The Citrus Bowl is the seventh-oldest collegiate bowl game in the United States. Watching the annual Central Florida match-up is a New Year’s tradition for many college football fans.
The Citrus Bowl has hosted a Big Ten and a Southeastern Conference (SEC) team each year since 1993. In 2022, the Northwestern Wildcats secured a victory against the Auburn Tigers with a score of 35-19. As the college football season heats up, so do the bowl projections.
Currently projected 2023 Citrus Bowl opponents include:
Minnesota v. Ole Miss (ESPN)
Purdue Ole Miss (CBS Sports)
Illinois v. Ole Miss (Sporting News)
Maryland v. Ole Miss (Sports Illustrated)
Penn State Mississippi State (Action Network)
Cheer On Your Team at Pointe Orlando
A pep rally is the perfect place to show your school spirit and kick off the festivities.
Join the Citrus Bowl Pep Rally at Pointe Orlando on Sunday, January 1, 2023, starting at 4 p.m. Both teams’ head coaches, bands, and cheer squads will be in attendance to pump fans up and get everyone excited for the game.
Experience the FanFest
The Citrus Bowl FanFest is the best way to pregame. The ultimate Citrus Bowl tailgating party begins at 9 a.m. on game day. The free event at Tinker Field will include interactive games, face painting, live entertainment, and snacks and drinks from local vendors.
Kickoff for the 2023 VRBO Citrus Bowl is at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 2, 2023.
Score On Your Stay at Rosen Plaza
Be the ultimate game day champion when you book your Orlando vacation at Rosen Shingle Creek.
Our hotel is a preferred partner of the Citrus Bowl. We provide affordable luxury and comfortable amenities. Our location near International Drive puts you close to Camping World Stadium, Pointe Orlando, and Orlando’s top restaurants, bars, and attractions.
Its buffet menu offers a rotating selection of traditional German fare. On a given day, you might feast on schnitzel, bratwurst, and rotisserie chicken. You’ll then indulge in desserts such as Bavarian cheesecake and apple strudel. Guests 21+ can also taste wine or German beer served in a large stein.
While you dine, enjoy entertainment from German musicians. They’ll perform live on the accordion, glockenspiel, bells, and alphorns.
Boston Lobster Feast
Boston Lobster Feast brings a taste of New England to Orlando with its “World’s Famous Feast” seafood buffet.
The cold bar includes a variety of seafood salads. The raw bar offers Boston favorites like steamer clams and oysters on the half shell. You’ll also enjoy unlimited whole steamed lobster and plenty of dessert options.
Mito Sushi & Grill
If you’re looking for an Asian buffet with a unique twist, look no further than Mito Sushi & Grill. Their new all-you-can-eat menu runs all day and includes six courses. Start with authentic soups, salads, and appetizers. Next, enjoy sashimi, sushi, and special roll combinations.
Dessert is also included, so be sure to save room!
Camila’s Restaurant
There’s no better place to have an authentic Brazilian meal in Orlando than at Camila’s Restaurant.
Camila’s offers a flavorful selection of soups, sides, and American and Brazilian entrées. Their buffet changes every day, so each visit is a unique experience.
Café Osceola Buffet
Café Osceola at Rosen Shingle Creek does breakfast buffets like nowhere else in Orlando. Their world-class chefs have created a splendid spread of cereals, baked goods, and specialty items. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it at Café Osceola.
Enjoy a Full Stay at Rosen Shingle Creek
When visiting Central Florida, book a room at Rosen Shingle Creek. Our hotel is near International Drive and provides affordable comfort and luxurious amenities.
We’re conveniently close to some of the best restaurants in Orlando and have great on-site dining. After trying Café Osceola in the morning, return at night to feast at A Land Remembered. In 2022, our premier steakhouse was the proud recipient of a OpenTable Diners’ Choice award.
Holy moly — National Bagel Day is coming up on January 15.
The day is a time to enjoy a bagel in all its crispy on the outside, soft in the middle glory.
And it’s the perfect chance to celebrate the food’s history. The beloved bread originated in Jewish communities in Poland in the 1600s. Aside from being delicious, beygls were also practical. The ring shape made them cook more quickly and made it easier for bakeries to transport and display their goods.
The circle-shaped bread became a hit in the northeast U.S. as Jewish immigrants put down roots in New York City.
Today, nearly 8% of Florida residents were born in New York. So beautiful bagels abound in the Sunshine State, too. Whether you like yours with cream cheese, butter, or salty and smoky salmon, there’s a Central Florida bagel shop for you.
Here are seven places where you can celebrate National Bagel Day in Orlando.
1. Bagel King
Bagel King has reigned supreme in Orlando since 1977.
The bakery is owned by the same family today and has locations in the northern suburbs of Casselberry, Winter Park, and Lake Mary.
