Orlando Unplugged: December News & Updates

December in Orlando brings a season of reflection and anticipation as we celebrate the highlights and events that shaped November. With community initiatives fostering creativity, exciting new venues opening their doors, and the festive spirit lighting up the city, last month was a testament to Orlando’s resilience and innovation. Join us as we explore the stories that made an impact and look forward to what’s in store for the new year.

Originally published on November 29th, 2024. Updated for accuracy.

CANVAS Cultural Arts Plan Invites Community Input

Orange County and Orlando are collaborating on CANVAS, a joint cultural arts master plan aimed at shaping the future of arts and creativity in the region. Residents are encouraged to participate in an online survey to share their thoughts on local arts, public art initiatives, and funding priorities. This initiative represents a significant step in fostering inclusivity and innovation in Orlando's creative community, with public input shaping the region's cultural evolution.

Artists Invited for Black History Month 2025 Display

The City of Orlando is calling on local visual artists to submit works inspired by the theme “African Americans and Labor” for its 2025 Black History Month exhibit. Selected artwork will highlight Black labor's impact across history and industries, offering rich interpretations of the community's contributions. Submissions are open until December 19th, with the exhibit set to run from January 31st to March 30th, 2025, at City Hall’s Terrace Gallery.

BarkHaven Brings a Dog Park Bar to Ivanhoe Village

Ivanhoe Village welcomes BarkHaven, a unique indoor/outdoor dog park bar featuring a coffee bar, grooming services, and a Mediterranean-inspired kitchen by Papi Smash. Guests can purchase daily or monthly passes for their dogs, while human visitors without pets can enter for free. Located along the Orlando Urban Trail, BarkHaven combines a fun, pet-friendly atmosphere with convenience for cyclists and dog lovers alike.

Downtown Orlando Kicks Off Holiday Season with Star Tradition

The Jack Kazanzas Star once again lights up Orange Avenue, marking the start of the holiday season in Downtown Orlando. This 600-pound star, adorned with 4,000 LED lights, continues a cherished tradition dating back to the 1950s. Alongside the star, Ivanhoe Village lit its Happy Holiday Sign during Jingle Eve, spreading festive cheer throughout the community ahead of the holidays.

SoDo Main Street's 10th Annual Light Up SoDo

On December 8th, the SoDo Main Street District invites everyone to its 10th Annual Light Up SoDo celebration at Kimco’s SoDo Shopping Center, presented by Orlando Credit Union. This festive event will feature live DJs, street artists, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, an artisan market, and a beer and wine garden. Attendees can also enjoy a VIP Sip and Stroll, showcasing a curated selection of wines by sommelier Melissa McAvoy of Swirlery. Join the community to celebrate the holiday season in style!

Orlando Hotelier and Philanthropist Harris Rosen Passes Away at 85

Harris Rosen, a beloved Orlando hotelier, philanthropist, and founder of Rosen Hotels and Resorts, has passed away at age 85 due to complications from recent surgery. Rosen’s legacy includes his role in Disney’s hotel development and the creation of UCF's Rosen College of Hospitality Management. His philanthropy touched education, health, and underserved communities. The family has requested privacy during this time.

Priscilla Presley Joins MEGACON Orlando 2025 Line-Up

MEGACON Orlando returns February 6th-9th, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center, featuring stars like Priscilla Presley, Millie Bobby Brown, and Matt Smith. This massive pop-culture event includes cosplay, gaming, and family-friendly activities. Presley will appear all three days alongside other big names like Arrow's Stephen Amell and Smallville's Tom Welling.

Pulse Memorial Committee Develops Concepts for Permanent Tribute

The Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee is finalizing early designs for a permanent memorial at the Pulse Nightclub site. The group, comprising victims' families and survivors, seeks public input on designs that incorporate safety, shading, and preservation of the original building. Updates can be found on their website.

City Food Hall Set to Open in Ivanhoe Village by Mid-December

City Food Hall will reopen in the former Hall on The Yard space in Ivanhoe Village, featuring nine vendors, including Taglish and Ramen Takagi. The revamped venue will offer self-service dining without reservations, addressing complaints from the previous operator. Public programming, including a farmers’ market, will follow.

Winter Park Seeks Feedback on Park Avenue Refresh

Winter Park is planning updates to its iconic Park Avenue and invites the community to share input via an online survey open until December 6th. Suggestions include enhancing shade and transportation options to modernize the corridor while preserving its charm.

Tech Hub Orlando Opens Downtown

A new tech hub has launched in Downtown Orlando, fostering growth for local tech startups. Located at 36 W. Pine Street, the space includes offices, co-working areas, breakout rooms, lecture halls, an auditorium, and an instructional lab. Created through partnerships with UCF Business Incubation Program, Innovate Orlando, and OMG Labs, it also offers support services from organizations like StarterStudio and the Florida High Tech Corridor.

