests can once again enjoy craft beer and food while listening to music from Strings & Things, Brídín, The Byrne Brothers and more. Advanced reservations for tables are recommended. Music and merriment happen daily, Aug. 29-Sept. 1, at 1640 Buena Vista Drive in Orlando. More information: raglanroad.com
The Promenade at Sunset Walk hosts a Labor Day weekend street party with live bands, DJs, street performers and more. Situated next to Margaritaville Resort Orlando, Sunset Walk also offers plenty of food options and a car show on Saturday night. Find the free-admission festivities Aug. 29-Sept. 1 at 3251 Margaritaville Blvd. in Kissimmee. More information: sunsetwalk.com
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex hosts “Kennedy Under the Stars” with a spacey after-hours event. Guests can explore a techno glow party, a costume contest, “cosmic glow” mini golf, astronaut meet-and-greets, live performers and themed food and drinks. Tickets are $65 and include parking. Visitors can also explore the main campus attractions and experiences during the event, which starts at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30 at Space Commerce Way in Merritt Island. More information: kennedyspacecenter.com/event/kennedy-under-the-stars
The moon rises over the neon sign of the Silver Moon Drive-In near Lakeland. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Silver Moon Drive-In in Lakeland hosts a special screening of “Jaws” in celebration of the film’s 50th anniversary. The movie screens nightly at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 29-Sept. 4. Tickets are $8 for ages 10 and older and $3 for children ages 4-9. Visitors ages 4 and younger enter for free. The theatre is at 4100 New Tampa Highway in Lakeland. More information: silvermoondrivein.com
Boxi Park Lake Nona presents a Labor Day weekend celebration with live music, entertainment, food and drinks. The family-friendly festivities go on daily Aug. 28-Sept. 1 at 6877 Tavistock Lakes Blvd. in Orlando. More information: boxiparklakenona.com
Disney On Ice presents “Jump In!” this weekend at the Kia Center with six shows to dazzle fans of all ages. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29; 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Aug. 30; 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Aug. 31 at 400 W. Church St. in Orlando. More information: disneyonice.com
Characters and scenes from ‘Fallout,’ a Prime Video series, will be featured in a haunted house at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights. (Courtesy Universal Orlando)
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios begins this weekend for the 34th year of scares, complete with 10 haunted houses, four scare zones and live shows. Explore the gore on select nights in September, October and the first weekend of November. Single-night tickets for the after-hours event start at $85.99 per person. The frightening festivities kick off Aug. 29 at 6000 Universal Blvd. in Orlando. More information: universalorlando.com
Leu Gardens offers free admission to Orlando’s 50-acre botanical oasis on Sept. 1, sponsored by Massey Services and Orlando Health. The outdoor green space is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 1 at 1920 N. Forest Ave. in Orlando. More information: leugardens.org
A Labor Day 5K presented by Southern Timing will celebrate the American worker with a run around Lake Baldwin. The 6th annual event pays tribute to the roots of Labor Day, which is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of the country’s workforce. Registration discounts are available for active-duty military, veterans and first responders. Registration starts at $45 or $20 for participants age 17 and younger. The race kicks off at 8 a.m. Sept. 1 at 4990 New Broad St. in Orlando. More information: laborday5korl.com
Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/28/labor-day-in-orlando-events-things-to-do-this-weekend/