Enjoy standbys like plain, everything, and poppy seed. You’ll also find new classics like cheddar jalapeño, asiago, and cinnamon. All flavors pair perfectly with their homemade cream cheese. Or go dairy-free with hummus or avocado.
Bagels aren’t all you’ll find on the shop’s massive menu.
Fuel your Orlando adventures with breakfast fare like pancakes and omelets. If you stop by for lunch, you can instead enjoy a salad or huge deli sandwich.
2. Brooklyn Water Bagels
Before bagels are baked to perfection, they’re steamed or boiled. Since water has different minerals depending on where you are, bagels taste a little different from place to place. And sometimes you just want a taste of home.
That’s why they developed their own water treatment system, which makes Florida water taste like it flowed down from the mountains of upstate New York.
The result is authentic New York-style rings packed with flavor. Enjoy yours with schmear, nova lox, or eggs and cheese. Northerners visiting Florida will find familiar flavors in meats like pastrami and Taylor ham. Brooklyn Water also serves deli sandwiches, wraps, and iced coffee.
The bakery chain has locations around the state, including in Winter Park and Lake Mary.
3. Stuff-A-Bagel
Stuff-A-Bagel likewise pays homage to the ring-shaped bread’s New York roots.
About 20 years ago, the Giambalvo family moved from Long Island to Southwest Florida and opened their first bakery. It was a hit, especially with customers from New York and New Jersey. Once the Giambalvo kids were old enough, they opened outposts of their own.
In 2022, the family opened a shop in Windermere, west of Orlando.
The shop’s walls are filled with New York Mets and subway memorabilia. The northeastern theme carries over to the menu, which has sandwiches named La Guardia, the Boss, and Long Island Expressway. Or start your day with a heaping helping of flavored cream cheese.
4. Bakery Plus
If you’re an early riser, Bakery Plus is the spot for you.
You’ll find this small-but-mighty bakeshop in SoDo, a neighborhood south of downtown Orlando. Bakery Plus sells all types of oven-fresh goodies, including donuts, croissants, and, of course, bagels. Take a seat at the counter or pull up to the drive-thru and enjoy sweet treats and freshly made breakfast sandwiches.
The bakery opens at 6 a.m. each day, and popular menu items can sell out quickly. So be sure to get there first thing in the morning.
That’s thanks to this Orlando bakery’s Bagel of the Day menu. Each day, the shop features a different variety. Depending on when you visit, you may be able to enjoy a French toast, egg, rainbow swirl, or sprinkle-covered delight. Jeff’s everyday menu includes options like rosemary salt, cinnamon raisin, garlic, and blueberry.
In 2022, Jeff’s was one of three businesses to win Best Bakery in the Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards.
Unlike the other bakeries on this list, Belanger serves Montreal-style bagels. They are thinner and denser than their New York counterparts. They are also sweeter since they’re traditionally boiled in honey water. Montrealers typically top their bagels with poppy or sesame seeds.
Belanger is open for pick-up on select days. Check their website for availability.
Go traditional with sesame or poppy. Or order fun flavors like everything, pumpkin spice, asiago, or cheddar jalapeño. And because Belanger boils its dough in agave rather than honey, vegan options are available.
7. 18 Monroe Street
Trying local bakehouses is a great way to see more of Orlando. But some mornings, your stomach starts rumbling the moment your alarm clock goes off. Prepare for days like those by choosing an Orlando hotel where you can enjoy perfectly baked bagels on-site.
Rosen Shingle Creek is home to 18 Monroe Street Market, a deli that serves fresh baked goods every morning.
The morning menu includes tasty bagels you can enjoy with butter, peanut butter, or your favorite cream cheese flavor. 18 Monroe also has a splendid selection of sandwiches. The smoked salmon sandwich with onions and capers will rock any lox-lover’s world.
Of course, Rosen Shingle Creek is more than a great place to grab breakfast.
Our location on Universal Boulevard makes it easy to get to Orlando’s top attractions. We’re minutes from the theme parks and Orange County Convention Center. Or stay in and enjoy our pools, nature trail, and award-winning golf course.
Since 2000, locals and visitors have flocked to the Great Florida Birding Trail to see their feathered friends.
January 5, National Bird Day, is the perfect time to break out your binoculars and hit the trail. There are great places to see birds throughout Orlando and the rest of Central Florida. Whether you’re a casual birdwatcher or avid birder (yes, there’s a difference!), the area has an avian adventure for you.
Here are six questions you may have about the Great Florida Birding Trail.
1. What is the Great Florida Birding Trail?
Despite the name, the Great Florida Birding Trail is not a continuous path.
Rather, it is a network of prime birding and birdwatching spots in the state, from the hills of Tallahassee to the far-flung Florida Keys.
Taking inspiration from a similar program in coastal Texas, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) opened the first wing of the trail in 2000. Through the years, the trail continued to expand. Today, it spans over 2,000 miles and includes over 500 bird habitats.
