September in Orlando Florida

Written By: Ella Taylor
September 1, 2022

Experiencing Florida in September can be a bit tricky even for locals due to the daily rain showers and thunderstorms. While we're dead smack in the middle of the rainy season, September is still one of the best months of the year to visit and spend time in the Sunshine State. The humidity drops, the weather is still wonderfully warm and it's a foodies dream too. Halloween also starts early (whoop whoop).

During the month of September, Orlando is one of the tastiest places to visit with all the food festivals and events including Magical Dining Month and Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Related: 101 Fun Things to DO in Orlando 2022

FLORIDA WEATHER IN SEPTEMBER

Weather in Florida during September is rather hot and muggy. Hurricane season is in full effect and typically, September marks the beginning of hurricane watches and warnings. Aside from the major storms, you can expect random rain showers and thunderstorms to occur almost daily, particularly in the afternoon and early evening. 

Speaking of rainfall and thunderstorms, did you know that Florida is referred to as the lightening capital of the world? So, it's very important that you protect yourself and loved ones during a storm. While the majority of visitors aren't in danger, boaters need to pay extra special attention to the weather when they're on the water. Here's a pro tip: Hurricanes never have lighting. What's dangerous about a Hurricane is the high wind velocity, flooding and possible tornadoes that may develop. 

If it's not cloudy and rainy, the sun will definitely be shining brightly in September, so it's imperative to prepare yourself with plenty of sunscreen to avoid sunburn and heat rash. This can happen rather quickly even with a little sun exposure in Florida. Staying hydrated is extremely important, as well. 

Florida is the only state in the U.S. that maintains a subtropical to tropical climate, year round. Depending on where you'll be traveling, temperatures will vary with the warmest temps being further South. Most of the state will average about 85 - 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the month of September, reaching over 75% humidity.

FLORIDA COSTS AND CROWDS IN SEPTEMBER

The September crowds in Florida are low since most families are going back to school, while the hurricane season keeps tourists at bay. This makes it a more convenient month to visit the beaches and theme parks. Lines are much more manageable most of September and the parks are less crowded. The weather can turn on you in an instant though so keep an umbrella or lightweight poncho handy as the Southern beaches, especially those on the Atlantic side, are more susceptible to bad storms.

There are some great deals on hotels and activities during the month of September as well. Tuesday is the least expensive day to check into a hotel during the week, both domestically and internationally. However, if you plan to arrive on a Friday or Saturday to depart on a Sunday, be prepared to pay a little more.

SEPTEMBER EVENTS IN KISSIMMEE & ORLANDO 

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is in full swing for 2022 and runs from July 14th through November 19, 2022. Come and taste your way through EPCOT while savoring delicious foods and beverages from around the world. 

SEAWORLD CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL

Love craft beer? Then here's your chance to sample a mixture of domestic and local Florida favorites. The SeaWorld Craft Beer Festival features over 100 brews and 20 exclusive menu items. The SeaWorld Craft Beer Festival runs from August 5 - September 5, 2022.

BUSH GARDENS BIER FEST

Enjoy an array of seasonal sips at the Bush Gardens Bier Fest and uncover over 70 seasonal craft beers while enjoying the local band.

The festival is included with park admission and runs from August 12th to September 5th 2022.

MAGICAL DINING

Now in it's 16th year, Magical Dining is a much anticipated event where you get the opportunity to dine at some of Central Florida's top restaurants for just $40 a head. And this is a meal you can feel good about reason being that a dollar from every meal goes to local charities.

Magical Dining runs from August 26th through October 2nd 2022.

HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal celebrates 30 years of frights and fun. There are haunted houses and scare zones, plus live entertainment and spooky (but tasty) food. 

Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from September 2 to October 31, 2022 at Universal Studios.

SUNSET WALK EVENTS

Sunset Walk is a fun entertainment and dining complex located 3251 Margaritaville Blvd,

Kissimmee, FL 34747 where you'll find a plethora of restaurants, shops, live entertainment and weekly events. Some of the events include:

1. Car Cruise (Saturdays from 4-9pm)

Every Saturday, vintage cars from 1987 or earlier line up to share the admiration for these classic beauties. There will be a live DJ and fun party atmosphere, followed by live music.

