If you woke up in Central Florida this morning expecting the usual humid embrace of the Sunshine State, you probably got a rude awakening. Honestly, it’s weird out there. Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, Orlando is caught in this bizarre middle ground between a perfect spring day and a looming "Florida freeze" that has everyone from citrus farmers to tourists scrambling for hoodies.
Right now, the high is sitting comfortably in the mid-70s. It feels great. But there is a massive cold front barreling down on us that’s set to turn Sunday into a soggy, windy mess before plunging temperatures below freezing by Monday morning. This isn't just "sweater weather" for locals; it's a legitimate Freeze Watch for almost every county in Central Florida except Brevard.
But Orlando doesn't just stop because the mercury might drop. If you're looking for what is happening in Orlando today, you’re going to find a city that is strangely busy for a mid-January weekend. Between a massive Scottish festival in the suburbs and some high-stakes drama at the theme parks, there is a lot to navigate.
The Highland Games and Key Lime Chaos
While the tourists are mostly huddled at the big parks, the locals have migrated north to Winter Springs. The 48th Central Florida Scottish Highland Games is currently taking over Central Winds Park. It’s the kind of event where you see men throwing literal telephone poles (the caber toss) and people arguing over which clan has the best tartan.
It’s huge. It’s loud. And if you’ve never seen the "Boulder Boogie"—where people try to carry massive rocks as far as they can without dropping them—you’re missing out on some peak Florida entertainment.
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If you’d rather eat than watch heavy athletics, a lot of people have actually made the drive over to Merritt Island today for the Original Florida Key Lime Pie Festival. They’ve got this new amphitheater at Brevard Veterans Memorial Park, and they’re doing everything from pie-eating contests to hula hoop battles. It’s a bit of a haul from downtown Orlando, but for a world-class slice of pie, most people here find the drive worth it.
What Is Happening In Orlando Today at the Theme Parks?
Over at Disney, today marks a pretty big transition. The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts officially kicked off this morning. This is arguably the best festival they do all year because it’s not just about eating; it’s about the "Disney on Broadway" concert series and those crazy-detailed food items that look like paintings.
A brand new exhibit called Once Upon A Stage: The Magic of Disney on Broadway just opened inside CommuniCore Hall. It’s a must-see if you’re a theater nerd. But honestly, the parks are a bit of a construction nightmare right now.
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is still closed for its massive overhaul.
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is down for a total tech refresh.
- Test Track is still behind walls.
- Even the pools at All-Star Sports are drained and under construction.
Then there's Universal. There is a ton of buzz today because of a cryptic "speedometer" image Universal posted. Everyone is convinced that the Fast & Furious – Supercharged ride—which, let’s be real, is one of the most hated attractions in the park—is finally being gutted to make room for a new roller coaster. If you’re in the parks today, you can practically feel the anticipation (or maybe it's just the caffeine from the Voodoo Doughnuts).
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Nightlife and the Dr. Phillips Center
If you’ve got tickets for tonight, Kevin James is performing at the Walt Disney Theater inside the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts at 8:00 PM. It’s pretty much a sell-out.
Down the street at the House of Blues, things are a little louder with a Linkin Park tribute band called In the End. It’s a weird mix of people downtown tonight: you’ve got the comedy crowd in their nice clothes and the 2000s-era rockers in their black tees.
The weather is going to hold up for the evening, but once that sun goes down, you're going to feel that wind start to pick up. By 5:00 AM tomorrow, the rain is supposed to start hitting hard.
Practical Advice for Navigating the Next 24 Hours
If you are currently in town or planning to head out, here is the ground reality.
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Watch the Roads: There was a nasty crash yesterday on East Colonial Drive where a car literally went into a building. Traffic is still a bit snarled in that area. Also, keep in mind that a major road in West Orange County is still washed out and won't reopen until next week.
Prepare for the Freeze: If you are staying in an Airbnb or a local rental, check if the "heat" actually works. A lot of Florida homes are built for the heat, and when it hits 28 degrees (which is the forecast for Monday morning), those thin windows don't do much.
Theme Park Strategy: If you’re hitting EPCOT today for the Festival of the Arts, download the My Disney Experience app early. The lines for the "food studios" are going to get long by 2:00 PM as the locals finish up work and head to the park for the weekend.
Basically, Orlando today is a mix of high-end art, Scottish bagpipes, and a collective shivering as we wait for the first real cold snap of 2026. Enjoy the 70s while they last, because by tomorrow afternoon, you’re going to be looking for the nearest store that still has blankets in stock.
Check the local radar before you head out tomorrow morning—the rain window between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM looks pretty ugly. For now, grab a kilt or a key lime pie and soak up the sun.