{"id":146490,"date":"2026-02-06T20:39:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T20:39:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/146490\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T20:39:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T20:39:07","slug":"weekend-digest-central-florida-feb-7-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/146490\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekend Digest Central Florida Feb. 7 &#038; 8"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Your weekend is here, Central Florida! Here&#8217;s a look at the news and what events are going on in the area.<\/p>\n<p>With ridging set to remain in place through early next week, we&#8217;ll warm up each day through the weekend. Expect the upper 60s Saturday and the lower 70s by Sunday. Next week, ridging will be replaced with an even more expansive high pressure center, allowing us to remain dry and warm \u2014 returning to the 80s for the first time since late January.<\/p>\n<p>With a growing drought and no real rain chance in sight, expect growing fire concerns over the next seven days. Practice good fire safety and never burn when burn bans are in place. Additionally, dispose of cigarettes properly, if you&#8217;re towing a vehicle make sure the chain is lifted off the ground, and if a fire does break out follow all guidance by local officials.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/27287day_1_.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"hashed-image\" img-data-alignment=\"center\" img-data-width=\"percent-hundred\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/baynews9.com\/weather\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Take a look at your hour-by-hour forecast<\/a><\/p>\n<p>THEME PARKS<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universalorlando.com\/web\/en\/us\/things-to-do\/events\/mardi-gras\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval<\/a><br \/>Ongoing until April 4 |\u00a0Enjoy a spectacular parade on select nights, outrageous street performers, vibrant music, colorful costumes and countless beads flying through the air. You can savor mouthwatering food including authentic Cajun specialties and flavors from around the world available for purchase.<\/p>\n<p>ORANGE<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drphillipscenter.org\/events\/tickets\/2026\/harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Harry Potter and the Cursed Child<\/a> <br \/>Ongoing unitl Feb. 15 | Various Showtimes |\u00a0Join the next adventure and experience the wizarding world like never before with this record-breaking hit and winner of six Tony Awards including Best Play at the Dr. Phillips Center.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtownorlando.com\/Fun\/Events\/Chalk-Festival-2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">DTO Live! Chalk Art Festival<\/a><br \/>Saturday | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Watch as more than 30 talented artists transform our streets into temporary masterpieces &#8211; and grab some chalk yourself to join the fun.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kiacenter.com\/events\/detail\/orlando-magic-vs-utah-jazz-020726\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">India Day: Orlando Magic vs. Utah Jazz<\/a><br \/>Saturday | 7 p.m. |\u00a0The NBA&#8217;s Orlando Magic go head-to-head with the Utah Jazz at Kia Center. Experience the color and vibrancy of Indian culture through music, dance, and community celebration.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/lake-nona-live-tribute-music-festival-tickets-1955756974759?aff=VisitOrlando\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Lake Nona Live Tribute Festival<\/a> <br \/>Saturday | 1 to 11 p.m. |\u00a0All-day live music, amazing food &amp; drinks, and one-of-a-kind outdoor stage experience that brings you closer than ever to the artists. This family friendly event is fun for all ages.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/attend.ocls.org\/event\/15152761\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">OCLS Chinese New Year Celebration<\/a><br \/>Saturday | 11 a.m. to Noon |\u00a0Celebrate Chinese New Year with The Chinese School of CAACF, Inc. and explore Chinese New Year traditions.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/secure.qgiv.com\/event\/2026pawsinthepark\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Paws in the Park<\/a><br \/>Saturday | 10 a.m. | Head to\u00a0Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando for the largest pet festival in the country\u2014Paws in the Park!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.purplepride5k.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Purple Pride 5K<\/a><br \/>Saturday | 8 a.m. |\u00a0With Inter&amp;Co Stadium as the backdrop, runners will start the race outside of Inter&amp;Co Stadium, running through the local community before finishing on the sideline of the field inside the stadium.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.orlandoshakes.org\/show\/romeo-and-juliet\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Romeo &amp; Juliet at Orlando Shakes<\/a><br \/>Ongoing until Feb. 8 |\u00a0In a violent world, their families enmeshed in a bloody feud, young Romeo and Juliet fall in love. Despite the many obstacles standing in their way, they\u2019re determined to find a happily ever after together. Will their love succeed, despite the odds?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veganblockparty.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Vegan Block Party<\/a><br \/>Saturday | 3 to 9 p.m. | Celebrate a festival day &amp; indulge in a utopia of eclectic cuisines, craft goods, merchandise, activism, art, and so much more.