The trail has something for everyone.
Most of the stops along it are accessible by car. To get to other spots, you’ll need to hike or paddle. No matter how your adventure begins, it will end with amazing views of your favorite fowl.
2. Are there a lot of different birds in Florida?
Yes! In fact, Florida has the third-most diverse avian population in the U.S.
Citizen scientists who use the eBird app have reported over 500 species in the state. That’s because there are so many different types of habitats here. We have everything from scrubby pine forests to swamps to coastal dunes. Here in Central Florida, we can grow both tropical and temperate plants, so there’s food for a variety of birds.
And because we’re part of the Atlantic Flyway, many migratory species stop by in the cooler months.
While watching wildlife in Central Florida, be on the lookout for swallow-tailed kites. You’ll recognize the species from the Great Florida Birding Trail’s logo.
Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
3. The trail sounds amazing. Where can I go birding in the Orlando area?
Orlando and most of Central Florida are part of the east section of the Great Florida Birding Trail.
Many of the east section’s stops are within 90 minutes of Orlando, including:
Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont, whose grasslands are great for spotting meadowlarks, wild turkeys, and bobwhite quail
Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, a raptor rescue center in Maitland where you can see eagles, falcons, and hawks
Tibet-Butler Preserve, a lakeside park near the theme parks where you can see aquatic birds like storks, ibises, and anhingas
Hal Scott Regional Preserve, a vast East Orlando wetland park with sandhill cranes, hawks, buntings, and crested caracaras
Disney Wilderness Preserve in Kissimmee, a pristine park established by Disney and the Nature Conservancy, which houses rails, red-tailed hawks, and eagles
Lake Jesup Conservation Area, between Sanford and Oviedo, where you can see species like meadowlarks, ospreys, and barred owls
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, one of the trail’s most popular sites, where you may see roseate spoonbills, egrets, and avocets
Smyrna Dunes Park on the Atlantic Coast, where you can see sandpipers, warblers, and plovers from the safety of a boardwalk
4. I’m new to birdwatching. How do I get started?
The FWC has published some great resources to help you begin your birding or birdwatching journey. Their Birding 101 page recommends picking up a spotting scope and a good pair of binoculars. You’ll also find printable and app-based bird species checklists on this website.
While birding helps raise awareness of many environmental issues, the activity can harm avian habitats.
Before hitting the trail, review these safety tips that will keep you and your feathered friends safe.
5. What else is there to do along the trail?
The pristine parks and preserves along the Great Florida Birding Trail aren’t just great for birds. They provide habitat to many other species, from butterflies to gopher tortoises. So the trail offers opportunities to see and learn about all kinds of native Florida wildlife.
Depending on what part of the trail you visit, you can enjoy many of your favorite outdoor activities. Go surfing or fishing in Canaveral National Seashore. Enjoy snorkeling and kayaking at Wekiwa Springs State Park. Or have fun on dry land by hiking through Orlando’s Split Oak Forest.
6. I’d love to go birding, but I don’t have time to hit the trail. Is there anywhere else in Orlando I can see birds?
If you stay at Rosen Shingle Creek, you can go birding or birdwatching without leaving your hotel.
Our Orlando hotel is located along Shingle Creek, the headwaters of the Everglades. While exploring our on-site nature trail or enjoying our fishing dock, you can see species like sandhill cranes and ibises. And you just might spot a perfectly pink roseate spoonbill.
The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts always wows its guests with world-class productions. From soaring orchestral shows to an out-of-this-world talk about space, the venue has something for everyone in January 2023.
Start the new year strong with a grand night at one of these Dr. Phillips Center events.
Sleeping Beauty
On Saturday, January 7, at 5 p.m., the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine will leave Orlando spellbound.
Sleeping Beauty tells the story of Princess Aurora through dance and the music of famed composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky. When a wicked fairy curses the young princess, she is doomed to sleep for 100 years. Only the kiss of a handsome prince can break the spell.
The classic folk tale was first performed as a ballet in 1890 in St. Petersburg, Russia.
This grand production was met with critical acclaim. In the decades that followed, ballet lovers across Europe flocked to see the show. Sleeping Beauty first enchanted North American audiences in the 1930s. And the rest is happily ever after.
Tickets to see Sleeping Beauty at the Dr. Phillips Center’s Steinmetz Hall start at $55.
Neil deGrasse Tyson: The Search for Life in the Universe
The Dr. Phillips Center frequently hosts big stars. By “stars,” we normally mean “celebrities,” not the things sparkling in the night sky.
But in January 2023, we mean it in both senses. On Sunday, January 8, at 7 p.m., Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson heads to Orlando. The renowned astrophysicist will discuss the possibility of life on other planets.
Neil deGrasse Tyson grew up in the Bronx. A visit to NYC’s Hayden Planetarium as a kid left him starstruck.