2. Car & Truck Show (Sunday, September 11th, 2022)

Classic car and truck collectors from all eras come together to showcase their vehicles while the DJ bumps classic rock music.

3. Sunset Live (Fridays & Saturdays, 6-10pm

Start making your way to Promenade Plaza and listen to the bands that play every Friday and Saturday from 6pm to 9pm.

4. Labor Day Weekend Street Party (September 2rd - September 5th)

Continues live entertainment from September 2 through the 5th for Labor Day Weekend. Four fun-packed days of live music, entertainment, bands, DJs, street performers, amazing food, and so much more. 

Attendees can also check out the over 20 dining, retail and entertainment venues that have made Promenade at Sunset Walk a must-visit destination. FREE Admission and FREE Parking! Events are being held rain or shine at both Sunset Walk and Euphoria Fish House Lounge at Margaritaville Resort Orlando. See guide for details.

MICKEY'S NOT SO SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

A whole lot of spooky specials and family fun are happening at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party in addition to trick and treating.

Mickey's Boo-To-You Halloween Parade - Features spooky floats, Disney villains, Haunted Mansion graveyard diggers and characters dressed in their Halloween best.

Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular - This stage show stars the wickedly fun Sanderson Sisters.

Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spectacular - A can't-miss nighttime extravaganza that features projections, special effects, fireworks, music and Disney characters.

These events run on select nights from August 12th through October 31, 2022.

FREE DAYS AT BOK TOWER GARDENS

Bok Tower Gardens is offering free Wawa Summer Fun Days with complimentary admission from September 1 through September 2, 2022.

Pre-registration is essential to receive complimentary tickets. This offer is limited to four visitors per registration, and admission for the day is limited as well, due to capacity issues. All members visiting will need to have a ticket to enter. 

FAIRY DOORS AT LEU GARDENS

Visit Leu Gardens and see their adorable Fairy Doors open daily through October 31, 2022. Discover 20 unique and magical fairy doors which will inspire your child’s imaginative world of enchanted forests, secret gardens and the magic of fairies. Each door is created by a very special fairy and all you have to do is find these beautiful doors located throughout the 50-acre gardens. A map showing the locations of all Fairy Doors is available.

Entry to Leu Gardens is $15 for adults and $10 for children aged 4-17 

HOWL-O-SCREAM AT BUSH GARDENS & SEAWORLD ORLANDO

Adult screams and scares are waiting over at Howl-O-Scream at Bush Gardens in Tampa Bay. Chilling live shows, and scary creatures take over the street as you get to experience Tampa's thrill rides in the dark.

Howl-O-Scream is open on select nights from September 9th through October 31, 2022.

SEAWORLD SPOOKTACULAR

Super kid-friendly is the Seaworld Spooktacular event in Orlando during September. This event is ideal for the little ones who want to partake in some trick and treating fun. They'll love the underwater "fantasea" featuring bright, colorful, and whimsical creatures, Penelope's Garden Party, Halloween Dance Party and Sesame Streets Countdown to Halloween.

This event is happening on select dates, Saturday and Sunday from September 17th through October 31, 2022.

BEST FLORIDA BEACHES IN SEPTEMBER

Florida is surrounded by awesome beaches you can access all year. Because September is peak hurricane season, most people won't be crowding the beach this month. Even though many beaches experience rainfall daily, the Northern Gulf  will be your best bet for an uninterrupted September beach vacation.

The best Northern Gulf beaches are:

1.   Navarre Beach

2.   Grayton Beach

3.   Henderson Beach State Park

4.   Pensacola Beach

5.   Clearwater Beach

6.   St. George Island

7.   St. Augustine Beach

8.   Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

9.   Panama City Beach

10. Jacksonville Beach

11. Crescent Beach

12. Daytona Beach

13. Main Beach

14. Fort Walton Beach

BOTTOM LINE

September in Florida may be wet and overcast, but despite this, the activities offered this time of year are definitely worth the visit to Orlando.

Let us know if you chose to vacation in Florida during the month of September and tell us your experience in the comments below!