Winter Park Acquires Property on Denning and Fairbanks

Winter Park has purchased the corner of Denning Drive and Fairbanks Avenue for $4 million, aiming to expand Martin Luther King Jr. Park and improve traffic flow. Businesses like Austin’s Coffee and Michelin-starred Soseki restaurant may face uncertain futures despite assurances leases will remain intact. Notably, Soseki owner Michael Collantes invested over $1 million into the property, housing multiple ventures. Leases extend through 2035 but renewal options appear unlikely.

LYNX Launches New Mobile Pay App

LYNX released an enhanced PawPass app on November 18th, replacing its current version. Users must download the new app and reset their passwords. The updated app allows QR code scanning at fareboxes and supports wearables for tap-to-pay convenience. Existing tickets remain valid until January 25th, 2025.

Light On The Sugar Opens in Waterford Lakes

Beloved Winter Park bakery Light On The Sugar has opened a new location in Waterford Lakes Town Center, next to Regal Cinemas. Known for its French-Asian pastries like Matcha and Taro treats, the bakery now offers breakfast croissants alongside its signature baked goods. Hours are Wednesday–Sunday, 11AM–9PM.

New Downtown Bar Opens in Former Crow Space

Matteo Terrasi, known for Bullitt Bar and McQueens Social Lounge, has announced the opening of Sessions, a new sister bar set to debut in Downtown Orlando. The venue will host a soft opening this weekend at 56 E. Pine Street, the former home of Crow and Company. Sessions joins the downtown scene just before the city’s moratorium on new bars takes effect. With its prime location and connection to popular nightlife spots, the bar is expected to be a lively addition to the downtown area.

Orlando Releases Red Light Camera Data

The City of Orlando has released its Red Light Camera Annual Data Report, detailing operations and revenue for July 2023 to June 2024. A total of 58,612 violation notices were issued, with 37,815 being paid, generating $6.8 million in revenue. Expenses, including salaries and vendor fees, accounted for $2.06 million, leaving $763,549 in net revenue. Funds supported local traffic safety projects such as pedestrian crossings, traffic calming designs, and school crossing guards. With 6,412 repeat offenders, the program highlights both safety challenges and the significant role of enforcement in improving traffic conditions.

Science Center Opens Sales for 2025 Beer Festival

The Orlando Science Center has launched ticket sales for its annual Science on Tap beer festival, scheduled for January 25th, 2025. Held in Loch Haven Park, the family-friendly event will feature beer tastings from local breweries, live music, lawn games, and interactive STEM activities for kids. Early bird tickets are priced at $40, with VIP options offering early entry and exclusive perks. Food vendors will also be on-site to enhance the experience. This popular festival blends entertainment with education, promising a memorable day for attendees of all ages.

Disney Reveals Details About Villains Land at Magic Kingdom

Disney’s upcoming Villains-themed land at Magic Kingdom will bring 13 iconic villains to life in an immersive experience like no other. Revealed during D23 in Brazil, the land will include attractions, dining, shopping, and dramatic storytelling where "heroes don’t save the day." Featured characters include Maleficent, Ursula, Jafar, and Cruella de Vil, alongside dark castles and interactive theming. This expansion is part of the park's largest project yet, also introducing a Cars-themed land on Tom Sawyer Island. Construction on these areas is set to begin soon, creating exciting new chapters for Disney fans.

City of Orlando Ends Downtown Curfew but Focuses on “Street Party Atmosphere”

The City of Orlando has announced the end of the Local State of Emergency and curfew put in place after the Halloween weekend tragedy. Starting November 7th, downtown businesses resumed late-night operations, but the city plans to address safety concerns tied to the "street-party atmosphere." Measures include reopening Orange Avenue and nearby streets to limited vehicular traffic starting November 15th. Gradual changes will steer pedestrians toward sidewalks, with the eventual goal of restoring full traffic flow while maintaining public safety. These steps aim to create a safer and more welcoming environment for local businesses and patrons.

Temporary Church Street Parking Spaces Set to Open

The City of Orlando is nearing completion on 150 temporary parking spaces under I-4 to support downtown’s Church Street area, Parramore, and Creative Village. The new lots will offer short-term parking and serve as a central spot for rideshare pickups. These spaces replace some of the 900 public parking spots lost during the I-4 Ultimate construction project. While no official opening date has been announced, construction is almost complete, promising much-needed convenience for visitors and enhancing downtown accessibility.

Local Couple Donates Two Black Swans to Lake Eola

David and Nicole Beyer have generously gifted two Australian Black Swans to Orlando’s Lake Eola Park. The donation helps replenish the park’s swan population, which faced challenges earlier this year due to Avian influenza and predation by a river otter. The swans were released into a special acclimation area to ease their transition into urban life. Lake Eola now boasts five distinct swan breeds, including Trumpeter and Royal Mute, as part of ongoing efforts to maintain its iconic wildlife. This donation complements a recent City Council-approved purchase of additional swans to sustain the park’s charm.