So, after high school, he studied physics at Harvard, then received his Ph.D. in astrophysics from Columbia University.
After that, he returned to the Hayden, this time as an employee. He was soon promoted to planetarium director. Through the years, Dr. Tyson has also helped fans explore space from the comfort of their own homes. His TV hosting credits include NOVA ScienceNOW and the Emmy-winning Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey.
Tickets to see Neil DeGrasse Tyson at the Dr. Phillips Center’s Walt Disney Theater start at $49.50.
For $250, you can purchase a VIP ticket. VIPs receive front-of-house seating and an autographed poster. They also get to stick around after the main event for a group photo and Q&A session with Dr. Tyson.
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
From Tuesday, January 10, until Sunday, January 15, the Walt Disney Theater will host a musical that’s simply the best.
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical celebrates the life and career of the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. It follows the singer from her turbulent childhood in the outskirts of Memphis to her meteoric rise to fame. The jukebox musical features hits like “River Deep Mountain High,” “Proud Mary,” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It?”
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical opened in London’s West End in 2018.
BroadwaySpain, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
It came to Broadway the following year, and the big wheel has kept on turning ever since. In 2020, Tina was nominated for 12 Tony Awards. Adrienne Warren, who originated the role of Turner on Broadway, took home an award for her performance.
Tickets for Tina: The Tina Turner Musical at the Dr. Phillips Center will go on sale soon.
Showtimes will vary by date, with both matinee and evening shows available.
Yuja Wang Plays Rachmaninoff
Piano virtuoso Yuja Wang will play at Steinmetz Hall on Saturday, January 14, at 7:30 p.m. The following day, she’ll return for a matinee at 3:30 p.m.
Yuja Wang grew up in Beijing and took her first piano lesson at age 6.
The next year, she enrolled at China’s prestigious Central Conservatory of Music. By age 11, Wang was tickling the ivories at international music festivals. She studied at Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music as a teenager. Since then, Wang has toured with groups like the Berlin Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
When she comes to the Dr. Phillips Center, Yuja Wang will play a selection of works by composers Debussy and Rachmaninoff.
Tickets to the show start at $55.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra
On Friday, January 20, at 7:30 p.m., the Glenn Miller Orchestra will swing by Steinmetz Hall. They’ll play big band tunes of the 1930s and ‘40s.
Legendary bandleader Glenn Miller started the orchestra in 1938. They released a string of swing hits, including “Tuxedo Junction” and “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” The orchestra disbanded in 1942 when Miller felt called to enlist in the U.S. Army. He formed a military band that entertained fellow service members during World War II.
In 1944, Glenn Miller disappeared when his airplane went missing between the U.K. and France.
In 1956, a group of musicians decided to restart the orchestra in Miller’s honor. The Glenn Miller Orchestra has continued touring since then. Through the years, popular entertainers like Henry Mancini and Betty Grable have been a part of the group.
Tickets to see the Glenn Miller Orchestra at the Dr. Phillips Center start at $80.67.
Riverdance
This January, step into the world of Irish dance at the Dr. Phillips Center.
Award-winning Irish music and stepdance troupe Riverdance will perform at the Walt Disney Theater from January 20 to 23. Showtimes vary by day, with matinee and evening shows available.
Riverdance first hit the stage in 1994 as a guest act at that year’s Eurovision competition. The performance was such a hit with viewers that the dancers decided to keep the act going. Riverdance’s first run at Dublin’s Point Theatre sold out within days. Since then, more than 25 million people have seen the precise, yet poignant, dance company live.
Tickets to see Riverdance start at $44.75.
The Cleveland Orchestra
The acoustics of Dr. Phillips Center’s Steinmetz Hall are unmatched.
The concert hall opened in early 2022 and earned an N1 sound rating, the highest possible score. This means that the walls absorb virtually all outside noise, allowing you to hear everything happening on stage. To celebrate its new concert hall, the Dr. Phillips Center will host three of the country’s best orchestras in 2023.
The Great American Orchestra Series kicks off on Sunday, January 22, with the Cleveland Orchestra.
The award-winning symphony orchestra will perform works by composers Schubert and Tchaikovsky.
The Cleveland Orchestra started in 1918 with the support of Ohio’s biggest arts patrons. After years of bouncing between venues, in 1931, they found a permanent home in Cleveland’s Severance Hall. This theater was one of the first in the U.S. to be set up for radio broadcasts. Live radio shows helped the orchestra go from a local secret to a national treasure.
Since 2002, the orchestra has been led by conductor Franz Welser-Möst.
The Cleveland Orchestra’s Orlando concert starts at 3 p.m. Tickets start at $50.
The all-male comedic dance company, also known as the TROCKS, will keep you on your toes.