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cityofwinterpark.org\/residents-guests\/things-to-enjoy\/arts-culture\/arts-weekend\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Winter Park Arts Weekend<\/a><br \/>All Weekend |\u00a0Dozens of community events and performances at Central Park\u2019s Main Stage and many cultural venues throughout the city will showcase the vibrancy of Winter Park\u2019s art scene.<\/p>\n<p>BREVARD<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/spacewalkoffame.org\/events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">American Space Museum &#8211; Space Memorabilia Show<\/a><br \/>Saturday | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |\u00a0Calling all space enthusiasts and collectors! Embark on a journey through the annals of space exploration as we showcase an array of captivating artifacts and collectibles.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/vanfestusa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">VanFest &#8211; Vanlife Expo<\/a><br \/>All Weekend | 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. |\u00a0Whether you\u2019re already on the road, looking for your inspiration to get out there, or are just van-curious, VanFEst is THE PLACE TO BE to experience vanlife up close. Discover new possibilities and connect with a creative community built on freedome and purpose.<\/p>\n<p>FLAGLER<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/flagler-strong-tailgate-stroll-tickets-1980650682509\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Flagler Strong Tailgate Stroll<\/a><br \/>Saturday | Noon to 5 p.m. | An upbeat, in-person event where you can stroll around downtown Flagler Beach, sample food and drinks from local establishments andenjoy some great vibes<\/p>\n<p>OSCEOLA<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/KissimmeeMainStreet\/posts\/pfbid02rck3tVbxzSB25zbkBN7RaEk6UtGBsB41zNDHsaSKjrYCQaQCm8o97qN4hosH26eBl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">United in Rhythm<\/a><br \/>Saturday | Noon | Get ready for the\u00a0unveiling of a powerful new mural by internationally renowned artist Don Rimx in Kissimmee. This is more than a reveal it\u2019s a celebration of culture, community, and artistic legacy.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sunsetwalk.com\/events\/big-game-watch-party\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Super Bowl Watch Party<\/a><br \/>Sunday | 2 to 11 p.m. | Head to Promenade at Sunset Walk for all the pre-game and Big Game programming.<\/p>\n<p>LAKE AND SUMTER<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/discoverlakefl.com\/calendar\/27075\/weekends-at-the-winery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Weekends at the Winery<\/a><br \/>Saturday |\u00a0Noon to 4 p.m.\u00a0|\u00a0Enjoy an expansive vineyard green, including delicious food, live entertainment, and of course Lakeridge wines at an outdoor bar in Clermont.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/sumter-county-farmers-market-inc\/sumter-county-cattlemens-cracker-dinner\/1356177725426491\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sumter County Cattlemens Cracker Dinner<\/a><br \/>Saturday | 6 to 10 p.m. |\u00a0Come enjoy a fun-filled night of great food, fellowship, and Florida tradition featuring a mouthwatering menu of venison, mullet, Florida\u2019s famous swamp cabbage, and a variety of other delicious wild game dishes.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/lake-concert-band-in-the-amphitheater-tickets-1962631133553\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Lake Concert Band In the Amphitheater<\/a><br \/>Saturday | Noon to 1 p.m. |\u00a0Enjoy a magical afternoon with the Lake Concert Band! Relax outdoors and soak in beautiful music and nature\u2019s charm at the amphitheater.<\/p>\n<p>MARION<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.strideevents.com\/events\/spokes-european-circus-ocala\/2026\/tickets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Spokes European Circus<\/a><br \/>Ongoing until Feb. 8 |\u00a0Witness thrills, romance, and comedy, in one of the oldest and most honest art forms remaining.<\/p>\n<p>SEMINOLE<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seminoleculturalarts.org\/tastearts.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Taste of the Arts Gala<\/a><br \/>Saturday | 6 to 9 p.m. |\u00a0This premiere event celebrates\u00a0the arts in Seminole County by showcasing fine arts, preforming arts, and culinary arts as well as highlighting local cultural groups dedicated to literary, historical, archaeological, and heritage projects.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/seminolecounty.librarycalendar.com\/event\/meet-firefighter-ages-3-8-families-northwest-29237\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Meet a Firefighter at Northwest Library<\/a><br \/>Saturday | 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. |\u00a0Firefighters will show everyone their specialized gear, and at the end, everyone will be able to check out the firetruck outside.\u00a0Geared toward ages 3-8 &amp; families.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dreamlandamusements.com\/upcoming-events-amusement-carnival\/oviedo-mall-carnival\/?utm_source=PRMG&amp;utm_medium=Organic+Social&amp;utm_campaign=PRMG\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Oviedo Mall Winter Carnival<\/a><br \/>All Weekend |\u00a0There&#8217;s something for everyone at this family-fun event, from thrilling midway rides and games for all ages to favorite fair food for every appetite.<\/p>\n<p>VOLUSIA<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/clashendurance.com\/pages\/daytonabeachhalf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Daytona Beach Half Marathon &amp; 5K<\/a><br \/>Saturday | The course will begin at Daytona International Speedway and travel by Daytona Beach landmarks such as: Bethune-Cookman University, Riverfront Esplanade, Jackie Robinson Ballpark, and the Motorsports Hall of Fame. Then back to finish at One Daytona.