The dance troupe started in the 1970s as an offshoot of NYC’s Ridiculous Theatre Company. The group became known for over-the-top ballet performances, with many of the dancers appearing in drag. By the ‘80s, the TROCKS were touring the world and performing on programs like the Dick Cavett Show and Muppet Babies. They’ve also performed for British and Thai royalty.
Tickets to see the TROCKS at the Dr. Phillips Center start at $29.50.
Wicked
From Wednesday, January 25, to Sunday, February 12, the touring cast of Wicked will defy gravity at the Walt Disney Theater. Both evening and matinee shows are available.
The hit musical is based on Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. Maguire’s book is, in turn, a prequel to L. Frank Baum’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Wicked is told from the perspective of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda the Good Witch.
It follows their relationship from mismatched college roommates to friends to rivals in the Land of Oz.
The show debuted in 2003 with Broadway superstars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth as the leads. Wicked won two Tony awards and has broken multiple box office records. It is also one of the few Broadway shows that have grossed over $1 billion.
Tickets will go on sale for Wicked at the Dr. Phillips Center soon.
Something Wonderful: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein
On Saturday, January 8, Steinmetz Hall will come alive with the sound of music during two amazing concerts.
At 3:30 or 7:30 p.m., hear the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra perform iconic songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Jeffrey Redding, a Grammy winner and professor at the University of Central Florida, will serve as the conductor. Lyricist Oscar Hammerstein’s grandson, Andy, will narrate the musical revue.
Oscar Hammerstein met composer Richard Rodgers in 1920. At the time, they were both Columbia University students.
After making names for themselves separately, they started writing songs together in the early 1940s. Their first project, Oklahoma!, forever changed Broadway. It was one of the first musicals whose songs moved the plot forward. From there, they continued to write hit shows, including South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music.
Tickets to Something Wonderful: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein start at $46.54.
Take Your Final Bow at Rosen Shingle Creek
After the curtains close and the house lights come on, head back to Rosen Shingle Creek.
Our hotel is on Universal Boulevard close to the Dr. Phillips Center and Orlando’s other top attractions. Our clean, comfortable, and spacious guestrooms are the perfect place to recharge after an exciting show.
Florida’s largest Christian music festival, Rock the Universe, returns to Universal Orlando Resort from January 27–28, 2023.
Get ready for a weekend full of heavenly tunes, uplifting worship, and thrilling rides. Each evening of Rock the Universe, big names in Christian contemporary music (CCM) will take the stage. Here’s what to expect during the weekend of faith and fun at Universal Studios Florida.
Rock the Universe Friday Headlining Acts
The following acts will rock the Universal Orlando stage on Friday, January 27:
VelvetKelm20, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Skillet – Christian metal band Skillet formed in Memphis in 1996. They’re best known for the energetic single “Monster” from their hit album Awake. The album reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Christian chart and earned the band a Billboard Award in 2011. Skillet has also won multiple GMA Dove Awards.
Bethel Music – Bethel Music is a collective of 13 musicians, most of whom are from northern California. In 2019, their single “Raise a Hallelujah” reached No. 1 on the Christian Airplay chart.
Rend Collective – Rend Collective is a Christian folk band from Northern Ireland. They’ve toured with CCM star Chis Tomlin and Lacey Sturm, the former lead singer of Flyleaf.
Evan Craft – Evan Craft is a Christian Latin artist from Southern California. He released his first LP, Spotlight, in 2010. Two years later, he had his commercial breakthrough with the Spanish-language album Yo Soy Segundo. In 2021, he won his first Dove Award for the album
Katy Nichole – Rising CCM star Katy Nichole released her first single, “In Jesus Name (God of Possible),” in early 2022. The song was an instant hit, soaring to the top of the iTunes Christian & Gospel chart.
Saturday Performers at Rock the Universe
The artists taking the Universal Orlando stage on Saturday, January 28, include:
Zach Williams – Singer Zach Williams grew up in Arkansas, where he formed the Southern rock band Zach Williams & The Reformation in 2007. After going solo in 2016, he had a No. 1 hit with “Chain Breaker.” In 2021, he won a Grammy for “There Was Jesus,” a moving duet with Dolly Parton.
Matthew West – Matthew West is a singer and songwriter from Illinois. He is known for the hits “More,” “You Are Everything,” and “The Motions.” He’s won three Dove Awards, including Songwriter of the Year in 2018.
Dante Bowe – Dante Bowe broke into the contemporary gospel scene in 2017 with his first album, Son of a Father. Since then, he has found success both as a solo artist and with the CCM collectives Bethel Music and Maverick City. In 2021, he won a Dove Award for his single “Joyful.”
Minnie Bannister, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Anne Wilson – Anne Wilson is an up-and-coming CCM singer from Lexington, KY. Her 2021 single “My Jesus” was a No. 1 hit on the Hot Christian Songs chart. The song also landed on the secular Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
We Are Messengers – Christian rock band We Are Messengers released their first, self-titled album in 2016. Since then, the band has performed in 40 U.S. states and five countries, including their native Ireland. In 2021, their song “Come What May” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart.
CAIN – CAIN is a Christian country band comprised of three siblings, Taylor, Madison, and Logan Cain. Their first album, Rise Up, was released in 2021. It produced the hit singles “Rise Up (Lazarus),” “Yes He Can,” and “The Commission.”
Rocking Around Universal
Rock the Universe is a separately ticketed, after-hours event. Standard admission costs $79.99 for one night or $119.99 for two. Youth groups attending the all-ages event can enjoy discounts if they bring 10 or more guests.
Concertgoers may enter Universal Studios Florida at 4 p.m. on their selected date(s).
When you’re not jamming at the main stage, enjoy supporting acts and DJ sets at the Coca-Cola FanZone. Many of the headlining acts will stop by the FanZone to sign autographs after their performances. Select Universal attractions will stay open all night. Between praising and partying, enjoy rides like Revenge of the Mummy and Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem.
Rock the Universe upgrades include priority ride boarding and all-day theme park tickets.
No matter what ticket you choose, you’re invited to return to Universal Studios early on Sunday, January 29. That morning, guests will come together for a nondenominational church service that’s sure to inspire. Reservations are recommended for this popular and powerful prayer event.
Complete Your Rocking Orlando Vacation at Rosen Shingle Creek
After a fun night at Universal Orlando, return to your luxurious guestroom at Rosen Shingle Creek.
Our clean, comfortable, and reasonably priced hotel puts you close to Universal Orlando Resort. When you’re not rocking the universe, have a blast at our hotel’s swimming pools, arcade, and nature trail. Or go out and explore Orlando. Our location on Universal Boulevard makes it easy to visit the city’s top attractions.
Traveling with a group? We’re here to help you plan an epic Rock the Universe adventure. Visit our Group Promotions page to learn more.
‘Tis the season for indulging in your favorite holiday pastimes. And no holiday is complete without marveling at the gentle glow of Christmas lights.
Here are the best places for you and your family to experience holiday lights in Orlando.
5 of the Best Places to Experience the Holiday Lights
Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens
Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens is one of the most popular ways to enjoy the spectacle of holiday lights in Orlando, Florida.
Every year, Leu Gardens’ 3/4-mile trail comes alive with millions of twinkling lights. This year, the trail has been redesigned to include a laser forest, neon glowing flowers, and a candy cane tunnel. Enjoy Leu Gardens’ stunning lights display from November 25, 2022, to January 1, 2023.
The Lights on Jeater Bend
Holiday light displays put on by average homeowners are starting to give commercial light shows a run for their money.
Like many people, the residents of Jeater Bend in Kissimmee adorn their homes in seasonal lights for Halloween and Christmas. But these are not your run-of-the-mill holiday lights. They are choreographed productions synced to festive music. Laser, water, and fire elements make the Lights on Jeater Bend a sight to behold.
Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show
For many, the holidays begin with a Christmas tree lighting show.
Kick off your celebration at the Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show on Sunday, December 4, 2022. The décor will stay up for the rest of December. So be sure to return to enjoy synchronized lights and music throughout the season.
Light Up the Holidays in Altamonte Springs
Do a 60-foot Christmas tree and a display of 200,000 lights sound like a great way to kick off the season? Then Light Up the Holidays in Altamonte Springs is the Central Florida Christmas celebration for you. Even better, admission to this merry and bright event is completely free.
Enjoy the holiday lights on December 3, 2022, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
The free party’s main attraction is a stunning Christmas tree lighting. But the outdoor event will also feature a beautiful menorah ceremony, photos with Santa, and jazz music. After you’ve strolled along Park Avenue, settle in for a classic holiday movie screening.
Visit Winter Park’s Winter on the Avenue on December 2, 2022, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Make Rosen Shingle Creek Your Orlando Holiday Destination
When you stay in one of our rooms, you are promised comfort and cleanliness at a reasonable rate.
Our luxury hotel is conveniently located near International Drive. This puts you a short trip away from Orlando’s magical holiday events. When you’re not admiring the dazzling lights, enjoy Orlando’s top attractions, restaurants, and bars.
Pop the bubbly and make those resolutions. While it may seem like 2022 just began, New Year’s Eve will be here before we know it. Whether you’re looking for an epic night out or a daytime party for the kids, you’ll find great NYE celebrations all around Orlando.
On December 31, 2022, party it up at one of these 10 New Year’s Eve celebrations in Orlando.
1. Capone’s New Year’s Eve Gala
Gather the gang for dinner and a show this New Year’s Eve.