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gold.cirqueitalia.com\/events\/1508_Water-Circus-Atlantis-Daytona-Beach-FL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cirque Italia Water Circus<\/a><br \/>All Weekend |\u00a0From the magic of water stages to the thrills of the paranormal, Cirque Italia transforms each city into a celebration of art, emotion, and wonder, redefining entertainment with unforgettable experiences at every stop.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.volusiapride.org\/love-is-love-pride-fest\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Love is Love Pride Fest in DeLand<\/a><br \/>Saturday | 2 to 11 p.m. |\u00a0Volusia Pride brings the community together in the heart of DeLand for our annual Love is Love Pride Fest &#8211; a joyful, affirming celebration of LGBTQ+ identity, unity, and resilience.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/february-2026-florida-surf-film-festival-tickets-1980677290093?aff=ebdiglgoogleliveevents&amp;source=ecat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">February 2026 Florida Surf Film Festival<\/a><br \/>Saturday | 5 to 11:30 p.m. | An incredible line-up of films with all new work by filmmaker, Chris Benchetler, and Julian and Joaquin Azulay, otherwise known as Gauchos del Mar.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/athensdeland.com\/event\/22273\/2026-01-23\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Disney&#8217;s Alice in Wonderland, Jr. at Athens Theatre<\/a><br \/>Ongoing until Feb. 8 | A playful journey through a world where nonsense reigns and imagination knows no bounds. Prepare to be swept away in this madcap adventure that\u2019s as delightfully unpredictable as Wonderland itself!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/volusiaspeedwaypark.com\/schedule\/event-info\/?event=4547967\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park<\/a><br \/>Ongoing until Feb. 14 |\u00a0Kick off the racing season with three thrilling weeks of racing in Florida at the &#8220;World&#8217;s Fastest Half-Mile,&#8221; Volusia Speedway Park, with three weeks of the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, showcasing the nation&#8217;s premier short-track racing divisions.<\/p>\n<p>For more events going on in your area, check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/mynews13.com\/fl\/orlando\/calendar\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Community Calendar<\/a><\/p>\n<p>1.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mynews13.com\/fl\/orlando\/news\/2026\/02\/04\/ryan-routh-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-for-trump-assassination-attempt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ryan Routh sentenced to life in prison for attempted assassination of President Trump<\/a><br \/>\n2.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mynews13.com\/fl\/orlando\/news\/2026\/02\/05\/orange-county-to-implement-new-guidelines-to-limit-number-of-ice-detainees-housed-at-the-county-jail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Demings announces cap on ICE detainees at Orange County Jail after recent surge<\/a><br \/>\n3.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mynews13.com\/fl\/orlando\/news\/2026\/02\/06\/marion-county-fire\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Crews work to remove railroad ties after massive Dunnellon fire sparks health concerns<\/a><br \/>\n4.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mynews13.com\/fl\/orlando\/news\/2026\/02\/03\/house-vote-government-shutdown\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Trump signs spending package, ending partial shutdown<\/a><br \/>\n5.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mynews13.com\/fl\/orlando\/news\/2026\/02\/02\/punxsutawney-phil-groundhog-day-more-winter-2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Punxsutawney Phil is said to have seen his shadow, forecasting 6 more weeks of wintry weather<\/a><br \/>\n6.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mynews13.com\/fl\/orlando\/news\/2026\/02\/03\/florida-state-fair-guide-2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Florida State Fair Guide 2026: Dates, entertainment, food and more<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mynews13.com\/fl\/orlando\/news\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tap\/Click here for more headlines<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ugc_fc7af659-0267-49c5-aa64-521fda89ba70.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"hashed-image image\" img-data-alignment=\"center\" img-data-width=\"percent-hundred\" loading=\"lazy\" img-data-caption=\"Viewer: Tom Pemrick | Location: Edgewater\" img-data-wrap-text=\"true\" img-data-editing=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Viewer: Tom Pemrick | Location: Edgewater<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/baynews9.com\/weatherphotos\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Share your weather photos with us!<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Your weekend is here, Central Florida! Here&#8217;s a look at the news and what events are going on&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":144659,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[115,139,141,140,275,9593],"class_list":{"0":"post-146490","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-orlando","8":"tag-news","9":"tag-orlando","10":"tag-orlando-headlines","11":"tag-orlando-news","12":"tag-spectrum-news-staff","13":"tag-weekend-briefing"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/146490","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=146490"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/146490\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/144659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=146490"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=146490"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=146490"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}