Capone’s Dinner & Show in Kissimmee puts on criminally good productions all year. But once a year, the speakeasy-themed dinner theater goes all out for an NYE extravaganza. The fun starts at 8 p.m. with a four-course meal, bottomless drinks, and a wild show featuring bumbling bootleggers. As the clock strikes 12, join your fellow diners for a champagne toast.
Then, dance the night away as a DJ plays all the hits.
The New Year’s Eve gala costs $73.99 for adults and $55.99 for kids.
2. Jazzberry Jammin’ Noon Year’s Eve at Crayola Experience
Thanks to Jazzberry Jammin’ Noon Year’s Eve, kids can ring in 2023 without staying up past their bedtime.
Head to Crayola Experience in the Florida Mall for an artsy afternoon party. In addition to Crayola Experience’s year-round craft stations, guests will be able to make their own NYE crowns and resolution lists. A DJ will spin family-friendly tunes from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m., and there will be New Year’s countdowns at 1 and 3.
All the noon year’s fun is included with your Crayola Experience ticket.
3. Noon Year’s Eve at the Orlando Science Center
Orlando has something fun for science-loving kiddos, too.
Orlando Science Center (OSC) features four floors of hands-on exhibits on everything from nutrition to the environment.
Every December 31, the museum hosts a daytime dance party in the DinoDigs room. Show off your moves to your new T. rex friends, then count down to 12 o’clock (noon, that is). Then, spend the rest of the afternoon learning about STEM fields like meteorology and physics.
Noon Year’s Eve is included in OSC admission. Adult tickets are $24, and kids 2-11 get in for $18.
4. Howl at the Moon
End 2022 with a night spent rocking out to your favorite tunes.
Howl at the Moon is a 21+ dueling piano bar on International Drive. Every NYE, they host a rollicking party with incredible live musicians. The pianists take request, so feel free to ask them to play your favorite hit song from 2022 (or a riveting rendition of “Auld Lang Syne”). Last year, general admission cost $20 and came with party favors and a complimentary glass of champagne at midnight.
Upgrades included drink packages, a catered buffet, and early entry.
5. SAK Comedy Lab
If your New Year’s resolution is to laugh more, get a head start with some hilarious improv comedy.
SAK Comedy Lab is a downtown Orlando comedy club. The venue typically hosts two interactive improv shows on New Year’s Eve. The earlier one delivers family-friendly laughs. The later, PG-13 show ends around 11:30, at which point SAK staff will get the party started with a champagne toast.
Last NYE, SAK Comedy Lab tickets started at $20.
6. New Year’s Eve Celebration at Old Town Kissimmee
This free, all-ages event starts with a classic car show and live music. As 2022 becomes 2023, colorful fireworks will dance above Kissimmee. You can also enjoy Old Town’s year-round attractions, including carnival rides, a haunted house, and an indoor obstacle course.
Last year, the NYE fun started at 1 p.m.
7. Thornton Park Street Party
This NYE, party like a local in Thornton Park, a scenic neighborhood in downtown Orlando.
This 21+, open-air celebration features multiple DJ booths and drink specials from seven nearby bars. Last year, general admission started at $10, or you could upgrade to a $55 ticket that came with an open bar. For $75, you could purchase a VIP ticket, which granted you access to two additional Thornton Park bars.
Every New Year’s Eve, New York City holds its world-famous ball drop in Times Square. Atlanta drops a peach; Miami drops an orange.
And east of Kissimmee in St. Cloud, Florida, partygoers flock to see a giant cloud drop at midnight.
Rockin’ the Cloud is free and kid friendly. In the hours leading up to the new year, enjoy live music, dancing, and delectable food and drink vendors. Past headliners included alt-rock band Fuel and country star Brooke Eden.
9. Boxi Park
When we say that Boxi Park in Lake Nona has something for everyone this NYE, we mean it.
The unique outdoor food hall hosts a multi-part New Year’s Eve celebration each year. Guests of all ages can celebrate at an early-evening party, which features face painting, dancing, and caricature artists. Later in the night, the party becomes 21+ and features live music, photo ops, and a midnight champagne toast.
Boxi Park features an off-leash dog park, so even Fido can party like it’s 2023.
Last year, admission to the family-friendly event was $10 per guest. Tickets to the late-night shindig started at $20. For $150, you could purchase a VIP ticket that included an open bar.
10. Rosen Shingle Creek
As this list proves, there are lively New Year’s Eve parties all around Orlando.
But if you pick the right hotel, you can have an amazing NYE without leaving the building. On Saturday, December 31, 2022, Rosen Shingle Creek will welcome 2023 with a grand party, just for our hotel and dining guests. Expect music, dancing, and a bubbly toast as the clock strikes 12.
Fuel your New Year’s Eve with our delectable on-site dining options.
Café Osceola will offer a bountiful buffet with complimentary champagne. Last year’s menu included jerk chicken, prime rib, and three types of pasta, plus a spread of indulgent desserts. Or opt for the four-course, prix fixe menu at Cala Bella or A Land Remembered.
Then, spend the first day of 2023 enjoying Rosen Shingle Creek’s world-class amenities. With an on-site spa, golf club, nature trail, and pool, we have something to delight everyone in your NYE crew.
Do you want to be in the room where it happens? Then don’t throw away your shot to see one of the most successful musicals of all time, Hamilton, live in Orlando this fall at the Dr. Phillips Center.
The Story of Hamilton
Hamilton chronicles Alexander Hamilton’s life, legacy, and relationships during the dawn of America. The story spans his youth in the Caribbean to his death at the hands of long-time political rival Aaron Burr. The sung-through musical is notable for its use of riveting hip-hop and R&B music.
Along the way, you’ll meet American historical figures like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
Who Tells His Story?
The name “Alexander Hamilton” has become entwined with the name of the man who popularized his story: Lin-Manuel Miranda.
It took Miranda over seven years to write the musical. He was inspired to bring Hamilton’s story to the stage after picking up Ron Chernow’s biography about the founding father.
Since its release, Hamilton has received numerous honors, including the 2016 Tony Award for Best Musical. The show has garnered acclaim from public figures and continues to sell out theaters across the country.
Hamilton in Orlando
Hamilton runs in the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts from Wednesday, October 26, to Sunday, November 20, 2022. The show takes place in the Walt Disney Theater.
There are 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. showtimes, depending on your chosen date. As Hamilton is one of the most popular shows, get your tickets as soon as possible. That way, you won’t have to wait for it… to return to Orlando.
Book an Orlando Stay That Will Leave You Satisfied
Rosen Shingle Creek is close to all the action in Orlando.
This Orlando hotel is a short drive away from the Dr. Phillips Center. Our location near International Drive also puts you close to Orlando’s top attractions, bars, and restaurants. Our clean, luxurious, and affordable rooms are the perfect place to stay after you see Hamilton.
All aboard — plans to bring Brightline service to Orlando are chugging right along.
If everything stays on track, the high-speed rail company will finish building its route from Miami to Orlando International Airport (MCO) in early 2023. Trains will start running soon after that. From there, Brightline has plans to expand across Florida.
Here’s everything you need to know before the high-speed train arrives in Central Florida.
What is Brightline?
Ljgoiedjghiotekhopte, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Brightline is a passenger rail line that has operated in South Florida since 2018. Each month, it takes over 100,000 passengers between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.
Each train features spacious seating, free Wi-Fi, and ample power outlets. Snacks, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages are sold on the train and at each train station. Riders can also purchase premium seating. This upgrade comes with free food and drinks, priority boarding, and access to an exclusive lounge at each train station.
The fleet uses carbon-neutral biodiesel, making the route perfect for eco-conscious travelers.
What does Brightline have planned for Central Florida?
Brightline has spent 2022 constructing and testing the 170-mile route between South Florida and Orlando.
Once train service to Orlando starts, the company shows no signs of pumping its brakes. The company is finalizing plans to expand westward to downtown Tampa. On the way to the Bay, the train will stop near the Orange County Convention Center and Walt Disney World.
This “Sunshine Corridor” will likely also connect to SunRail, a regional train line that stops in fun destinations like Lake Eola Park and Winter Park.
How long will it take to get between Orlando and South Florida on Brightline?
Brightline will travel at speeds of up to 125 mph, getting riders between MCO and downtown Miami in about 3 hours.
Driving between these two cities would take 3.5 hours without traffic. But since I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike are two of the busiest roads in the U.S., the drive is usually longer. Brightline will allow travelers to skip the traffic jams while enjoying scenic views of meadows, marshes, and rivers.
How much will Brightline cost?
A standard one-way ticket between Orlando and Miami will cost around $100. While you can buy your tickets at the train station, passengers who buy their tickets online can often find discounted rates.
Who should consider riding Brightline?
Everyone!
South Florida residents will be able to pop up to Orlando without waiting in a TSA line that takes longer than the flight itself. Guests vacationing in Orlando will have the chance to explore South Florida’s beaches, restaurants, and museums without renting a car. And once the Sunshine Corridor opens, those flying into MCO will be able to ride Brightline from the airport to Orlando’s top attractions.
Brightline is also ADA compliant and pet friendly, so the whole family can ride the rails together.
Full Steam Ahead for Rosen Shingle Creek
After your Brightline train pulls into the Orlando Airport, make Rosen Shingle Creek your next stop.
Our Orlando hotel has everything you need to keep your trip on the rails.
Rosen Shingle Creek’s on-site dining options and theme park shuttles make it easy to have a car-free Orlando vacation. If the family dog is exploring Florida with you, they’ll love our pet-friendly rooms and gorgeous walking trails. And if you’re all about sustainable travel, our green practices will help you reduce your trip’s environmental footprint.
